WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.839 Well, we've just started a series through the book of Acts, and over the last couple of 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:16.240 ! weeks we've come to see that the book of Acts is just volume two of this multi-volume set. Volume 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:25.019 one was the gospel of Luke. The gospel of Jesus Christ is recorded by Luke for this person known 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:33.759 as Theophilus, and then the second volume in this set is the work of God working through the apostles 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:40.019 and kind of laying the foundation for this church, and as the disciples then begin with this life-giving 00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:45.679 message of the gospel, and then that message is taken out of Jerusalem and then spills into the 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:51.960 known world, and the work of God working through that message, and the work of discipleship in others 00:00:51.960 --> 00:01:00.960 who hear the message, and the church age is born. As a part of learning from the scripture, we also 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.500 want to give you some object lessons, and we've been hearing from a family in our church who's 00:01:06.500 --> 00:01:13.560 kind of done this for themselves, and this is week three of kind of seeing the snapshots of how God 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:20.359 has worked through the Manwiller family to encourage and to be a blessing to some others in our community 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:27.379 with the gospel, and so this is the third segment of that series. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:27.359 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:28.359 Thank you. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:35.900 As we were embarking on the journey of educating our children and utilizing the public school system to do so, 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:41.260 with the goal of knowing Him and making Him known, we were able to build relationships with parents, 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:46.340 teachers, and other students. After building relationships with people, one way we've been 00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:51.319 able to live Christ in front of them has been through serving. I've gotten to run the scoreboard for 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:55.500 soccer games and announced the players, giving me connections with the coaches and players. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:02:00.699 We've also been able to communicate with school leaders to help gather names for needy families 00:02:00.699 --> 00:02:06.099 for our church's Thanksgiving food drive. As I mentioned previously, God gave us two more children 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:11.319 at the same season that our older boys were entering the public school. If I wanted to be involved with 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:17.699 teachers and students, I needed to be creative, but also do things I was already able to do. I like cooking 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:23.519 and making sure my people are well-fed, especially during sports season. So that became an avenue of 00:02:23.519 --> 00:02:28.439 serving. Our whole family has been involved in preparing and serving meals for football and soccer 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:34.079 teams. One year, we organized the pregame cookout for the soccer team's senior night and even had some 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:40.099 Maranatha family serve with us. I also enjoy playing the piano and accompany. Two years ago, the Lord opened 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:45.719 up the time and opportunity for me to serve the band teachers and quite a few students by supporting them 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:50.859 when they perform their instrumental solos. It's such a neat opportunity to be a smile and a voice of 00:02:50.859 --> 00:02:56.240 encouragement in the life of a teenager. Another way our whole family serves the teachers is by baking 00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:01.800 something for them each Christmas. Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite. When I look back at the 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:05.800 leadership positions that I was in, I feel like there was a lot left to be desired and how I served 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:10.819 and led. But I'm thankful for how I was able to lead still, specifically as the soccer captain and band 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:14.939 section leader. On the soccer team, I was able to live the gospel out through my sanctification 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:19.379 as I often struggled with losing or performing poorly. But God worked at my heart through the 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:24.620 season and allowed me to show how God's forgiveness is real. I was also able to pray with my team before 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:29.019 two games my senior year. And in band, I helped the less experienced percussionists learn their parts 00:03:29.019 --> 00:03:33.359 and work on their technique. Even after leaving high school, I have still been able to serve Westland 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:38.859 as this last soccer season, I tracked and analyzed some statistics for the soccer team and could keep up my 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:45.860 relationship with the coach. Serving is a powerful thing that points to a humble savior. Whether it's 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:51.960 been picking up trash on the soccer field or just being willing to serve others and band, people truly 00:03:51.960 --> 00:03:59.040 appreciate willing servitude. And some will and have wondered why I do it. This provides a wonderful way 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:06.140 to show Christ to others and point them to a humble servant savior. We like to help with making meals, 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:09.159 cookies, cookies, and other things our family does to serve people. 00:04:15.339 --> 00:04:21.259 What we're going to learn through this series is that God delights in using you. Those who have 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:27.099 devoted themselves, humbled themselves to the Lord and are yielded to His plan, His strategy 00:04:27.099 --> 00:04:35.379 for accomplishing His purpose in the world. And what a joy it is that God can use me. With all of the 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:42.579 all the things I bring to the table, all the weaknesses, all the frailties, and God wants to use you. He wants 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:48.560 to use you through, especially through your willingness. Your willingness to go where God has called you 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:55.699 to go and to be in the circles that God has placed you and to depend upon His word and depend upon the 00:04:55.699 --> 00:05:02.339 power of His Spirit. As we come to the book of Acts this morning, I want to encourage you to turn with me, 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:09.539 if you would, to Acts chapter 1. If you're using the Pew Bible, you can find it on page 909. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:18.579 We saw last week that Christ prepares a people. He prepares His church, and there are some things 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:25.559 that He does to begin to prepare His church. And fundamentally, He begins by helping to bolster 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:33.060 and supplement their faith. Help them to understand that the message that they believe is credible. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:41.699 The message they believe is dependable and trustworthy. It's easy for us to see that the words that we find 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:49.100 in the book of Acts is Jesus preparing His men for the mission that God has called them to. 