WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.580 Yeah, it's good to see everyone after Easter. 00:00:02.580 --> 00:00:04.719 And just to reiterate what Alex said, 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:07.360 ! Yeah, we realize we are quite crowded. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:09.939 And we do care about safety. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:11.240 So we've got the fans. 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:13.099 We're also getting new chairs in, 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:14.720 so we'll have a few more chairs for people. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:17.219 We also need some help after lunch 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:18.800 to move chairs back to the main church. 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:19.980 So if you're sticking around after lunch, 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:21.039 please help us with that. 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:23.699 And yeah, another thing, 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:26.000 there's Bibles in that white bookshelf by the entrance. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:27.460 So on your way in, 00:00:27.580 --> 00:00:29.219 you can feel free to grab a Bible 00:00:29.219 --> 00:00:30.640 and then return it there afterwards 00:00:31.119 --> 00:00:33.179 because we're going to be looking at the Word today. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:36.420 So yeah, for the next few months, 00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:38.299 we're starting a new series, 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:40.379 Going Through the Book of Acts. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:42.899 And last week we had Easter, 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:43.719 but before that, 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:45.859 we went through a journey through the Psalms 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:48.899 looking at various spiritual disciplines. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:53.000 And one thing that I really loved about that series 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:54.519 that I want to highlight is that 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:57.579 I think many of us really took what we heard to heart. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:00:59.159 And I want to celebrate that. 00:00:59.879 --> 00:01:01.419 A lot of us tried fasting. 00:01:01.519 --> 00:01:02.959 I heard from Aiden yesterday 00:01:02.959 --> 00:01:06.359 that his whole life group together was fasting. 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:08.359 That's something to celebrate. 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:10.599 Shout out to Paul, 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:12.939 who started a scripture memory group. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:15.120 I think we have 24 people in it. 00:01:15.299 --> 00:01:17.140 Every week, Paul is encouraging us. 00:01:17.179 --> 00:01:19.039 He'll chase you down to memorize scripture. 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:20.840 So if you want, you can talk to him. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:22.659 Love that. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:25.200 We've had life groups lamenting together. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:27.719 How do you get these big, rough guys 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:29.560 talking about their feelings 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:30.739 and expressing their emotions together? 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:31.599 Bringing that to the Lord. 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:33.599 We managed to get that in lament. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:35.599 Solitude. 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:38.359 Some people started a regular practice of solitude. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:40.359 I know Trevor went off for a day 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:41.519 to the peak on retreat 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:42.700 and he said he needed that. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:43.519 He heard from the Lord. 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:47.760 We also got people saying, 00:01:47.859 --> 00:01:48.459 I want to worship. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.680 We got Calvin Godfrey stepping up to help on slides. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:53.360 I want to serve this community together. 00:01:55.080 --> 00:01:57.140 There's newcomers sticking around for lunch 00:01:57.140 --> 00:01:58.800 for the discipline of peopling 00:01:58.800 --> 00:02:01.280 because we don't just gather to listen to a sermon, 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:02.980 but we want to participate in this community. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:05.000 Confession. 00:02:05.600 --> 00:02:08.860 One life group stayed here in the 14th floor on Thursday 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:12.040 until midnight confessing their sins to one another. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:15.000 I think they well deserve the name Crybabies. 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:17.960 But yeah, that's something to celebrate. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:18.719 So praise God. 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:20.379 I'm really glad to see that. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:23.000 We didn't just listen to the spiritual disciplines, 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:23.599 hear about it, 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:25.039 but we took it to heart and took action. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:26.960 I'm hoping that's something we can do, 00:02:27.079 --> 00:02:27.979 not just in Lent, 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:32.359 but continuing on for the weeks, months to come. 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:34.979 And also as we listen to Acts, 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:37.539 we can take that to heart too. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:40.759 So recently we've been looking inwards 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:43.019 at our disciplines and our practices, 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:44.419 the spiritual disciplines. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:46.659 Most of them are individual things, 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:48.659 things that we can do individually. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:52.460 So now we're thinking it's time to look outwards, 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:53.659 not just inwards at ourselves, 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:55.000 but to look outwards. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:57.659 As we become disciplined disciples, 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:00.800 we also follow Christ's commands. 00:03:01.579 --> 00:03:03.579 Go and make disciples of all nations. 00:03:04.199 --> 00:03:06.060 As we desire and delight in the Lord, 00:03:06.579 --> 00:03:09.000 that should move us to share in that joy, 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:10.340 share in that delight with others. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:11.419 When there's good news, 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:12.460 we want to share it with others. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:14.000 For example, 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:16.260 did you see McDonald's downstairs? 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:16.939 I reopened. 00:03:17.920 --> 00:03:18.060 Yeah. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:20.400 James is really happy about that. 00:03:21.980 --> 00:03:23.159 Yeah, it's huge, right? 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:25.060 Ronald is risen indeed. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:25.740 That's good news. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:27.780 That's something to share with others. 00:03:28.480 --> 00:03:29.360 That's good news. 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:30.580 Good news deserves to be shared. 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:34.360 And we talk here about gathering and scattering. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:36.300 That's what we just read in the mission statements. 00:03:36.760 --> 00:03:41.640 We gather in order to scatter also and reach the fringe, 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:43.920 reach people who don't know about Jesus. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:48.439 And Acts is all about scattering. 00:03:48.760 --> 00:03:50.240 In Acts, we focus on scattering. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:53.740 Acts is a record of the early church scattering. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:56.060 The church, what is the church? 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:58.240 It started with this small group of, 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:00.699 this small band of Jewish men that followed Jesus around. 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:01.680 Right? 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:02.780 And then something happened. 00:04:03.420 --> 00:04:04.319 Then three months, 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.020 then within two months, 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:09.640 this movement grew to over 3,000 people, 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:10.879 3,000 followers. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:13.080 Then within just a few decades, 00:04:13.480 --> 00:04:15.080 it spread throughout the whole Roman Empire. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:16.920 And now, 2,000 years later, 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:17.720 we're sitting here, 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:20.379 as most of us as Christians, 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:23.480 as part of the largest religion in the world. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:25.660 So how is it that this small group of Jewish men 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.780 scattered throughout the whole world? 00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:28.860 Right? 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:30.520 What caused the church to grow and scatter? 00:04:30.760 --> 00:04:32.240 And as we look through Acts, 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.860 I hope we're not just looking on as bystanders, 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.780 looking on at what the apostles did, 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:37.880 what the early church did, 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:40.420 but that we would also ask ourselves, 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.820 how can we also take part in the scattering? 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.500 How can we take part in God's work 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:48.660 and go and scatter and make disciples of all nations? 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:51.440 That's what we're looking at in the book of Acts. