WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:15.280 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:39.620 Today's scripture reading is from the Acts of the Apostle, chapter 1, verse 14, and chapter 2, verses 1 to 21, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:40.299 --> 00:00:42.780 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:50.299 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the woman and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:55.399 When the day of the Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:01:03.640 Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:09.780 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:16.479 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in their tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:23.439 Now they were staying in Jerusalem, God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:32.000 When they heard the sounds, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 00:01:33.100 --> 00:01:34.680 Utterly amazed, they asked, 00:01:35.380 --> 00:01:38.380 Aren't all those who are speaking Galileans? 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:44.799 Then how is that each of us hear them as in our native languages? 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:57.840 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:05.560 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya near Cyrene. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:14.319 Visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, 00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:19.759 we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:22.060 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 00:02:22.480 --> 00:02:23.400 What does this mean? 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:26.539 Some, however, made fun of them and said, 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:28.439 They had too much wine. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:33.020 Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd, 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:38.180 Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you. 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:40.140 Listen carefully to what I say. 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:42.780 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:44.820 It's only nine in the morning. 00:02:45.420 --> 00:02:48.260 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:54.000 In the last days, God says, 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:56.699 I will pour my spirit on all people. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:58.759 Your sons and daughters will prophecy. 00:02:59.419 --> 00:03:01.219 Your young men will see visions. 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:03.259 Your old men will dream dreams. 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:06.900 Even on my servants, both men and women, 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:10.539 I will pour out on my spirit in those days. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:12.259 And they will prophecy. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.099 I will show wonders in the heavens above, 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:16.979 and signs on the earth below. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.939 Blood and fire and billows of smoke. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.020 The sun will be turned to darkness, 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:23.520 and the moon to blood. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:27.300 Before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:30.520 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:03:31.020 --> 00:03:33.259 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:34.900 Thanks be to God. 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:41.360 Thank you for that wonderful reading, Sebastian. 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:42.139 Appreciate that. 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:45.300 Good morning. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:48.420 If you were here last week, 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:51.260 you know that we began a new sermon series 00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:54.660 in this great book called The Acts of the Apostles. 00:03:54.880 --> 00:03:57.680 And we were introduced to the author of this book, 00:03:57.939 --> 00:03:58.840 a man named Luke, 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:01.300 who is a doctor, a historian. 00:04:01.980 --> 00:04:05.920 He's a highly educated companion of the Apostle Paul. 00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:10.680 He's the only Gentile author in the New Testament. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.840 The only of the four evangelists 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.500 who gave us a second volume of this exciting story 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.939 of the continuing works and words of Jesus 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:22.019 in and through the life of the church. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:24.420 And we also met last week, 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:27.759 we met Luke's student named Theophilus. 00:04:28.340 --> 00:04:30.139 Theophilus was like many of us, 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:34.199 intellectually educated and sophisticated. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:37.560 He had been trained in the worldviews 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:39.100 of the Greco-Roman Empire 00:04:39.100 --> 00:04:42.199 and the various life systems that were on offer to him. 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:45.979 But he had come to encounter Jesus 00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:49.019 and he became a new convert. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:51.539 And so Luke has written his gospel. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:53.639 He's written this Acts of the Apostles 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:56.620 in order to teach Theophilus 00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:58.680 what it means to trust in Jesus, 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:00.579 what it means to serve the church, 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:02.860 what it means to think like a Christian 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:04.680 and to live like a Christian. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:09.199 And Luke is really inviting and challenging Theophilus 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:10.920 and people like Theophilus, 00:05:10.979 --> 00:05:11.779 people like us, 00:05:12.479 --> 00:05:14.399 to come to understand 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:17.300 and to be convinced by the great doctrines 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:18.779 of the Christian faith. 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:20.639 The doctrine of Jesus' resurrection, 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:22.120 that Jesus is alive. 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:24.819 The doctrine of Jesus' ascension, 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:28.439 that he has been exalted to God's throne 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:30.019 where he's ruling over all things. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:32.620 The doctrine of Pentecost, 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.579 where Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:37.839 to empower the church. 00:05:38.779 --> 00:05:40.259 And so today we're going to be focusing 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:43.199 on this third person of the Trinity 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:45.579 that we call the Holy Spirit. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:47.599 And we said recently that 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:49.019 there's a great deal of ignorance 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:52.599 and confusion about the Holy Spirit today. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:57.240 We've heard the Nicene Creed paraphrased this way, 00:05:57.299 --> 00:05:58.740 that I believe in God the Father 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:01.399 and I believe in Jesus Christ as Son, 00:06:01.479 --> 00:06:03.259 but I'm not so sure about the Holy Spirit. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:07.539 And the person and the work of the Holy Spirit 00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:10.620 is often ignored and often glossed over. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:14.980 But of all the gifts that Jesus gives, 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:18.459 the Holy Spirit is the greatest gift. 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:22.519 It is impossible to become a Christian, 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:26.659 let alone to live and to grow as a Christian 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:28.399 without the Holy Spirit. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:30.620 And if you're a Christian, 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:33.100 all that you have and all that you are 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:36.579 is a gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:38.540 You owe it all to the Holy Spirit. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.100 But it's also true that 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:45.040 wherever we look at the church 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.360 in the Western world especially, 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:49.939 wherever we look at the church in North America, 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:53.780 it seems clear that there's an evident need 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:56.360 for a deeper work of the Holy Spirit, 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:58.920 both individually and collectively. 00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:01.400 And so we do well, 00:07:01.840 --> 00:07:04.980 like Theophilus, the student of Luke, 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:08.540 to come and learn about the Holy Spirit 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:10.639 and to learn about what the Holy Spirit 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.199 might be wanting to do in and among us today. 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:18.100 And so I want to talk about four things today. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.100 And I know this makes you nervous 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.120 when I don't have three points but four points, 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.660 but I proved to you last week 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:26.240 with a four-point sermon that I got you out on time. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:27.860 So do not worry. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:30.220 I want to talk about four things. 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:31.459 The signs of the Spirit, 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:33.519 the prophecy of the Spirit, 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:35.240 the new life of the Spirit, 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:36.879 and the fullness of the Spirit. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.540 The signs of the Spirit, 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:39.620 the prophecy of the Spirit, 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.699 the new life of the Spirit, 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:42.759 and the fullness of the Spirit. 00:07:42.840 --> 00:07:44.759 And let's start with the signs of the Spirit. 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:49.539 It's not as if the Holy Spirit did not exist 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:52.339 prior to the day of Pentecost. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:56.420 The Holy Spirit, like the Father and like the Son, 00:07:56.459 --> 00:08:00.480 is eternal and has shown up in history 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:04.939 and been given to particular people here and there. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:05.939 And of course, Jesus, 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:09.539 His whole life was full of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:13.719 But the Holy Spirit had never been poured out en masse. 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:17.760 And never come in an overwhelming and unmistakable way. 