WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.540 ...might come, no matter what persecution they may face. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:16.019 We see this same resolve in our passage this morning as the Apostles Peter and John are arrested for proclaiming salvation in the name of Jesus. 00:00:17.500 --> 00:00:29.179 In the book of Acts, what's happening is we're seeing the early church being established by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the witness of those first Christians. 00:00:29.179 --> 00:00:31.559 And there's some great things happening, right? 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:33.519 The gospel is being preached. 00:00:34.159 --> 00:00:35.479 People are being saved. 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:38.539 New believers are growing strong in their faith. 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:41.480 There is unity of heart among the believers. 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:43.960 People's needs were being met. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.460 And more and more people were coming into the church day by day. 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:48.820 Things were going pretty good. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:01:01.939 In chapter 3, the disciples healed a lame beggar and then took that opportunity to proclaim salvation in Jesus to the gathering of crowds. 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:08.319 There was an overwhelming response of faith to their preaching. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.819 And the number of those who believed grew to 5,000. 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:13.700 That was one response, right? 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:14.740 But there was another. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:19.339 There was a persecution by the religious authorities. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:24.359 So this is the first instance of persecution we see in the early church. 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:28.099 And with it, we see the disciples' bold response. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:33.959 Because they feared God instead of what people might do to them. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:39.879 We may never end up in jail like those disciples. 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:44.719 We may never face death threats like J. Smith. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:59.560 But oftentimes, or at least sometimes, we can be fearful, intimidated by how people might react to us if we proclaim a clear gospel message to them. 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:08.439 Perhaps, as you've done that, speaking of your faith, speaking of Jesus, perhaps you've experienced rejection or some ridicule. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:10.219 Indifference. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:15.920 Maybe even some antagonism as you have witnessed for Christ. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:21.039 And that can influence us to become hesitant in sharing our faith. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:29.079 Now, while this passage gives us a clear picture of how Jesus is continuing to build his church in the face of persecution, 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:40.739 it also gives us strong and fresh confidence, encouragement, that we might become fearless and fearful witnesses for Christ. 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:47.540 Fearless in the sense that we would not be afraid to stand and speak for Jesus. 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:57.939 And then fearful, or maybe I should say fear-filled, in that we have a reverent fear and awe of God. 00:02:59.600 --> 00:03:07.540 Trusting his word, trusting the power of his spirit to enable us to be his witnesses no matter what response we might get. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:10.780 So how does this passage do that for us? 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:17.319 How does it give us that encouragement to be resolved in Jesus' command to be his witnesses? 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.639 So I would say the first point is this. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:24.560 Fearless witness will result in persecution. 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:30.139 Fearless witness will at some time result in persecution. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:36.299 Now, I know that doesn't sound like the most heartwarming first point of a sermon. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:47.000 But we need to understand it because Jesus wants us to be prepared when opposition to our witness comes. 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:49.160 So what's happening, right? 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:51.160 John and Peter are preaching the gospel. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:58.540 The Jewish authorities, political leaders, are in an uproar over their teaching, so they arrest them. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:04.300 Now, it's too late to give them a court hearing, so they let them sit in jail overnight. 00:04:04.300 --> 00:04:10.460 Now, I can imagine what might be going on in my mind if I was in their shoes. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:14.280 I might be tempted to say something like this to my cellmate. 00:04:14.380 --> 00:04:14.980 Okay, you know what? 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:20.939 Maybe we went just a little overboard with the whole Jesus and the gospel thing. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:29.279 So when they bring us out in the morning for the hearing, maybe we should just smooth things over a bit. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:35.199 Let's just apologize for making such a scene and let's not make such a big deal about all this. 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:37.779 Because I don't think Jesus really wants us in here. 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:42.860 I think he wants us out of here so that we can tell more people about him. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:46.000 I think we just need to be a little bit more discreet. 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:49.699 I think I might think something like that. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:57.360 But maybe, maybe I would also remember what I'm sure Peter and John remembered that night when they were in prison. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:02.620 Something that Jesus had warned them over and over again. 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:03.639 And it is this, friends. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:05.659 This would happen. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:08.639 Persecution would come. 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:20.279 He wanted them, Jesus wanted them to be prepared that persecution would not maybe happen, but that it would definitely happen at some point. 00:05:20.839 --> 00:05:25.060 So I can imagine now the interchange between John and Peter. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:32.879 I can hear John saying, hey Peter, remember when Jesus preached on the mountain and he said, 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:36.699 blessed are you when you're persecuted for my sake. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:41.459 Remember when he said that they hated me, they're going to hate you too. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:52.779 Oh, what about when he told us that they would lay hands on us and deliver us to prison and be brought before the rulers for his namesake. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:53.540 Remember that, John? 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:54.560 Remember that, Peter? 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:57.139 And Peter might say, oh, that's right, John. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:05:59.699 And what did he say after that? 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:01.120 Oh, yeah. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:05.539 That would be our opportunity to witness for him. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:13.079 Maybe they were afraid when they were first thrown in there. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:17.120 But God's spirit would bring these things to their minds. 