WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.640 Acts chapter 2 this morning as we can continue on in our sermon series. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:15.580 There have been many battles in human history, but certain battles in history, 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:22.640 the defeats or the victories have been so decisive or monumental, 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:26.679 they are remembered for centuries, even millennia. 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:31.939 The Battle of Thermopylae, where the 300, it wasn't really 300, 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:39.079 but the 300 Spartans took on all of Persia, the Battle of Agincourt, Waterloo, 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:46.219 the Battle of the Bulge, Hiroshima and Nagasaki dropping the bomb on the two cities. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:51.219 Here in Canada we remember Vimy and Passchendaele and Dieppe 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:56.039 as nation-defining battles that prove the might and resolve of a young country. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:01.659 All such battles are remembered as having era-defining significance, 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:06.260 and they did more than just change the fortunes of a war, 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:08.799 but in some cases changed civilization completely. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:14.319 I open with this because I want to ask the following question. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:22.519 How expansive, how era-defining, how much did it change civilization, 00:01:23.059 --> 00:01:26.039 the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:34.260 The victory that is the Gospel, the good news that Jesus lived and He died and He rose again. 00:01:34.860 --> 00:01:39.920 He ascended into heaven and one day He will come back again to judge the living and the dead. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:44.540 The good news of Christ whereby all evil and all sin, 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:46.580 all brokenness, 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:49.900 all death forever defeated, 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:52.880 never to come back and wage war again. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:02:01.299 A victory so complete that in it Christ redeems and restores and reconciles all things, 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:04.819 that even creation itself will be renewed. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:09.280 You read more about that in Colossians 1, verse 20. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:14.840 How expansive, how era-defining, 00:02:15.519 --> 00:02:19.800 how civilization-changing was the victory of Christ on the cross. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:25.100 Acts chapter 2 opens with the descending of the promised Holy Spirit 00:02:25.100 --> 00:02:30.620 that would clothe the disciples with power so that they would be witnesses to His victory, 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:33.460 continuing the very ministry of Christ Himself. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:38.540 And we'll see that what happens in Acts chapter 2 00:02:38.540 --> 00:02:43.960 is in a sense the outpouring or the outworking of the victory of Christ 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:48.020 that will have reverberations all throughout the centuries, 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:49.280 all throughout the millennia, 00:02:49.860 --> 00:02:51.740 into the future until Christ returns. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:53.920 In fact, it will define human history. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.159 We'll look at two ways that the Holy Spirit, 00:02:59.760 --> 00:03:00.800 through God's people, 00:03:01.640 --> 00:03:06.300 will change history through the victory of Christ. 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:08.500 That through the victory of Christ 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:10.460 and the descending of the Holy Spirit, 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:12.659 God's people will experience a new life. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:16.360 And then also, 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:19.180 God's people will experience a new family. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:20.740 Only two points today. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:21.700 No three-pointer. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:22.300 That's okay. 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:25.460 We're going to keep things a bit short with the kids outside. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:28.100 So, let's look at it right away. 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:28.800 Let's jump in. 00:03:29.260 --> 00:03:30.200 How the Holy Spirit, 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:32.340 how the victory of Christ through the Holy Spirit 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:36.219 will cause God's people to experience a new life. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:38.960 I'll just say this before we jump in. 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:40.699 Acts chapter 2 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:45.400 might be the most symbolically rich chapter 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:46.900 in all of the Bible. 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:49.719 The allusions to the Old Testament, 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:52.379 the subtleties, 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:56.120 the words that are used to tip us off 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.960 to something greater and bigger that is happening. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.840 It is all through Acts chapter 2. 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:03.120 It was, and I'm not just saying this, 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:06.219 it was very difficult to cut certain things out 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:10.099 and to keep things somewhat concise for this morning 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.159 because it is so richly packed 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:16.720 with allusions and symbols and scripture references 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:19.439 that if you dig a bit deeper, 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:21.300 I mean, it's a remarkable chapter, 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:22.500 Acts chapter 2. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:24.000 But we'll let's, 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:27.120 that's my little kind of riff about it. 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:29.060 We'll jump in verse 1 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:30.759 and we'll read verses 1 to 4 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:34.319 and we'll see how this new life comes about. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:37.879 When the day of Pentecost arrived, 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:41.500 they, the disciples, the followers of Jesus, 00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:44.000 were all together in one place. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.439 And suddenly there came from heaven 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:49.459 a sound like a mighty rushing wind 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:51.480 and it filled the entire house 00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:52.579 where they were sitting. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:56.240 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them 00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:58.199 and rested on each of them. 00:04:58.840 --> 00:05:00.740 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:02.660 and began to speak in other tongues 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:05.079 as the Spirit gave them utterance. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:09.180 The Holy Spirit has ascended 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:11.759 and the language that is used here 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:13.100 is that of wind and fire. 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:15.699 Notice that on one hand, 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:17.220 the language is, it's literal. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.680 The Bible isn't communicating something 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.780 in strictly metaphor 00:05:21.780 --> 00:05:27.660 that this is a literal telling 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:28.560 of what is happening. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:30.879 We'll see later on that the, 00:05:31.280 --> 00:05:33.680 it's not just kind of like a group experience, 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:35.500 but the neighboring, 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:39.379 the crowds in the city, 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:41.660 the folks from all different lands, 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:43.500 they're hearing something that's happening 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.540 and they're not sure what it is, 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.199 but something clearly is going down. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:49.659 But, it's also language 00:05:49.659 --> 00:05:52.159 that is couched in very, 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:55.879 I'd say symbolic language, 00:05:56.039 --> 00:05:57.319 typological language, 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:00.779 that is throughout all of Scripture. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:02.800 So what do I mean by this? 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:06.399 Wind and fire are throughout Scripture. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:08.860 They are used as symbols 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:11.180 to describe aspects of God's Spirit 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.039 interacting with humanity. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:16.760 Luke wants us to ask the question, 00:06:17.340 --> 00:06:19.020 where have we seen this before? 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:21.520 When wind comes in, 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:22.480 when fire comes in, 00:06:22.760 --> 00:06:23.920 does it jog our memory 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.379 to something in the Old Testament 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:27.140 that might tip us off 00:06:27.140 --> 00:06:29.379 to what Luke is trying to communicate to us? 