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:58.020 Last week, we saw this trustworthy word, this trustworthy witness, the credibility of the word of God 00:05:58.020 --> 00:06:05.379 through the voice of His Son, Jesus Christ, but also the credible word of God through the various 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:13.340 eyewitnesses who saw and captured the life of Christ from their own perspectives. Written down for us in the 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:20.560 gospel of Luke, and not just there for those in the first century to be able to enjoy, but for us to be 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:27.419 able to see, to be able to enjoy, to be able to evaluate its credibility, this trustworthy account that has 00:06:27.419 --> 00:06:37.699 been given to us by our Lord. We know that faith is anchored in fact, and that God has given to us a 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:45.180 credible witness. He's given us a witness that is confirmed and established for us, and even Luke says 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:50.659 that the whole purpose of it was that you would have certainty concerning the things that have been 00:06:50.659 --> 00:06:58.659 taught. If we're going to be people of faith, Jesus understands, or God understands, that there are 00:06:58.919 --> 00:07:06.919 evidences. It's not just we're believing in something that doesn't have credibility, that God has, by 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:14.660 His grace, given us His word. Second, we find that there are many proofs about the risen Lord, and we looked 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:21.879 briefly last week at all of the the credible witnesses that testified to the resurrecting work 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:29.740 of God through Christ being raised from the dead. The women who were at the tomb, the disciples who came, 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:36.860 these disbelieving disciples who saw Jesus on a number of occasions. We saw how Jesus appears 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:42.100 not only to the disciples, not only to the disciples, but also to 500 others as they make their way to 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:49.639 Galilee. And this essential piece of Christ's resurrection, we know that faith without resurrection 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:59.740 is vanity. So Jesus demonstrated that He is one who raised from the dead to help, again, bolster our faith. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:06.520 Third, we saw that we have a kingdom message, that Jesus came and He proclaimed 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:14.259 the kingdom of God for the 40 days that He was with the disciples in the region of Galilee. His message 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:20.899 was a mark of His ministry, that all the way through the public ministry of Jesus, He was proclaiming 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:27.399 this kingdom message that we saw throughout the gospel of Luke. Luke 4, 43, Jesus says, 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:35.639 I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God, for I was sent for this purpose. In Luke 8, 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:41.220 we find soon afterwards, speaking of Jesus, He went on through the cities and villages proclaiming and 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:47.259 bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And it was a message not only that Jesus preached, 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:53.659 it was a message that He then entrusted to His disciples. In Luke chapter 9, the disciples were to 00:08:53.659 --> 00:09:01.620 also spread that message. It says, He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:07.419 demons and to cure all diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:14.639 Then in the next chapter, not only for the disciples, the twelve, but also for a group of 72 followers, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:20.320 those who followed after God. After this, He says in Luke chapter 10, verse 1, 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:27.500 the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two in every town and place where He 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:34.100 Himself was about to go. He tells them, whenever you enter a town that they receive you, eat what is 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:41.080 set before you, heal the sick and say to them, the kingdom of God has come near to you. That kingdom 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:47.139 message was prominent through our Savior and it was prominent in the ministry of the disciples 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:55.259 even before the crucifixion. That's where we pick up things this morning. We come to see that what Jesus 00:09:55.259 --> 00:10:01.740 spoke and what He modeled, not just in terms of the power, but is something that God has 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:10.019 graciously then entrusted to His faithful disciples and to His faithful followers who come after Him. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:17.980 Acts chapter 1, if you're there with me, picking up in verse 6. Let me read this for us as we begin 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:20.659 our study for this morning. It says, 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:24.959 So when they had come together, speaking of the disciples, they asked Him, 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:32.039 Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, 00:10:32.719 --> 00:10:37.759 It's not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority, 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:44.839 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be witnesses in 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:51.379 Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And when He said these things, 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:58.120 as they were looking on, He was lifted up and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:03.379 were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes and said, 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:11.720 Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who has taken up from you into heaven, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:20.120 will come in the same way as you saw Him going into heaven. We find in this last scene of Jesus 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:27.060 with His disciples these parting words. What will Jesus say to His disciples? What confidence will He 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:34.279 seek to instill in them? What hope do we find that Jesus is communicating? What message of power, 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:41.300 what message of promise is Jesus relaying to His disciples and subsequently then giving to you? 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:48.960 And giving to me? What confidence can we gain from the message that Jesus is giving in these parting words? 00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:57.100 We see these messages of promise. We begin here in verse 6 and we see that Jesus is communicating 00:11:57.100 --> 00:12:06.620 His power to ensure every promise. Every promise that has been resident within the life of Christ 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:15.060 Christ is now being fulfilled by Him in a scene here, even in the opening scene. This hope-filled message. 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:22.879 While Jesus might be saying goodbye, this will be the last time that they will see Him and hear His words 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:32.240 on a physical basis. But His words are meant to instill hope in them. This is not goodbye forever. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:40.220 And what He has set in motion now is simply to confirm His intention now for them to carry on the work 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:51.000 that Jesus began. This passage begins to answer this question, why did Jesus leave? What is He seeking 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:57.460 to accomplish? Now that all the work of salvation was complete, His death, His resurrection, now what is 00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:06.759 Jesus intending to do? Why would He leave? And this passage will help to set us on the course of 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:13.639 understanding this continuing work of Christ and the example that He is setting for the disciples and 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:21.360 for us today to understand His purpose, His mission for us. Here they are, they've gathered together. We see that 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:27.980 in verse 4, while they were staying with Him. We see that in verse 4. He ordered them not to depart from 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:35.879 Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. There was something they needed to understand. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:43.560 There was something they needed to learn about the waiting part of trusting in the promises of God. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:50.719 And so here in verse 6, as everything is now finally in place, they ask this obvious question, 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:58.299 Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? That's an obvious question. Everything's 00:13:58.299 --> 00:14:04.179 done. The work of salvation is complete. Christ, you've done it. You've fulfilled it. Now, now bring it on. 