WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.759 And if you've got a Bible, turn in to Acts chapter 1. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:09.160 If you've not got a Bible, I'd really encourage you to go and grab one from by the table just outside. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:12.339 And we're going to dash around the Bible a little bit this morning. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:13.880 Acts chapter 1. 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:21.199 It's a real joy, isn't it, to people who are part of the church family and are now serving the Lord in different places. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:30.100 It's really great to have Will and Marianne and Jonathan and Michael serving the Lord in the far north in Dundee. 00:00:30.460 --> 00:00:36.200 And Jordan Saturov, who's with us, who's serving the Lord with London City Mission in East London. 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:41.159 So we're really, we're so glad to see you and we're going to pray for you now. 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:42.920 Let's bow our heads in prayer. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:49.460 Heavenly Father, we thank you that the gospel that we love and believe, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:51.880 is being proclaimed all around the world. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:59.560 And we thank you for the saints in every place that are calling on your name. 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:06.019 And we thank you, Heavenly Father, for Will and Marianne and Jonathan and Michael serving you in St. Peter's Dundee. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:07.760 And we pray for encouragement for that church family. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:12.040 And we pray that your word would continue to go forth faithfully there. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:15.760 And we thank you, Lord, for Jordan and Colina. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:23.100 And we pray for blessing in their work with London City Mission as they seek to train and equip others in the work of evangelism. 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:28.640 Heavenly Father, we thank you that Jesus Christ, your son, is unstoppable. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:33.240 And his kingdom has come and is coming and will come. 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:37.160 And he will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.519 And we pray that this series in Acts would fill us with that confidence. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:47.379 That we would recognize that Jesus Christ, by his spirit, is still at work today. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:50.340 He is still speaking today. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:52.379 And he is building his church. 00:01:53.179 --> 00:01:54.879 And we pray all these things in Jesus' name. 00:01:55.699 --> 00:01:56.019 Amen. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:01:56.140 Amen. 00:01:58.339 --> 00:02:01.079 I've never preached on my way through the Book of Acts. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:08.680 And this summer I've spent a bit of time while I was on sabbatical kind of reading around it and trying to think how best to approach it. 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:11.419 I'm convinced that I've got the main message. 00:02:11.539 --> 00:02:13.560 And I'm pretty sure how we're going to get into it. 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:15.919 I'm not really sure how we're going to get out of the Book of Acts. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.579 Because it's a long old book. 00:02:18.359 --> 00:02:21.199 And as you well know, I'm not brilliant at preaching big chunks. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:23.939 So we might be in this series for the next five years. 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:30.939 The Book of Acts is far more than the birth of the church. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:36.360 It's far more than the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire. 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:42.340 The Book of Acts reveals to us God's purpose for this world. 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:48.240 But specifically the place of the church in the purposes of God. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:54.000 And the Book of Acts is tailor-made for a church which is half asleep. 00:02:56.020 --> 00:02:58.620 And finds serving Jesus a great inconvenience. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:01.700 And doesn't have much heart for mission. 00:03:02.880 --> 00:03:05.060 And is in danger of forgetting who she is. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:09.980 And the Book of Acts is written for a church that has turned inward on itself. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:13.419 Where the worship is predictable and routine. 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:17.019 And where the ministry is relegated to paid professionals. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:22.120 Where compassion fits around the busyness of my daily life. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:28.420 The Book of Acts is written for a church that is under risk and in uncharted waters. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:31.939 None of which, of course, is relevant to us today. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:34.879 That was a joke. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:38.780 It's a terrible thing when you have to say that. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:42.659 I find myself having to say that more often. 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:45.700 I thought it was because people didn't get the joke. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:47.719 But actually, it's more to do with me, isn't it? 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:49.120 That is a joke. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:54.740 Let's go back to the Bible. 00:03:56.099 --> 00:03:58.520 There's no other book in the Bible like the Book of Acts. 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:01.960 It functions as a bridge. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:06.039 It forms a bridge between the first half of the New Testament. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.680 And the Gospels. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:09.000 And the second half of the letters. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:13.740 It forms a bridge between the Jesus Christ of the New Testament. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:17.620 And the Jesus Christ of the Church today. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:21.160 It forms a bridge between Jew and Gentile. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:27.780 And so the Gospel goes out from Jerusalem to Samaria to the ends of the earth. 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:30.540 To the heart of the Gentile world. 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:35.360 And in the first two verses, the writer introduces himself. 00:04:35.460 --> 00:04:36.220 The writer is Luke. 00:04:36.960 --> 00:04:39.120 And he reminds us of this bridging purpose. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:43.160 He introduces the book to us in this way. 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:43.740 He says, 00:04:43.960 --> 00:04:45.260 O Theophilus, 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:50.580 I've dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:04:51.140 --> 00:04:52.620 Until the day when he was taken up. 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:56.160 And after he'd given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 00:04:57.460 --> 00:05:01.240 The first book that he's speaking about, of course, is the Gospel of Luke. 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:02.020 That's volume one. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:05.240 And Luke was an educated man, a physician. 00:05:06.260 --> 00:05:08.820 He writes some of the finest Greek in the New Testament. 00:05:09.440 --> 00:05:10.580 He's widely travelled. 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:15.639 And we discover in later chapters that he travels with the Apostle Paul. 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:18.800 And he goes back into Palestine, into Israel. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:23.659 He interviews the eyewitnesses to write the Gospel. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:28.920 My theory is that Luke spent quite a lot of time with Mary, Jesus' mother. 00:05:30.640 --> 00:05:34.140 And because at the beginning of Luke's Gospel, you've got the tenderest details, haven't you? 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:42.000 Of the annunciation of the coming of Jesus, his birth and his early life. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:49.019 But the point is more important, and Luke in verse one wants us to know that the subject of volume one was Jesus. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:53.420 And the subject of volume two is Jesus. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:59.860 The key to this, he says, I dealt in the first book of Theophilus. 00:05:59.960 --> 00:06:02.560 I've dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:07.860 In other words, volume one was what Jesus began to do and teach. 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:12.020 Volume two is about what Jesus continues to do and teach. 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:18.180 Some people think that the Gospels are about Jesus and the Book of Acts is about the Church. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:22.459 But the contrast is not between Jesus and the Church. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:26.919 The contrast is between two different phases of Jesus' ministry. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.359 The first phase, which is in the Gospel of Luke, is the earthly ministry of Jesus. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:34.339 Until he was taken up. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:38.299 And Luke has talked about all those things that Jesus did and taught. 00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:44.879 But now there's a second phase of Jesus' ministry where he still teaches and he still works. 00:06:46.099 --> 00:06:50.439 He works from heaven through his Spirit and the Apostles. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:54.079 And he bears testimony to the words written in Scripture. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:57.739 And that is really important for us. 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:03.699 It's important that Jesus didn't just go back up to heaven and forget about it. 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:07.699 He spent three years creating the Church. 00:07:08.239 --> 00:07:10.839 And now he's about to send his Holy Spirit upon them. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:15.579 And he continues to work through his Spirit. 00:07:18.299 --> 00:07:21.419 The whole of this passage, the first eight verses that we're going to look at today, 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:28.259 tells of the incredible importance of the Christian Church in the plans of God for his world. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:33.860 In every other religion, when the religious founder dies, 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:38.599 the followers do their best, don't they, to keep the flame fanning. 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:40.019 The flame burning, I mean. 00:07:41.099 --> 00:07:45.439 The followers do their best to practice that religion because the founder is now absent. 00:07:46.039 --> 00:07:47.860 But it's the opposite in the Christian Church. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:53.020 We are not, this morning, trying to do our best because Jesus is gone. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:59.220 We are a Christian Church precisely because Jesus is here. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:04.220 And it's very important for us who call ourselves Reformed Evangelicals. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:07.699 Or Reformed Presbyterians. 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:10.699 We are rightfully disdainful. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:13.279 We don't want anything to do with deism. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:18.699 That philosophy that says that God is an absent creator, 00:08:19.420 --> 00:08:24.079 that he wound up creation like a clock and set it going, 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:28.399 but he doesn't have any direct or personal involvement with it now. 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:33.500 Everything just continues along according to his immutable laws. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:36.100 That's clearly unbiblical, isn't it? 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.919 And we're right to dismiss it when it comes to our Christian lives. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:41.980 And when it comes to the life of the Christian Church. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:47.399 But I worry sometimes, actually, are we closet deists? 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:55.379 Very often, we are very uncomfortable with God interfering with our lives. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.120 Except, maybe in the case of an emergency, 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:03.340 and even then, in specific terms that are set down by me, 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:05.600 we plan and we strategise, 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:11.759 as if Jesus finished acting 2,000 years ago in our own lives. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:15.440 We maybe hoard possessions, 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:18.659 as if this life is all that there is. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.100 And there isn't really a life to come. 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:25.539 And we invest our time in ourselves, 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:29.240 to alleviate our fears and our anxieties. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.580 We act as though Jesus wound up the Church 2,000 years ago. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:40.180 But this book tells you that, no, Jesus really is directly 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:43.379 and personally involved with us now. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:46.759 And right at the heart of the Book of Acts, 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:49.460 the first thing that we have to be clear about with the Church 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:53.460 is that Jesus Christ remains Lord of the Church 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:55.879 and He is here with us now, 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.899 by His Spirit. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.559 Active now. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.840 He continues to work with us now, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.439 by His Holy Spirit. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:09.160 He is very much engaged with us. 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:13.440 And I wonder what IPC would begin to look like 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:14.560 if we really believed that. 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:18.300 This is what this book is all about. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.620 It's going to show us 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.880 what it's like to believe it. 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:24.380 The second verse, 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:26.700 we're told that one of the things it looks like 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:28.640 is a group of people 00:10:28.640 --> 00:10:31.240 trying to live under the command of Jesus, 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:33.320 dependent on the Holy Spirit. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:38.460 Verse 2 is the first of about 60 references 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:40.840 to the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.200 Right from the outset, 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:46.960 we are being prepared for the fact that this organism, 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.440 the Church, 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:52.140 is unlike anything that the world has seen before. 00:10:53.780 --> 00:10:55.000 It's a place, yes, 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:57.740 where Jesus is present and active, 00:10:58.280 --> 00:11:01.560 but it's also a place where the power of the Holy Spirit exists. 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:07.379 Where people are indwelt by God's Spirit. 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:11.180 Enabling them to love and serve 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:13.280 and proclaim Him to the ends of the earth. 00:11:15.280 --> 00:11:16.200 And I hope you listened 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:19.379 as we read those words from verses 1 to 8. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:23.020 And you hear this new thing that is about to happen. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:25.740 We are on the precipice of a new age. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:27.960 In these words. 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:31.000 And every word of verses 1 to 8 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.080 trembles with anticipation 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:35.399 and expectation. 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.980 As Jesus prepares the world 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:42.259 and His disciples for this new thing 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:44.659 before He's taken up into heaven. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:48.719 There are two sections in verses 3 to 8. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.959 And I want to look at them in reverse order. 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.500 Because I want to. 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.740 And so let's look at the second half. 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.919 And I'm going to call the second half, 00:11:59.000 --> 00:11:59.600 verse 6 to 8, 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:01.319 the turning point for God's world. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.360 Verse 6, 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.620 the turning point for God's world. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:08.940 So when they come together, 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:09.539 they ask Him, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.860 Lord, will you at this time 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:12.159 restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:15.179 He said to them, 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:17.159 it's not for you to know times or seasons 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:19.139 that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:21.539 But you will receive power 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:23.060 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:25.460 And you will be my witnesses 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.940 in Jerusalem 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:28.759 and in all Judea and Samaria 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.820 and to the ends of the earth. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.799 Jesus has been raised from the dead. 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:36.479 He has spoken to them 00:12:36.479 --> 00:12:37.419 about the Holy Spirit. 00:12:38.599 --> 00:12:40.459 And this question from the disciples 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:41.819 wonderfully shows 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:43.620 that they still don't get it. 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.799 They don't understand it really. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.279 They are looking for 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:51.079 the restored kingdom of Israel. 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:54.459 And Judea's answer to them is stunning. 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:56.879 He doesn't kind of castigate them 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.959 for their narrow political ambitions. 00:13:00.479 --> 00:13:02.759 Instead, He lifts their vision 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.559 and their desires 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:07.639 to the worldwide purposes of God 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:10.299 and to their place 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.580 in His purposes. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.799 He says, 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.860 yes, the Spirit is coming. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.299 But He's not coming 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.460 to make you powerful. 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:20.480 He's not coming 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.919 to make one nation 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.659 in a particular place powerful. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.200 But He's coming 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.279 so that you would take 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.980 my purposes 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:30.600 to the ends of the earth 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.279 when the Holy Spirit 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.100 comes upon you. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.779 You shall be my witnesses 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:37.600 in Jerusalem, Judea 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.399 and the ends of the earth. 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.360 And if you've read 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:40.879 the book of Acts, 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:41.639 which I hope you'll do, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.680 you will know that 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.519 that verse functions 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:45.000 like a table of contents. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.779 So chapters 1 to 7 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.379 is about the apostles' 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.340 ministry in Jerusalem. 00:13:51.540 --> 00:13:52.980 Chapters 8 to 12 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.639 is their ministry 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.879 in Judea and Samaria. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.180 And chapter 13 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:58.180 to the end of the book 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.279 is their ministry 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.219 to the ends of the earth. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.919 Now I can't tell you 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.739 how many sermons 00:14:05.739 --> 00:14:06.699 and talks I've heard 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.679 on Acts chapter 1 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:10.120 that have been treated 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.099 and demanded 00:14:11.099 --> 00:14:11.959 and commanded 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:15.279 that we become witnesses 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.539 and get out there 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.439 and do evangelism. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.059 One of the commentaries 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.500 I've got 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:22.099 has six sermons 00:14:22.099 --> 00:14:22.819 on this verse 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.939 telling us 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.539 how to be great witnesses 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.120 for Jesus. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:28.399 There's an awful lot 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:28.820 of truth 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:30.860 in those sermons 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:33.279 but I want to tell you 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.620 that this verse 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.560 of Jesus 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:38.320 is not a desperate plea 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.279 for him 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.220 not to be forgotten. 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.500 This is not 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.919 a hurried strategy 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:46.620 from Jesus 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.460 that he hopes 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.220 might work out 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.860 in the world 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.560 that you and I 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.000 have somehow 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.659 got to fulfill. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:55.559 The scene 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.439 of verse 8 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.799 is not a motivational 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.279 rally. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.879 It is a law court. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.600 It is a cosmic 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.079 law court. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.259 And each of the 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.659 three pivotal phrases 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.919 in verse 8 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.939 are all taken 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:13.819 from the prophet Isaiah. 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:16.220 when God 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.879 the Lord of Heaven 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.340 and Earth 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.840 announces 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.640 a lawsuit 00:15:19.640 --> 00:15:20.920 against all the idols 00:15:20.920 --> 00:15:21.760 and against all the 00:15:21.760 --> 00:15:22.340 false religions 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:22.920 in the world 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:24.180 because he says 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:25.060 to the false religions 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:25.960 you're guilty 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.920 of false advertising. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.580 You promise salvation. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.660 You promise life. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.340 And God says 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.379 I want to have a lawsuit 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.940 in fact 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.720 to see who is 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.440 the true God. 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:38.600 And both sides 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.460 Lord God Almighty 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:42.440 and the false religions 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:43.520 call witnesses 00:15:43.520 --> 00:15:44.240 to be presented. 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.380 But there's a problem. 00:15:47.380 --> 00:15:48.200 The problem is 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:48.840 God's witnesses 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.520 are blind. 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.140 They've seen 00:15:52.140 --> 00:15:53.100 the mighty acts 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.640 of God 00:15:53.640 --> 00:15:54.760 but they've closed 00:15:54.760 --> 00:15:55.240 their eyes 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.740 and they've shut 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.280 their ears. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.440 And therefore 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.720 they are blind witnesses. 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:02.360 And I want to show you this. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.060 So keep a finger 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.880 in Acts chapter 1 00:16:03.880 --> 00:16:05.920 and turn to Isaiah 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:06.920 chapter 43 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:07.760 and verse 8. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:11.759 Isaiah 43 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.919 and verse 8. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.639 I'll give you 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.059 a bit of time 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.580 to get there. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:17.720 Isaiah 43 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.120 verse 8. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:18.860 I would give you 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.340 the page number 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.720 but someone 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.379 will shout it out. 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:23.860 603. 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.159 Isaiah 43 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:26.639 verse 8. 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:26.980 It's important 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.600 you see this. 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:31.879 And so what Jesus 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.659 is doing in Acts 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.620 is he's deliberately 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.799 taking these phrases 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.600 from Isaiah 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:37.200 so that you and I 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.060 will understand 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:39.139 what Isaiah is saying. 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:42.200 So verse 8. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:42.820 When God 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:43.379 the Lord 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.340 of heaven and earth 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.279 announces a lawsuit 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.480 against all the idols 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.320 and against all the 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:48.860 false religions 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.480 in the world 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.800 he says you're guilty 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.800 of false advertising. 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.659 43 verse 8. 00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:56.420 Bring out the people 00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.000 who are blind 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.720 yet of eyes 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.420 who are deaf 00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.019 yet of ears. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.460 All the nations 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.000 gather together 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.519 all the peoples 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.019 assemble 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.420 who among them 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.220 can declare this 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.420 and show us 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.100 the former things. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.700 Let them bring 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.200 their witnesses 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.000 to prove them right. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.400 Let them hear 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.440 and say it is true. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:13.900 You 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.799 are my witnesses 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.579 declares the Lord 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:18.660 and my servant 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.579 whom I have chosen 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:21.319 that you may know 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.880 and believe me 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.380 and understand 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.279 that I am he. 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.380 Before me 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.440 no God was formed 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.660 nor shall there be 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.500 any after me. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.700 I am the Lord 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.360 and besides me 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:30.400 there is no saviour. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.680 I declared 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.640 and saved 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.299 and proclaimed 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.400 when there was 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.060 no strange God 00:17:35.060 --> 00:17:35.500 among you 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.680 and you 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.700 are my witnesses 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.620 declares the Lord. 00:17:39.780 --> 00:17:40.980 But the problem is 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.920 they're blind. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.300 How is God 00:17:44.300 --> 00:17:44.800 going to heal 00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.400 the blindness 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.120 of his witnesses? 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:46.840 Well Isaiah 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:47.560 says two things. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.500 The first he says 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.460 I'm going to send 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.300 a special person. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.560 I'm going to send 00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:53.220 a servant 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.759 the servant 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.340 of the Lord 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:55.820 whose ministry 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.340 will be 00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:57.060 what will he be 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.860 what will he do 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.680 he will bring light 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.460 to the Gentiles 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.019 to the nations 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.539 to open the eyes 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.240 of the blind. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:03.160 That's chapter 42. 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.460 And the second thing is 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.519 he promises 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.559 to pour out 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.420 his Holy Spirit 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.980 and when the Spirit 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.900 comes he will 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.079 open eyes 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.740 and open mouths. 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.220 So turn over 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.019 to chapter 44 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.599 and let me read 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.460 to you from verse 3. 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.200 Where Isaiah says this 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.360 for I will pour water 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.420 on the thirsty land 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.559 and streams 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.279 on the dry ground 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.460 I will pour my spirit 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.259 upon your offspring 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.539 and my blessing 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.360 on your descendants 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:32.180 and they shall spring up 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.059 among the grass 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.720 like willows 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.700 by flowing streams 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.940 and what will be 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.380 the result? 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.440 This one says 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.240 I am the Lord's 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.000 and another will call 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.920 on the name of Jacob 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.480 and another will write 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:42.840 on his hand 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.559 the Lord's 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.740 and name himself 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.600 by the name of Israel. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.799 Thus says the Lord 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.500 the King of Israel 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.440 and his Redeemer 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.559 the Lord of hosts. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.980 I'm the first 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.880 I'm the last 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:53.260 besides me 00:18:53.260 --> 00:18:54.080 there is no God 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:55.600 who is like me 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.500 let him proclaim it 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.780 let him declare 00:18:57.780 --> 00:18:58.640 and said it before me 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.420 since I appointed 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.320 an ancient people 00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:01.520 let them declare 00:19:01.520 --> 00:19:02.320 what is to come 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:02.960 and what will happen 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.900 fear not 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.860 not be afraid 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:06.580 I've told you 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.060 from of old 00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:07.760 and declared it 00:19:07.760 --> 00:19:09.140 and you are 00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:10.120 my witnesses. 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.620 Okay come back 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.540 with me to Acts chapter 1. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.340 And so here is 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:18.180 the servant 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:18.800 of the Lord 00:19:18.800 --> 00:19:19.680 Jesus Christ 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:21.780 and what is he doing? 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:23.780 he's taking 00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.600 on his lips 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:26.200 the words of God 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:28.380 the Lord of Israel 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:30.560 the words that God 00:19:30.560 --> 00:19:31.000 had spoken 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.320 700 years 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.040 before Isaiah 00:19:33.040 --> 00:19:34.100 you shall be 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.700 my witnesses 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.480 and now Jesus Christ 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.040 announces to his people 00:19:38.040 --> 00:19:39.440 you shall be 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.500 my witnesses 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:43.619 and it's a challenge 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.819 to the world 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:47.539 the point is not 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.059 that Jesus 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.319 is devising a strategy 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.160 for church growth 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.559 the point is this 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.160 Jesus 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:54.140 he is God 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.799 and Lord of Israel 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:58.200 it is Jesus 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.400 who is the first 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.680 and the last 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.960 and besides him 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:03.200 there is no God 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:07.000 what I want you 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.720 to see from this 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:07.980 passage 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.480 and I want you 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.039 to see this 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.460 when your eyes 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.259 are opened 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:14.160 you are a witness 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:17.019 it doesn't matter 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.420 whether you want 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:17.860 to be or not 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:23.379 I was in the co-op 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.359 in Greenford Avenue 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.500 about three years ago 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.199 all of life 00:20:26.199 --> 00:20:27.199 is in Greenford Avenue 00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:27.559 co-op 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:29.379 and I noticed 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.599 that there was a guy 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.519 shoplifting 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:33.779 and he went to the till 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.359 but he only paid 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.019 for one thing 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.899 thankfully the guy 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.459 behind the till 00:20:36.459 --> 00:20:38.699 kind of pointed it out 00:20:38.699 --> 00:20:39.159 caught him 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:41.579 and they tried 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.159 to kind of 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.039 stop him going out 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:44.839 he was confronted 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.059 the guy started 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.359 threatening the staff 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:49.579 and I was there 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.299 looking on 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:52.939 and there was CCTV 00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:55.019 but I was a witness 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.639 I was a witness 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.639 I had to go to court 00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.019 in the end 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.740 as a witness 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.919 I was a witness 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.579 whether I liked it 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:02.959 or not 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:05.319 I had no choice 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.779 about that 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.279 I saw what happened 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.699 and so I was a witness 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:11.419 I had no choice 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:14.519 and when the Holy Spirit 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.299 opens our eyes 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.579 to see in Jesus Christ 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.460 the glory of God 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.879 and the wonder 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.500 of our salvation 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.400 we are witnesses 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:23.079 Jesus doesn't say to you 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.400 in Acts 1 verse 8 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:26.319 you must be my witness 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:29.160 you've got to try hard 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.379 to be my witness 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:32.980 he says you are 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:36.200 you shall be my witnesses 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:41.079 the real problem of course 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.039 is hostile Christians 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:44.899 there are times 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.220 aren't there 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.159 in civil cases 00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.819 where eyewitnesses 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.839 will not testify 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:51.259 hostile witnesses 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.559 and you can understand that 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:55.980 but why be a hostile Christian 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.720 when what we are witnessing 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.940 is the glory 00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:00.539 of Jesus Christ 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:02.920 and again 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.539 the issue 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.599 is not our witnessing technique 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:08.259 or our evangelistic programs 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.559 