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.320 So, I think to really dive into our text, 00:06:33.780 --> 00:06:35.580 we need to explore the Scriptures 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:36.800 and find instances 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.840 whereby we see God's Spirit 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:43.560 described as wind and fire. 00:06:43.799 --> 00:06:45.019 So, let's look first at wind. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.959 Recall how God made man 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:49.699 and breathed His breath 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:50.699 into His nostrils. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:52.479 Genesis chapter 2, 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:55.199 to give mankind life. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.120 That was not an act 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.039 to simply fill lungs, 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:00.919 but it envisions God 00:07:00.919 --> 00:07:02.019 giving life, 00:07:02.599 --> 00:07:03.500 fullness of life, 00:07:03.679 --> 00:07:04.739 mental, physical, 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:06.419 rational, spiritual life 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:08.160 to His creation, 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:08.840 mankind. 00:07:09.520 --> 00:07:11.699 He breathes His breath 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:12.439 into mankind. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:15.319 So, how is this connected to wind? 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:16.960 Here in Acts 2, 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.939 we have something similar happening. 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:20.259 It says wind 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.480 in Acts chapter 2, 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:22.520 verse 2, 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.420 but the other place, 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:26.360 the only other place 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.360 in Acts 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:29.259 where the same word 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:30.600 in the original language 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:31.160 is used 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:33.819 is actually in Acts chapter 17, 00:07:34.020 --> 00:07:34.900 verse 25, 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:36.120 when the Apostle Paul 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:38.740 is preaching to the Athenians 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.019 and he says this, 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:41.100 He, God, 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:42.259 He Himself 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:43.540 gives to all mankind 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:45.699 life and breath 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:46.519 and everything. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.500 The same word 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.360 used in Acts chapter 2, 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:51.620 wind, 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:53.600 is the same exact word 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:55.480 used in Acts chapter 17 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:56.379 for breath. 00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:01.399 This is a really interesting thing 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:03.519 because it would seem 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:04.259 that what Luke 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.819 is pointing to 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:06.439 isn't just 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.319 this supernatural experience 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.240 where wind comes in 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.000 and we're like, 00:08:11.099 --> 00:08:11.859 why wind? 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.219 It seems bizarre, 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.979 but he's tipping us off 00:08:14.979 --> 00:08:15.639 to something 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:18.060 that God has done previously. 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:20.339 This, 00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:22.039 Luke is trying to explain to us, 00:08:22.419 --> 00:08:22.620 is, 00:08:22.859 --> 00:08:23.740 what we are seeing here 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:25.299 is a new creation happening. 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:27.980 God is forming 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:28.840 a new people 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:29.500 for Himself 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:30.740 and He is breathing 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.480 His very Spirit 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:33.180 into them. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:36.659 And it will animate them 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.659 with divine power 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:38.320 so that when 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:39.600 they bear witness 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:40.379 to Christ, 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.399 it is with power. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:44.399 God's Spirit 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:45.259 is residing 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:46.000 in mankind 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:46.879 not so, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:50.039 in a very similar way 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:50.680 to what we see 00:08:50.680 --> 00:08:51.200 in creation 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.899 in Genesis chapter 2. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.939 The new and greater Adam 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:57.319 Christ is called. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.319 We sang those words 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:01.939 in our second to last song 00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:02.799 or our last song 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:05.840 that Jen and John 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:06.439 opened with. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.139 This new Adam, 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:10.579 this new firstborn 00:09:10.579 --> 00:09:11.639 of new creation, 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:12.699 Christ Himself 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:14.639 does a mighty creative work 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.519 in His people 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.319 by His Spirit 00:09:17.319 --> 00:09:19.399 so that they can testify 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:21.159 about the victory of Christ 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:22.480 and the spread of the Kingdom. 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:24.759 God is creating 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:25.419 a new people. 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:29.519 Not only do we see wind, 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.579 we also see fire, 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:31.639 another symbol 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.459 throughout Scripture 00:09:32.459 --> 00:09:33.559 that represents 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:34.480 God's presence. 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.220 Fire is another 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.360 symbolic representation 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:37.899 of God. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.659 Think of Moses 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:39.699 at the burning bush, 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.579 the pillar of fire 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:43.039 that led the Israelites 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:43.980 through the desert 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:46.480 or God described 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:48.460 as a goldsmith 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:49.419 or a refiner 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.559 who refines 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.419 precious metal 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:52.460 by fire. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:53.080 We see that 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:53.780 throughout Scripture 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:54.720 as well. 00:09:55.400 --> 00:09:55.920 What is common 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:56.840 to these examples 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:58.060 is that fire 00:09:58.060 --> 00:09:59.780 symbolizes purification, 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.200 refining 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:02.780 as a silversmith 00:10:02.780 --> 00:10:03.840 or a goldsmith does. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.620 It takes elements 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.660 and burns away 00:10:06.660 --> 00:10:07.379 the impurities 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:09.200 so that the pure 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:10.920 metal remains. 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:12.400 But really, 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:13.040 ultimately, 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:14.680 it represents 00:10:14.680 --> 00:10:15.660 the holiness of God. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:19.719 Moses at the burning bush 00:10:19.719 --> 00:10:20.779 is told to take off 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.399 your sandals. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:21.799 Why? 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.419 Because he is standing 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.579 on holy ground. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.100 The fire 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:29.360 that represents God, 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.659 the fire of God, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.259 is 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.719 His holiness. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:35.659 God's people 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.480 are to be righteous 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.139 and holy 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.299 for the God 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:38.879 they serve 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.779 has made them 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:40.879 so, 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:42.879 has made them 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:43.480 to be so 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.899 through the forgiveness 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:45.519 of sins 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.120 at the cross 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.639 of Christ. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:49.120 So what is more 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.399 is that at Pentecost, 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.259 the Feast of Weeks, 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:54.539 it's the Jewish 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.799 festival, 00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:56.799 it's actually coming up 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:57.679 very soon 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:00.019 on the Jewish calendar, 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.139 not the Christian calendar 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:01.620 that is. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.199 But Pentecost 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:05.019 is also the Feast of Weeks 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:07.019 and it was also 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:08.120 the time 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:09.120 that the people 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.539 of Israel 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.299 would celebrate 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:11.039 the law 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:12.360 being given to them 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.419 through Moses 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:14.500 at Mount Sinai. 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.299 It's Exodus chapter 19. 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:19.539 And in Exodus chapter 19 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.059 verse 18 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:20.740 it says this, 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:22.179 the entire mountain 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:23.699 was covered 00:11:23.699 --> 00:11:24.600 in smoke. 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.059 Why? 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.579 For God descended 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:27.399 upon it 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:28.799 with fire. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.019 As God gave 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:32.480 the law 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.120 to the people 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.699 of Israel, 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:34.960 He also 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:36.040 communicated to them 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:36.920 that He was holy 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:38.000 and He was pure 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.879 and the people 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:40.620 were afraid. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:43.860 Moses receives 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.340 the law 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.660 only to return 00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:46.280 to the people 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:46.720 of Israel 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:47.400 and to find them 00:11:47.400 --> 00:11:47.980 worshipping 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.940 the idols. 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:49.200 I mean, 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.280 in many respects 00:11:50.280 --> 00:11:51.120 this is like 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.240 the majority 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.100 of Exodus 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.820 if you read it. 00:11:53.900 --> 00:11:55.300 It seems crazy 00:11:55.300 --> 00:11:56.220 for the people 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:56.720 to witness 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.519 such a spectacle 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.120 only to get impatient 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:00.900 and create 00:12:00.900 --> 00:12:01.720 an idol 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:02.540 that they began 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:03.040 to worship. 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:04.639 So the people, 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.679 we find 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:06.779 in Exodus 19, 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.699 the people of Israel, 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.340 after being given 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:09.799 the law, 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:10.720 they do not embrace 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.799 the holiness of God 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.319 because their hearts, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.120 like the tablets of stone 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:15.819 that had the law 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:16.360 upon it, 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.340 are rock hard. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.279 They can't receive. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.019 But the lives 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.819 of God's people 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.620 are to be marked 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.299 with a growth 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:25.840 and holiness 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.419 that is animated 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.439 by the Holy Spirit 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:28.679 again, 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.659 the Holy Spirit 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.539 coming down 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.319 who will write 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:33.360 God's laws, 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.599 God's ways, 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:36.019 God's desires 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.000 upon their heart. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.459 And that would require 00:12:39.459 --> 00:12:41.319 a move of God's Spirit 00:12:41.319 --> 00:12:42.779 that began at Pentecost 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.579 with His disciples. 00:12:43.579 --> 00:12:44.740 It's actually a fulfillment 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:46.319 of Jeremiah 31. 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.079 You start to see 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:48.939 what I was talking about 00:12:48.939 --> 00:12:49.699 with the allusions 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:50.779 and the references 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:51.539 to Old Testament. 00:12:51.699 --> 00:12:54.439 This is a very thick chapter. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:56.460 So Jeremiah 31, 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.580 33, 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:59.280 I'll skip a little bit. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.780 This is the Lord speaking, 00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:02.000 I will put My law 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:02.800 within them 00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:04.260 and I will write it 00:13:04.260 --> 00:13:05.440 on their hearts. 00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:06.400 And it continues on, 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.840 For I will forgive 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.600 their iniquity 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.660 and I will remember 00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:10.760 their sin no more. 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:13.100 Conviction of 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.660 and freedom from sin 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:16.220 is the destiny 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.840 of the believer. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.000 It is what God 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.240 is doing 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.700 through His Spirit 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.280 at work 00:13:22.280 --> 00:13:23.040 in our hearts, 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:23.880 hearts of 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.360 rock 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.860 of stone 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.899 to hearts of flesh. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.759 There's a deep humility 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.779 that recognizes 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.899 that we are powerless 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:35.080 to live a godly life 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.139 apart from God's work, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.899 His Spirit. 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:39.779 And on the flip side, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.980 there's a deep thankfulness 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.480 that we, 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.159 that He, rather, 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.720 has shown grace to us. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.500 This unmerited favor 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.200 and kindness 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.960 from on high 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.700 by giving us 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:49.799 new hearts. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:52.519 So, friends, 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.399 I mean, in short, 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.439 we see that 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.159 through the Holy Spirit, 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.439 God is fashioning 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.519 both a new creation, 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:59.039 it tips us off 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.159 with the wind 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.799 coming in 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.740 and all that the wind 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.439 represents, 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:04.819 but it also means 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:06.860 that God here 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.860 is making us 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.480 holy 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.620 through what Christ 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.000 has done 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.799 on the cross, 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.299 giving us hearts 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.000 of flesh 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.600 instead of hearts 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.059 of stone. 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:17.179 doesn't mean 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:17.679 necessarily 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.479 we're perfect. 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.119 It means, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:19.699 in a sense, 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:21.059 that God has done 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.839 something that we 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.500 cannot do 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.339 and, in a sense, 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.000 we need to live 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.599 into holiness 00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.559 and righteousness 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:28.139 by His strength. 00:14:28.219 --> 00:14:29.059 But this is what 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.239 God is up to 00:14:30.239 --> 00:14:32.539 in verses 1-4. 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:35.399 Let me ask you a question. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.079 Is this not 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:36.919 what the human heart 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.500 longs for? 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.840 Is this not 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.399 the answer 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.080 to the deep 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.940 meaning crisis 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.840 of our age? 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:44.759 And it's especially 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.360 hitting people 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.200 in my age group, 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.360 the 18 to 35, 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.220 actually I'm not 35, 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:50.860 I'm 37, 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:51.759 but, you know, 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.620 round down, okay? 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.360 Where we desire 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.580 our best selves, 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.580 but have no idea 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.940 what that really means 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.139 or where to find it. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.279 There's a deep 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.879 meaning crisis. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.519 And my guess 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.059 is it's not just 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:07.480 hitting my demographic, 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.820 it's actually 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.799 something that is 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.220 all across the board. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.659 Where do we find 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.200 meaning? 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.600 What does meaning 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.220 look like? 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.440 And also, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.299 to know freedom 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:21.100 from the pursuit 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:22.200 of finding 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:24.299 our belonging 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.059 our meaning 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.700 in people, 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:26.700 places, 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:27.940 or things. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.419 Things that change. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.940 Things that 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:33.500 can't be relied upon 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.879 for ultimate meaning 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.320 because 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.899 they change. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:39.799 the Father, 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.799 God, 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.580 through Christ, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.820 the Son, 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.259 and by the Holy Spirit 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.340 gives us real meaning 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.720 by making a way 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.879 for us to know Him, 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:50.039 live as He created us 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.019 to live and share 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.259 in the ultimate 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:54.519 ministry 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.039 as we bear witness 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.360 to the risen Christ, 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.840 to His victory, 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.860 to the spreading 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.720 of His kingdom 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:02.259 by His strength. 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:08.040 But there is more 00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:09.160 than just the experience 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:09.960 of new life 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:10.779 that the Spirit 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.180 gives. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.139 He also gives us 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.779 a new family 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.200 that transcends 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.040 all ordinary 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:17.840 barriers of belonging. 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.000 So look with me, 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.000 this is our second point, 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.000 how the Spirit 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.040 helps us 00:16:22.040 --> 00:16:22.759 to experience 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.279 a new family. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:23.740 Look at 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.120 verses 5 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:27.039 to 13. 00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:30.000 Now there were 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.980 dwelling in Jerusalem 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.580 Jews, 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.480 devout men 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.299 from every nation 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:33.720 under heaven. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.060 I'll just, 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.820 I mean, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.539 I've referenced it, 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.340 but I'll just bring 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.940 a bit more clarity. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.759 There are three big feasts 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.580 in the Jewish calendar 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.080 in the first century, 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.840 and the three big feasts 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.860 required a pilgrimage 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.560 to Jerusalem. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.100 And this is a feast, 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.060 the Feast of Weeks 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:49.120 or the Feast of Booths. 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.820 So you have 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:52.639 an influx of people, 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.519 Jews from all over 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.960 the known world, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.759 but also God-fearers, 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.560 so non-Jews 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.600 that believe in the God 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.679 of Abraham, 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.240 Isaac, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.860 and Jacob. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.560 So Jerusalem is filled 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.440 right now 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.240 with pilgrims. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.279 Let's continue. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.359 We'll start again 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:09.880 in verse 5. 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.640 Now there were dwelling 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.559 in Jerusalem Jews, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.240 devout men 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.119 from every nation 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:13.799 under heaven. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.599 And at the sound 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:18.079 that is the wind 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.720 and the fire 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.259 and at this sound 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.880 the multitude 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.680 came together 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.759 and they were bewildered 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.160 because each one 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.160 was hearing them 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.620 speak in his own language. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.220 And they were amazed 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.860 and astonished, 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.220 saying, 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.120 Are not all these 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:33.660 who are speaking Galileans? 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.539 And how is it 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.940 that we hear each of us 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:38.380 in his own language? 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.500 Parthians, Medes, 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:40.140 Elamites, 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.180 residents of Mesopotamia, 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.559 Judea, Cappadocia, 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:44.680 Pontus, 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.279 and Asia, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:45.980 Phrygia, 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.819 Pamphylia, 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.259 Egypt, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.120 parts of Libya, 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.799 belonging to Cyrene, 00:17:49.979 --> 00:17:50.439 Romans, 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.279 Jews and proselytites, 00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:53.979 Cretans and Arabians. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.799 We hear them 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.559 telling in our own tongues 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.739 the mighty works of God. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.419 And all were amazed 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:01.059 and perplexed, 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.779 saying to one another, 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.959 What does this mean? 00:18:03.219 --> 00:18:03.979 And we'll pause there. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.299 Clearly this wasn't 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.000 some kind of group 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.659 hallucination 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.819 by the disciples. 00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:14.079 The city heard something. 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.480 There was a buzz 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.279 about the city 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.579 after what had 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.740 taken place 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.220 with the 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.539 descending of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.359 And it's remarkable 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.859 because 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.740 they're Galileans. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.639 I mean, 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.259 we don't really see this 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.919 and it's not really 00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:29.960 a great thing to talk about 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.699 small towns 00:18:30.699 --> 00:18:31.539 as being backwater 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.460 because the fact is 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.960 people of remote work, 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.379 they're moving all over the place, 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.460 everywhere has internet. 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.339 But Galilee 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.759 was a place that was, 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:40.679 I mean, 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.799 it was backwater. 00:18:42.820 --> 00:18:43.580 It was 00:18:43.580 --> 00:18:45.680 non-educated 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.680 by and large 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:48.180 and it was seen 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:49.259 as, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.060 in a sense, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.299 Galileans were suspect. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.820 There were, 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.620 you don't start a movement 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.340 in the Galilee. 00:18:58.860 --> 00:18:59.380 And yet, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.980 it's these Galileans 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.259 who are 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:04.100 proclaiming 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.759 the gospel of Christ. 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.240 The good news, 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.420 the mighty works 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.480 of God himself, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.320 verse 11, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.740 they're bearing witness 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.379 to Jesus 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.819 and his victory. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.119 And they're doing so 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.559 in the various language, 00:19:18.179 --> 00:19:19.460 languages of everybody 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.679 that was present. 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:23.179 It was very likely 00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:24.200 that the majority 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.919 of the people there 00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.579 could speak 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.579 Latin 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.939 or common Greek 00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:29.480 or Aramaic 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:29.919 or Hebrew, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.759 all or some 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.839 or one 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.139 or the other. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.179 Language of commerce, 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.059 language of religion. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:37.519 I mean, 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.019 there would have been 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.960 some form of 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.799 common communication 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.619 and yet, 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.879 that's not what 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.599 happens here. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.759 What's communicated, 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:45.879 the gospel, 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:46.759 is communicated 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.539 in the heart language 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.960 of all these people. 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.019 That God, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.339 in his, 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.299 by his spirit, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.539 is meeting people 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:57.059 directly where they're at. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:20:03.359 It really is a remarkable thing 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.139 and that's why, 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.899 in a sense, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.700 the history of Christianity 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.179 has always been about 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:10.220 translating the Bible 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.319 into other languages 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:13.299 because people 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.259 need to know 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.179 the word of God 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.000 in their heart, 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.579 their heart language. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:17.659 language. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.259 So, 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.139 we have nations, 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.139 a list of nations. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.039 We have a list, 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.960 or we have 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.500 a common tongue, 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.119 so to speak. 