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:19.800 And on the day of Pentecost, 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:24.260 the Holy Spirit comes down on this group 00:08:24.260 --> 00:08:27.940 of 120 disciples at one time. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:29.940 And then through their preaching, 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.879 the Holy Spirit comes down on 3,000 new converts, 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:36.080 new believers on that day. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:40.340 And we read in Acts chapter 1 verse 14, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:43.580 it says that they all joined together constantly 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:45.240 in prayer. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:48.160 And that in verse 1, it says, 00:08:48.420 --> 00:08:50.740 on the day of Pentecost, when Pentecost came, 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.660 they were all together in one place. 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:54.620 Now, why were they there? 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:57.920 They were there because the resurrected Jesus told them, 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.740 I want you to wait together 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:02.660 to be clothed with power from on high. 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:06.200 And I'm going to baptize you in the power 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:09.320 of the Holy Spirit so that you can be my witnesses. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:15.780 And so instinctively, they went for 10 days to pray, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:19.860 to pray together in a unified way, 00:09:19.920 --> 00:09:23.320 to pray constantly in a persevering way. 00:09:24.180 --> 00:09:28.040 And this is how the great movements of the Holy Spirit 00:09:28.040 --> 00:09:30.800 have happened throughout the course of history, 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:34.320 is when the church gets together to constantly pray 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:36.700 for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:36.780 --> 00:09:38.180 And we'll come back to that at the end. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:42.900 But who is this Holy Spirit that they're praying 00:09:42.900 --> 00:09:45.460 so fervently to receive? 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:50.040 Well, we see in our text today three observable signs 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:53.400 or wonders that tell us who the Holy Spirit is 00:09:53.400 --> 00:09:55.180 and what the Holy Spirit does. 00:09:55.260 --> 00:09:58.200 And first of all, we see the wind of new creation. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.460 The wind of new creation. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:03.440 It says in verse 2 that suddenly a sound 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.840 like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:08.500 and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.400 And both in Hebrew and in Greek, 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:14.960 the word for spirit means wind or it means breath. 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:19.460 And this takes us back to the very first page of the Bible. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.820 In Genesis 1, it says that the Spirit of God 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:27.820 is blowing like a wind to turn the chaos into creation. 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:31.780 And then on page 2 of our Bible, in Genesis chapter 2, 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.540 it says that the Spirit of God 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:37.379 breathes into the lungs of Adam to fill him with life. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:40.879 And so the Holy Spirit has this creative 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:43.340 and life-giving power. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:48.620 And so here on Pentecost, when the sound in their ears 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:54.560 is like a Category 5 hurricane force wind, 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:58.599 it's telling these disciples that God's Spirit 00:10:58.599 --> 00:11:00.979 is doing a new creation. 00:11:01.099 --> 00:11:02.619 The new creation that he began 00:11:02.619 --> 00:11:04.939 in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:07.799 he's continuing in the life of the church. 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:10.139 And that God's Spirit has come here now 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:15.119 to fill the church's lungs with life and with power. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:20.299 And to enable the church to breathe in the presence of God. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:27.719 God's Spirit is the new wind of new creation. 00:11:28.479 --> 00:11:32.599 But it's also the fresh fire of a new exodus. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:34.599 Not just the wind of new creation, 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:36.659 but the fire of a new exodus. 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.219 In verse 3, it says that 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:41.740 they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:45.620 that separated and came to rest on each of them. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:48.279 So they can hear the wind with their ears 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:50.940 and they can see the fire with their eyes 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:53.679 and it looked like the fire in the book of Exodus. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:56.000 The burning bush. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:00.679 The pillar of fire that came down on the people of God 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:02.860 and led them from slavery in Egypt 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:04.799 to freedom in the promised land. 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:08.759 And everywhere that pillar of fire came to rest, 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.860 you knew that this is the place 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:12.139 where the presence of God 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:15.199 and the glory of the Lord dwells. 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:17.480 And you note that 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:22.559 the fire is here marking each individual believer 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:25.199 as a holy tabernacle, 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:28.379 as a holy temple of the holy God. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:32.279 And this fire with its radiating light 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:34.240 and its purifying heat 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:37.480 symbolizes that this God who's a consuming fire 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:41.240 has come to His people to burn away 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.920 and to purify and to refine 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:45.060 all that's polluted 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.399 and all that's unworthy of Him 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:49.039 that we might be holy as God is holy. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:53.080 So they hear the wind of Genesis. 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.779 They see the fire of Exodus 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:57.159 and it tells them that a new creation 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:59.800 and a new exodus is underway. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:03.720 And the wind and the fire of the Holy Spirit 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:06.379 is releasing this immense power, 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:08.179 the uncreated energies of God 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:09.700 into the people of God. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:12.840 And when the Holy Spirit comes, 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.519 what happens? 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:16.320 Well, the spirit that ordered the chaos of creation 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:19.480 and the spirit who liberated God's people from bondage, 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:23.539 the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead, 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:26.860 that spirit is now enlivening 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.799 and animating the church 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:31.600 and enabling her to speak. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:36.159 And the Holy Spirit affects several major changes 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.980 on the speech of the disciples 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.800 which are described here as 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:43.460 quote-unquote utterly amazing. 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.340 And first of all, 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.820 what we see is that these disciples 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.940 begin speaking courageously. 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:50.680 In verse 4, 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.860 it says that all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:54.580 and began to speak in other tongues 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.320 as the Spirit enabled them. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.180 And down in verse 11, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.560 it says, 00:13:57.559 --> 00:14:04.079 You remember before Pentecost, 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:05.939 these disciples were weak 00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:08.859 and quite helpless and afraid. 00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:10.579 But here, after Pentecost, 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.839 they're filled with a blazing power. 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:15.939 And you can see the courage of Peter. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.619 Peter, who denied his Lord, 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:19.659 is now fearlessly standing up 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.599 and facing this crowd, 00:14:20.739 --> 00:14:22.419 facing the same authorities 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.859 that have the same power 00:14:23.859 --> 00:14:26.299 to do to him what they'd just done to Jesus. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:28.059 And he's totally unafraid. 00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:32.199 These Christians who had been hiding behind locked doors, 00:14:32.359 --> 00:14:33.519 they become a force 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.959 that will in due course 00:14:34.959 --> 00:14:37.319 turn the Roman Empire upside down. 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:39.599 How do we explain that change? 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.519 Well, the Spirit of God came down. 00:14:43.199 --> 00:14:44.719 Through the Holy Spirit, 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:46.799 the risen and enthroned Lord Jesus 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:49.939 is making his energy and his power 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:52.000 and his authority available 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.500 to those who are calling on his name. 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:59.799 But what's amazing is the disciples 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:01.459 not only begin to speak courageously, 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:03.639 but they also begin to speak truthfully. 00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.299 Right? 00:15:05.359 --> 00:15:06.319 Because what's going on here 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:07.639 is not just a new creation 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.620 and a new exodus, 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:10.359 but there's new revelation. 