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:52.800 And so today, as we read, 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:55.120 we're going to read from verses 1 to 11, 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:55.819 the first chapter. 00:04:56.019 --> 00:04:57.699 We'll see some key themes there 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:59.959 as we read this introduction today. 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:02.920 The Acts is about the ascended Jesus, 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:04.439 the ascended and risen Jesus. 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:07.759 He's commissioning his church by the Spirit 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:10.959 to go and proclaim his victory in all the earth. 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:12.139 That's what we're looking at today. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.639 So I'll invite Dr. Sigmund to come up here 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:17.500 and read Acts for us. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:21.519 Dr. Sigmund, he just finished his med school. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:23.040 So congrats to him. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:26.180 So as usual, let's please stand out of reverence 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:27.879 for the Word of God as we read the Word of God. 00:05:34.339 --> 00:05:36.220 Acts 1, verses 1 to 11. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:38.279 In the first book, O Theophilus, 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:41.699 I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:43.959 Until the day when he was taken up, 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:46.139 after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:48.199 to the apostles whom he had chosen. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:51.079 He presented himself alive to them 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.699 after his suffering by many proofs, 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:55.379 appearing to them during 40 days 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.060 and speaking about the kingdom of God. 00:05:57.879 --> 00:05:58.879 And while staying with them, 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:01.019 he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:02.959 but to wait for the promise of the Father, 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:03.959 which he said, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:05.579 You heard from me, 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.159 for John baptized with water, 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.300 but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:10.479 not many days from now. 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:13.039 So when they had come together, 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:13.759 they asked him, 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.800 Lord, will you at this time 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:17.099 restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:18.740 He said to them, 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:20.899 It is not for you to know times or seasons 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:23.199 that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 00:06:24.039 --> 00:06:25.339 But you will receive power 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:27.099 when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:29.219 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem 00:06:29.219 --> 00:06:31.159 and in Judea and Samaria 00:06:31.159 --> 00:06:32.539 and to the end of the earth. 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:35.379 And when he had said these things, 00:06:35.539 --> 00:06:36.360 they were looking on, 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:37.399 he was lifted up, 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:39.139 and a cloud took him out of their sight. 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:41.399 And while they were gazing into the heaven 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:41.919 as he went, 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:44.139 behold, two men stood by them 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:45.399 in white robes and said, 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:47.679 Men of Galilee, 00:06:48.239 --> 00:06:49.959 why do you stand looking into heaven? 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:51.060 This Jesus, 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:53.000 who was taken up from you into heaven, 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.679 will come in the same way 00:06:54.679 --> 00:06:56.060 as you saw him go into heaven. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:57.439 This is the word of the Lord. 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:00.000 Thank you. 00:07:00.179 --> 00:07:00.879 Please take a seat. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:08.319 Okay, so I want to set the scene for Acts. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:09.980 We're reading from chapter one, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:11.439 the beginning of Acts, 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:13.740 but this isn't the start of the whole story. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:15.379 We're not starting from the beginning. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.339 We're smack in the middle of something. 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:19.920 Right at a cusp, 00:07:20.339 --> 00:07:21.839 a turning point in the story, actually. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.779 We're reading from the beginning of a sequel. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.279 We see that in verse one. 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:26.739 It says, 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:27.579 in verse one, 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:27.959 it says, 00:07:28.359 --> 00:07:29.179 In the first book, 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.699 the first book of Theophilus, 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.139 I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:07:35.119 --> 00:07:36.219 That was the first book. 00:07:36.299 --> 00:07:37.699 Now we're reading the second book. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.979 There's a book that came before Acts, 00:07:41.099 --> 00:07:44.099 and that first book is the Gospel of Luke. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:46.000 Both books, 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:47.019 Acts and Luke, 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:47.799 were written by, 00:07:47.859 --> 00:07:48.279 you guessed it, 00:07:48.299 --> 00:07:49.399 a guy named Luke, 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:51.519 to Theophilus. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:52.539 So Luke was a doctor, 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:55.120 which is why I asked Dr. Sigmund to read for us today. 00:07:55.799 --> 00:07:56.399 I thought that'd be fun. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:57.859 But Luke traveled with Paul 00:07:57.859 --> 00:08:00.680 as they preached the gospel together. 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:01.899 Luke, 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.799 he didn't see Jesus personally, 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:06.639 but he traveled with eyewitnesses 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.740 and heard them talk about everything 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:11.319 they saw Jesus do personally. 00:08:12.479 --> 00:08:14.439 And Luke wrote two books. 00:08:14.979 --> 00:08:15.620 The first book, 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:16.899 this Gospel of Luke, 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:19.139 that's the compilation of the eyewitness accounts 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:21.459 that Luke compiled as he was traveling 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:24.319 with apostles and eyewitnesses of Jesus. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:26.759 That's Luke. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.319 And now we get to the sequel, 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.000 Acts. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:30.779 That's where we are now. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:33.679 Now I'd like us to pay attention 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:35.720 to one word in verse one, 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:37.019 and that's began. 00:08:37.319 --> 00:08:38.080 In the first book, 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:38.980 O Theophilus, 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:40.799 I have dealt with all that Jesus 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.799 began to do and teach. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.200 Everything in Luke, 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:47.340 which we went through previously 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:49.100 before our spiritual discipline, 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:51.819 that was just the beginning 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:53.659 of all that Jesus began to do. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.000 Jesus born in man, 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:55.779 that was the beginning. 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.939 Jesus teaching and performing miracles, 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:01.600 that was still the beginning. 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:02.819 He was only getting started there. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:06.199 Even Jesus dying on the cross for us 00:09:06.199 --> 00:09:07.340 and rising from the dead, 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.179 even that is still the beginning. 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:12.080 Jesus said, 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:12.939 it is finished, 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.460 but it's still only getting started. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:17.740 Last week on Easter, 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.139 we celebrated the resurrection of Christ. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:21.420 The cross, 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:23.040 it should have been a victory of Satan, 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:24.000 for Satan, 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:24.980 that God is dead. 00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:26.060 His body is in the grave. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.540 But that's not how the story ends, right? 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.340 Because no, 00:09:29.420 --> 00:09:30.540 the ground began to shake. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:32.220 That stone was rolled away. 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:35.259 Why do you look for the living among the dead? 00:09:35.399 --> 00:09:36.180 He's not here. 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:37.060 He is risen. 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:40.160 We who were once full of sin, 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:41.700 shame, guilt, 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:45.139 our record of debt is now as empty of the grave, 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.360 as the grave that Christ was in. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:48.460 He is risen indeed. 00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:50.980 That's what we celebrated last week at Easter, 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:52.160 that Jesus is alive, 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.440 and that changes everything. 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:56.620 But if that was amazing, 00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:57.920 Luke here says, 00:09:58.940 --> 00:09:59.320 Easter, 00:09:59.780 --> 00:10:00.180 all that, 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.740 that was just the beginning. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:02.660 Yes, 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:04.540 Jesus defeated death once for all. 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.340 It is finished, 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.580 but it's only getting started. 00:10:08.040 --> 00:10:11.640 Acts is the continuation of Christ's victory on the cross. 00:10:12.140 --> 00:10:14.120 The victory that Christ won, 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:18.740 that's kind of like an atomic bomb going off. 00:10:18.900 --> 00:10:20.160 If you guys watch Oppenheimer, 00:10:20.260 --> 00:10:21.300 there's this big flash. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.040 The bomb goes off, 00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:23.259 there's a big flash. 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:23.959 In an instant, 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:25.879 it's filled with light. 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:27.839 But looking from afar, 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.079 it's silent. 00:10:29.839 --> 00:10:31.379 You don't feel the light until, 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:31.860 bang, 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.279 the shockwave hits you 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:34.860 in the depths of your soul. 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:37.039 And that's what Acts is about. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.719 The ripple of Christ's victory 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:40.899 going out into all the earth. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.399 That event, 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.459 him on the cross, 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.319 that shockwave 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:46.279 is spreading out to all the earth, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:47.339 bringing not death, 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:47.939 but life. 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.779 Lighting up every corner, 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:50.459 every pocket, 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.839 every inch of this, 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:52.539 world, 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:54.159 until every knee shall bow 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.339 and every tongue confess 00:10:55.339 --> 00:10:56.919 that Jesus Christ is Lord 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:58.120 to the glory of God the Father. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.339 That's what Acts is about. 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:00.319 It's about what Jesus, 00:11:00.719 --> 00:11:02.599 the victory that Jesus won on the cross, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.620 and that, 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:05.879 the continuation of that, 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:06.500 that what, 00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:08.399 the work that Jesus is still doing, 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.120 even today. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:11.279 Acts is about the work 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.360 of the risen Christ. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.980 Now, 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:15.560 how is Jesus still working? 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:15.899 Again, 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:16.960 in the first book, 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.259 Luke is all about that, 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.379 all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.259 And in verse two, 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:22.899 we read that. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:25.360 It's what he began to do and teach 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:28.120 until the day when he was taken up, 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:30.019 after he had given commands 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.919 through the Holy Spirit 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:33.019 to the apostles whom he had chosen. 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.579 So, 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:36.819 we'll read later in verse nine 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:37.980 that Jesus was taken up. 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:38.559 He ascended. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.539 He's not on earth anymore. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:42.360 He ascended into heaven. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.399 He was taken up in a cloud into glory. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:47.220 And right now, 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:50.819 he is sitting at the right hand of God in power. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.100 So, 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.020 if Jesus is in heaven, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.020 how is he at work here right now? 00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:56.520 Number one, 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.620 he uses his people, 00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:58.540 the church. 00:11:59.400 --> 00:12:00.580 That's what verse two said. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.520 Jesus gave commands 00:12:02.520 --> 00:12:03.560 through the Holy Spirit 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:04.260 to the apostles 00:12:04.260 --> 00:12:05.420 whom he had chosen. 00:12:06.900 --> 00:12:08.040 We'll talk a bit more 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:09.879 about who the apostles are next week. 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:10.400 But for now, 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.460 it's enough to say that 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:13.560 the apostles were disciples of Jesus 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:15.040 who were with him for three years. 00:12:15.640 --> 00:12:17.320 They saw him not only die, 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.840 but in verse three, 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.620 they saw him alive again, 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:22.320 after his suffering, 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:23.260 after his death, 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:25.040 Jesus appeared to them 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:26.379 during 40 days, 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:28.500 speaking to them about the kingdom of God. 00:12:28.780 --> 00:12:29.960 They saw Jesus die, 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.340 but also rise again, 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.720 and they saw him for 40 days. 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.240 And we heard last week 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:35.260 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.640 there are over 500 eyewitnesses also 00:12:37.640 --> 00:12:38.640 aside from these apostles. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.200 And Jesus chose apostles 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:43.540 to lay the foundation for the church. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:46.160 The apostles passed on Christ's teachings 00:12:46.160 --> 00:12:48.200 and his command to us 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:49.240 through the New Testament, 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.180 through Acts and other books 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:51.779 in the New Testament. 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:54.500 And we ourselves 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:56.580 haven't seen Jesus personally. 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.600 The apostles were eyewitnesses, 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.779 but we can still get to know him. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:02.860 We can be sure of what Jesus did 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:05.039 through the apostles' teaching. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.279 And when we get to know Jesus, 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.680 when we get to know his word, 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:10.419 we also get to know his command 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:13.180 to go and make disciples of all nations, 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.899 to go and tell people about him. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:17.539 That is how Jesus, for one, 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:19.659 is still at work through the church today. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.539 And secondly, how's Jesus at work? 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:24.659 He gives us the Holy Spirit. 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:28.039 Jesus didn't just commission his apostles 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.199 and send them off on his own 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.919 and say, you gotta do this work on your own. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.539 You gotta start this global movement. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.539 That's not what Jesus did. 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:36.860 He commissioned them by his Holy Spirit. 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.860 He gave them his Holy Spirit. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.740 Which brings us to our second point. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:44.360 Acts is about the work of the risen Christ, 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.919 and secondly, Acts is about 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.940 the promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:50.560 The promise and power of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:53.240 Again, verse two says that 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.019 Jesus gave commands 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:57.600 through the Holy Spirit to his apostles. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:01.139 Now, what command do you think 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.519 Jesus would give his apostles? 