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.179 People are understanding 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:29.679 one another. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.179 And again, 00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.059 like in the, 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.399 in the, 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.240 in the first point 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.659 I made, 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.819 Luke wants us 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.839 to ask the question, 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.339 where have we seen 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.919 this before? 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.759 Is there anywhere else 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.339 in the scriptures 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.779 where there's a list 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.519 of nations, 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.799 a common tongue, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.759 and once again 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.579 we discover that 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.559 God is at work 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.599 doing a new thing 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.799 that is also very ancient. 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:51.839 So, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.419 turn with me 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:54.139 to Genesis 10 and 11. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.319 Well, 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.019 you don't have to turn there, 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.619 I'll sum it up. 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:57.299 In Genesis 10, 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.700 it follows immediately 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.440 after the flood, 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:02.319 Noah and the flood. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.759 And in Genesis 10, 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.399 we have a fairly 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.399 expansive list 00:21:06.399 --> 00:21:07.359 of what is called, 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.599 in theology, 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:10.440 the table of nations. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.559 And this isn't 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.159 some kind of 00:21:13.159 --> 00:21:14.079 perfectly accurate 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.680 historical, 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.099 demographic study 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.619 that the Bible 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.200 is putting forward 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.639 to us. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.539 But rather, 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:22.159 it is how the scripture 00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:23.700 communicates to us 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.419 how humanity 00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:26.019 became increasingly 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.799 divided 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.240 and alienated 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.919 from one another. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.279 This was not a part 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.579 of God's good design, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.259 but a consequence 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.839 of sin 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.200 and societal 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.919 disintegration 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.480 that comes 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.379 as a result of it. 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.639 Immediately following 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.579 this table of nations 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.079 that's not so 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.099 similar, 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.659 that's not so different 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.199 than our 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:49.099 kind of table of nations 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.039 in chapter 2. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.399 We have Genesis 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.699 chapter 11, 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:54.319 which is a very famous story. 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.220 Whether you know 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.079 the Bible or not, 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.799 I'm sure everybody 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.659 has heard of the Tower 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.179 of Babel. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.980 It's a very famous story 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.419 and in it, 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.119 I'll sum it up, 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.480 there is, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.879 there's lots to be said 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.419 of the story, 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:08.440 but notice how 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.620 humanity attempts 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.120 to remedy 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.800 the problem 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:11.560 of division 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:12.779 in the temple 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:14.800 with the Tower of Babel, 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:16.000 not by repentance 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.779 and humility, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:19.000 but leaning 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.640 into their prideful sin. 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.800 And in a sense, 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.800 using their God-given 00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:27.380 gifts of ingenuity 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:29.240 and rationality 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.060 and brilliance, 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:32.500 not to glorify God, 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.579 but to glorify 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:35.200 themselves. 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:38.339 They seek to supplant 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.579 God as Creator 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.019 and Lord 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.339 by building this tower 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:43.420 up into the cosmos 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:45.579 in a sense 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.220 so they can 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.619 take the very 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.640 rightful place 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.500 in their minds 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.140 of God. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.299 And God, 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.519 in His kindness, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:55.059 confuses their languages, 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.200 the Scriptures say. 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.039 And it's kindness 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.700 because 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:03.120 left to their own devices, 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.660 the consequences 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:06.380 of their idolatrous pride 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.059 would have completely 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.860 destroyed them. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.360 God confuses 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:10.960 their languages. 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:11.660 So in short, 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.500 Genesis 11 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.779 is the seemingly 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.160 irreparable 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.559 division of humanity 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.440 that has marked 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.140 our race 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.620 throughout all of history. 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.380 So go with me 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.420 back to Acts chapter 2. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.880 What are we 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.900 seeing here? 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.920 We're seeing, 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.660 in a sense, 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.940 the reversal of Babel 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.759 whereby God 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.779 solves the problem 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.240 of sin and death 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.480 that divides 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:37.700 and He unites humanity 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.380 once again 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.700 but not through 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.380 their prideful idolatry 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:43.080 whereby they try 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:44.039 to ascend to heaven 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.640 but instead 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.600 God Himself 00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:46.519 descends 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.799 to them 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.980 to where they are at 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:52.440 in their brokenness, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.319 in their various languages, 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.700 in their disunity, 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.319 the Holy Spirit 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.920 descends upon them 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:01.660 and they hear 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.779 in their own tongue 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:04.460 the mighty works 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.200 of God. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.720 He meets humanity 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.680 where they are at 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.980 in their own language 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.500 as they are seeking 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.120 the Lord 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.039 in Jerusalem. 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.000 Israel, 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.039 the people of God, 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:18.120 is expanded now 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.900 to not just be 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.400 comprised 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.860 of one ethnicity 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.440 but people 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.500 from all nations 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.259 and tongues, 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.319 all backgrounds 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:24.899 and classes, 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:25.919 Jews and Greeks, 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.279 slaves and free, 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.220 old and young, 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.019 men and women 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:31.539 so that this table 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.039 of nations, 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.519 so to speak, 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.960 isn't some expansive list 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.220 of everybody who lived 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.720 in every last corner 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.220 of the world 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.159 but it represents 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:40.419 all of humanity 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:42.000 and they are hearing 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.799 the good news 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.639 of Christ. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.059 In weeks to come 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.759 we will see 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.639 that Peter will preach 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.879 a barn burner 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.519 of a sermon 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.779 by the strength 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.519 of the Holy Spirit 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:53.240 and they will hear it 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:55.220 and be cut 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.900 to the heart. 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.680 They will come 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.299 to faith, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.240 3,000 of them. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.180 God calls this 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.740 his family. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.839 This is the family 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.319 of God. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.440 The gospel 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.299 unites mankind 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.599 by breaking down 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.339 the one thing 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.819 that truly separates 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.279 us 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.720 and divides us, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.220 sin and evil, 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:20.019 death and destruction. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.860 He eliminates 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:23.539 the wall 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.559 that separates 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.279 his people, 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:27.720 Israel, 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.900 from all the other 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:30.059 Gentiles. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.220 We try desperately 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.819 to unite 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.600 through alliances, 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.880 trade deals, 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.960 affinity groups, 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.880 politics, 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.600 whatever it may be 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:42.140 but unity 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.120 without repentance 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:44.500 and righteousness 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.519 will result in 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.720 tribalism and division. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.160 We need to be careful 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.839 about this. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.539 It will achieve 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.960 actually the opposite 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.980 of what we ultimately 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.500 desire. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:54.900 Why? 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.600 Because we will unite 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.900 ultimately not around 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.660 something 00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:00.620 but against something. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.100 We will 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:02.700 almost always 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:04.640 define ourselves 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.720 by what we are not. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.720 And that's not to say 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.839 politics isn't important. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.600 That's not to say 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:11.460 that alliances 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.860 or affinity groups 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.819 are garbage. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.779 That's not what I'm saying 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.039 at all. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.000 But when they become 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.440 the chief mechanism 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.559 by which 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.700 we find 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:21.420 our camaraderie 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:23.500 with other human beings, 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.960 it's a problem. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.659 St. Paul says as much 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:30.279 in Ephesians chapter 2 and 3 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.500 where he says 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.619 that the hostility 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.899 that divided people 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:36.220 has been abolished 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.799 and destroyed 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.460 by Christ 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.000 so that all who are 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.680 united to Christ 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:43.200 are called brothers and sisters 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.880 with one another 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.539 that we now 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.180 are united 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.880 to one another. 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.519 There are a lot 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.340 of different people 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.880 in this congregation 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:53.120 with a lot of different 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.180 backgrounds 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.860 and different experiences 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:57.980 and things that 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.380 aren't common 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.200 with other people. 00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:01.740 And yet 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:04.080 because we are united 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.660 with Christ 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.700 if you have put your faith 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.120 and trust 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.880 and hope in Christ 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:08.819 you now call each other 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.740 brothers and sisters. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.960 See the Bible 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.680 uses 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:14.480 familial language 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.839 to communicate unity. 