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:13.559 The new revelation that's recorded for us 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.979 in the New Testament. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:18.240 And you remember Jesus' favorite name 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.000 for the Holy Spirit. 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.719 What's his favorite name for the Holy Spirit? 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.940 It's the Spirit of truth. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.300 The Spirit who reveals the truth. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.920 And when the Holy Spirit comes, 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:32.259 he brings people under the revelation of God, 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:35.000 under the truth of God's word. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:39.160 And what is the truth that this Holy Spirit 00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:41.620 is enabling his disciples to speak? 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.779 Well, in verse 11, it says, 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:47.120 we hear them declaring the wonders of God, 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.419 the megalia to theu. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:53.220 We hear them declaring the megaworks of God. 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:57.019 We hear them declaring the mighty acts 00:15:57.019 --> 00:16:00.159 of salvation by God in history. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.759 And we're going to look on another Sunday 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:05.620 at the heart of Peter's Pentecost sermon. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:09.120 But Peter begins telling them 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.919 about the wonderful works 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.899 that God the Father 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.919 has done through his son Jesus 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:17.500 to achieve and to accomplish our salvation. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:20.560 He tells them about the wonderful work 00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.720 that Jesus did in his life, 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.860 which was perfectly righteous. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.919 And he tells them about the wonderful work 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.700 of Jesus' death 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:31.480 that is sufficient to atone for sins. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.360 And he tells them about the wonderful work 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.720 of Jesus' resurrection 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.820 that he conquered over death. 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:40.279 That he tells them about the wonderful work 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.440 of Jesus' ascension into heaven 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:44.159 where he reigns from God's throne 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:46.220 and where he applies his righteousness 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:48.440 and life to us, his people. 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.460 You see, through the disciples, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.680 the Holy Spirit is speaking 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.000 the truth of the gospel, 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.779 the truth of the wonderful salvation 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:58.620 in Jesus Christ. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.680 And not only are they speaking courageously, 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:03.399 not only are they speaking truthfully, 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:06.660 but they're also beginning to speak internationally. 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:11.059 The Holy Spirit is dancing over the disciples 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.259 with tongues of fire 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:14.500 and is enabling the church 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.639 to find her tongue, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.740 to open her mouth, 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.440 and to begin to speak 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.319 in reasonable, meaningful, 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.319 persuasive content 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:25.859 in languages that everyone can understand. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:29.379 And if you'll notice in verse 9 through 11, 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:34.000 it outlines for us 15 language groups, 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:36.179 15 distinct dialects 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:38.259 that were spoken throughout the Roman Empire 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:41.159 that represent every point of the compass 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:43.539 from east to west and north to south, 00:17:43.699 --> 00:17:45.179 from the Middle East to Asia, 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.479 from Africa to Europe. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:52.019 The Holy Spirit comes upon these 120 disciples 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:56.039 and he transcends their ability 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:59.720 and he transforms their inability 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:02.960 and begins empowering them to do 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:05.279 well beyond what they could ever have imagined 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.279 doing on their own. 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.839 And it says that they're speaking 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.120 the wonderful works of God 00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:11.940 in languages that they've never studied 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:13.759 and never learned to speak. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:17.160 And nothing could have demonstrated more clearly 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:19.359 the international nature 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:21.200 of the kingdom of God in Christ. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:24.500 That here God is creating the beginnings 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.819 of a new international family 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:28.319 that's centered on Jesus Christ. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:31.420 And as we read through the New Testament, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.839 as you read through church history, 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:35.980 the more the church is faithful to her mission 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:38.000 to bear witness to Christ 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.160 to the very ends of the earth, 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.500 the more this church becomes 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.180 even more international, 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.900 even more multicultural, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:46.420 even more polychromatic. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.980 And so let's pause here 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.220 for some brief application. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.940 You know, one of the most ancient 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.799 and foundational prayers of the church 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:57.640 is a very simple prayer. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.960 It's come Holy Spirit. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.420 Come Holy Spirit. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:05.039 And when we say this prayer, 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:07.840 we don't expect the unique 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:10.200 and miraculous signs of Pentecost, 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:12.819 like hearing wind and seeing fire 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:14.240 and speaking in unknown languages. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.620 But here's what we do expect 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.220 when we pray, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.400 Come Holy Spirit. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.160 When you say, 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:21.259 Come Holy Spirit, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:23.059 you can expect that He will blow 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.940 a power into your life 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.559 like the wind. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.080 When you say, 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.940 Come Holy Spirit, 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.220 you can expect that He will bring 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.700 a blazing purity 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.539 into your life like fire. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.759 When you say, 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.480 Come Holy Spirit, 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.360 you can expect that He's going to put you 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.919 in situations like He did 00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:42.059 with Peter and the disciples, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.059 where He'll enable you 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:46.259 to become fearless and courageous. 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:49.000 And He'll put you in conversations 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:51.419 where you may be the only Christian 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.799 from which another person 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:54.359 can hear the truth of the gospel 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:56.500 and the wonderful works of God 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.319 and Jesus Christ. 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:58.179 The Holy Spirit, 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.679 when you ask Him to come, 00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:03.599 He will shake up your relationships 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.719 and your priorities 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.680 so that you begin to feel a burden 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:09.400 for people who are completely unlike you, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.960 people that do not look like you 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.360 and do not talk like you 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:13.620 and do not eat like you, 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.620 and He'll send you 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.100 to all different kinds of peoples 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.259 and cultures. 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.259 And I find myself, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.900 when I read this, 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.660 on the one hand, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.400 I'm quite attracted 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:26.440 to the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.819 But on the other hand, 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.640 I'm not really sure 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:32.000 if I want all the uncomfortable 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.100 inconveniences 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:35.360 of what the Spirit 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.840 might bring into my life, 00:20:37.020 --> 00:20:38.240 which He's clearly doing 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.220 here in the early church. 