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:11.399 You've promised this kingdom. Let's have it. Let's see it. Let's enjoy it. He's fulfilled every 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:21.639 promise. The seed of the woman. Remember the promise that Christ would crush the serpent's head. That's 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:30.159 been accomplished. Jesus, who is now also the seed of Abraham, who's proven that God will, in fact, provide 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:39.360 a lamb. The seed of David, who came to a virgin named Mary, who was born in a little town called 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:47.060 Bethlehem, and who demonstrated unmistakably that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. Luke chapter 4, 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:54.740 verse 18, talks about the Spirit of the Lord that would rest on the Messiah. Jesus is this seed. He paid 00:14:54.740 --> 00:15:01.100 for sin for those who rebelled against him. He's made a way through his death and resurrection. He's 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:07.860 accomplished all that was necessary to now usher us back into fellowship with God, to restore that 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:14.680 fellowship that was once broken, and that we can enjoy because of what Jesus has done, and everything 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:22.100 is now in place. Certainly, the disciples were thinking, this is the time. This is the moment 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:28.680 they've always waited for, the moment they've always imagined. It was an obvious conclusion, 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:37.079 but notice the response of the Lord in verse 7. It says, He said to them, it is not for you to know 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:46.059 the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. It's not time yet, guys. 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:53.659 It's not the moment. There's still some more waiting to do, and I think this is significant because Jesus 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:59.860 Jesus doesn't correct their theology. Jesus doesn't say, now time out, guys. I know I've been 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:05.959 talking about the kingdom for the last 40 days, but you are totally missing it. The kingdom is just not 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:12.600 going to come in the way you expect. The kingdom is just not going to be the kingdom that you 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:21.059 anticipated. Rather, He confirms their expectations. Jesus saying, you've understood correctly. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:27.539 Yes, the kingdom is going to come in the very way that you expected, but it's just not going to come 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:35.199 right now. Your expectation is right. The kingdom will come in just the way that you have expected, 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:44.379 but don't worry. Don't worry. It's not here yet, but the Father has a schedule. The Father has a time. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:53.500 The Father has a season. He has an appointed time in which He will come, and the Son will honor the 00:16:53.500 --> 00:17:01.100 timing that the Father has put in place. You have the right facts, but you have the wrong time. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:07.640 And this is what Jesus has been after. This is what God has been after from the very beginning of 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:17.720 creation. To invite a people to be a people who depend upon His timing. We see that over and over 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:25.380 again, especially as it relates to Abraham. Remember Hebrews chapter 11 verse 13? God had given him 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:32.980 promise, a promise of a land and seed and blessing. And it says this, that these all died, speaking of 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:41.279 Abraham and Sarah and Noah and Enoch and Abel, these all died in faith, not having received the things 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:49.279 promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. God intends to create awaiting people. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:57.839 God intends to create an expectant people. God has given us explicit and clear promises. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:05.740 In awaiting people, in awaiting people, learn to trust in God's timing. That's not easy, is it? 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:15.359 It's not easy to wait for God's timing. But you see, Jesus is God's emphatic yes to His promises. 00:18:16.439 --> 00:18:23.740 That Jesus has come, and because Jesus has fulfilled all that God has promised in the Old Testament, 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:31.440 Jesus is in fact the, yes, I'm going to see it through. You can trust me. You just have to wait 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:39.319 for my timing. You just have to believe that my timing is the right timing. God will honor His promise 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:46.680 to David. And just as the disciples anticipated fulfillment of that promise, we're reminded that 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:56.980 God will continue to see it through. And He initiated this by a portrait. A portrait. This flashback that 00:18:56.980 --> 00:19:04.420 Jesus gives to His disciples before He even goes to the cross. In John chapter 14, verses 1 to 3, 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.460 Jesus says this, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:12.279 Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:19.740 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:25.720 a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:34.639 Jesus told the disciples before His crucifixion, I'm going to leave and I'm going to come back. And guess 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:41.799 what? This is the moment that we see Jesus begin to put the wheels in motion. 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:48.740 He's made this promise. He's reestablished this kingdom priority, this message the disciples have 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:55.500 heard throughout Jesus' entire ministry. And now Jesus, instead of just leaving in a flash without 00:19:55.500 --> 00:20:03.259 them being able to even see Him in a bodily, physical way, Jesus is now being captured away, 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:08.700 as we're going to see in just a couple of verses. He's captured away to secure this promise 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:17.279 in the minds of the disciples. Promise made is a promise kept. I will keep this promise. I will 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:21.799 return. And while I'm gone, I'm preparing a place for you. You can trust me. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:34.279 Huh. So we need to live in light of His sure return. Living obediently. Living worshipfully. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:43.819 Living expectantly. If Jesus were to come back today, would this be a time to celebrate? 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:54.299 Or would this be a time to be ashamed? We learn from 1 John 2, verses 28 and 29, that John says, 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:59.939 And now little children abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and 00:20:59.939 --> 00:21:06.319 not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. If you know He is righteous, you may be sure 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:15.379 that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. Your King is coming. Are you living in 00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:23.079 anticipation of that promise? Are you trusting in the fact that Jesus has secured everything that is 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:31.099 necessary to accomplish the once and for all promises that He's made? He has the power to ensure 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:39.899 those promises. Are we living in light of His return? Second, we find in verse 8, the very beginning of 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:47.259 verse 8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:54.419 in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Not only did He ensure every 00:21:54.420 --> 00:22:04.660 promise, but He has the power to equip for every purpose. God has given us specific, clear commands. 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:11.660 But He's not given us those commands for us to work out on our own power, because if we do, if we think 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:19.380 we can, we're going to fall flat on our face. But God has given us promises, but He's then also supplied 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:27.180 the power. Promise comes with power, the power of the Spirit. And this morning, if you have the Holy Spirit, 00:22:28.260 --> 00:22:34.340 and you know you have the Spirit, if you're a person who has come to a place of recognizing your sin, 00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:41.200 recognizing that it has separated you from God, that you've confessed your sin, that you've asked for 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:47.420 forgiveness, that you've turned your life to Him, you're looking to Him as the King of your life, 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:56.560 the Master of your life, and you've then enjoyed the benefits of His cleansing, His cleansing work, 00:22:56.640 --> 00:23:05.460 His forgiving work. And if that's the case, for those of us today who are living in this latter time, 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:13.360 we have the assurance, the guarantee that the Spirit is living in us. At this point in this story 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:18.819 here at the beginning of the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit had not yet come in that way on these 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:23.959 disciples. And so Jesus is encouraging them, wait in Jerusalem until you start carrying out this 00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:31.259 mission. You need the power before you can do and carry out this promise. And so this kingdom message 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:37.539 was accompanied by power, and the disciples got to see this power worked out in the life of Christ. 