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.079 You might not have 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.539 the greatest 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.359 relationship 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:23.039 with your family members 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.420 but you cannot not 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.339 be members 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.019 of your family. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.759 People try to say 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.200 I'm like 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:30.039 I'm de-parenting 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.559 my parent 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.400 or whatever it is 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.220 but you can't. 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.359 You come from your parent. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.440 You are related 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.740 to your brother and sister. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.819 You have cousins 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.120 that you might never see 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.979 but you share 00:27:38.979 --> 00:27:39.859 some kind of DNA 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.419 with them. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.679 You cannot not be 00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:43.500 a part of your family. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:46.119 The family that Christ 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.979 is making 00:27:46.979 --> 00:27:49.059 is a family 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.979 that is united 00:27:49.979 --> 00:27:50.919 by Him. 00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:52.519 By the cross. 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.339 By the victory 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.419 of Christ. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.519 This means 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.159 we have people 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:58.139 in our congregation 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.599 who will disagree 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:02.319 about all sorts of views 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.159 on education 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.239 or politics 00:28:04.239 --> 00:28:04.739 or 00:28:04.739 --> 00:28:07.299 that have different likes 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.919 and passions 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.460 and tastes 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.119 and styles 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:11.240 but are all united 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.839 together 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:13.319 in humility 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.659 by God's Spirit 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.720 through the cross 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:17.240 marked by the very 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.539 righteousness of Christ. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.440 Only the gospel 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.359 truly unites. 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.960 I'll end with this. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.480 The victory of Christ 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.240 through the cross 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.819 was the most decisive 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.079 victory of all time 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.259 that has defined 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.659 the world 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.919 like nothing else 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:35.279 that came before 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.259 or will come after. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.079 It is the ultimate victory. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.180 So a question to you. 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.000 Will you humbly 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.259 embrace Christ? 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.480 Will you trust 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.480 that He will give you 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:47.339 the promised Holy Spirit 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:48.240 in your heart 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:50.819 if you've yet to experience 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:52.079 salvation? 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.859 Will you trust Him 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.960 that He will continually 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.700 fill you up 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.500 by His Spirit 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.099 to give you strength 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.160 to bear witness 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.660 to Him? 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.000 To sanctify you? 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.039 That is to help you 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.000 grow in holiness. 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:06.140 to say yes to goodness 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:07.299 and no to sin. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.240 To unite you 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.920 with those 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.859 in this church 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.640 this morning 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:13.440 that are very different 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.839 than you. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.759 Friends, 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.460 this is the victory 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.380 that was won 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.619 on the cross of Calvary. 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.900 This is the victory 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.460 that has been 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:23.319 changing the world 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.279 not perfectly 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:25.019 because we're 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.940 imperfect people 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.980 but has been changing 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.480 the world for 2,000 years. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.519 Friends, 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.240 will you enjoy 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.880 this victory? 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.039 Will you live 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.119 into this victory 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.099 and walk 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.700 in this victory? 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:35.940 Let's pray. 00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.200 God in heaven, 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.220 we thank You 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:41.220 for sending Your Son 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.480 to die on our behalf. 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.879 We thank You 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.579 that the promise 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.519 of the Holy Spirit 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.579 is ours 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.819 because Your Son 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.359 ascended 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.500 so the Holy Spirit 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.379 could be sent down. 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.579 And Lord, 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:52.259 we thank You 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.339 that from the very 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:53.980 get-go 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.899 of Your church 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:57.059 we see in it 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.059 new life 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.200 and a new family 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.359 that is offered to us. 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.599 Lord, 00:30:01.679 --> 00:30:02.619 help us to be real 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:04.379 about our hang-ups 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.599 and our sin. 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:07.179 Help us to be humble. 00:30:07.979 --> 00:30:09.099 Help us to always 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.740 choose to lean 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.519 into the victory 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.679 that You've already won 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.339 rather than try 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.099 to fight a victory 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.099 that we can't hope 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.479 to win. 00:30:17.699 --> 00:30:18.399 We ask this 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.299 in Christ's mighty name. 00:30:20.219 --> 00:30:20.500 Amen. 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.579 Amen. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:20.619 Amen. 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:20.659 Amen. 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:20.679 Amen. 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:20.699 Amen. 00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:22.619 Amen. 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:22.699 Amen. 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:22.719 Amen. 00:30:22.719 --> 00:30:22.740 Amen. 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:22.759 Amen. 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:22.779 Amen. 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:22.799 Amen. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:22.819 Amen.