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:42.180 And so I say to you this morning, 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.720 be careful what you pray for. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.259 Be careful what you ask for. 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:47.759 When you pray, 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.860 come Holy Spirit, 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.720 He won't let you remain as you are. 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.140 He'll bring His wind. 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.120 He'll bring His fire. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:57.360 He'll bring courage and truth. 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:59.340 He'll bring all kinds of people 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:00.819 into your life you never expected. 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.459 These are the signs 00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.199 of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.639 But let's talk about 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.799 the prophecy of the Spirit. 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:10.259 Let's talk a little bit 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.039 about the prophecy 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.779 of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.639 For some reason, 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:15.500 a minority of these people 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:17.439 that are there on that day, 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.399 they understand none 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.059 of the languages 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.259 that are being spoken. 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.439 And it says in verse 13 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.740 that some, however, 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.559 made fun of them 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.079 and they said 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:27.159 they have had too much wine. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:30.060 The gift of the Holy Spirit 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:31.080 made God's wonders 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:32.840 clear to so many people 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:36.279 and yet it was a garbled message 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:39.600 to others who dismissed it. 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:43.140 They dismissed the Spirit-given gospel 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:45.019 as a bunch of drunken, 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.440 incomprehensible nonsense. 00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.080 And this is why Peter stands 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:49.940 to address the crowd. 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.360 Now, I wonder if you were Peter 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:53.840 and someone accused you 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.819 of behaving like you were drunk. 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:59.439 Would you be so biblically literate 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.759 and so Bible-saturated 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.899 that you would start quoting 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:03.319 the prophet Joel? 00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:05.099 Is that what you would do 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.599 in this moment? 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:08.099 Peter is so Spirit-filled, 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.819 he's so Spirit-inspired 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.659 that his instinct 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:12.199 is to open the Bible 00:22:12.199 --> 00:22:13.259 and gather a crowd 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.599 and say, 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.659 let's do a study 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:15.819 of the Old Testament. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.539 Let's open the Scriptures 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.519 to see what God 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.240 has revealed about himself. 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.639 And that's one of the ways 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.299 you know that you're 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.599 a Spirit-empowered Christian 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.799 is that you know the Bible 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.359 and you open the Bible. 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.500 And what does Peter 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.299 want them to see? 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.259 Well, in verse 14, 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.619 he says to the crowd, 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.419 fellow Jews 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:34.079 and all of you 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.519 who live in Jerusalem, 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:37.180 let me explain this to you. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.839 Listen carefully 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:38.579 to what I say. 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.519 These people are not drunk 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.200 as you suppose. 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:43.079 It's only nine in the morning 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.919 for goodness sake. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.559 No, this is what was spoken 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.639 by the prophet Joel. 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.399 In the last days, 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:49.980 God says, 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.240 I will pour out my Spirit 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.039 on all people. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.440 Your sons and daughters 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.160 will prophesy. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.880 Your young men 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.539 will see visions. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.339 Your old men 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:58.099 will dream dreams. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.319 And even on my servants, 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.160 both men and women, 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.460 I will pour out my Spirit 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.700 in those days 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:04.440 and they will prophesy. 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:08.420 No, Peter says, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.799 we are not intoxicated 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:12.000 with alcoholic spirits. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.059 We are, in fact, 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.480 experiencing God's 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.819 ancient promises 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.400 of the Holy Spirit. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:21.480 God promised long ago 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:23.820 that in the last days 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:24.820 when the Messiah comes, 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.720 the Holy Spirit 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.019 will be poured out 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.000 and He'll be poured out 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.700 in generous 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.000 and abundant measure. 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:31.100 It will not be like 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.120 a little drizzle. 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:33.140 It will not be 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:35.000 a little shower of rain. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.900 It will be like 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:37.720 a tropical rainstorm. 00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.640 It will be an absolute 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.340 downpour of the Holy Spirit. 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:43.180 And it won't be like 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.160 in times past 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.900 in the Old Testament 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:46.080 where the Holy Spirit 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.560 came on particular people 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:49.259 at particular places 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.899 for particular purposes 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:52.019 like the judges 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.779 and the priests 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.299 and the kings 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.980 and the prophets. 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.159 No, He says, 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.879 the Holy Spirit 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.659 will be poured out 00:23:57.659 --> 00:24:00.139 on all people. 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.740 Now, I have to clarify here 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.859 because all people 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:05.440 does not mean 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.879 everybody irrespective 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.919 of their inward readiness 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:09.859 to receive the sacred gift 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.639 of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.819 All people means 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.179 everybody irrespective 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.919 of their outward status. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:18.320 God is not going 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.940 to give 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.100 the precious gift 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.860 of the Holy Spirit 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:22.240 to just anybody. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.120 He has 00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:26.620 certain spiritual conditions 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:28.640 by which 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:30.820 we are to receive 00:24:30.820 --> 00:24:31.519 the Holy Spirit. 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.380 That is a 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.840 repentant heart 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:35.140 and a believing heart. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.460 But this is a wonderfully 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.400 inclusive vision 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.600 because it says 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.840 that there's no category 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.880 of people left out. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.660 Both genders, 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.680 all ages, 00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:45.960 every class, 00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.680 every race, 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:49.240 God gives His Holy Spirit 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.360 to all 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.320 regardless of 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.740 social distinctions. