WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:08.500 Well, good morning, everyone. My name is Alistair, as has been said, and it is my privilege this morning to open up that wonderful passage in Acts 4. 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:13.500 So please do keep it open in front of you. But before we dive in, let's pray together. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:20.039 Our great God, we thank you that we can gather to hear your word. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:28.900 And we pray, Lord, that the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts would be pleasing to you. 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:33.280 And Jesus, would you be lifted up above every other name? 00:00:33.879 --> 00:00:39.079 And Holy Spirit, we ask that you would be at work in our hearts this morning. Amen. 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:47.399 Stephen Lungu was abandoned in Zimbabwe at the age of seven. 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:54.119 And then he joined a street gang, which became increasingly violent as the years went on. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:01:05.299 And one day him and his gang went into a Christian tent mission with petrol bombs in their backpacks, ready to kill as many Christians as they possibly could. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:10.840 Now, Stephen was a teenager at this point, and he sat at the back of this meeting. 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:16.780 And as he waited with his petrol bombs at the ready, he heard what the preacher was saying. 00:01:17.679 --> 00:01:25.659 He heard the gospel, the message that Jesus died and rose again and that Jesus lives and will return. 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:31.159 The message of the resurrected Jesus changed his life. 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:41.019 And he went from being in a street gang to being one of the most prominent evangelists in Africa, often referred to as the Billy Graham of Africa. 00:01:41.019 --> 00:01:52.640 Now, what does Stephen Lungu have in common with a young mum and a baby and toddlers group who intentionally brings Jesus into her conversations with other mums? 00:01:53.780 --> 00:02:07.120 What does Stephen Lungu have in common with the office worker who lives out their life before their non-Christian colleagues and tells them about what they've been learning at church? 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:12.400 All of these three people sound completely different. 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:22.960 But each and every one of them is playing their part in continuing Jesus' plan for the growth of his church. 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:30.340 As through the power of the Holy Spirit, they boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ with the lost. 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:36.420 For the church to grow, there needs to be a plan. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.200 And that's what we're going to see this morning in Acts chapter 1. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:42.780 But it is not Alistair's plan for the church. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:45.620 It's not even Brunsfield's plan for the church. 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:51.140 We are going to see Jesus' plan for the growth of his church. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:55.439 This morning, we're starting our new series in the book of Acts. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:03.599 And let me just say how excited I am to be studying this amazing book that has a mixture of historical narrative, 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:08.800 of glorious doctrine as the first sermons of the church are ever preached, 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:18.020 and wonderful testimonies of the Lord's goodness to a people who at this stage were so small and insignificant 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:21.340 that they weren't even recognized as a religion. 00:03:23.480 --> 00:03:28.939 In this series, we're going to hear about the explosive spread of the gospel 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:34.080 and how that happened and how that continues today. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:38.700 This book is often referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:45.640 but it would be more accurate to call it the continued Acts of the ruling and reigning Christ. 00:03:47.100 --> 00:03:52.020 But before we dive into chapter 1, let's dig into the context a little bit. 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:56.780 So the book of Acts is the second book written by Luke, 00:03:57.100 --> 00:04:03.180 and we see that in Luke chapter 1, verses 1 to 4, and Acts 1, verse 1. 00:04:04.140 --> 00:04:08.740 Both Luke's gospel and the book of Acts were written to a man called Theophilus. 00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:13.800 Now, we don't know much about him, apart from that he was pretty important 00:04:13.800 --> 00:04:16.680 and that he seemed to be a pretty wealthy man. 00:04:17.900 --> 00:04:20.259 Luke writes this in chapter 1, verse 3. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:21.480 You don't need to turn there. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:26.339 I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:31.819 I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:37.919 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. 00:04:39.359 --> 00:04:44.159 So Luke's gospel was written to give Theophilus certainty 00:04:44.159 --> 00:04:48.019 about who Jesus was and what he had been taught. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:56.359 And then what we see in Acts 1, 1 to 11, is Luke's purpose was to tell Theophilus 00:04:56.359 --> 00:05:02.680 what Jesus continued to do and teach from his ascension into heaven and beyond. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:11.680 And Luke's gospel ends with God's promise that Jesus was crucified, that he rose from the dead, 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:16.160 that forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:22.500 and that the disciples would be given power by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to the world. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:27.879 And the book of Acts begins with those exact same promises. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:31.300 So that's how these two books fit together. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:38.500 The book of Acts is all about the continued acts of the ruling and reigning Christ. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:44.079 But there's just one more thing we need to see as an introduction to this book. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:47.639 Look with me at Acts 1, verse 8. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:49.279 It says this, 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.980 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, 00:05:53.040 --> 00:06:00.319 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:10.199 The book begins with a promise of the power of the Holy Spirit to enable the spread of the gospel. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:17.719 And now turn briefly with me to the very end of the book of Acts in chapter 28, verse 30. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:22.759 The apostle Paul at this point has been under house arrest for two years. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:24.899 And verse 30 says this, 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:44.439 Now why is this important? 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:48.979 Well, because this morning at the very beginning of the book of Acts, 00:06:48.979 --> 00:06:51.279 we see Jesus' plan for his church. 00:06:51.859 --> 00:06:54.519 We need to remember that it is not by growth strategies. 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:57.839 It is not by keeping up with the times. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.819 It is not by putting on the newest gimmick to get people through the doors. 00:07:03.039 --> 00:07:08.659 Jesus' plan for his church is to have believers empowered by the Holy Spirit 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:11.879 to go into the world and share the gospel. 00:07:12.739 --> 00:07:14.060 That's where Acts begins. 00:07:15.359 --> 00:07:20.899 And that's how we have 28 wonderful chapters of stories of men and women 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:24.419 who turn the world upside down by gossiping the gospel. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:29.339 And that is the very reason we sit here this morning. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:36.599 Because the Holy Spirit continues to empower Christians today to go and share Jesus with the world. 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:43.539 So in Acts 1, 1 to 11, we see Jesus' plan for his church. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:45.379 And we see three things. 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:50.340 The preparation, the plan itself, and the promise. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:57.540 So the first thing we see is the preparation for the growth of the church in verses 1 to 6. 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.620 The preparation. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:07.759 Jesus spent his whole earthly ministry teaching his disciples and larger crowds about the kingdom of God. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:13.240 The focus of Jesus' earthly ministry was to teach people about God. 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:18.839 To point people to God the Father and call them into his kingdom. 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:23.079 And that's what Jesus continued to do after the resurrection. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.019 He taught his disciples. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:26.939 As verse 3 says, look with me. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:36.200 After his suffering, meaning on the cross, he presented himself to them and gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:43.539 He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:54.860 For 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus continued to teach his disciples and give them convincing proofs that he was alive. 00:08:56.099 --> 00:09:00.159 We see this happening in Luke chapter 24 on the road to Emmaus. 00:09:00.659 --> 00:09:10.379 Jesus walks with two disciples and teaches them how all of scripture, all of the Old Testament, beginning with the law and prophets, is fulfilled in him. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:15.379 Jesus appears in an upper room where the disciples are gathered. 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:22.259 And before we think that this is just the imagination of a grief-stricken group of men, 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:26.139 Jesus asks for food and eats with them. 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:29.379 He was physically there, convincing proofs. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:37.240 And friends, if you're a Christian this morning, you need to know that your faith is not built on a fairy tale. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:45.799 You need to know that your faith is built on the firm foundation of eyewitness testimonies that Jesus lived, 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:50.139 that he taught, that he died, and that he rose again, 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:53.580 proving that what he said was right. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:59.100 What did Jesus teach his disciples in those 40 days? 00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:03.000 Well, it wasn't a seminar on living life without Jesus. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:10.160 It wasn't a master class on those bracelets that you used to wear, maybe as a teenager, I certainly did, 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:13.620 that said, WWJD, what would Jesus do? 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:18.920 Jesus didn't give them a pep talk to get them through the tough times. 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:24.299 The end of verse 3 says, Jesus taught them about the kingdom of God. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:29.899 The kingdom of God is not some political or military power. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:32.779 It is not about the nation of Israel. 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:38.719 Jesus makes that clear in verses 6 to 8 after the disciples ask about the kingdom of Israel. 00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:46.059 The kingdom of God is the present reign and rule of God over the entire universe, 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:52.739 in which people are being transformed and brought into the family of God. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:58.339 So the kingdom of God is not bound to a physical location. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:00.279 It is a spiritual reality. 00:11:01.459 --> 00:11:06.000 Its citizens are not from one nationality, culture, or color. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:12.860 But we are made up from people from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation, 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:16.899 who one day will gather around the throne of God and worship the Lamb, 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.879 who is worthy of all praise. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.559 And the kingdom of God is ever expanding. 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:27.799 And that's what Jesus was preparing his disciples for. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:34.259 Abraham Kuyper, a prime minister and theologian from many, many years ago, put it like this. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:40.899 There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:44.379 who is sovereign over all, does not cry, mine. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:51.419 Jesus prepared his disciples by teaching them about the kingdom of God. 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:55.139 And that is important because the next thing we see in this passage, 00:11:55.559 --> 00:12:00.179 and that is the plan for the growth of the church in verses 7 to 8. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.240 The plan. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:07.879 The disciples hear about the kingdom of God and their thoughts immediately go to the nation of Israel. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:12.860 In verse 7, they want to know when the time is going to come, 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:17.600 or is now the time where Jesus is going to restore the kingdom of Israel. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:21.620 But Jesus shows them just how wrong they were. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:27.560 He lets them into his plan first with the rebuke and then with the strategy. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:30.539 The rebuke comes in verse 7. 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:33.000 Jesus tells his disciples this, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:39.279 It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:44.779 Jesus tells his disciples that they're being caught up in the completely wrong thing. 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:48.119 They're focusing on times and places. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:52.619 They're thinking of a specific nationality and people group. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:57.519 But Jesus says that it's none of their business when God's plan will be fulfilled. 00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:01.740 And friends, we would be wise to listen to this rebuke as well. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:07.399 The Christian world is full of conspiracy theories and end time predictions. 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:13.980 There is always at least one person somewhere in the world saying they know the time of Jesus' return. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:19.680 And if you hear that, turn to this verse in your Bible and run the other way. 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:21.480 Shut your ears to their lies. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:27.220 Friends, we are not to concern ourselves with the dates and times because one, 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:30.580 we will never know when Jesus will return until it happens. 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:33.659 And two, we've got a job to do. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:39.980 So Jesus rebukes his disciples, but then he also gives them the strategy, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.820 the job that they are to do. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:46.820 The disciples are to get busy continuing the work that Jesus started. 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:54.620 That's why Luke mentions in verse one, the things that Jesus began to teach and do. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:14:01.680 We are to continue the marvelous work of spreading the good news. 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:06.460 And we see exactly how in verse eight. 00:14:07.020 --> 00:14:07.740 Read with me. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:26.320 Now this is the central theme and outline for the entire book of Acts. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:34.799 And the job that every single Christian has been given and has been equipped to do. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:42.299 But this is not a business plan with steps one, two, three that the disciples do off their own back. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:47.139 This strategy is not built on human initiative or willpower. 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:54.939 This is a divine strategy for the growth of the church through the divine enabling of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:54.940 --> 00:15:03.520 Jesus doesn't tell his disciples to take a personality test to see if they're outgoing enough to share the gospel. 00:15:04.380 --> 00:15:12.380 He doesn't give them a reading list of the best apologetics books so they can answer all the questions people may have. 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:18.360 And he doesn't tell them to sit back in church and let other people do it. 00:15:19.020 --> 00:15:20.640 Let other people do evangelism. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.920 That's the box ticked. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:30.179 Jesus says they will receive power by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in the world. 00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:33.339 And that happens in Acts chapter two, the day of Pentecost. 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:39.219 And from that moment on, the Holy Spirit dwells in every single believer. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:43.559 From that moment on, the ripples of the gospel spread. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:50.799 I wonder if you have memories like me growing up when you went to a big lake or a pond. 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:59.439 I was always interested in skimming stones or trying to create the biggest splash in the water from my two brothers. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:05.099 So we'd arrive at this lake that was perfectly still and clear as glass. 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:10.560 But the minute that first stone touched the water, the ripples went on and on and on. 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:18.100 The effects of that stone could be seen way after the initial impact had happened. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:24.800 And in Acts, we see the ripple effects of the gospel going out from Acts chapter two. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:29.120 The plan begins in verse four in Jerusalem. 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:35.259 The disciples are told to wait until they receive the gift that God had promised, meaning the Holy Spirit. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:40.120 And then through the power of the Spirit, verse eight says they will share the gospel. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:44.679 First in Jerusalem, that happens in Acts one to seven. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:50.320 Then in Judea and Samaria, which happens in Acts chapters eight to 12. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:56.740 And then to the ends of the earth, which begins in Acts 13 to 28. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.519 And that work continues today. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:06.099 The ripple effects of the gospel are felt long after the day of Pentecost. 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:16.419 And friends, this work continues as you go into work and live out your faith by the power of the Holy Spirit before your non-Christian colleagues. 00:17:17.399 --> 00:17:23.879 The work continues as you witness to your friends and family members by making godly life decisions, 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:28.519 by saying no to sin and living for Christ through the power of the Spirit. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:35.159 This work continues as you take the gospel to those whom you love and you warn them. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:39.360 Of the reality of death and judgment. 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:44.480 But you comfort them with the news that there is a way to be saved. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:49.519 And that is only through the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross, 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:54.820 who died for sins, for the sins of all those who call on his name. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:18:06.019 This work continues today because the Holy Spirit dwells within believers and he empowers us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:11.559 This is why world missions is so important. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:16.799 Millions of people die every day without a saving faith in Jesus Christ. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:25.740 This is why church ministry is so important because we are to be witnesses in the community God has placed us in. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:34.899 This is why personal evangelism is the task that every single Christian has been called to with no exceptions. 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:38.920 Because we live in a world that needs to know about Jesus. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:47.620 Charles Spurgeon, a pastor from years ago, sums up the urgency of the gospel growth by saying this. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:54.539 If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. 00:18:55.479 --> 00:19:01.339 And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped around their knees, imploring them to stay. 00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:07.659 If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions. 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:16.800 Let them go unpaired for. 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:21.980 Jesus has a plan for his church. 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:27.340 And that is that every single person would go and share the gospel. 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:33.440 Starting with this small group of men, which grows and grows and grows. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:37.880 And it will not stop growing until the day he returns. 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:45.740 And then the third and final thing we see in this passage is the promise. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.420 In verses 9 to 11. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.380 The promise. 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:58.059 So after Jesus has finished speaking with his disciples, he was taken up before their very eyes into God's presence. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.380 Commonly referred to as the ascension. 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:06.280 Now the life of Jesus proves that he was God in the flesh. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:14.620 Sent into this world to commence the kingdom of God and live that perfect life of obedience to God's law that we never could. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:21.920 The death of Jesus proves that he was the perfect sacrifice foretold in the Old Testament. 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:24.960 Making it possible for people to be forgiven. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:31.940 The resurrection was the proof that all Jesus said and did was true. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:37.380 And then the ascension is the glorification of the Son of God. 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:44.220 It is the moment where Jesus goes into God the Father's presence and he sits at his right hand. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:50.519 The ascension is the coronation of the King who rules and reigns. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:55.160 The King who has all authority over all of creation. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:03.279 And the King who one day will return to complete his kingdom on earth in the new creation. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:19.059 The disciples look up in awe and they see that Jesus ascending to his heavenly throne and two men in white, presumably angels, in verse 11, give them a promise that will change the course of their lives forever. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:21.899 Verse 11 says this. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:27.179 Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:36.039 This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:43.639 This means that on that glorious day when Jesus returns, he will return physically. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:47.819 Descending from heaven and he will be visible for all to see. 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:55.460 This means that the mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth has a time limit. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:22:01.099 There will come a day when Jesus returns and every eye will see him. 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:04.539 And there will be no more time to repent. 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:09.200 There will be no more time to share the gospel with our loved ones. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.759 We do not know when that day will come. 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:22.039 We're called to get busy sharing the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the rest in the Lord's hands. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:25.940 The promise is that Jesus will return. 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:29.379 And so the challenge to every single Christian in the world is this. 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:34.599 Will you obey the commandment of the Lord and take the gospel to the ends of the earth? 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.639 Start with your family. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:42.159 Start with your friends, your neighbors, your work colleagues. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:53.860 And pray that the Holy Spirit would give you opportunities, power and the words you need to faithfully proclaim the gospel to a lost world that is dying without Jesus. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:59.820 The return of Jesus is a great thing. 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:05.759 It's a great thing that Christians should look forward to in eager anticipation. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:13.759 But it is a really scary thing for those who do not confess Jesus as Lord. 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:19.500 So if you're listening in this morning and you are not a Christian, Jesus is King. 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:30.500 He is the King who took on flesh to die the horrible death that we all deserve so that we can be made right with God and be freed from his wrath, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:35.839 which one day will rightly fall on all those who do not put their trust in Jesus. 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:40.859 Now is the time to repent and believe in him. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:43.839 Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:46.619 We do not know when he will return. 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:49.119 So don't put it off. 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:53.420 But investigate these convincing proofs that the Bible is true. 00:23:54.099 --> 00:24:00.420 That Jesus did really rise from the dead and that he is now seated glorified in the Father's presence. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.160 That Jesus is in heaven. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.619 Because the day is coming where there will be no more time. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:10.960 The return of Jesus is either a great thing or a scary thing. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.240 Which one is it for you? 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:21.759 So what do we have in common with a mother who is a witness in her toddler group? 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:28.480 And some of the great evangelists throughout the world like Stephen Lungu. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:35.279 Well, we like them have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:40.559 We have the privilege of being part of Jesus' plan for his church. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:47.980 The growth of the church, the growth of the kingdom of God will not happen by following human strategies. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:55.420 It will not happen by keeping up with the times or putting on the newest gimmick to get people through the doors. 00:24:56.620 --> 00:25:06.759 Jesus' plan for his church is to empower every single believer through the Holy Spirit to take the gospel into the world. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:10.220 That is the task that we have been called to. 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.700 Let's do that this week. 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:15.799 Let's share the gospel with those we love. 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.119 Let's pray together. 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:30.559 Father, it is an immense privilege to be part of your plan. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:34.099 To see your kingdom grow. 00:25:35.479 --> 00:25:38.759 All because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:44.119 Jesus, we thank you that you willingly died in our place. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:50.039 That you rose triumphant from the grave, defeating sin, defeating death. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:53.359 And that you ascended into glory. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:56.480 And we thank you that you will return. 00:25:56.480 --> 00:26:02.440 And Holy Spirit, we thank you that you dwell in every single believer. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:07.400 That you open our hearts to see the truth of the Bible. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:10.579 And that you empower us to share the gospel. 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:20.940 And so Holy Spirit, we ask that this week you would give us opportunities and boldness to share the gospel. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:30.000 And Father, if there are people listening to this who do not know you, we ask by your Spirit that you would open their eyes. 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.240 And that you would change their hearts. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:43.059 Father, we pray that all of us would leave this morning service transformed by the power of your Spirit. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.820 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.180 Amen.