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:44.899 As He raises the dead, as He casts out demons, as He walks on water, as He's stilling and calming the 00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:53.200 storm, as He's distributing the loaves of bread. And Jesus graciously then entrusted that power to the 00:23:53.200 --> 00:24:00.159 disciples so they could see it and experience it for themselves. But all of that took place when Jesus 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:06.500 was present. What would happen when Jesus was absent? What would happen when Jesus was no longer there? 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:14.299 And John read this promise earlier. I think it's worth repeating in John chapter 16, verses 7 and 8. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.259 Jesus says to His disciples, 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:24.079 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away. For if I do not go away, 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:31.700 the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:39.299 the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. The promise of God's power through His 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:48.980 indwelling Holy Spirit that God has given to us. The Spirit, the very Spirit who worked out those 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:56.340 miracles in the first century through the life of Christ. It was because of the power of the Spirit 00:24:56.339 --> 00:25:05.339 working through the Son. And this kingdom message would not rest on human power. This kingdom message 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:12.519 would rest alone on the power of God to accomplish His work. Every person who has placed their faith in 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:18.439 Christ for forgiveness has access to that power. Now, whether or not you put that power to work 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:26.080 is a decision that you make for yourself. But we have all been given the distribution of that 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:33.440 indwelling Holy Spirit to work out that power. What does that power accomplish? Well, I want to put this 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:38.559 little graphic up on the board so that you can see all of the things that you have access to because 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:46.900 of the Spirit's power. And the verses that reinforce the promises that we have the power of fellowship 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:55.320 with one another and fellowship with God. Ephesians 2.18. Of understanding the Scripture, the clarity of the 00:25:55.320 --> 00:26:04.180 Word of God. We have access to know what God says through His Spirit. Conviction of sin, assurance of salvation, 00:26:04.780 --> 00:26:10.820 service, the ability to serve in the way He's called us to serve, fruitfulness in ministry, a spirit of 00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:16.620 generosity and endurance and victory and courage. You see, all of the things, and this is just a sampling, 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:27.320 of all that God has made available through His Spirit. Are you enjoying experiencing the work of God's 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:37.240 power in your life? So often, I find in my own life that I am not, I'm not being strengthened in the way 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:42.080 that I should be strengthened. And there are a number of reasons for that. There are three I just want to 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:51.220 just briefly draw to our attention. Why do we not experience the power of the Spirit? First, because 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:57.079 we grieve the Spirit. We grieve the Spirit. Ephesians chapter 4 verse 30 says, 00:26:57.079 --> 00:27:04.039 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:11.440 There are things in our life that we know are out of bounds, that we've been given very specific and 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:18.359 explicit and clear instructions, and we choose in our heart to continue to go the way of the world, 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:23.079 the way of our heart, the way of our flesh, instead of following after the way of God. 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:33.920 And in doing that, we grieve the Spirit. Our sin makes God sad. It makes God grieved. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:43.119 It breaks His heart. And by grieving the Holy Spirit, then we are, we're keeping ourself away 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:51.379 from being able to experience and enjoy the benefits of His Spirit power. Second, we quench the Holy Spirit. 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:54.519 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 19 says, 00:27:54.519 --> 00:28:01.359 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything. Hold fast what is good. 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:03.759 abstain from every form of evil. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:15.740 We quench the Spirit by knowing what the Bible says, but by not really applying it to our life. 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:22.539 We don't care what the Scripture says. Maybe we don't even go and find out what the Scripture says 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:30.099 about something. We are quenching the Spirit, but by not allowing the Word of His Spirit, 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:37.319 the Word of God, to speak to our life, to direct our energy, our obedience, our decision. 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:40.139 So we're not doing what Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 says, 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:44.759 By trusting in the Lord with all our heart and leaning not to our own understanding, 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:49.740 in all our ways acknowledging Him, and He'll make our paths straight. 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:56.900 But if we don't care about being directed by God's Word and by His Spirit, 00:28:57.420 --> 00:29:00.580 then we're going to quench the Spirit's power in our life. 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:06.079 Third, we resist or reject the Holy Spirit. 00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:11.539 There's a number of verses we could go to, but Galatians 5, verses 16 and 17 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:13.919 help to summarize this by saying, 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:19.220 Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the flesh. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:23.259 For the desire of the flesh are against the Spirit. 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:26.099 The desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:30.619 For these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:29:31.959 --> 00:29:37.219 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:42.480 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.819 There's two decisions in life. 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:53.759 To allow the desires or the passions of your life to lead you 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:57.619 to fulfilling and gratifying the desires of your flesh 00:29:57.619 --> 00:30:01.240 or to follow the desires or passions of the Spirit 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:05.720 which will lead you to life in obedience, in sanctification. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:09.759 And we resist the Spirit 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:16.740 by choosing our flesh over choosing the things the Spirit wants in our life. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:18.940 And so we throw away. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:22.440 We dismiss the power that's available to us 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:25.400 especially to live a life of obedience to God 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:28.200 but then to then carry out in obedience 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.960 the things that God has called us to do 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:33.940 so we can enjoy the benefits and blessings of fruitfulness. 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:38.799 God desires us to be a people who are enjoying 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:41.380 and experiencing His power. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.940 It's accessible. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:47.279 Every believer has access to Holy Spirit power. 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.779 And Paul will say 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:53.220 the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:55.799 is the power that's resident in every believer. 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:59.680 That power that Christ put on display 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:02.839 is a power that we can enjoy 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:06.559 if we submit ourselves to the Spirit 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.200 and His working in our life. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:12.660 Third, we see a power to extend to all people. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:16.700 This power that Christ has promised 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.519 that will expand. 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.900 That's expansive power. 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.299 It's extending power. 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.259 It reaches. 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.380 It reaches from Jerusalem 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:26.360 all the way to the uttermost parts of the earth. 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:26.980 Look at this. 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:29.120 You will receive power, verse 8, 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.680 when the Holy Spirit comes upon you 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:32.980 and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:35.420 and in all Judea and Samaria 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:37.160 and to the ends of the earth. 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.000 That's power. 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.019 This statement. 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.840 You will receive power. 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:45.319 I love how Jesus puts this. 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:48.899 These definitive future promises. 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:50.519 You will receive power 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.079 and you will be witnesses. 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.500 It's non-negotiable. 00:31:54.939 --> 00:31:58.519 For those people who submit themselves to Christ 00:31:58.519 --> 00:32:00.579 and enjoy the benefits of His power, 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.419 this will happen. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.299 You'll enjoy my power 00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.759 and you will be my witnesses. 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:08.599 And this witness will extend 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.159 all peoples on the earth. 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.919 God's ultimate goal 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:15.639 is to make a people for Himself. 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.859 And it begins with you. 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.399 God's Word, 00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:22.519 this message of the kingdom, 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.779 is meant to change your heart, 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:26.439 change my heart, 00:32:26.939 --> 00:32:28.419 so that we can be instrumental 00:32:28.419 --> 00:32:30.539 and useful for God 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:32.199 with this kingdom message 00:32:32.199 --> 00:32:35.079 to begin to influence 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.839 and to change the hearts 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:38.099 of those who will hear 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.079 wherever they are. 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:42.179 And this goal is anchored 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:43.079 in God's promise 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.419 that goes all the way back 00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:45.019 to Abraham. 00:32:45.679 --> 00:32:46.859 Genesis chapter 12, 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.899 verses 2 and 3. 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.539 God says, 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.419 I will make of you 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.500 a great nation, Abraham. 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:53.099 I will bless you 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.000 and make your name great 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:56.359 so that you will be a blessing. 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.480 You want to be a blessing today? 00:32:58.899 --> 00:33:00.819 I will bless those who bless you. 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:02.500 In him who dishonors you, 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.339 I will curse. 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.259 And in you, 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:06.200 all the families of the earth 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.559 shall be blessed. 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:10.160 God's promise to Abraham 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:12.900 that extends to all nations. 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.299 There it is. 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.019 And it's a goal 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.000 that's also repeated 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:18.660 in the Scripture, 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.880 in Galatians chapter 3, verse 8. 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.559 Paul says this, 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.319 in the Scriptures, 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.279 foreseeing that God 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:26.099 would justify the Gentiles 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.819 by faith, 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:28.119 preach the gospel 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:29.460 beforehand to Abraham, 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:29.920 saying, 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.940 in you shall all 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.539 the nations be blessed. 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.259 Why the delay? 00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:39.700 Well, a part of the delay 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:42.500 is so God can put to work 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.740 these remaining promises. 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:48.160 His gospel to every nation, 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.440 every language, 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.640 every people 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:52.480 on the face of the globe. 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:54.840 And we have the benefits 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:56.559 of seeing this promise 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.720 working power 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.820 and to be a part 00:33:58.820 --> 00:33:59.799 of the program 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.980 that God has put in place 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.140 going all the way back 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.759 to the beginning. 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:06.539 Jesus reinforced this goal 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:08.079 to His disciples 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:09.360 at their commissioning. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:11.300 Matthew 28, verses 18 and 20 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:11.699 says, 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:13.880 And Jesus came and said to them, 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:16.599 All authority in heaven 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.719 and on earth 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.780 has been given to me. 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.240 You see, authority again 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:21.679 and power again 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:23.099 resident in Jesus. 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.460 And what is it for? 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.320 What's its purpose? 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.099 Well, here it is. 