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.259 And yet, 00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:54.519 though it's a wonderfully 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.700 inclusive vision, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.580 it's also a wonderfully 00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:57.759 focused vision 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.980 because it happens 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.279 as verse 21 says, 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.720 to all who call 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.160 on the name of the Lord 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.740 in penitent faith. 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.580 Male and female, 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.360 young and old, 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.160 slave and free, 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:13.360 all who call 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:14.480 on the name of the Lord 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.800 in humble trust. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.720 These are the ones 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:19.400 who will be empowered 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:21.019 to prophesy. 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:23.360 And this was the vision 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.019 of Moses, 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.040 the prophet of prophets. 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.660 He said in the Torah 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.920 in Numbers chapter 11, 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:28.300 it says, 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.240 Moses said, 00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:30.300 I wish that all 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.000 of the Lord's people 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.540 were prophets 00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:33.240 and I wish that the Lord 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.080 would put His Spirit 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:34.920 on absolutely 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.960 all of them. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.940 And now, 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:38.880 here at Pentecost, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.920 this ancient vision 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.400 of Moses 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.800 and this ancient word 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.759 of the prophet Joel 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.340 have come to fulfillment 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:46.400 where the Holy Spirit 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.740 is abundantly poured out 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.940 so that all of God's 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.820 faith-filled people 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:51.620 are prophesying. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.800 These 120 men 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.140 and women 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:55.759 are declaring 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.700 the wonderful works 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.180 of God 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.460 in Jesus Christ. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.120 And again, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.720 let's pause 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.340 for a little bit 00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:02.220 of application here 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.740 because last week 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.000 we heard Jesus say 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:07.519 that you will receive power 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.440 when the Holy Spirit 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.620 comes on you 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.220 and you will be 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.880 my witnesses. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:14.180 And these 120 men 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.500 and women 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.360 are now empowered 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:17.019 to be prophetic 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.480 witnesses of Jesus Christ. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.080 And they're different 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.640 than we are. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.440 They are eyewitnesses 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:24.980 of the life, 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.259 death, 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.840 and resurrection 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.779 of Jesus 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.960 in a way that we are not. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.259 None of us 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.820 are capital A apostles. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.400 None of us 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:34.120 are capital P prophets. 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.940 None of us 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.640 are organs 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:37.480 of divine revelation. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.060 None of us 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:38.600 can say, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.180 thus saith the Lord 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:42.400 and add to 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.160 the canon 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:44.820 of God's word. 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.620 But I do want 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.100 to say that 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.400 the church today, 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.360 and that includes 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.160 every single one 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.720 of us here, 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.240 we do have 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.160 a subsidiary 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.300 prophetic calling 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.660 and prophetic 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.600 ministry 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:58.880 to bear witness 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.660 to the revelation 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.820 of God 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.520 that He completed 00:27:02.520 --> 00:27:03.080 in Christ 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.860 and in the Scriptures. 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:06.500 And Joel's vision 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.979 is that 00:27:06.979 --> 00:27:08.299 the people of God, 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:09.559 all the people of God 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.159 would be brought 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.439 under the control 00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:12.719 of the Spirit of God 00:27:12.719 --> 00:27:14.159 and the Word of God. 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.139 And the result 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.779 of our coming 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.500 under the control 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.599 of the Spirit of God 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.959 and the Word of God 00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:22.059 is that our mouths 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.519 would begin 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.119 to speak 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:24.459 prophetic truth 00:27:24.459 --> 00:27:25.199 about God 00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:26.539 and about His salvation. 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.039 That all of our lips 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.519 would begin 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.359 to bear witness 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.939 to Jesus 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.639 that we 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:34.020 in our own generation 00:27:34.020 --> 00:27:34.800 would declare 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.800 the mighty works 00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:36.560 of God. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.680 And we would proclaim 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.759 that wonderful word 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.340 of the gospel 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:42.180 and that we would 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.540 boldly go public 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.600 with the good news 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:46.540 and share the knowledge 00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:47.520 that we've been given 00:27:47.520 --> 00:27:49.380 of God the Father 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.220 through His Son 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.820 that's kindled 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.840 by the Holy Spirit. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.900 What a treasure 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.200 the church has. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:58.080 And Joel tells us 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:59.700 that it doesn't matter 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:01.039 if you're young 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.220 and in middle school 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.819 or high school. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.799 It doesn't matter 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.600 if you're old 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.460 in your 80s 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.319 or your 90s. 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.100 It doesn't matter 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.120 if you're rich 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.100 and at the end 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:11.580 of your life 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:12.220 it doesn't matter 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.039 if you're poor 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.180 and you're a grad student 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:17.319 living on refried beans 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.980 or whatever it is 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.360 you eat. 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.700 It doesn't matter 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.500 if you're male 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.039 or female. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.759 It doesn't matter 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.559 if you're African, 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.220 Asian, 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.859 Latino, 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.559 or European. 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.319 It doesn't matter 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.480 if you're a lay person 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:29.680 or you're an ordained person. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.740 The Holy Spirit 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:33.200 wants to enable 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.700 each and every one of you 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.799 to know the Lord 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.480 and to know 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.539 His prophetic word. 