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:05.500 Remember that Jesus just rose from the dead. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.320 He conquered sin and death. 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:08.879 What do you think he commanded them? 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:11.700 Maybe, go, go now, go tell everyone. 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:14.460 Go tell everyone of what you've seen. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:18.100 There's salvation in my name. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:18.379 Go. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:22.320 And yes, he says that, but no, not quite yet. 00:14:22.920 --> 00:14:24.220 Before he tells them to go, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.520 he first tells them, wait. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:27.940 Wait. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.660 Don't go anywhere. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:32.580 Sit still and simply wait. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.720 Is that surprising to you? 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:36.180 That's not what I would have expected. 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:37.960 There's victory now, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:40.460 but stay in Jerusalem and wait. 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:42.900 But that's what Jesus says in verse four. 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:44.320 And while staying with them, 00:14:44.400 --> 00:14:46.540 he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:47.660 but to wait. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.160 See, Jesus, he won the victory 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:53.060 and he gave his disciples a mission to accomplish. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.560 There is work to do. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.960 There is much work to do. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.920 But Jesus says, wait. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:01.960 Wait, because you cannot do this on your own. 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.960 This work is much too large for you. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.440 You do not have the power to do it on your own. 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.800 You can't do it. 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:12.940 You can't go unless I send you a helper. 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:17.019 Verse four is easier to understand in NIV. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.100 In there, Jesus says, 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.500 do not leave Jerusalem, 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.960 but wait for the gift my father promised, 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.759 which you heard me speak about. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.320 What is this gift? 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:31.780 I think of what Jesus promised in John chapter 16, verse seven. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:34.819 He says, nevertheless, this is before he's, 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.399 he's about to go and be crucified. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.819 He tells him, nevertheless, I tell you the truth. 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:41.279 It is to your advantage that I go away. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:45.439 For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. 00:15:45.459 --> 00:15:47.839 But if I go, I will send him to you. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:52.579 Jesus says, it is to your advantage that I go away. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.799 Think about that. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:56.899 The disciples, they were with him for three years. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.559 They were friends. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.579 They traveled together. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:03.080 They were, they, they did everything together for three years. 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.940 They heard Jesus preach, 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:09.560 preach much better sermons than you've heard anyone preach. 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:12.620 They saw him give sight to the blind. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.400 They saw him make the deaf hear. 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:18.360 They saw him raise Lazarus to life. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:21.920 And they even saw him hanging on the cross, 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:25.060 but then rise again, cooking breakfast for them. 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:29.399 They put, some of them put their fingers through his hands. 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:31.419 They saw him die and rise again. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.559 Right? 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.939 They spent three years with Jesus. 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:39.439 And yet Jesus says to them, it is better that I go away. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.659 Those three years were great. 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.559 But if you thought that was good, just you wait. 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.399 When I go away, I promise you, 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:48.779 I will send you somebody even better. 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:50.819 And that person is the Holy Spirit. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:57.240 And that's why Jesus told them, wait, do you ever wish you were, 00:16:57.800 --> 00:17:02.280 you ever thought to yourself, I wish I was alive 2000 years ago to witness Jesus. 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:02.520 Right? 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:03.280 That'd be so cool. 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:07.740 If I saw him feed 5,000 people with five loads, two fish. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:12.160 Or if, if I saw him rise from the dead, then, 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:15.779 then I would definitely believe that it'd be so much easier. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:25.879 If I saw him myself face to face, we don't need to fear missing out because Jesus says that what we have now, 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:28.720 who we have now is even better. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:35.660 The presence of the Holy Spirit is more powerful, more convincing, more effective, more personal. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:41.420 He is warmer, nearer, and dearer, even better than seeing Jesus in the flesh. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.079 Isn't that incredible? 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:48.859 Many people saw Jesus, but did they make them, did that make them believe? 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.299 No. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:54.819 A lot of people saw Jesus and yet they yelled, crucify him. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:59.159 But the Spirit's presence is even better. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:01.899 He shines light into our heart. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.059 That's what the Spirit does. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:06.859 The Spirit turns heart of stone into hearts of flesh. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:12.599 The Spirit is our guarantee, the seal of our salvation until he brings it to completion. 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:17.119 And I would have loved to see Jesus here on earth, walking. 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:20.460 I would love to see him face to face. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.000 And I will one day. 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:25.419 But until then, I have something even better than that. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:29.599 We have the Holy Spirit in us. 00:18:29.699 --> 00:18:30.919 God dwelling with us. 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:37.399 His personal presence, as personal or even better than Jesus walking on earth with us 2,000 years ago. 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:40.400 Now, do we live if that is true? 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:43.540 Maybe you don't believe in Jesus and you want to. 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.660 You wish you had faith. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:48.960 And it would be so much easier if I saw Jesus in the flesh. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:53.240 But he says you can have that same confidence by the Spirit today. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:58.080 His Spirit can show you convincingly that Jesus is Lord. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.880 So ask him. 00:18:59.560 --> 00:18:59.780 Pray. 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:02.859 You can ask him that he would give you this faith by his Spirit. 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:08.119 And for the rest of us, are we living by the power of the Spirit? 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:14.500 Because verse 8 says, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.160 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:22.940 Day by day, how aware are we that God is with us? 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:29.039 James asked last week, what would it matter if Jesus, if you knew that Jesus were here with you? 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.639 If you saw Jesus standing beside you? 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:34.299 Well, we have that by the Holy Spirit in us today. 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:37.159 How does it matter that the Spirit is with us? 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:40.980 Are we striving to please God on our own? 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.740 To read Scripture? 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.379 To pray? 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:46.139 To work hard in our jobs, in our studies? 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:49.019 Or fighting sin late at night? 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:51.059 Are we doing that on our own? 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.200 By our own strength? 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.539 Or do we know that Jesus is with us? 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:58.159 His Spirit is with us and empowers us today? 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:04.240 The Spirit is a great gift. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:09.019 But I'd like to see us, there's also something else special about this promise of the Spirit. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:13.440 You see, verse 4 doesn't say wait for the promise of the Spirit. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:16.099 It says wait for the promise of the Father. 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.779 Wait for the Father's promise. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.619 And in verse 5 it says, 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:24.519 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:31.699 This points back to Luke chapter 3, where John the baptizer, he was baptizing people in the Jordan. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.139 And people were asking him, 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:35.199 Are you, are you John the Messiah? 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:40.019 Are you the Messiah we've been waiting for to save, to take away the sins of the world? 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:40.839 Are you the Savior? 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.519 And John says to them, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:47.220 No, I baptize with water, but someone much greater is coming. 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:51.740 When the Messiah comes, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:58.220 The point is that the Spirit, the outpouring of the Spirit is a mark. 00:20:58.339 --> 00:21:02.180 It's an event that is era-changing and epoch-defining. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.859 It's a mark. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:08.740 The outpouring of the Spirit is a sign that the Messiah has come and he lives and he reigns. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:12.839 The Spirit is the Father's confirmation of who Jesus is. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:21.099 The Spirit shows us that Jesus has come and that he brought for us a new way for God to relate with us. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:27.220 And that's the point of Joel's prophecy in Joel 2, 28, which we see later in Acts. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.579 It says, 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:31.859 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.779 Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:37.079 Your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions. 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:39.220 So more on that in the coming weeks. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:42.920 But for now, it's enough to say that the Spirit of God, 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:47.980 one point of Acts is the Spirit of God is poured out on us. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:52.819 God on the move is with us now. 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:56.839 That the Spirit is part of God's plan, the Father's plan for salvation. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:22:01.860 And the Spirit's arrival marks a whole shift in how God relates with us. 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:07.039 Because Christ made a new way for God to be with us and relate to us. 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:13.799 God now dwells in us rather than in this temple that we have to go and do all these things. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.680 We have to offer sacrifices to enter. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:24.159 Now, God's Spirit, his presence is in us as a guarantee of our salvation. 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:27.440 And that's all because Christ has come. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.019 Right? 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:31.720 So Acts is about the work of the risen Christ. 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:34.200 About the promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:40.620 And lastly, Acts is about the proclamation of Christ in all the earth. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:44.980 Proclamation of Christ in all the earth. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:48.440 The Holy Spirit empowers us for a purpose. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:53.220 The Holy Spirit empowers us to proclaim Christ in all the earth. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.019 So let's look at verse 6. 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:58.100 So when they had come together, they asked him, 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:03.799 Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of God to Israel? 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:09.640 This points back to verse 3, where Jesus in the 40 days that he was on earth after his resurrection, 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:12.559 he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:15.620 And now, verse 6, the disciples ask him, 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.940 Hey, are you going to bring about this kingdom now? 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:21.259 Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.200 Notice the difference though. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.839 Jesus is talking about the kingdom of God. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:29.940 The disciples, they ask him about the kingdom of Israel. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:32.360 They're not quite yet on the same wavelength. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:40.000 The disciples were thinking about the kingdom of God in terms of this earthly ethnic kingdom of Israel. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:44.539 And that's what the Jews at the time would have expected from the coming of the Messiah. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:51.579 They expected this descendant of David, the descendant of this king, to perhaps overthrow the Romans. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:54.259 They were under Roman rule at that time. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:24:00.299 To overthrow them and take over and establish and be king of this nation Israel. 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:03.720 That's one thing Jews at the time expected. 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:05.839 But Acts has a different focus. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:08.019 Yes, God has a plan for Israel. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:13.019 But his plan is much bigger than just one country on earth. 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:16.160 And so Jesus replies in verse 7. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:35.400 Essentially, Jesus is telling them, 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:37.740 The kingdom of God will come. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.960 You're asking about the kingdom of God? 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.180 The kingdom of God will come. 00:24:40.560 --> 00:24:42.620 But don't worry about when this will happen. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:46.040 Your job is to go and make it happen. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.300 Don't worry about when this will happen. 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:52.000 It's not for us to know times or seasons that the Father has set. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:54.440 And people have made this mistake over the years, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.119 trying to predict when Jesus will return. 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:58.240 Saying they know when the world's going to end. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.159 2012 maybe. 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.680 But now we're in 2025. 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.639 That's not our concern. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:04.079 When the world will end. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:06.299 The exact date shouldn't be our focus. 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:09.599 We know Jesus will return one day. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.940 The Father has a plan. 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:15.180 The Father has fixed times and seasons by his own authority. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.440 The end will come. 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:20.059 We'll leave the timing up to him. 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:23.500 Instead of worrying when the kingdom will come. 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:28.279 Instead, our job in the meantime is to bring God's kingdom here on earth. 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.139 To make it happen. 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:30.559 The disciples asked Jesus, 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:33.480 Will you restore the kingdom of Israel? 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:36.159 And Jesus says, essentially, 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.740 You want the kingdom to come? 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.159 Great. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:41.559 Because you are going to help me do it. 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:43.839 You guys are going to help me do it. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:47.740 You are part of my plan to spread the kingdom of God. 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.819 I'm going to go away soon. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:51.120 But you will be my witnesses. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:54.420 You will be the ones to bring my victory to all the earth. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:57.279 And we won't do this by the sword. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.460 Through physical violence. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:02.099 But my spirit will empower you. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:06.900 And the way we bring about this kingdom of God is you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.720 And in all Judea and Samaria. 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.440 And to the ends of the earth. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:13.200 How do we bring about the kingdom of God? 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.160 How is it coming? 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:18.140 It will come as you preach the gospel in all the earth. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.140 Right? 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.960 You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.519 In all Judea and Samaria. 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.799 And to the ends of the earth. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:27.579 And we see this. 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.419 We see this. 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:31.960 That the promise that you will be my witnesses in all these places. 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:35.039 This is fulfilled in part in the book of Acts. 00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:39.359 We'll see in the book of Acts that the gospel scatters. 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:40.039 It scatters. 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.039 The gospel takes a journey in Acts. 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:44.480 It starts here in Jerusalem as we see in this chapter. 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.279 They're in Jerusalem. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.879 That's the city they were in. 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:50.220 And then it will go and spread. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:53.200 It spreads through the surrounding areas of Judea and Samaria. 