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:27.659 To go therefore 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.519 and make disciples 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.639 of all nations, 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.239 baptizing them 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:32.139 in the name of the Father 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.960 and of the Son 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.119 and of the Holy Spirit, 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:35.179 teaching them 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.319 to observe all 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.000 that I have commanded 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.199 and behold, 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:40.219 I'm with you always, 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.940 even to the end of the age. 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.779 God's power 00:34:43.779 --> 00:34:45.579 working through His people 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:47.000 to accomplish 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:49.339 gospel work 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:51.139 around the world. 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.039 This kingdom message, 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:54.079 not just for the Jews, 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:55.940 but including the Gentiles, 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.639 all nations, 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.340 all peoples. 00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:58.759 And God is working 00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.759 through His Son 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:01.659 to reclaim humanity 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.639 for Himself. 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:05.360 This is not a new plan, 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.000 by the way. 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.420 And I love how the Apostle Paul 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:09.219 puts this in Ephesians. 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.519 In Ephesians, 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:12.599 he says this in chapter 3, 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.179 verse 7. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.199 Of this gospel, 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.219 I was made a minister 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:18.000 according to the gift 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:19.039 of God's grace, 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.420 which was given to me 00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.759 by the working of His power. 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:23.600 To me, 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.320 though I am 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:25.360 the very least 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:26.080 of all the saints, 00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:27.060 this grace was given 00:35:27.060 --> 00:35:28.700 to preach to the Gentiles 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:30.060 the unsearchable riches 00:35:30.060 --> 00:35:30.660 of Christ 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:32.360 and to bring to light 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.340 for everyone. 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.880 What is the plan 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.800 of the mystery 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:37.360 hidden for the ages 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.140 in God 00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:39.760 who created all things? 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.860 Let me just pause there 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.380 for a moment. 00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.400 This plan 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:43.620 has been in place 00:35:43.620 --> 00:35:45.220 from before time began 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:47.000 and has been encapsulated 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.720 in the God 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:49.280 who created all things. 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.140 This plan 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:51.139 that the Apostle Paul 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.500 is now communicating 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.519 power 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.759 to accomplish 00:35:54.759 --> 00:35:55.679 this purpose. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:56.980 What? 00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:57.619 What does it do? 00:35:57.819 --> 00:35:58.299 Verse 10. 00:35:58.859 --> 00:36:00.259 So that through the church 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.259 the manifold wisdom 00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:01.719 of God 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:04.099 might now be made known 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:04.819 to the rulers 00:36:04.819 --> 00:36:05.639 and authorities 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.679 in the heavenly places. 00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.440 This was according 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:10.119 to the eternal purpose 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.719 that He has realized 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.859 in Christ Jesus 00:36:12.859 --> 00:36:13.440 our Lord. 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:16.259 Now we get to take part 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:19.380 in this eternal plan 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:19.880 of God. 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.300 This plan of God 00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:24.440 in preaching 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:26.340 this gospel message 00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:28.560 this life transforming message 00:36:28.560 --> 00:36:31.200 and welcoming individuals 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:32.360 to participate 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:35.220 in this work of God 00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:37.100 in becoming saved 00:36:37.100 --> 00:36:38.300 redeemed. 00:36:39.040 --> 00:36:43.260 His mission begins 00:36:43.260 --> 00:36:44.280 though at home. 00:36:45.560 --> 00:36:46.320 Mission begins 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:47.040 as you come 00:36:47.040 --> 00:36:47.720 to understand 00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:49.740 what this gospel 00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:51.480 means to you 00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:52.880 and then what 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.640 your responsibility 00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:55.200 is to enjoy 00:36:55.200 --> 00:36:56.160 and experience 00:36:56.160 --> 00:36:57.000 the power of God 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:58.260 in taking that message 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:59.040 out. 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.640 We've been promised 00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.800 His Spirit 00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:04.040 but it begins 00:37:04.040 --> 00:37:04.500 at home 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:05.140 in Jerusalem. 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:05.760 It begins 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:06.760 in the places 00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:07.360 where God 00:37:07.360 --> 00:37:08.040 has put you. 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.540 Your families, 00:37:09.720 --> 00:37:10.480 your communities, 00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:11.420 your neighborhoods, 00:37:11.600 --> 00:37:12.420 your workplaces, 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:13.420 your school, 00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:15.300 wherever you might be, 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.619 your Jerusalem. 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.220 Are we witnesses? 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:21.079 Are we those 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:22.320 who understand 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:23.180 and recognize 00:37:23.180 --> 00:37:24.280 the mission 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:24.780 that God 00:37:24.780 --> 00:37:26.400 has put us on 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.000 but also 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.099 this promise, 00:37:28.240 --> 00:37:29.559 this unstoppable 00:37:29.559 --> 00:37:30.820 promise of God 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:31.700 to accomplish 00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:32.099 His work? 00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:33.880 You will be 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:34.880 my witnesses. 