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.779 And the Holy Spirit 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:41.659 wants to make all of us 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:43.379 into a prophetic community, 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.700 a witnessing community 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.639 that makes the Lord known. 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.220 And so friends, 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.599 if your heart is open 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:52.379 and humble 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.419 and repentant 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.000 and believing, 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.919 the Holy Spirit 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:57.319 who reveals 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.419 His prophetic truth 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:59.179 can come in 00:28:59.179 --> 00:28:59.719 and make you 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:00.779 a mouthpiece 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.459 of that truth. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.599 He can come 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.299 and He can make you 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.839 an ambassador 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.740 of the truth 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.240 of the gospel 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.059 to your friends 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.579 and neighbors 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.439 and coworkers 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:10.219 and family members. 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.839 This is the prophecy 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:14.379 of the Spirit 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.919 and we've talked about 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:17.039 the signs of the Spirit. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.659 I want to say a word 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.779 about the new life 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.319 of the Spirit 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.339 because some of you 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.940 may be wondering 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.579 about the second part 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.440 of Joel's prophecy 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:27.000 and all these strange things, 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:28.119 the blood and the fire 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.279 and the billows of smoke 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.980 which comes up quite a lot 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.759 in the prophets 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.779 when you read the prophets. 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.339 What in the world 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.119 is going on here? 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.399 Well, let's read it 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.200 in verse 19. 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.579 It says, 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:37.960 I will show wonders 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.819 in the heaven above 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:40.339 and signs on the earth below, 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.839 blood and fire 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.899 and billows of smoke. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.759 The sun will be turned 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.339 to darkness 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.960 and the moon to blood 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.659 before the coming 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:47.199 of the great 00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:48.119 and glorious day 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:49.199 of the Lord. 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.639 These wonders 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.339 and these signs 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.079 are not only 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.819 literal natural phenomena 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.819 but they represent 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.279 earth-shattering events, 00:29:59.659 --> 00:29:59.799 right? 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.879 Things that would shake 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:02.039 any society 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.079 at her foundations 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:04.039 and bring about 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.740 among the people 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.259 a sense of instability 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.299 and uncertainty. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.259 For example, 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:12.599 if you were to see 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:14.200 the creator of the cosmos 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:16.539 nailed on a cross 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:19.299 and if in that moment 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:21.039 the sky turned dark 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.900 for three hours, 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:24.359 that should be a sign to you. 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:27.440 If three days later 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.759 you found a tomb 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.900 that was emptied out 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:31.460 and you met a man 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.440 who was walking around 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.559 no longer dead but alive, 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:35.059 that should be a sign 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:36.500 and a wonder to you. 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.720 It should indicate 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.679 something to you 00:30:38.679 --> 00:30:41.720 that what the prophet Joel said 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.919 is now coming true 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:43.539 that the great 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.480 and glorious day 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.059 of the Lord, 00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:46.000 the day of Yahweh, 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.379 the day of His salvation 00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:48.480 has come. 00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:50.720 That the long-awaited 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.500 day of the Lord 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.720 has arrived 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.419 and Jesus 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.259 our crucified 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:56.099 yet risen Lord, 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.799 ascended into heaven 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.500 pouring out 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.480 the Holy Spirit. 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.960 And verse 21 says, 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.140 everyone who calls 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:04.059 on the name of the Lord 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.579 will be saved. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.559 Will be saved. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.079 And the question is 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.940 saved from what? 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.319 Saved into what? 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:18.079 I think many of us know 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.059 the message of the Scriptures 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.000 is that we're saved 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.759 out of our sin 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.440 and our death. 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.120 We're saved 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:24.279 out of judgment. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.220 We're saved out of 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.660 being eternally separated 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.100 from God. 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:28.420 But what are we saved into? 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.900 What's the new life 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.840 that we're saved into? 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.860 The Holy Spirit 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:34.580 saves us into 00:31:34.580 --> 00:31:35.420 a new life. 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:37.200 And that life, 00:31:37.280 --> 00:31:37.480 I think, 00:31:37.540 --> 00:31:38.960 is beautifully summarized 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.980 by the Apostle Paul 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:41.280 in Galatians 4, 6. 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:41.740 He says, 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.560 God sent the Spirit 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.080 of His Son 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:44.900 into our hearts, 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.200 the Spirit 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:47.120 who calls out, 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.700 Abba, Father. 00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:51.840 God sent the Spirit 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.300 of His Son 00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:52.960 into our hearts, 00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:53.480 the Spirit 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.259 who calls out, 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.040 Abba, Father. 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.280 That's what happened 00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:58.620 to you 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.180 when you became 00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.580 a Christian. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.480 The Holy Spirit 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.860 breathed new life 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.299 into you. 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:03.000 The Holy Spirit 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.019 came and made you 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.759 a new creature 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.580 and He adopted you 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.259 as a son 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.920 or a daughter 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.880 of God the Father 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:10.440 and He enabled you 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:12.080 to say the name 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:13.500 that Jesus uses 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.220 for God, 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:15.759 Abba, Father. 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.240 The Holy Spirit 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.019 saves you 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.820 into a new life 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.539 of relationship 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.880 with God Himself. 