WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 Good morning everyone. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:18.000 So, most things in life actually become, or easily become humdrum after a while. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:36.000 The excitement and anticipation in which we throw ourselves into a marriage, or into a new job, or a new business, or a new sporting venue, or something like that, can often be lost. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:44.000 And it gets lost as we tend to focus on difficulties in that situation, or disappointments, or failures. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:51.000 And those things are really take all of this, and cloud our whole understanding, the whole venture. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:54.000 And we're left simply going through the motions. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Or even worse, we're left in a position of looking for a new excitement in some new venture, or some new direction. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:13.000 The same easy habit when it comes to the Gospel, when it comes to appreciating our own salvation, when it comes to thinking about the church, the community, 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:16.000 the community, and the people. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:22.000 Perhaps individually, you'd say, well, I really value Jesus. I really value God's name. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:30.000 But over the years, my efforts to speak of the reality of a broken relationship with God, and the only solution being through the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:39.000 that has just brought a torn and abuse. It's just brought so much hostility to me, effectively, by the result. 00:01:39.000 --> 00:01:45.000 And so, I continue to enjoy Jesus as a really private benefit. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:57.000 But I've got little interest in trying to share the good news with family and friends or a wider community. It's just too hard. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:02.000 Or perhaps we might even think a little bit more deeply than that. We might think, well, actually, it's more than just a bit too hard. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:08.000 I've actually followed the conclusion and signed, perhaps I'm not even able to admit it, probably to my daughter questions, 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:18.000 that the simple gospel message discussion hasn't been in our world. Especially given all the world has to offer these days. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:30.000 And so, maybe what I really need to say is something I want to get more opinions of you. I want to get embarrassed about the gospels I know. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:46.000 Friends, every so often, we just need to step back. And we need to refocus. We need to refocus on how amazing Jesus and the gospel is. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:57.000 We need to remind ourselves of how powerful the gospel is in our world, and how it actually literally changes people from the inside out. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:07.000 We need to step back and consider the responsibility of the world, and dare I say the privilege that the Lord Jesus has given us, 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:14.000 by getting us involved in getting the message, the salvation message of the gospel out to the world, 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:26.000 people who are so desperately need it. Step back and be clear about what we can expect when we do speak the gospel to those who are alive. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:30.000 We need to be clear about what we can expect when we do speak the gospel. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:42.000 This is what I hope the series of Acts will be for you. Time to step back and refocus. Time to see again the beauty of Jesus and the power of the gospel. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:58.000 Time to rekindle passion for the unstoppable Jesus. His unstoppable gospel and his unstoppable mission under his Lordship. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:04.000 Let's jump into Acts chapter 1 now. I want to pose two questions. I see them on the outline. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:09.000 If you've got a bit of a minute, I can't wait to get on the door. Two questions. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.000 What in the world is Jesus doing now? 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.000 These two questions understand the answer. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:19.000 What else it comes in the Acts of the Apostles? 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.000 What is Jesus doing now? Well, the answer is a very simple thing. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.000 Jesus is doing now the same as he's always been doing. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:34.000 Yes, he has a new base, but he has the same passion for saving his people. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:54.000 About 2,000 years ago, Jesus came into this world, lived for about 33 years, was killed, was resurrected, and finally returned to his throne and glory in heaven, where he had been for eternity and where he will continue to be for eternity. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:05:09.000 So, given that 33-year time on this earth in eternity, then the question is, well, what is Jesus really interested in? 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.000 What is his focus? 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:13.000 Well, verses 1 and 2. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:22.000 Luke, who writes both the gospel according to Luke and this volume here, the Acts of the Apostles, Luke sets out very clear. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:32.000 And the two volumes that Luke writes are like two parts of the one continuous record of God's salvation plan. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:41.000 Part A, the gospel account details how Jesus began to establish his kingdom or rule through his work of atonement. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:48.000 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:58.000 And part B, therefore, Acts records what Jesus continues to do and teach. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:02.000 That Jesus continued to build his kingdom from heaven. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.000 What was Jesus' focus on earth? 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:11.000 Well, Luke 19, verse 10, and many other verses said, he came to seek and to save the lost. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:25.000 That is, Jesus is saying, every aspect of my life, my death, my resurrection was about me doing that which was necessary to save my people, to begin the work of gathering the kingdom. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:32.000 What is Christ's focus now that he's in heaven? 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.000 Still, the saving of his people. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:44.000 What began as Jesus' ministry on earth continues just as passionately as Jesus' ministry from heaven. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:55.000 Only this time, he's working through his new community of saved people, what we call the church. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:58.000 Now, consider the scope of his passion. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:59.000 Look at verses 6, 7, and 8. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:05.000 So when they'd come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.000 Notice that word, Israel. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:10.000 Verse 3, Jesus has been talking about the kingdom of God. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:14.000 And they fired back at Jesus, the kingdom of Israel. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:19.000 He said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:33.000 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:44.000 The apostles showed very limited scope or very short horizon in responding to Jesus' teachings about the kingdom or rule of God. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:47.000 Now, we don't really know, but the question is very obvious. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:58.000 Were they still thinking that Jesus would make Israel great again in political and social and economic and military terms? 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:03.000 Was that the extent of their horizon, the extent of their scope? 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:11.000 Were they thinking selfishly or perhaps even racially? 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:19.000 That is, really, we want God all for ourselves within this parameter we call Israel, within this parameter we call Jewish. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:22.000 And really, we are very happy with that. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:29.000 We have got God, we have got the best wicked here, and everybody else can sort of go jump. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:35.000 Whatever they were thinking, verse 8 makes plain, the enormous scope of Christ's passion. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:41.000 He is talking about a spiritual empire that will cover the globe. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.000 That will not be bound by geographical or political or social boundaries. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:51.000 It is a spiritual empire in the hearts and lives of a saved people. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:09:00.000 All sorts of people in every part of the world, says Jesus, will be changed from the inside out and brought under the rule of Jesus. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:11.000 And you guys are being given the privilege of being part of that gathering, in-gathering. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:27.000 Jesus' passion is now to gather into his kingdom or bring under his rule those for whom he died while on this earth. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:30.000 In a sense, the hard work has been done. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:36.000 Now he is just gathering in. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.000 But does Jesus have the power to deliver? 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.000 Well, look at verses 10 and 11. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:46.000 And ask yourself, what sort of Jesus are we dealing with here? 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:51.000 While they were gazing into heaven, as he went, behold... 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:53.000 Sorry, I need to go back to verse 9. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:57.000 And when he said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:00.000 And a cloud took them out of their sight. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:05.000 And while they were gazing into heaven, as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes and said, 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:09.000 Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:16.000 This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him going to heaven. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.000 Does Jesus have the power to deliver? 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:25.000 Well, look at the Jesus we are dealing with here. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:35.000 The Jesus who comes and goes in his world as he pleases. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:39.000 Not even death could limit his power. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:43.000 And here he now returns to heaven at the moment of his choosing. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:50.000 And does so with the blessing and backing of God the Father and his full authority. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:56.000 And this is the Jesus we see in those earlier verses 4, 5 and 6. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:02.000 This is the Jesus who says he will send his Holy Spirit as a key weapon in the task of helping his people. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.000 While he is not physically present. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:09.000 This is the Jesus who has limitless power. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:17.000 Both in respect to himself and in respect to operating in this world. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:27.000 So friends, we just need to stop, step back and say, 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:30.000 Wow, what a stunning perspective. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:41.000 Jesus is now busy, passionately busy, in the same task as he has always been busy in. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:51.000 Building his church as he rescues lost individuals one by one through the powerful message of the gospel of salvation. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:12:03.000 So, it's never the case, never the case, that somehow or other, Jesus is somehow or other busy with other things in heaven. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:07.000 And doesn't really have time now to do anything concerned with earth. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:12.000 And so he's really just left his people on earth to muddle through the best they can. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:18.000 Left us to our own wisdom and power. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:21.000 It's never like that. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:33.000 When a stone is dropped into water, concentric circles, ripples go out. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:39.000 But it doesn't matter how big the stone is or how big the water is, those ripples soon disappear. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:50.000 There's been so many causes have rippled around our world over the generations. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:54.000 And most of them have disappeared. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:05.000 But 2,000 years after Jesus departed this world, his message of salvation is still causing ripples. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:12.000 He's still confronting and, yes, renewing individuals. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:21.000 And today, somewhere around the world, in many, many places around the world, people will hear the message of Jesus, perhaps for the first time. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:24.000 And will be broken down in tears. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.000 Tears of repentance. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:31.000 And will seize this message, this offer of Jesus for new life. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:38.000 And know an inner transformation. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:40.000 So, why will that happen? 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:44.000 Why will people all over the world today hear the gospel and be saved? 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:50.000 Simply because that's Jesus' ongoing passion and work. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:55.000 Now, our problem is perspective, you see. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:14:07.000 We tend to look around and think, well, God's action to build his church or God's action in his church to bring it to maturity is so slow. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:19.000 But perhaps we even think that the church of Jesus is actually losing ground and being squeezed out of our world in the face of growing hostility towards it. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:22.000 But here's the problem, you see. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:27.000 We cannot see the whole world. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:34.000 And if we dig down into that, we actually do find that there's lots of action in so many places. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:46.000 Day by day, hour by hour, I would venture to say even minute by minute around the world, people are being converted as they're confronted by this unstoppable Jesus. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:51.000 And that raises my second question then. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:58.000 How do we fit with what Christ is doing? 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:01.000 How do we fit with what Christ is doing? 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:06.000 Well, it sort of parallels. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:10.000 Christ's people have the same base. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:20.000 But under the renewing and empowering work of Jesus, we have a new passion, same base, but a new passion to see people saved. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:35.000 Now, at this point, we need to notice and remember that as Jesus returns to heaven, it is to the apostles that he hands the baton. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.000 Verse 2. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.000 Verse 2. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:49.000 He's spoken until the day when he was taken up after he'd given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:58.000 So we've got to do a little bit of work here to move from the text 2,000 years ago to our own day. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:08.000 The apostles had unique apostolic credentials and authority in the first phase of taking the message of salvation in Jesus to the ends of the earth. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:15.000 They, from Acts chapter 1, would be the human face of Jesus' kingdom building through his Holy Spirit. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.000 Verse 2. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:20.000 They were specifically chosen by Jesus. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.000 Verse 3. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.000 They had to be eyewitnesses. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.000 Verse 4. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:29.000 They were under command or commissioned to be witnesses or ambassadors for Jesus. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:35.000 So that's very much something we need to wrestle with and take account of. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.000 This was spoken to the apostles. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:46.000 However, while Acts is primarily about how Jesus uses the apostles to gather his saved people from the ends of the earth in their own day, 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:56.000 it's also a pattern of how Jesus intends us to be part of that continuing work of gathering his people. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:05.000 So there's a handover from apostolic authority to what I'm calling now post-apostolic authority. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.000 So what is our post-apostolic task? 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:17.000 We're not apostles, but we stand in line with the apostles in that sense of being the next generation of God's church, God's community of saved people. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:21.000 Well, what's our task? 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:26.000 Well, our focus is to reflect Christ's focus. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:37.000 Our commission or task from Jesus is, verse 8, I've already read it, to be witnesses. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:44.000 In other parts of the New Testament, the word is ambassadors. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.000 And what's our job as a witness or ambassador? 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.000 Well, we are to reflect Jesus. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:53.000 We are to be a conduit to Jesus. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.000 We are to speak the words of Jesus. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:57.000 We are to represent our master, Jesus. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:59.000 We are to model Jesus. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:04.000 That's what a witness or ambassador does. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.000 For what end? 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:18.000 As part of Jesus' grand plan of gathering his saved people from every nook and cranny of this earth that we live in. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:29.000 Now, chances are we just see that as duty. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:33.000 This is what I know I should be doing as a Christian. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:40.000 I think what it's intended to do here is give us a sense of privilege. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Let me take you to Romans chapter 10, verses 14 and 15. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.000 You can read it in your own time. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:47.000 Romans chapter 10, verses 14 and 15. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:50.000 Paul actually quotes the prophet Isaiah. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.000 And he says this. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.000 It's an extended quote. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:55.000 I'm just taking one sentence on it. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:19:00.000 He says, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:05.000 How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:09.000 It's a picture from Isaiah. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:18.000 A picture of, you know, feeling lost and disconnected and just discombobulated, not knowing what's going on or what life is about. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:23.000 And then suddenly into that picture, somebody comes to the front door with good news. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:25.000 And it's all sorted. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:32.000 How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:47.000 Paul goes even further by saying that as, because this is a quotation from Isaiah that's reference, with reference to the Messiah. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:20:08.000 So what Paul's saying is that as we individual Christians speak about Jesus to those we have contact with, we are actually sharing in the ministry of Messiah. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:23.000 When we speak of Jesus as Savior and Lord, when we speak winsomely of the changing power of the gospel in our own lives, and when we demonstrate that, we are actually in the same vein, as it were, as Messiah. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.000 Whoa. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:33.000 And that's in light of all our failings and all our imperfections. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:40.000 So, my friend, let's be excited. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.000 Let's be excited. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:47.000 Jesus is unstoppable as he gathers his church to save people. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:57.000 And he has committed himself to using our witness, your witness in this process. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:10.000 So, we should be excited about speaking the message of forgiveness, joy and light to those around us who are wandering, lost in darkness. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:13.000 But you say, but they're still cranky and angry at me. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:15.000 Yeah, they will be. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:23.000 Because, as Jesus says, people prefer darkness rather than light. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:26.000 You don't speak to people who are neutral. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:35.000 You speak to people who are actually hardwired to reject the very thing they need to hear. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:38.000 But that doesn't lessen the privilege of it. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:47.000 That doesn't lessen the reality that that person you've spoken to this week and last week and last year and last month and last year, 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:53.000 10 years ago, over a lifetime perhaps, you've just passionately been speaking to them, whether it's a neighbour or a family member. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:22:00.000 Today might be the day when the Lord crashes through their unbelief and sweeps them into the kingdom. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:07.000 Now, verses 6 and 7. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:15.000 Jesus said to them, look, you don't need to be anxious about the things which are not yours to control. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:19.000 I apply this to myself as well, even though I said you. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:24.000 I don't need to be anxious about the things that are not mine to control. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:29.000 We can leave to God what he alone can do. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:34.000 That is, only God can breathe life into spiritually dead people. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:42.000 We can leave that to God and be excited about speaking the word of God to the word of the great King Jesus, 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:52.000 knowing that that word itself applied by the work of the Holy Spirit is the very means by which the Lord will use it to bring life. 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:03.000 Knowing that there are thousands of ways to Jesus, but only one way to God. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:08.000 Focus our scope, then the next thing. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:10.000 Our scope, what's our horizon? 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.000 Our scope is identical to the apostles. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:18.000 We have the same gospel message to proclaim, though now it is written in the Bible. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:24.000 And our horizon should still be as large, the ends of the earth. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:31.000 Now that doesn't mean for a moment that we all have to go overseas as missionaries. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:35.000 But it does mean we're all missionaries. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:40.000 And it does mean that we should see every person in our family, 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:45.000 every person in our workplace, every person in our street or neighborhood, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:48.000 every person in our city here in Newcastle, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:51.000 every person in Australia as Australians, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:54.000 and in every other country of the world. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:58.000 We should be seeing them as desperately in need of the life-giving message of Jesus. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:06.000 So my friends, let's stay on task. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:13.000 When we speak God's word to everyone we intersect with, 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:17.000 we are expressing God's vision, God's horizon. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:22.000 If you look at somebody in your workplace and think, 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:25.000 no, they're just too hard, they'll be too angry at me. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:28.000 Then your vision has shrunk. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.000 You don't have God's vision. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.000 To the ends of the earth. 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:37.000 Every person, the lost, the sick, the broken, the wounded, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:41.000 the angry, the hostile. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:50.000 Nobody is beyond the scope and power of Christ. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:53.000 And we should remember this. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:59.000 And we should take comfort in this as we look at our family and friends and workmates. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:02.000 And we think they're just too hardened and rebellion. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:05.000 They're not going to hear the gospel. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.000 They're not going to be saved. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.000 They're beyond. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:12.000 They're beyond the reach of Jesus' renewal and Jesus' salvation. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:15.000 And we all get to think that, don't we? 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:20.000 In fact, verse 10 and 11, again here, 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:24.000 it's a little bit hard to know exactly what to make of this, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:27.000 but I'm going to pitch it in a particular direction. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.000 If you don't agree with it, then that's fine. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.000 Talk to me afterwards. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:33.000 But verse 10 and 11, essentially these angels, 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:38.000 these two men, I presume they're angels or some sort of spiritual embodiment anyway. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.000 But they say to these guys, 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:43.000 men of Galilee reminds them of just their ordinariness. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:46.000 Men of Galilee, why are you standing looking up into heaven? 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.000 Essentially what's been said here is, 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:53.000 hey listen guys, don't be skygazers. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.000 Fixated on how lovely heaven will be. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.000 It's hard to know why they were staring into the sky, 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:03.000 maybe they haven't seen Jesus going into heaven. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.000 Maybe they just thought, 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.000 heaven will be so lovely. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:08.000 I just want to be home with Jesus. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:13.000 That's certainly how I feel on many, many days of my life these days. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:20.000 Jesus says, don't be a skygazer. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:26.000 Don't be fixated on trying to escape the hardships of this life. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:32.000 Don't try and escape the commission I've just given you of being a witness for me in a hostile world. 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:38.000 Don't be fixated perhaps on personal comfort. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:46.000 Don't be one who cares too little about the spiritual needs of people around you. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:52.000 Don't be, come content that you've been forgiven. 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.000 That you've been renewed by Jesus. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:59.000 And simply being, enjoy that. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:02.000 Enjoy being part of a church family like this. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:09.000 And seeing what we are now is almost like being parked in a private waiting room. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:15.000 Sort of separated from the awfulness of the world and the hostility of the world while we wait to go to be with God in heaven. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:18.000 Because I think that's how we think of the church. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:24.000 And I don't think of the church like that, but that's what I find myself wishing for. 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:28.000 I just want to be done with this life. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:31.000 And the hostility and the frustration. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:33.000 My own and that of others. 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:37.000 And yet Jesus says to me, no. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.000 I've got you here. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:45.000 That means, you know, Paul says whether I live or die, it's all to the glory of God. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:49.000 So I'm not parked in a waiting room just seeing out my days. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:53.000 I'm here as a witness. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:59.000 What's our power or weaponry? 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:03.000 And we see here that it's more than suited to the task. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.000 Verse 8. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:07.000 He says, I will send my Holy Spirit. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:11.000 Now the word there is dunamis, which is the word we get dynamite from. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:16.000 So Jesus is saying, look, I'm asking you to do this task. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.000 I'm commissioning you to be my witness. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:22.000 But I never ask you to do something that I don't properly tool you for, equip you for. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:28.000 I'm telling you now, I'm going to send you the equivalent of high explosives. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:33.000 That will be able to blast any degree of hostility. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:37.000 Clear out of its sinfulness into heaven. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:46.000 So friends, let's be supremely confident. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:50.000 Let me say that sentence I said a minute ago again. 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.000 Let's be supremely confident. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:59.000 Jesus never asks us to do something without actually equipping us for the task. 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:04.000 Now maybe we don't recognise the value of the weapon we have at our disposal. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.000 That might be true. 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:09.000 It may be that we prefer a different sort of weapon. 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:17.000 Well, instead of a dynamite blast, we'd actually prefer to bribe people with nice things. 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:20.000 That might be true. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:27.000 But the reality is that we have a weaponry that's more than able, and we'll see more of this in the next couple of weeks, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:34.000 a weaponry that's more than able, more than up for the task that we're commissioned to. 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:41.000 And then ultimately another point there of confidence is that our confidence is not in our ability. 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:45.000 It's not about us having to break down unbelief. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:51.000 It's not about us having to get inside people's hearts and change their attitudes and renew them from the inside out. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.000 No, this is the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.000 We just need to speak about Jesus. 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:58.000 The Holy Spirit will do what only the Holy Spirit can do. 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:04.000 Change hearts and minds and attitudes and renew from the inside out. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:14.000 So friends, I just close with a very simple challenge. 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:20.000 Is there fire in your belly for Christ and the gospel? 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:25.000 Do you have the passion of Jesus to see people saved? 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:34.000 Do you have the breadth of vision that Jesus has to the ends of the earth? 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:36.000 Is that your horizon? 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:42.000 Not fixated on your own comfort? 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:50.000 Not fixated on your own feelings as you've tried to engage with and received hostile responses from others? 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:54.000 But fixated on the unstoppable Jesus. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:31:02.000 And the beauty of relationship with him and with other believers in this church. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:05.000 And you think to yourself, this is so good. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:14.000 I'm enjoying this so much that I couldn't possibly be quiet about it when others need it so much. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:26.000 Now if that's, if you don't have fire in your belly, then the question, the next question then is why not? 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:32.000 Is it because perhaps your Jesus is too small? 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:37.000 He's not the love of your life. 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:40.000 His word is not powerful. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:46.000 His kingdom not worthwhile compared to that which the world offers. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:59.000 Or if you don't have the fire in your belly, is it perhaps then because your friends and workmates are too big in your thinking? 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.000 Too hard in unbelief. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:12.000 Too intellectual to hear about the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:23.000 Too proud to have their image shattered and be broken and reduced to tears of repentance. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:43.000 Friends, the best motivation to ministry and gossiping the gospel wherever you find yourself this week is to fill your heart with the beautiful, unstoppable Jesus. 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:50.000 So as we move into Acts, my encouragement is just get stuck into Acts. 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:53.000 Just luxuriate in it. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:33:01.000 And allow it to once again rekindle the fire in your belly for Christ.