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.860 Will you be 00:37:36.860 --> 00:37:37.440 His witness 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.659 when you enjoy 00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:39.680 His power? 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:40.900 Finally, 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:42.660 we see His power 00:37:42.660 --> 00:37:43.500 to establish 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.960 all preeminence. 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.260 His power 00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.920 to establish 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:47.820 all preeminence 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:49.180 that Jesus Christ 00:37:49.180 --> 00:37:50.139 is Lord. 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.519 He is preeminent. 00:37:51.720 --> 00:37:52.840 He is supreme. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:55.400 And what He does 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:56.400 here in verse 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.619 9 to 11 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.480 helps us 00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:59.260 to understand 00:37:59.260 --> 00:38:00.340 once and for all 00:38:00.340 --> 00:38:02.059 that He is leaving 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:04.000 but He will come back. 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.599 He will establish 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.519 once and for all 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:07.260 that He is 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.440 King over all. 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:10.679 Notice verse 9. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.059 And when He had 00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.240 said these things, 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:14.000 speaking of Jesus, 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:15.860 as they were looking on 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.700 He was lifted up 00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:17.740 and a cloud 00:38:17.740 --> 00:38:18.240 took Him out 00:38:18.240 --> 00:38:18.740 of their sight 00:38:18.740 --> 00:38:19.639 and while they were 00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:20.500 gazing into heaven 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.579 as He went, 00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:22.059 behold, 00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:23.300 two men stood by them 00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:24.079 in white robes 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.920 and said, 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.700 Men of Galilee, 00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:27.659 why do you stand 00:38:27.659 --> 00:38:28.880 looking into heaven? 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.320 This Jesus 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:31.740 who was taken up 00:38:31.740 --> 00:38:32.599 from you into heaven 00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:33.820 will come 00:38:33.820 --> 00:38:34.720 in the same way 00:38:34.720 --> 00:38:36.019 as you saw Him 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.960 go into heaven. 00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:39.699 this confirmation. 00:38:40.720 --> 00:38:41.659 Jesus is taken up 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.480 in a bodily way. 00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.400 You can better believe 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:45.320 that Jesus will come 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:47.380 in just the same way. 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:50.000 Here is your object lesson 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:51.400 to the credibility 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.559 of our God. 00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:54.320 That even before 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:57.380 the crucifixion took place, 00:38:57.639 --> 00:38:58.340 Jesus had promised 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.019 that He was going to go 00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.760 and prepare a place 00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:00.059 for them. 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.300 He promised that He was 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:01.940 going to leave them 00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.599 but come back 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:03.400 and now, 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.599 again, 00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:05.920 we see this confirmation. 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:07.500 now the resurrection 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.099 has happened 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:09.039 and now Jesus 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.700 is leaving 00:39:09.700 --> 00:39:10.420 just the way 00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:11.840 He said He would leave 00:39:11.840 --> 00:39:13.019 and we can be assured 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:14.360 that as He left, 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.860 He will come back. 00:39:16.820 --> 00:39:17.639 He will come back 00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.300 to establish 00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:19.880 once and for all 00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:22.099 that He is preeminent, 00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:23.720 that He is supreme. 00:39:25.059 --> 00:39:25.940 Colossians 1, 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:27.840 verses 15 and 17 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.180 help us to see 00:39:29.180 --> 00:39:31.700 this preeminent Christ. 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:33.500 He is the image 00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.539 of the invisible God, 00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:36.119 the firstborn 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:36.900 of all creation 00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:37.880 for by Him 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:39.300 all things were created 00:39:39.300 --> 00:39:40.880 in heaven 00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:41.659 and on earth, 00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:43.139 visible and invisible, 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.000 whether thrones 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:44.699 or dominions 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.260 or rulers 00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:46.219 or authorities, 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.019 all things 00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:47.900 were created 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.659 through Him 00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:50.199 and for Him. 00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:52.039 And He is before 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:52.760 all things 00:39:52.760 --> 00:39:53.840 and in Him 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:55.480 all things hold together. 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.260 Jesus, 00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.420 as Creator, 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.880 is preeminent 00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:00.320 over the universe, 00:40:00.699 --> 00:40:02.000 visible and invisible, 00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:03.000 the physical 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:04.239 and spiritual. 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:06.000 Everything that you can see 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.719 and everything 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:07.500 that you cannot, 00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:09.139 Jesus created it, 00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.960 it happens through Him 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:12.480 and it happens for Him. 00:40:12.539 --> 00:40:14.519 It serves His purposes. 00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.460 He is supreme. 00:40:16.760 --> 00:40:17.659 He is preeminent. 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:20.639 But then verse 18 00:40:20.639 --> 00:40:22.579 of chapter 1 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:24.340 says something more. 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:25.920 Colossians 1, 18. 00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:28.500 And He is the head 00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:29.460 of the body, 00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:31.079 the church. 00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:32.480 He is the beginning, 00:40:32.619 --> 00:40:33.860 the firstborn from the dead, 00:40:34.280 --> 00:40:35.260 that in everything 00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:37.800 He might be preeminent. 