the issue 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.660 is simply this 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.900 whether our eyes 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.539 are open 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.879 to the person 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.579 of Jesus Christ 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:19.160 and part of the essence 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.079 of seeing him 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:21.920 and worshipping him 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.900 is bearing witness 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.779 to him 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:25.440 and saying 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:27.599 I'm Jesus' person 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:30.400 I belong to him 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:33.379 I have a friend 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.740 who for the first years 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.539 first couple of years 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.460 after he became a Christian 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.039 he used to write on his hand 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.559 on the back of his hand 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.799 every day before he went out 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.940 three letters 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.620 H 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.460 I 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.700 S 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:46.279 his 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:49.059 and it was there 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.660 to remind him 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.240 throughout the day 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.039 who he belonged to 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:54.240 you see the great issue 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.840 in our world 00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:55.860 is not the issues 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.840 that come up in the headlines 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.819 as important as they are 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.900 the issue is that 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.600 every man 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.000 and woman 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.840 every boy 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.539 and every girl 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.240 comes to see 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.799 the majesty 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.259 and the love 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:07.039 and the grace 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.119 and the mercy of God 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:10.500 in the face of Jesus Christ 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.279 and to bow to him 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.079 and call him saviour 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:15.980 and Acts 1 verse 8 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.159 it's not a polite invitation 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:18.799 for you to show your faith 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.519 if you're feeling 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.740 particularly gregarious 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.159 and outgoing 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:23.799 it's a summons 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.460 from the Lord of all the earth 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.559 for the world to bow 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.639 and it's a promise 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:31.899 that he is going to give 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.379 his spirit 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.179 to open our eyes 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:35.720 and when our eyes 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.139 are opened 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.099 whether we like it or not 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.599 we are his witnesses 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:41.399 and that is why 00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.200 it's a turning point 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.899 for the world 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:47.440 the great contest 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.019 the great 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.299 prosecution 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.079 the great issue 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.799 in our world 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.599 is Jesus Christ 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.279 and the power 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.919 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.039 and he is here 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.920 by his spirit 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:58.160 in church this morning 00:23:58.160 --> 00:24:00.940 and in every Christian 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:03.440 for the opening 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.220 of our eyes 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:06.120 and the paying 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.759 of our testimonies 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.440 so briefly 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.240 let me turn to the 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.460 second part of the passage 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.740 which is verses 3 to 5 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:14.460 if it was a turning point 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.019 for the world 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.080 now it's a turning point 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.660 for the church 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:20.740 and the question 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.420 that we should ask 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:21.560 is 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:23.279 how on earth 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.960 do you prepare 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.559 disciples 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.700 for this ministry 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.740 verse 3 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:32.860 he presented himself 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.539 alive to them 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.340 after his suffering 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.960 by many proofs 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:38.600 appearing to them 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:39.600 during 40 days 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.279 and speaking about 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:40.920 the kingdom of God 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:43.920 and while staying 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.519 with them 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.720 he ordered them 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.519 not to depart 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:46.940 from Jerusalem 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.440 but to wait 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.940 for the promise 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.420 of the father 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.079 which he said 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.059 you heard from me 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.940 for John baptized 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.539 with water 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.539 but you will be 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.259 baptized with the 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.799 Holy Spirit 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.600 not many days 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.039 from now 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:59.460 a great deal 00:24:59.460 --> 00:24:59.880 can happen 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.640 in 40 days 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:02.480 but here are 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:02.940 some of the 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.440 40 most important 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:04.980 days in all 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.380 of history 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:08.280 Jesus has risen 00:25:08.280 --> 00:25:08.820 from the dead 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.580 and in a few days 00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:10.140 he's going back 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.600 to heaven 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:12.600 and will pour 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.180 out his spirit 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.780 