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.460 But the Holy Spirit 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.360 also saves you 00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.279 into new relationships 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.820 with the family 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.339 of God. 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.879 And the Apostle Paul 00:32:30.879 --> 00:32:32.259 goes on in Galatians 5 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.779 and he says, 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.220 when the Holy Spirit 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.220 comes into your life 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.059 and He saves you 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.879 into this new life, 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.700 you should expect 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.480 for the Holy Spirit 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.919 to begin to grow up 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:41.039 some new fruit in you. 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.960 The new fruit 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.879 in your relationships 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:48.079 with your church family. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.119 And you should begin 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:52.019 to see as a result 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.980 of the Holy Spirit's 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.779 work in your life 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.420 more of God's love 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.420 toward your sisters 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.480 and brothers in Christ. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.319 More and more 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.259 of God's joy 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.099 and His peace 00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:03.700 in your sibling relationships 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.940 with one another. 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.920 More and more 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.779 of the forbearance 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.220 of God 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.940 and the kindness 00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.559 of God 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.559 toward one another. 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.119 More and more 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.759 of the goodness 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.899 of God 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:14.160 expressed in good works 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:15.559 to build one another up. 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.480 You should be expecting 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:18.420 to see more faithfulness 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:18.819 in your life 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.619 and more gentleness 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:20.599 in your life 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.319 toward other people 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.960 in the church. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:26.319 He says you should expect 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:28.099 to find yourself 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:29.039 more in control 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.619 of yourself 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:32.939 so that you begin 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:34.379 to value others 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.399 as greater than yourself 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:36.500 and begin to serve others 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.259 as more important 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.419 than yourself. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.899 This is the new life 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:42.899 that the Holy Spirit 00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:45.279 saves us into. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:49.079 And as Joel says 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.839 and as Peter says, 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:52.099 everyone who calls 00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:52.899 on the name 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:54.059 of the Lord Jesus 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:57.299 will be saved 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.480 by the Holy Spirit 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:00.759 into a new life 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.879 with God the Father. 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:03.500 Saved into a new relationship 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.939 where we can say 00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:06.139 on a daily basis, 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.740 Abba, Father. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.380 Saved into the life 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:10.960 of a community 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.779 that's bursting 00:34:11.779 --> 00:34:13.360 with the fruit 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.219 of the Holy Spirit 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:16.619 that we did not have 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.679 in our lives before. 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:20.319 it's an amazing 00:34:20.319 --> 00:34:20.980 new life. 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.639 Well, we've seen 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.079 the signs of the Spirit, 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:25.699 the prophecy 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.319 of the Spirit. 00:34:27.379 --> 00:34:28.559 We've seen the new life 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.259 that the Spirit 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.159 saves us into. 00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.219 And I should probably 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:33.319 close this sermon here 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:34.639 but I've sensed 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:34.960 all week 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.519 that I should say 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.179 a word about 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:36.759 the fullness 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.440 of the Spirit. 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:39.259 And I'll just close 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:39.960 by talking about 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.419 the fullness 00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:41.039 of the Spirit. 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:43.679 If you're a Christian, 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:46.440 you have received 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:48.159 the Holy Spirit. 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.519 You have received 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.920 God's initiatory 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.820 once for all 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:54.119 unrepeatable gift 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.920 of the baptism 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:56.159 of the Spirit 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.900 that came 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:57.860 on that day 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.579 at Pentecost 00:34:58.579 --> 00:34:59.320 and that gift 00:34:59.320 --> 00:34:59.860 of the Spirit 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.820 can never be taken 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.539 away from you. 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:03.239 However, 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.059 I think it's important 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.920 to say that God 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.679 intends 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.980 for you to be 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.679 continuously 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.079 and increasingly 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.880 maintaining 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.500 the fullness 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.460 of the Spirit. 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.400 And this is what 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.160 the Apostle Paul 00:35:14.160 --> 00:35:15.320 says in Ephesians 5, 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:15.680 18. 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:16.099 He says, 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.440 Go on 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.720 being filled 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.840 with the Spirit. 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.420 He says that 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.340 to the whole church, 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.500 every single one of you. 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.559 Go on 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.980 being filled 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:28.660 with the Spirit. 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.660 And that's not 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.820 a tentative suggestion. 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:33.920 It's not a mild 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.800 recommendation. 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:35.579 It's not even 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.440 a polite piece 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.079 of advice. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.280 It's an imperative. 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:39.220 It's a command 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:41.079 that comes 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.939 from Christ 00:35:41.939 --> 00:35:42.639 with all of His 00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:43.059 authority. 00:35:43.279 --> 00:35:44.039 Go on 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.959 being filled 00:35:44.959 --> 00:35:46.679 with the Holy Spirit. 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.980 It's not optional 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:49.119 for a Christian. 00:35:49.379 --> 00:35:50.319 It's obligatory. 00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:52.659 And 00:35:52.659 --> 00:35:53.959 all of us 00:35:53.959 --> 00:35:54.419 are to 00:35:54.419 --> 00:35:55.000 continue 00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:56.039 seeking 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.619 the Spirit's 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:57.899 fullness 00:35:57.899 --> 00:35:58.799 in our lives. 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.919 And how do we 00:36:00.919 --> 00:36:01.259 do that? 00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:01.419 Well, 00:36:01.439 --> 00:36:02.039 it's fascinating 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.419 that 00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:04.419 the Apostle Paul 00:36:04.419 --> 00:36:04.959 is writing 00:36:04.959 --> 00:36:05.839 to a church 00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:06.500 that 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.780 is filled 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.840 with Spirit-born 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.400 Christians. 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:11.440 Everyone 00:36:11.440 --> 00:36:12.380 has been given 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:12.860 the gift 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.619 of the Holy Spirit, 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.639 but he's telling them, 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.300 go on being filled 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:16.940 with the Spirit. 