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:56.400 And then in the second half of Acts. 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.779 New character Paul. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:00.960 He will go and take the gospel to Rome. 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.559 The capital of the Roman Empire there. 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:05.880 From where it will go off and spread to the ends of the earth. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:09.799 So we'll see a scattering of the gospel in Acts. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:12.940 But as we see the gospel scatter in Acts. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.680 And spread. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:18.160 Keep in mind that we don't want to just look on as bystanders. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:20.600 This is something that just happened 2,000 years ago. 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:23.840 But we are part of this mission also. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.440 This is our mission also. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.400 To spread the gospel. 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:29.340 We were given the great commission in Matthew 28. 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:32.460 All authority in heaven and earth is given to me. 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:35.560 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:38.800 Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:41.920 Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:45.860 And behold I Jesus am with you to the end of the age. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.100 That's what Jesus commands us. 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:49.919 Go and make disciples of all nations. 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:52.980 And we're to scatter both throughout Jerusalem. 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.939 The city that they were in. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.000 And to the ends of the earth. 00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:56.879 Near and far. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:59.519 We're to be Christ's witnesses in Hong Kong. 00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.240 Our Jerusalem. 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:02.539 Maybe the greater Bay Area. 00:28:02.699 --> 00:28:05.159 And also to the ends of the earth. 00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:07.359 When we think about scattering. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:12.919 We need to consider both Jerusalem and the ends of the earth. 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.719 There's a balance between the two. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:19.140 Some people think about missions as just going to unreached peoples. 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.480 Just going to the ends of the earth. 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.839 To places where Christ has not been preached. 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:25.519 And that preaching the gospel is just for missionaries. 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:29.140 Crazy people who have the will and resolve to go leave their homes. 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.960 Go to different people. 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.059 Live in a tribe. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.640 Go off to a far remote place. 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:36.020 And that's just something missionaries do. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.520 That's not for them. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:41.600 Well, we all have work to do in Jerusalem. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.880 We live here in Hong Kong. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:47.600 And God has put people around us that we need to witness to. 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.500 Right? 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:51.520 In half an hour at 2.30 when we're done here. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.359 We're going to go and scatter. 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.960 We're going to go and scatter. 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:57.039 Well, maybe we'll load around for a bit. 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.559 Eat lunch. 00:28:57.740 --> 00:29:01.960 But then a few hours later, we're going to go off to our homes and scatter. 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.619 Right? 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:05.900 Or when Monday comes around, we're scattering to our jobs. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:08.019 We're scattering to our families. 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.079 We're scattering to our friends. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.519 We're scattering to our classmates. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:14.220 The question isn't whether we scatter. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:18.339 But the question is whether we will scatter with a purpose. 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:21.259 Whether we will go out there with a purpose. 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:26.460 Will we scatter knowing that we are God's plan to spread his victory in this world? 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:30.660 Will we scatter with the conviction that we have good news that needs to be shared? 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:31.859 Right? 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.740 Who has God put around you? 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:38.500 As you naturally go off to your homes, to your work, to your school. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:41.519 Who has God put around you that you can tell about Christ? 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:47.900 For me, I was reflecting this week because I'm now pastoring here full time. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.980 And I actually, I don't see the coworkers. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:54.579 I think I might interact less with people that know Christ now. 00:29:54.859 --> 00:30:02.319 But for me, I was reflecting that my wife and I, we should probably make more of an effort to go reach her relatives, our relatives. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.559 Most of them who don't know Jesus. 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:07.160 So think, pray about it. 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.660 Who can I share the gospel with? 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:11.200 And if you're in life groups, ask one another. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.060 Who has God put around you? 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:15.460 Here in Jerusalem, in Hong Kong. 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:19.380 How can you be faithful witnesses of Christ wherever God has put you? 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.100 In Jerusalem. 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:32.019 On the other hand, let's not only think locally and neglect what God is doing around the world to the ends of the earth. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.879 Right? 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:35.119 Maybe you, some people think. 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:38.960 There's so many people in Hong Kong who don't know Jesus. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.819 That's true, right? 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:42.500 There's so many people around me that don't know Jesus. 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:44.460 We have so much work to do. 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.720 More than enough work to do. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.960 We have our hands full here. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:54.400 Why should we spend time and money to go leave Hong Kong when we have our hands full here? 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.519 Right? 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.460 And I get that concern. 00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:01.799 Look around you at your, yeah, wherever you go on Monday. 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:04.919 There are so many people around you who don't know Jesus. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.099 That's true. 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:10.460 But that was also true in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:13.419 So we'll see later in Acts. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:21.779 After 20 years of ministering Jerusalem, after the church has been established in Jerusalem for 20 years, preaching the gospel, there's still many who don't believe in Jerusalem. 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:27.740 In Acts 21, people beg Paul, hey, don't go back to Jerusalem because there people will try to kill you. 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:29.859 People try to kill you there for preaching the gospel. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:32.459 There was this resistance to the gospel in Jerusalem. 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:44.539 The work there was not yet finished, but yet the church was called to scatter, not just in Jerusalem, but in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth, even if the work wasn't done yet in Jerusalem. 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.479 And think about this also. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.979 I'd like to see a show of hands. 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:52.159 Who here is from Jerusalem? 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:54.500 Who here grew up in the city of Jerusalem? 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.459 Right? 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.579 Nobody. 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:07.639 So everyone here, we should be thankful that people have obeyed God's command, this great commission. 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:15.240 The reason that any of us are gathered here today is because someone thought it was worthwhile to leave their hometown, to leave Jerusalem, 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:22.419 and preach the gospel in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:29.460 We're here because God's people thought it was worth the cost of leaving home in order to make disciples in Hong Kong. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:35.700 I think some of the first Protestant missionaries in Hong Kong came around 1840. 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:39.019 And now, because of the work, over 180 years. 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:44.940 In part because of what people 180 years did ago, we're sitting here today because they obeyed that call. 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:48.539 We're commanded to go to the ends of the earth. 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:51.819 And if you're wondering, is there still a need to go, right? 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.720 We have the internet. 