what does he do 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:14.240 how does he 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.380 equip his church 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:17.620 for this new 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:17.920 ministry 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:20.320 he does three 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:20.700 things 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.520 first of all 00:25:21.520 --> 00:25:23.940 he establishes 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.580 the reality 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.660 of his resurrection 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:30.140 it's very important 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.620 to Jesus 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:32.820 that you 00:25:32.820 --> 00:25:33.880 as his follower 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:36.820 are fully convinced 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.519 and fully 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.460 persuaded 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.500 that he has 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.600 bodily risen 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.259 from the dead 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:44.840 he presents 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.620 himself to them 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.360 by these many 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.680 proofs 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.220 many convincing 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.680 proofs 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.460 because you see 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.279 we are not 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.060 witnesses to 00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:54.660 a teacher 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.340 or to a 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.720 teaching 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.179 who died 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:57.619 years ago 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.319 we are witnesses 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.339 to the living 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.759 and risen 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.279 Christ 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:04.599 Christ has 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.059 died 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.459 Christ is 00:26:06.459 --> 00:26:06.859 risen 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:08.199 Christ will 00:26:08.199 --> 00:26:08.839 come again 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.819 that's the first 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.139 thing he does 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.639 the second thing 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:11.899 he does 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.879 is he clarifies 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.500 the gospel 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:16.079 he clarifies 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.579 the gospel 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.079 the good news 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.299 he speaks to 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.619 them about 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.019 the kingdom 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.639 of God 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:23.579 so let's 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.279 go to the end 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:24.759 of the book 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.079 of Acts 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.819 keep your finger 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.079 in Acts 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.299 1 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.439 and this 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:28.000 time go to 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.240 the other 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.619 direction 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.139 go to the 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.500 end 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.139 the last 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:30.460 verse 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:30.759 of the book 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.139 of Acts 00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:34.879 and I want 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.439 you to see 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:36.439 that Luke 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.199 brackets 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.539 the start 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.980 of his book 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.740 and the end 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.279 of his book 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:42.160 with a reference 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:54.259 of the 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.259 00:26:54.259 --> 00:27:08.500 ending 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.500 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:14.180 there is none. 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.600 Preaching the kingdom 00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:20.500 is speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:22.540 --> 00:27:24.460 Have you ever noticed that throughout the Gospels, 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.700 Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.200 the kingdom of God is used frequently. 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:32.360 Something like 120 times in the Gospels. 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:36.300 But after the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:40.519 the kingdom is only used occasionally. 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.440 Why is that? 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:45.200 The reason I think is this, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:47.980 that during the 40 days when Jesus taught his disciples, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.200 the big plan of God 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:53.220 and the rule of God 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:56.040 is fulfilled in Jesus. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:59.600 It's fulfilled in his life 00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.920 and his death 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.680 and his resurrection. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:06.519 One last cross-reference, alright? 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.220 We don't normally have many, 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.040 we don't normally have any. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.300 We've got loads today. 00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:11.200 Luke 24. 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.220 Luke 24. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.920 Come with me. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.120 Stay with me. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.900 Luke 24. 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:18.759 And if you want to know what happened in the 40 days, 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.940 you need to know this verse. 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:21.120 Luke 24 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:24.060 and verse 27. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:29.659 So Jesus is speaking to some followers. 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:33.379 What happened between Jesus being raised from the dead 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:34.980 and ascending up to heaven? 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.679 Verse 27, 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.919 speaking to some followers, 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.379 beginning with Moses and all the prophets, 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:42.480 he interpreted to them in all the scriptures 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:45.319 the things concerning himself. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:55.439 And then verse 45. 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:58.299 Then Jesus opened their minds 00:28:58.299 --> 00:29:00.500 to understand the scriptures 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.980 and said to them, 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.519 thus it is written, 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:06.000 thus it is written that the Christ should suffer 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:08.799 and rise from the dead on the third day 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:10.779 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:12.720 should be proclaimed in his name 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.599 to all nations, 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.860 beginning from Jerusalem. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:21.199 And you are witnesses 00:29:21.199 --> 00:29:23.779 of these things. 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:23.839 Yes. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:30.079 When Christ first came into this world, 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:33.699 he brought the age to come 00:29:33.699 --> 00:29:36.299 into our own evil age. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.679 The age of the spirit. 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:43.639 And when he comes again, 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:46.339 he will do away with this present evil age. 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:50.039 And so you and I find ourselves living in the overlap. 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:53.759 We live in the overlap of those ages. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:58.899 We participate in the age that's to come 00:29:58.899 --> 00:30:01.220 by the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:04.379 And so that's why everyone who knows 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.519 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:09.099 knows that life is not about food and fashion 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:11.279 and finance and fun. 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:14.259 But we know because we belong 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:16.240 to the age of the spirit, 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.459 that life is about righteousness 00:30:17.459 --> 00:30:19.339 and peace and joy 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.480 through the life and death 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.579 and resurrection of Jesus. 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:26.319 We begin to know now in part 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:28.079 what we will know wholly 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.500 when Christ comes again. 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:33.019 And your affections, 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:35.039 which are changing now 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.279 as you follow Christ, 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:38.199 will one day be fully changed. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:42.319 And you come to value strange things 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:44.039 like repentance from sin 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:46.380 and the glory of Christ 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.740 and prayer 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.819 and giving. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.340 And so here is what Jesus does 00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.400 to prepare us. 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.180 First of all, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.700 he assures us of the resurrection. 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.840 And then he clarifies the gospel 00:30:58.839 --> 00:31:00.039 and then thirdly and lastly, 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:02.319 he charges them to wait 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.000 for the Holy Spirit. 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.159 Verse 4 and 5. 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:07.559 I think this is the only time 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.240 in the New Testament 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:10.659 where he stops his followers 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.259 from preaching. 00:31:13.459 --> 00:31:14.599 He taught them the gospel. 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:17.819 They believed in his resurrection, 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:19.079 but they still lacked one thing. 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.240 Without which, 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:25.000 whatever they did would be useless. 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:27.660 the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.259 And we're going to see this 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.140 over the next few weeks. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.859 The church of Jesus Christ 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.619 is made up of people 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.579 who have been washed 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.299 and drenched 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:39.400 and submerged 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:42.180 and flooded by the Holy Spirit. 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:45.400 Who have been born anew, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.299 who have been born from above to God. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.579 And we know that we are 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.700 completely dependent 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.859 upon God's Holy Spirit. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.900 Without him, we can do nothing. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.599 individually 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:57.119 or as a group of people. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.559 And so here is the great 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.619 turning point for the world. 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.140 And here is the great 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:05.240 turning point for the church. 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:09.240 And the Holy Spirit reminds us 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.579 that it's not about our efforts 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.400 and our cleverness 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.779 and our endeavours 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.660 and our schemes 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:15.299 and our witness. 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:18.299 But our membership 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.579 in the kingdom of God 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:22.759 and the progress of the faith 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:25.220 and all these are 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.079 spiritual realities 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.220 that are carried forward 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.960 by the Holy Spirit. 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.400 And there is but one thing 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.200 to take place 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.980 before the Spirit 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.819 is poured out 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.539 on his church. 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.859 And you'll have to come back 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.539 next week to find out 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:37.940 what that is. 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.460 My hope, 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.759 this should have been 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.240 my introduction, 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.460 my hope is that 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.660 this series on Acts 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:49.080 will remind us 00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:50.120 that Jesus Christ 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.259 is unstoppable. 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.779 And it will remind us 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.259 that Jesus Christ Church 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.480 is growing 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:58.000 and will grow. 00:32:58.000 --> 00:33:00.460 and it will give us 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:01.279 a confidence 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.059 in God 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.839 and his purposes. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.700 My prayer is that 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.640 this room 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.819 will be full to overflowing, 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.839 that we'll have to have 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.799 the difficult discussions 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:11.140 of how do we church plant, 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.039 when do we church plant, 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:13.140 do we do a second service, 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.259 do we put a balcony in, 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.319 because 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.640 Jesus Christ 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:17.720 is unstoppable. 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:21.079 And his church 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.900 will grow 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:23.099 and is growing. 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.059 And his kingdom 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.779 has come, 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.000 is coming, 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.279 will come. 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:31.799 And we are indwelt 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:34.179 by God's Holy Spirit. 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.079 Let's pray together.