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.360 This is not 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.239 a one-and-done 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:21.059 filling, 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.579 but it's a regular 00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:24.019 pattern of, 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.420 as the Apostle says, 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.400 continually 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:28.300 be being filled 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:30.500 with the Holy Spirit. 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.000 And I think 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.619 this is important 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:32.400 to say because 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.500 it's possible 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.039 and it's all 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.599 too pitifully 00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:35.099 common 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:36.119 for Christians 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.800 who are baptized 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.659 with the Spirit 00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:38.599 to cease 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.219 to be filled 00:36:39.219 --> 00:36:39.840 with the Spirit. 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.199 And when we 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:42.920 cease to be filled 00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.440 with the Spirit, 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.179 we lose 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.440 the holiness 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.099 of life 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.679 and we lose 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.340 the boldness 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.059 of testimony 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:48.840 that we're meant 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.460 to have. 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.619 You know, 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.500 we can grieve 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.279 the Holy Spirit. 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.599 We can 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:57.219 so fill 00:36:57.219 --> 00:36:58.099 ourselves up 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:58.719 with things 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.639 other than the Spirit. 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.380 We can fill 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:01.980 ourselves up 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.519 with sin. 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:04.239 We can fill 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.639 our lives 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.579 up with unbelief. 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.440 We can fill 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.280 ourselves up 00:37:08.280 --> 00:37:09.199 with disobedience 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:09.699 so that there's 00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.300 no room 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:11.179 for the Holy Spirit. 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.380 And 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:16.320 when we do 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:16.559 this, 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:17.480 we find ourselves 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.739 living our 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.500 Christian lives 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.460 on a lower level 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:22.179 than our 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:23.000 Spirit baptism 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:24.179 has made possible 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:25.679 because we're 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:26.759 not remaining 00:37:26.759 --> 00:37:27.280 filled 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:29.440 with the Spirit. 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.239 You know, 00:37:31.259 --> 00:37:31.880 if that's you 00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.240 today, 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.840 and I imagine 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.559 it's maybe 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.280 more than one 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:35.740 of us, 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.380 if you want 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:37.900 to remain 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.640 filled with 00:37:38.640 --> 00:37:39.360 the Holy Spirit, 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.119 you've got 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:41.720 to be doing 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:44.019 what these 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:45.079 120 men 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.420 and women 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:45.980 were doing 00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:46.940 when the 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:47.220 day of 00:37:47.220 --> 00:37:47.680 Pentecost 00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:48.480 came and 00:37:48.480 --> 00:37:49.059 the Holy Spirit 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.500 was poured 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.820 out. 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:51.599 And what 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:51.860 were they 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:52.220 doing? 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.340 It says 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.660 in Acts 00:37:54.660 --> 00:37:55.260 1.14, 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:55.720 they were 00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:56.559 praying 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.160 together 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:58.840 in unified 00:37:58.840 --> 00:37:59.539 prayer for 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.220 the Holy Spirit. 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:01.959 it says 00:38:01.959 --> 00:38:02.159 that they 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:02.699 were praying 00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:03.779 constantly 00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:05.699 in persevering 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:05.980 prayer, 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:06.519 we are not 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:06.739 going to 00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:07.319 stop praying 00:38:07.319 --> 00:38:07.779 until you 00:38:07.779 --> 00:38:08.559 fill us 00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:10.039 with the 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.619 Holy Spirit. 00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.859 Jesus said 00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.399 explicitly, 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:14.199 if you ask 00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:14.719 your Father 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.399 in heaven, 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:15.779 He will 00:38:15.779 --> 00:38:16.279 give the 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.919 Holy Spirit 00:38:16.919 --> 00:38:18.459 to anyone 00:38:18.459 --> 00:38:18.939 who asks 00:38:18.939 --> 00:38:19.159 Him. 00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.059 And so, 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:21.500 I just want 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.099 to encourage 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:23.199 some of you, 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.199 if you have 00:38:25.199 --> 00:38:25.819 not yet found 00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:26.339 a group 00:38:26.339 --> 00:38:27.139 here at Christ 00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:27.339 Church, 00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:27.680 if you have 00:38:27.680 --> 00:38:28.079 not yet 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:28.740 found a 00:38:28.740 --> 00:38:29.100 spiritual 00:38:29.100 --> 00:38:29.539 friend, 00:38:29.600 --> 00:38:29.880 if you have 00:38:29.880 --> 00:38:30.260 not yet 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:31.600 found a 00:38:31.600 --> 00:38:32.539 mentor, 00:38:33.240 --> 00:38:34.039 who can 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.720 help you 00:38:34.720 --> 00:38:36.000 pray in 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.460 the Spirit 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.160 and pray 00:38:37.160 --> 00:38:38.100 for the 00:38:38.100 --> 00:38:38.760 Spirit to 00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:39.660 make that 00:38:39.660 --> 00:38:40.240 the highest 00:38:40.240 --> 00:38:40.900 priority 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:42.579 in this 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.300 week and 00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:43.579 in this 00:38:43.579 --> 00:38:44.400 month ahead, 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:44.760 I want to 00:38:44.760 --> 00:38:45.539 encourage you 00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.620 to find that 00:38:46.620 --> 00:38:47.440 person and 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.180 to find those 00:38:48.180 --> 00:38:48.700 people and 00:38:48.700 --> 00:38:49.320 say to them, 00:38:49.720 --> 00:38:49.980 will you 00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:50.720 please help 00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:52.100 me pray 00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:53.019 for the 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.559 continuous 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.900 and increasing 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:56.100 fullness of the 00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:56.940 Spirit in my 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.260 life? 00:38:57.320 --> 00:38:57.720 Because if 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.480 that's possible 00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.260 for me, 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.139 that's what I 00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:00.480 want. 00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:03.119 And leaders 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:03.679 of our groups, 00:39:03.760 --> 00:39:04.019 I want to 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:04.539 encourage you to 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:05.139 take the time 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:06.059 this week to 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:08.200 just pause and 00:39:08.200 --> 00:39:08.659 do something 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:09.280 different this 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:09.720 week and that 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.659 is just pray 00:39:10.659 --> 00:39:12.179 for the coming 00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.579 of the Holy 00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:12.960 Spirit. 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:14.920 Pray for the 00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:16.159 fullness of 00:39:16.159 --> 00:39:16.579 the Spirit. 00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:18.619 Friends, 00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:19.320 let's do this 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:19.840 in the name of 00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.200 the Father, 00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:20.579 Son, 00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.440 and Holy 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:21.780 Spirit. 00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:22.800 Amen.