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.720 This is a globalized world. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.339 Is there still a need to go? 00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:03.559 I think over 30 people, over 30% of people in the world don't have access to the internet. 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:06.000 So they're not, they're not being exposed. 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:09.240 Even though we were connected, they're not connected. 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:11.460 And some more numbers. 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:19.299 An organization, SIL, estimates that around 20% of people in the world don't have a full Bible in their home, 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:22.700 their own native heart language, the language that they're most comfortable with. 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.500 20% of people don't have a full Bible. 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.859 10% of people don't have the whole New Testament. 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:33.799 And 2% of people don't have any portion of scripture in their native language, their heart language. 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:40.000 And according to Joshua Project, one quarter of the world's population, 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:42.659 they're part of what's called frontier people groups. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:47.139 Meaning people groups that are less than 0.1% Christian. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:51.359 Where less than 1 in 1,000 people are Christian. 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:54.299 A quarter of the world lives among people groups like that. 00:33:55.180 --> 00:34:01.000 And on top of that, 15% of those people are in places where there are literally no known Christians. 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.779 Zero. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.159 Not even one. 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:07.299 And there's no efforts yet to plant churches among those people. 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:13.219 So those people, they'll be born into this world, live and die in their sins. 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:18.619 Maybe without ever even meeting a Christian. 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:20.579 Seeing a Christian face to face. 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:23.119 Let alone hearing the gospel. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:25.900 This power of God for salvation to all who believe. 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.739 The Jew first and also the Greek. 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:31.719 People in this world, still today, there is a need. 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:34.519 Are not exposed to the gospel. 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:38.099 Might not, never even meet a Christian face to face. 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:40.639 And here we have how many people, how many Christians here. 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:46.639 Romans 10 says, how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:49.879 And how are they to believe in him of whom they've never heard? 00:34:49.939 --> 00:34:52.199 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:34:52.339 --> 00:34:57.559 How are they to believe in God for salvation if no one goes to them and tells them the good news? 00:34:57.559 --> 00:35:00.360 So church, we have a responsibility. 00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.699 We bear the good news. 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.920 And we must go and share it out. 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:07.679 The church is Christ's plan A to evangelize the world. 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:10.079 And there is no plan B. 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:14.239 We are, yeah, we are his means to go reach the world. 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:19.519 And everyday people are dying without hope, without God, without knowledge of Christ's victory. 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:24.059 We must go and be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:26.719 And practically speaking, how can we do that? 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:30.559 So for most people here, realistically, God isn't calling us to leave Hong Kong. 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:33.019 I think that's just realistically the case. 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:37.259 But we can be part of what God is doing around the world to the ends of the earth. 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.039 For one, we can pray. 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:46.139 Ephesians 6 says, the apostle Paul, he asked the church, pray for me that I can boldly proclaim the gospel. 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:52.980 Or Romans 15, pray that I can be kept safe from the people that are trying to kill me and suppress the gospel. 00:35:54.139 --> 00:36:05.559 So are we, how often do we in our prayers, are we praying for the global church, for churches, for people, organizations going out to the ends of the earth? 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:08.239 And we can also support the work financially. 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:12.859 In Philippians 4, Paul writes, I rejoice that you shared in my troubles, that you cared for my needs. 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:19.860 And the gifts that you sent me, the help, that practical help for my needs, those were a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:24.760 And you are partners with me in this work to go where Christ has not been named. 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.059 That is part of a worship to God. 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:30.260 So we can support the ends of the earth here in Hong Kong. 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:32.800 But there's one more obvious way we can take part. 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.840 And that's to go. 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:39.140 How can we bring Christ to these people who have never heard? 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.519 We can go to them. 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.900 We can go. 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:43.519 And I don't mean just go for a week. 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:48.759 But you could actually move there, live there, and preach the gospel to them, to plant churches there. 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:51.440 I know it sounds crazy and radical to many of us here. 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.400 And maybe it's never crossed your mind to go. 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:56.079 But I'm not saying we all need to go. 00:36:56.420 --> 00:37:01.900 One thing is, if you've never even thought of it, if it's never even been an option, you never even considered it, 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.940 ask yourself, why is that? 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:08.360 Why is it that this command to go to the ends of the earth is just for others? 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:09.680 Why could it not be for me? 00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:11.980 And that's my challenge for you. 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:15.660 I'm not saying it's God's calling for everyone, but at least consider it. 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:18.780 Ask him, God, where do you want me to go? 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.640 Do you want me to go? 00:37:19.740 --> 00:37:20.519 Should I stay here? 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:23.280 Who is it around me here in Hong Kong that I can preach to? 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:27.760 Or am I called to go elsewhere? 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:32.560 And for most of us, realistically, I think the answer is probably no. 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:40.140 But I pray that as we talk about gathering and scattering in Acts, as we talk about the scattering of the gospel, 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:47.480 the glory of God proclaimed in all the nations, that God would write on maybe one person, one person's heart here, 00:37:47.540 --> 00:37:49.200 that yes, I must go. 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:51.560 I need to go to the unreached. 00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:54.960 We're called to preach Christ's victory near and far. 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.820 I want to have a balance. 00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:58.079 It's not just about the ends of the earth. 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:59.679 It's not just about Hong Kong. 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.599 Let's think of both. 00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.179 Let's think of both. 00:38:03.259 --> 00:38:08.239 Let's think of consider how we can take part in God's work here and there. 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:11.259 And this is not just something we do. 00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:13.480 It's something the Holy Spirit empowers us to do, right? 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:16.000 Because Acts is about the work of the risen Christ. 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:23.559 It's about the promise of the Holy Spirit and about the proclamation of Christ into all the earth, in Hong Kong and to the ends of the world. 00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:32.400 And now we'll close soon, looking briefly at Christ's ascension in verse nine there. 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:35.199 So this is where Jesus leaves us and goes into heaven. 00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:38.039 And I actually quite love picturing the scene. 00:38:38.159 --> 00:38:40.079 It's a little bit amusing. 00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:41.820 There's a lot of things happening at once. 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:45.800 So the disciples, they're asking Jesus some questions. 00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:49.260 That's what we read earlier in verse six. 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:50.240 And Jesus answers them. 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:54.340 But just as he's answering them, as he's finishing off what he's saying, 00:38:54.700 --> 00:38:57.920 that you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Jadir, and to the ends of the earth. 00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:04.460 In verse nine, as they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. 00:39:05.440 --> 00:39:06.000 Just imagine that. 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.860 He's talking to them. 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:08.059 He gives them one last command. 00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:09.320 Go to the ends of the earth. 00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:11.260 Go be my witnesses wherever you go. 00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:15.200 And then all of a sudden, a cloud comes in and takes him away. 