00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:42.039 Why is that there? 00:40:43.019 --> 00:40:44.820 What purpose does that serve? 00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:47.019 Jesus is over the church? 00:40:47.260 --> 00:40:48.400 Well, we already know that 00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:49.500 from Him being 00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:50.579 over all creation, 00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:52.139 being over all humanity, 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.860 over the birds 00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:55.079 and over the fish 00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:56.519 and over the mountains 00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:57.460 and sun and moon. 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.420 We know that Jesus 00:40:58.420 --> 00:40:59.579 is already over people 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:01.519 and over physical things. 00:41:01.679 --> 00:41:03.940 Why did He add the church? 00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:05.760 What's the purpose of this? 00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:08.019 Well, the purpose of this 00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.519 is to say 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:11.360 that Jesus is also over, 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:13.720 has overcome every sin 00:41:13.720 --> 00:41:15.519 and overcome death 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:17.000 once and for all. 00:41:17.260 --> 00:41:19.220 He is supreme over that too. 00:41:20.840 --> 00:41:22.699 And we have the joy, church. 00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:24.480 We have the joy 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:27.079 that everywhere we go, 00:41:27.659 --> 00:41:28.199 that we, 00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:30.019 as representatives 00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:31.579 of those who've enjoyed 00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:32.400 and experienced 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.460 the benefits 00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:35.940 of His salvation 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:37.119 from sin, 00:41:37.460 --> 00:41:39.240 that everywhere you go, 00:41:39.500 --> 00:41:40.760 your life can say, 00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:43.240 Jesus is supreme 00:41:43.240 --> 00:41:45.400 because He's conquered 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:47.039 every sin in your life. 00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:48.780 He's conquered death. 00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.719 He's going to capture you away 00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:51.959 and you're going to enjoy 00:41:51.959 --> 00:41:52.599 the benefits 00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:53.199 and blessing 00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:55.379 of life eternal with Him. 00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:56.480 Your life, 00:41:56.719 --> 00:41:57.459 says Jesus, 00:41:57.839 --> 00:41:58.519 emphatically, 00:41:58.859 --> 00:41:59.599 is supreme. 00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:04.419 It's a joy 00:42:04.419 --> 00:42:05.839 and a privilege 00:42:05.839 --> 00:42:07.679 but a great responsibility. 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:11.139 Does our life say 00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:12.859 that Jesus is Lord? 00:42:13.879 --> 00:42:15.519 When people see us, 00:42:16.199 --> 00:42:16.719 do they see 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:17.719 a waiting, 00:42:18.279 --> 00:42:19.299 expectant people? 00:42:19.300 --> 00:42:21.480 People who believe 00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:22.539 in the promises of God, 00:42:22.820 --> 00:42:23.700 people who have anchored 00:42:23.700 --> 00:42:24.300 their hearts 00:42:24.300 --> 00:42:26.940 in His future coming. 00:42:27.460 --> 00:42:28.519 Do they see a people 00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:30.420 who are empowered by God? 00:42:30.640 --> 00:42:32.680 People who are demonstrating 00:42:32.680 --> 00:42:34.440 that there is something 00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:35.360 about them 00:42:35.360 --> 00:42:36.860 that is quite distinct, 00:42:37.180 --> 00:42:38.680 something that is not normative 00:42:38.680 --> 00:42:39.460 in this world. 00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.960 They see that there is a, 00:42:41.120 --> 00:42:42.920 you see that there is a love 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:43.660 from you 00:42:43.660 --> 00:42:45.640 that cannot be seen 00:42:45.640 --> 00:42:46.280 anywhere else 00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:47.220 in this world. 00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:48.220 They see that there is 00:42:48.219 --> 00:42:50.439 an affection for others 00:42:50.439 --> 00:42:50.959 in you, 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:52.319 that there is a message 00:42:52.319 --> 00:42:53.259 that they're hearing 00:42:53.259 --> 00:42:55.279 about the work 00:42:55.279 --> 00:42:57.279 of the Savior. 00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.819 Are they seeing 00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:00.699 there's a message 00:43:00.699 --> 00:43:02.439 in a kingdom heart, 00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:04.139 a mission, 00:43:04.559 --> 00:43:05.319 and a purpose 00:43:05.319 --> 00:43:08.619 to share that message 00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:09.199 with others? 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.699 Are they recognizing 00:43:11.699 --> 00:43:13.159 in your life 00:43:13.159 --> 00:43:14.279 that there is 00:43:14.279 --> 00:43:15.659 a preeminent God 00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:17.239 and that you have 00:43:17.239 --> 00:43:18.099 bowed the knee 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:19.000 to that Lord 00:43:19.000 --> 00:43:20.599 and that you are serving 00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:21.460 Him with your life? 00:43:22.779 --> 00:43:24.559 Oh, may God help us 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:27.159 as we seek to do better 00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:29.599 at making Jesus preeminent 00:43:29.599 --> 00:43:31.199 so that when people see us, 00:43:31.739 --> 00:43:32.239 they say, 00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:32.719 yes, 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:35.259 there is a supreme Savior. 00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:37.719 There is a supreme God, 00:43:37.779 --> 00:43:38.739 a preeminent one. 00:43:39.219 --> 00:43:40.139 And they see that 00:43:40.139 --> 00:43:41.440 because of the work 00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:42.359 of Christ 00:43:42.359 --> 00:43:44.099 in His church. 00:43:44.099 --> 00:43:45.380 Oh, may God help us 00:43:45.380 --> 00:43:46.880 to represent Him faithfully. 00:43:47.420 --> 00:43:48.579 God, we thank You 00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:50.460 for Your Son, Jesus, 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:52.599 for these parting words. 00:43:52.779 --> 00:43:55.019 What words of power, 00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:56.699 what words of promise, 00:43:57.440 --> 00:43:58.420 what words of hope. 00:43:59.559 --> 00:43:59.799 And Lord, 00:43:59.819 --> 00:44:00.920 as we evaluate our lives 00:44:00.920 --> 00:44:01.579 and we see 00:44:01.579 --> 00:44:03.099 so many times 00:44:03.099 --> 00:44:03.920 the frailty, 00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:06.019 the powerlessness, 00:44:06.880 --> 00:44:08.099 and even the rebellion 00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:10.380 in resisting Your Spirit, 00:44:10.699 --> 00:44:12.099 God, I pray that You would help us 00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:16.779 to recognize 00:44:16.779 --> 00:44:18.779 where we're out of step, 00:44:19.739 --> 00:44:20.519 that we would lay that 00:44:20.519 --> 00:44:21.000 at Your feet, 00:44:21.079 --> 00:44:21.880 we would enjoy 00:44:21.880 --> 00:44:22.759 Your forgiveness, 00:44:23.460 --> 00:44:24.659 and that we would move 00:44:24.659 --> 00:44:25.199 in the direction 00:44:25.199 --> 00:44:26.940 of our Savior. 00:44:28.219 --> 00:44:28.839 Oh, God, 00:44:28.900 --> 00:44:29.460 help us 00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:30.900 to be representatives 00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.519 of Yours 00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:33.759 and to a watching world, 00:44:34.099 --> 00:44:34.940 may they see 00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:36.400 through us 00:44:36.400 --> 00:44:37.259 that there is, 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.900 in fact, 00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:39.319 a supreme God. 00:44:39.320 --> 00:44:40.920 we pray these things 00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:41.640 in Jesus' name. 00:44:41.860 --> 00:44:42.100 Amen. 00:44:42.900 --> 00:44:43.580 God bless you. 00:44:43.780 --> 00:44:44.440 Have a great week.