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:17.080 Imagine I'm talking to you here. 00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:19.440 And then a cloud comes in through this window. 00:39:19.720 --> 00:39:21.280 And then I'm just gone. 00:39:22.140 --> 00:39:22.240 Right? 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.940 Like a cloud just takes me away. 00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:25.780 That'd be so bizarre. 00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:26.440 Right? 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.160 That'd be so weird. 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:30.300 So naturally, his disciples are staring. 00:39:30.400 --> 00:39:30.840 They're staring. 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:32.120 Like, what did we just witness? 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:33.080 What did we just see? 00:39:33.160 --> 00:39:33.900 What just happened? 00:39:34.860 --> 00:39:35.100 Right? 00:39:35.260 --> 00:39:37.080 And then if that wasn't enough for you, 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:39.740 in verse 10, while they're watching Jesus go off, 00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:41.519 they're looking into the sky. 00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:44.939 And then suddenly, two men in white, two angels appear beside them. 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.239 Like, whoa, what are you doing here? 00:39:46.859 --> 00:39:48.159 Like, where do you guys come from? 00:39:48.259 --> 00:39:49.459 Jesus went off and you guys are here. 00:39:50.379 --> 00:39:51.319 What are you guys doing here? 00:39:51.939 --> 00:39:53.199 And then the angels say to them, 00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:57.500 men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? 00:39:57.619 --> 00:40:02.719 This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven. 00:40:03.259 --> 00:40:05.779 And I can empathize with what the disciples are doing, right? 00:40:05.939 --> 00:40:08.419 You don't see clouds taking people to heaven every day. 00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:10.099 So that's something you might want to stare at. 00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:12.419 If I saw that, I would stare a bit too. 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:14.739 But then the angels say, 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:19.439 men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:20.939 In other words, the angels say, 00:40:21.399 --> 00:40:24.859 boys, what are you just, what are you doing staring into space, watching the clouds? 00:40:24.919 --> 00:40:25.480 Like, 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:29.940 something like that, right? 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:32.559 Stop spacing out and watching the clouds. 00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.699 There's work to do. 00:40:33.780 --> 00:40:37.599 There's work to do because that Jesus that you saw go off, 00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:41.340 he will come again in the same way, in glory and bodily. 00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:42.519 He will come again. 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:44.059 He's going off right now. 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.019 He is going away. 00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:48.079 He is seated at the right hand of God in glory, in power, 00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:49.480 but he will come again. 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:52.900 And so we can't just stand around looking at the clouds, right? 00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:55.880 We can't be content just gathering here on Sunday, 00:40:56.180 --> 00:40:57.460 praising Jesus, worshiping him, 00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:59.440 talking about all that Jesus is, 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:02.559 and then just stay here looking into the sky, 00:41:03.220 --> 00:41:04.360 just content gathering here, 00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:07.019 looking at the clouds, right? 00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:09.519 But when we behold the glory of God, 00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:12.740 it should move us into action to go and scatter. 00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:15.220 It should move us into action knowing that Jesus, 00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:17.019 he will come again. 00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:20.160 He will come again in glory and finish everything that he started. 00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:22.840 And we want to go, not just gather here, 00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:23.740 and worship him, 00:41:23.800 --> 00:41:27.260 but we should want to go out and bring as many people as possible 00:41:27.260 --> 00:41:29.280 to go to all the nations and tell them, 00:41:29.639 --> 00:41:31.460 look, look at this risen Lord. 00:41:31.559 --> 00:41:35.160 Look at this God who's seated at the right hand of the throne of glory. 00:41:35.800 --> 00:41:39.380 Look at the savior of this world. 00:41:39.639 --> 00:41:42.200 Look at the one who takes away the sins of the world. 00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:46.059 Jesus, he didn't just go off, 00:41:46.059 --> 00:41:47.480 but he sent us his spirit. 00:41:47.599 --> 00:41:49.680 He sent us his spirit to empower us, 00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:52.160 to convict us, to go and tell everyone. 00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:53.259 He's given us a mission. 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:56.019 Go and make disciples of all nations. 00:41:56.779 --> 00:41:58.819 So as we gather here, 00:41:58.899 --> 00:42:00.179 we can't just be content, 00:42:00.579 --> 00:42:01.420 staring off into heaven, 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:03.259 looking at the clouds, right? 00:42:03.420 --> 00:42:04.420 There's work to do. 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:05.480 There's work to do. 00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:06.259 We have a mission. 00:42:07.460 --> 00:42:08.299 What are you doing? 00:42:08.379 --> 00:42:08.960 Just standing here, 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:09.299 staring. 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:11.259 There's work to do. 00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.500 So let's go and do it. 00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:14.000 All right. 00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.980 Let's pray. 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:28.400 God, we praise you. 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:32.440 We praise you that you have overcome sin and death. 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:42.139 We thank you that we are here today because your church was faithful to your call to make disciples of all nations. 00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:45.359 We're thankful that, 00:42:45.359 --> 00:42:47.379 as we celebrated last week, 00:42:47.500 --> 00:42:47.940 that you, 00:42:48.879 --> 00:42:50.039 yeah, you came to us. 00:42:50.119 --> 00:42:51.179 You didn't just stay in heaven, 00:42:51.319 --> 00:42:52.319 but you came to us. 00:42:53.299 --> 00:42:54.139 You took the initiative. 00:42:55.539 --> 00:42:57.359 And while we were still sinners, 00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.219 you died for us. 00:42:58.960 --> 00:43:00.179 And you rose from the dead. 00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:00.539 00:43:00.799 --> 00:43:01.659 yeah, 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:04.839 even though we don't see the full effects of your victory now, 00:43:05.359 --> 00:43:06.519 we know you have conquered. 00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:07.539 And Lord, 00:43:07.599 --> 00:43:13.199 it's our will that we want to see you lifted up and glorified for every knee to bow to, 00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:16.139 every tongue to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:17.759 And God, 00:43:17.820 --> 00:43:20.940 we thank you that you've given us your spirit to empower us, 00:43:20.980 --> 00:43:22.039 to convict us of our sin, 00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:22.920 to change our hearts. 00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:24.559 God, 00:43:24.619 --> 00:43:26.280 we pray that as we look through acts, 00:43:27.139 --> 00:43:28.000 we wouldn't be a church, 00:43:28.219 --> 00:43:29.179 just a church that gathers, 00:43:29.300 --> 00:43:33.539 but a church that scatters in Hong Kong and to all the earth. 00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:36.320 Because not out of obligation, 00:43:36.320 --> 00:43:40.360 but because we are just filled with joy at your good news, 00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:42.840 that we can't help but share it. 00:43:44.600 --> 00:43:46.240 Give us this passion for your name. 00:43:46.800 --> 00:43:47.559 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:43:48.039 --> 00:43:48.220 Amen. 00:43:48.220 --> 00:43:48.320 Amen. 00:43:48.320 --> 00:44:01.900 Jesus, 00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:07.820 we rest in your holy presence. 00:44:07.820 --> 00:44:17.080 let the weight of your glory fall on us in a way that compels us to be your disciples, 00:44:17.300 --> 00:44:22.960 to be people who have a passion and a heart for our Jerusalem here in Hong Kong, 00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:25.400 for the nations, 00:44:25.840 --> 00:44:26.600 both here at our, 00:44:26.600 --> 00:44:27.900 at our doorstep, 00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:29.300 as well as a broad God. 00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:31.900 Spend our heart to be more like yours. 00:44:32.720 --> 00:44:33.980 It's just full of grace. 00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:36.519 for every person, 00:44:36.659 --> 00:44:37.900 for every person, 00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:39.000 from every walk of life, 00:44:39.099 --> 00:44:39.260 God, 00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:41.199 you're a God of great compassion. 00:44:41.300 --> 00:44:43.039 And we pray that as your church, 00:44:43.099 --> 00:44:44.280 you would fill us in the same way. 00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:47.880 So we love you and praise in Jesus' name. 00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:48.840 Amen. 00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:48.980 Amen. 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:52.100 So that's the end of our service today, 00:44:52.200 --> 00:44:54.079 but perhaps before you leave, 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:57.280 maybe just take a minute or two. 00:44:57.380 --> 00:45:01.240 I would encourage you to maybe just end in silent kind of meditative prayer. 00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:04.100 Just thinking about what Gabe just shared with us this morning. 00:45:05.019 --> 00:45:08.480 Would you just spring to mind and pray over the people in your life? 00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:09.100 Maybe that, 00:45:09.160 --> 00:45:13.100 that came to mind as Gabe was sharing the convictions of what it means to, 00:45:13.220 --> 00:45:15.000 to love people in Hong Kong, 00:45:15.160 --> 00:45:17.100 to love people among the nations. 00:45:17.099 --> 00:45:20.039 And once you've had a time to kind of silently reflect, 00:45:20.319 --> 00:45:21.779 feel free to make your way out. 00:45:22.139 --> 00:45:22.460 Thanks.