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:20.360 In fact, Jesus said that he would do that for them. 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:22.819 That he would bring these things to their minds. 00:06:22.919 --> 00:06:25.279 The words of Christ would begin to fill their hearts. 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:30.159 And so they remember that he also said this, let not your hearts be troubled. 00:06:31.619 --> 00:06:33.119 Neither let them be afraid. 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:35.019 Believe in God. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:36.399 Believe also in me. 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:39.559 In this world, you will have tribulation. 00:06:40.419 --> 00:06:41.259 But take heart. 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:44.319 I have overcome the world. 00:06:46.419 --> 00:06:48.319 Friends, we don't like suffering, do we? 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:51.139 We don't like to be uncomfortable. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:55.719 We don't want to offend people and get them mad at us. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:57.399 We want people to like us, right? 00:06:57.459 --> 00:07:00.639 We don't want to be rejected and so on and so on. 00:07:01.219 --> 00:07:12.639 And so in the name of social politeness or political correctness, there are times that perhaps we don't really stand for the gospel of our Savior. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:17.339 I'm guilty of this and I'm ashamed to say it. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:23.639 In fact, being in Cambridge actually reminds me of that. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:28.120 Five years ago, I was here for my cousin's wedding. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:34.360 And her mother, my aunt, had been very sick with cancer. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:38.060 And so they drove up to New Jersey for the wedding. 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:46.280 And the day before, actually the moment they arrived, there was an ambulance waiting at the hospital, waiting at the hotel to take her to the hospital. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:48.520 She never made it to the wedding. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:50.920 And she died three days later. 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:56.439 She knew that what I believed. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:03.620 But I don't know if I ever really took the opportunity to speak the gospel clearly to her. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:07.160 And that opportunity was gone. 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:10.899 And this place reminds me of that. 00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:18.939 So there are times when we don't stand for the gospel. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:28.899 But we have to realize it's because we fear being ridiculed or being labeled a religious wacko. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:32.240 But Jesus says it's going to come. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:37.480 So we need to be prepared because it's part of what it means to be his disciples. 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:38.759 Right? 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:45.500 Jesus says you cannot be my disciple if you don't take up your cross daily and follow me. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.299 But what does that mean? 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:48.320 It's suffering for Jesus. 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:52.980 So he wants us to be prepared, but he wants us to take heart also. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:59.879 Because along with the persecution or rejection, there is blessing for us. 00:09:01.020 --> 00:09:04.760 Now if anything ever sounded like an oxymoron, that's it, right? 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:06.940 Persecution equals blessing? 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:07.620 Really? 00:09:08.660 --> 00:09:09.040 Really? 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.360 It's a bit of a hard one to swallow. 00:09:13.780 --> 00:09:14.960 What's the blessing? 00:09:16.400 --> 00:09:17.820 I'm just going to mention two. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.320 There's numerous ones. 00:09:19.420 --> 00:09:21.420 I'm just going to mention two with regard to persecution. 00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:31.240 How about the blessing of being associated compared to the prophets who spoke for God? 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:36.060 Yet they were persecuted when they did. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:36.520 Right? 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.620 What does it say in Matthew 5.11? 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:42.200 Blessed are you, you disciples, you believers in Jesus. 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:45.700 Blessed are you when others persecute you on my account. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:52.340 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:59.240 For so, listen, for so they persecute the prophets who were before you. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:02.519 I have a men's discipleship group at our church. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:05.480 And there's one guy in the group. 00:10:05.580 --> 00:10:08.299 He's pretty straightforward and down to earth. 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:11.220 And in talking about this verse one day, I said, 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:17.539 So what do you think God's thoughts are and feelings were toward the prophets? 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:23.360 And my friend said, well, I guess you'd like them enough to talk to them. 00:10:24.319 --> 00:10:25.179 That's right. 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:27.459 God spoke to them. 00:10:28.219 --> 00:10:29.899 They spoke for him. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.500 They were persecuted. 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:32.639 Many of them died. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:35.639 And now they speak to God face to face. 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:44.879 They are forever in the joy and the reward of living in the presence of God for all eternity. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:46.899 That's one blessing. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:48.500 What about this blessing? 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:54.340 The blessing of sharing in the joy, not just of the prophets, but of Jesus himself. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:55.460 Right? 00:10:56.620 --> 00:11:00.039 Listen to what it says in Hebrews 12, verse 2. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.700 It says that we look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:11.440 who for the joy that was before him endured the cross, endured suffering. 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:11.800 Right? 00:11:13.180 --> 00:11:17.340 For the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:20.259 and was seated at the right hand of God. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.600 So what was Jesus' joy? 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:29.240 It was the joy of fulfilling the Father's will, 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:33.220 of coming to earth as a man, 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.620 dying to take the sins of all who would believe in him, 00:11:37.160 --> 00:11:41.720 rising from the dead and giving everlasting life to all who would repent and believe, 00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:45.060 fulfilling that will of the Father, 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:49.519 and then bringing in those who would believe into the presence of God 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.680 to worship the one who is worthy of our praise. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:55.639 We get to share in the joy of Jesus. 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.779 That's another blessing. 00:11:56.779 --> 00:12:02.600 Jesus wants us to understand that suffering will come 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:06.379 when we are faithful and witness to him. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:10.120 But friends, remember, there is deep blessing. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:12.600 There is great reward. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.240 And it's not just later. 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:19.000 It's in our hearts and experience now as well. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:21.679 Jesus wants us to be prepared, 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:26.620 but at the same time to be encouraged by what we will gain from it. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:31.759 The second way we can be encouraged in our witness from this passage is this, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:38.060 that the same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples is available to us today. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:41.440 The same, I should say, the same filling of the Holy Spirit 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:45.279 that was available to the disciples is available to us today. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:53.179 So, perhaps, you have been afraid of what others may think of you 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.559 when you talk about Jesus today. 00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:59.980 Maybe you've tried to share the gospel, 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:03.220 and you've failed miserably, or at least you feel that way. 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:05.980 You know, I'm going to tell you a quick story. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:09.039 I don't even know how much time I have. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.600 Am I on the timer or something? 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:12.299 Am I good? Am I good to go? 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:12.579 Okay. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.539 So, I'm in Portugal. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.860 We had a missionary in Portugal. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:20.419 And one day, I'm walking along the beachhead. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:22.419 It's kind of like a boardwalk, but it's concrete. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.579 So, it's a concrete walk. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.259 And I see this guy. 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.199 It's very early in the morning. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:30.419 I see this guy sitting on the bulkhead, 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:32.860 just kind of looking out to the ocean. 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:37.579 And I'm walking by, and it's like the Spirit of God is pressing on me. 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.599 Go talk to him. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.319 And I'm like, I don't want to talk to him. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.179 So, this is what I do. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.099 I keep walking by. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:49.320 And then I go past, and I walk by again, asking God for help to talk to him. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:52.800 So, finally, I go up, and I introduce myself. 00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:54.399 My real name is Pasquale. 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.440 You know, people call me Pat. 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.480 I said, hi, my name is Pasquale. 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.159 Do you speak English? 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:58.840 Yes. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:03.139 I said, oh, well, I saw you sitting here, you know, kind of looking. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.740 I just want to make sure you were okay. 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:07.240 He said, yes, I'm just thinking about my life. 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.100 Now, please go away. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:13.279 So, I'm a little flustered now, because he's telling me to get lost. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:14.559 And I'm like, oh, okay. 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:18.340 Well, I believe in Jesus, and I just wanted to talk to you. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.379 And he said, yes, yes, now go away. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.299 Right? 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:27.919 That felt like the worst failed attempt at trying to witness for Jesus. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.879 But you know what? 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:35.819 After I left, I thought, that guy probably never even thought that Jesus would have anything to do with his life. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:50.540 And God can use even a failed attempt, or at least what feels like a failed attempt, to glorify his own name and even give that person understanding to think, maybe I need to think about Jesus. 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:52.400 So, maybe you felt that way. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.660 You felt that you failed miserably. 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:59.220 Maybe you just kind of feel inadequate to talk to the reader. 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.260 You don't know what to say. 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:02.120 You don't know where to begin. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:14.000 So, maybe past attempts to witness failures, feeling worn down, I'm not any good at this, nobody's listening anyway, what's the use? 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:21.139 All of those things can be an influence to keep us from sharing the gospel. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:26.320 Friends, the power of the Holy Spirit can change all of us. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:29.080 And we see that in the life and preaching of Peter, right? 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:32.320 And Peter was not always so bold in his witness, was he? 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:42.280 In fact, the night before Jesus was crucified, as many of you know, he denied even knowing Jesus three times. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:51.240 And the scripture tells us that after that third denial, and he hears the rooster crow, he turned and Jesus looked at him. 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:54.540 And he knew that he had let his friend down. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:57.000 And he wept bitterly. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:03.960 Maybe you feel that you've disappointed God in your witness. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:09.179 Maybe you've even wept over opportunities that you've missed. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:12.759 God doesn't want us to be motivated by guilt. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:17.980 Instead, he wants to strengthen us by his grace and his power. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:20.799 What happened after Jesus resurrected? 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.879 And in the 40 days, he's spending time with the disciples. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:26.360 He talks to Peter one day, right? 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:30.480 And he's asking Peter about Peter's love for him. 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:34.779 He asks him three times if he loves Jesus. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:40.259 Now, I don't think, you know, so three denials, three times asking about love. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:43.659 Is Jesus kind of trying to throw up the denials in his face? 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.700 I don't think so. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:49.300 Peter was grieved over what happened. 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:56.420 And so perhaps he felt he was even qualified to speak for Jesus anymore. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:17:08.279 But in that scene, Jesus is actually reaffirming Peter's call as an apostle to be his witness and to strengthen his people. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:10.500 You may have denied me three times, Peter. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:13.460 I'm affirming you three times. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:19.319 I've called you and I will be with you as you go forth in my name. 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:22.799 So you may struggle to be his witness. 00:17:22.939 --> 00:17:26.139 You may have even failed to stand for Christ. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.799 But you know what? 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:27.879 He's not done with you. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.759 It wasn't done with Peter. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:36.399 He didn't cast Peter aside. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:38.079 He affirmed Peter's call. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:48.220 Everything that Jesus had provided for Peter to be his witness, Christ provides to us today through the filling of his Holy Spirit. 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:51.419 Now, you might think to yourself, okay, well, that sounds good. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:55.480 But what do you mean by the filling of the Holy Spirit? 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.799 I think that's a good question. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:03.759 In Ephesians 5, verse 18, the apostle Paul says, 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:10.980 Don't get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:21.579 So whenever I think about or I pray about being filled with the Spirit, I think about people who get drunk. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.339 Really. 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.160 What do drunk people do? 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:33.279 They fill themselves up with a good amount of alcohol so that they then come under the influence of the drink. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:39.160 And it influences their thoughts, their words, and their actions. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:45.940 So Paul says, instead of loading yourself up with the influencing effects of alcohol, 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:52.180 instead, fill up, fill yourself up with the influencing power of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:54.200 Okay, so again, that sounds good. 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.240 What does that mean? 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.180 What does that look like? 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.619 Romans 8, 5. 00:18:57.619 --> 00:19:04.739 Those who live according to the Spirit, Paul says, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:07.699 To set your mind on something means what? 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:11.599 We give our attention, our energy, our devotion to that, right? 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:16.299 If a guy sets his mind on a girl that he wants, he's going to put energy into that. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.459 Paul is saying, do that with the things of the Spirit. 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:23.759 All right, so what are the things of the Spirit we're to give our attention and energy to? 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:26.940 Again, Paul, 1 Corinthians 2, 14. 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:31.620 He writes, the natural person, the person who is without Christ, 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:36.240 the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit. 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:41.779 Paul is referring to, or Pastor John Piper says this, 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:47.440 Paul is referring to Paul's Spirit-inspired teachings. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:59.339 That is, or I should say, therefore, the things of the Spirit are the teachings about God and the Gospel from the Word of God. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:05.960 And so an essential element in being filled with the Holy Spirit is to read, 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:15.160 it is to hear, to meditate on, and to listen carefully to the truth of God's Word. 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:18.360 To listen carefully to it. 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:21.019 My boys grew up, I have three teenage sons, 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:25.860 they grew up knowing that they were to be reading their own Bibles 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:29.319 as they got older to discipline themselves for daily Bible reading. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.600 But I would always say to them, 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:34.299 don't just read it because you know you have to. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:40.840 Don't let it just become some kind of duty or thing that you check off. 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.440 Don't let it become a drudgery. 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:50.039 Read it, understanding that this is a person speaking to you. 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:55.860 A real, glorious, and ultimately satisfying person. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.720 Thank Jesus. 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:04.559 He wants you, God wants you to understand things about how to live the Christian life, 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:07.460 but he doesn't want you to just know stuff, friends. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:12.919 Most fundamentally, he wants you to know him. 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.440 Not to stuff about him. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.259 To know him. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:20.319 To experience a deep, what am I mean by deep? 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:23.679 Beneath the surface, hitting the heart level, 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:27.940 a deep, vibrant relationship with him that affects how you live. 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:34.700 He wants you to taste, that is to experience him through the word, 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:38.420 and see that the Lord is really good. 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.539 How do you do that? 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:43.000 This is what I've been thinking about a lot lately. 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:45.299 So as I read the word, I ask God, 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:48.120 show me what you want me to understand about you. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.820 Help me to see truths about you 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:54.079 that will help me to love you, 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.960 to treasure you, 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.119 and to live for you. 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:59.519 So just for example, looking at this passage, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.579 in Acts 4, 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:02.960 what are just a couple things we learn about Jesus? 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.740 That he's all-knowing, right? 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.480 Didn't he tell the disciples 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.419 that they were going to be persecuted, 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:10.220 and that they were going to be arrested? 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:12.119 So Jesus is all-knowing, 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.319 and so I can rest in the fact 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:16.200 that he knows what's going to happen to me. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.819 Right? 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:19.299 What else do we learn? 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:22.240 That he is a helper to his people. 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.740 Because he said, 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.859 when these things happen, 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.659 don't worry about what you're going to say. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:29.720 I'm going to give you what you need to say. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.599 So I say, 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.480 God, you're my helper. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.799 I'm weak. 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.799 I don't always know what to do. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:38.579 But you're a helper for those who are in you. 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:40.659 Those are just two things we learn. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:42.019 And so as I'm reading it, 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.119 as I'm considering it, 00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:44.720 I'm listening carefully to it. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.419 I'm saying, 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:48.600 Jesus, this is what I've learned about you. 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:51.620 Help me to love it. 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.700 Help me to believe it. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:55.759 So he's speaking to me, 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.680 and in prayer, 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.240 I'm speaking back to him 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:00.600 what he's been saying to me. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:04.700 That's part of how we begin to fill ourselves 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:07.580 with the things of the Spirit through the Word. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.759 A second essential element 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.980 in being filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:12.500 the first one is filling ourselves 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.840 with the things of the Spirit through the Word. 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:15.180 Secondly, is prayer. 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.840 Pretty simple and straightforward. 00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:19.600 In verse 8 in our passage, 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.840 it says, 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.660 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.620 said to them, 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.779 and then he goes on to preach the gospel, right? 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:29.900 Now there's no mention of prayer there at all. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.220 So why am I bringing this up? 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:35.080 Because in chapter 2, verse 42, 00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:37.240 it says that the believers 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:39.100 devoted themselves, 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.120 kind of like setting your mind on, 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:43.140 devoted themselves to what? 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.259 The apostles' teaching, 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.920 fellowship, 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.880 breaking of bread, 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.440 and the prayers. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.720 They were devoting themselves to prayer. 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:56.420 Now what do you think 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:59.640 Peter and John were doing in that prison cell? 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:03.320 It doesn't say, 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.280 but if I were a betting man, 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:08.380 I bet that they were devoting themselves to prayer. 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.759 A couple years ago, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:13.040 me and four guys from our church 00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:16.100 were on a short-term team 00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:18.380 to missions partners that we have 00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:20.000 in the Middle East. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.519 It's a church planning team 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.000 among the Muslim people group. 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:25.440 And we would go out every day 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:28.059 to go and meet people, 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.460 whether in shops or on the streets 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.819 or other public places, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.660 and ask God for opportunities 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.319 to speak the gospel to them 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:39.420 and have them get to know our partners there. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.559 So one night we go, 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:46.259 and we are in a big public park, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:49.140 and there is a big festival, 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.019 a city-sponsored festival 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.019 happening in that park. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:54.440 We got to talk to all kinds of people 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.519 about Jesus. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.779 It was great. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.119 So we had a good night, 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.420 we're wrapping up, 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.960 we're making our way out, 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.680 and we're right near the exit, 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.480 about 50 feet away. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.440 And two policemen 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:09.660 joined forces, 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.859 they approached us 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.900 and they put their hands up 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.460 and they said, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.740 turn around, 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.279 walk this way. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:17.079 And they took us 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.940 to the police station. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:21.879 And for just about four hours, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:24.500 they were interrogating us 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.960 about who we were, 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.700 who we were there with, 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.160 what we were doing, 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.559 and what we were talking 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.819 to people about. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.740 What do you think we were doing 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.879 during those four hours? 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.559 We were really, really praying 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:42.139 that God would do something 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:43.879 to get us out. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.740 Peter and John were praying. 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.799 The disciples were praying for them. 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.899 We even read earlier, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.079 and that's when they're 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.980 in the upper room 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.859 and they're praying, 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.240 and then the Holy Spirit 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.379 comes upon them 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.160 and they're filled 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.059 with the Spirit 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.960 and they begin to speak 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.700 boldly. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.680 And then, 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.639 later in our passage, 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.200 in verse 24, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.619 the disciples are released, 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.559 Peter and John are released, 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.440 they go back to their 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.240 brothers and sisters, 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.740 they report what's happened, 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.680 and it says there, 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.779 in verse 24, 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.880 as soon as they heard 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.039 the report of what God 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.560 had done, 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:16.420 they lifted up their voices 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.660 to pray. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:21.519 And then in verses 25 to 30, 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.539 it says that they prayed 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.920 to the sovereign Lord, 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.340 and they were remembering 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:28.519 what He said 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.940 and what He would do, 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.620 and they were talking 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.620 to Him in prayer. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.600 And then in verse 29, 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.100 it says, 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:36.659 and grant your servants 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:38.459 to continue to speak 00:26:38.459 --> 00:26:39.219 your word 00:26:39.219 --> 00:26:41.059 with all boldness. 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.439 And then it says 00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:44.959 they were filled 00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.459 with the Spirit, 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.799 and they kept speaking 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.619 the word of God. 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:50.219 Knowing their own weaknesses, 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:53.019 knowing their past failures, 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.419 these disciples knew 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:56.039 that they needed 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.779 ongoing dependence 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.279 on the Holy Spirit 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.179 in prayer 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:02.159 for their witness. 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:04.000 So they asked for it. 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:06.500 They simply asked for it. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.480 If you're weak 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.699 in your witness, 00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:12.599 maybe you're not 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.599 even doing it. 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.799 You're ignoring God's call 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.539 that you would be 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.459 His witnesses. 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:19.039 And this passage 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:20.919 is strong help 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:23.359 to come to the Father 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.459 in prayer 00:27:24.459 --> 00:27:25.980 that He might 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.519 fill you 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.759 with His Spirit 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.559 to be bold witnesses. 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.779 Look what happens 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.500 as a result. 00:27:32.619 --> 00:27:33.699 It says in verse 31, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.740 when they had prayed, 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:36.539 it says that the place 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.519 where they had gathered 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.700 was shaken. 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:40.900 I don't know 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.680 what that feels like, 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.240 but I'm sure. 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.220 Like, I was in an earthquake 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.779 once, 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.519 and it was weird. 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:46.120 Anybody in an earthquake 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.539 before? 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.900 You're like, 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.180 okay, 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.200 why is the floor moving, 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:49.460 right? 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:51.019 So maybe it was like that, 00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.700 only worse. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.819 It was shaken, 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.539 and they were all 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.539 filled with the Spirit 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.879 and continued to speak 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.899 the Word of God 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.819 with boldness. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.359 One commentator I read 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.960 said this, 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.460 the place was shaken 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.879 so that they 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:05.039 would not be. 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:08.059 They would not be shaken 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.099 in their resolve 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:11.420 to continue to witness 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.220 the Christ. 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.720 God wants us 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.859 to have fresh courage 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:18.799 as we seek His help 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.259 to be fearless 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.960 and fearful, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.919 fear-filled 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:25.240 in our witness 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.059 for the Gospel. 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:30.460 As we begin 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.680 to wrap things up, 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.899 I want to look at 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:35.599 a really kind of 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.700 amazing statement 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.700 that was made 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.659 about the Apostles 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.579 after they were 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.919 filled with the Spirit 00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:41.759 and spoke for Christ. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.059 You see it in verse 13. 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.539 It says, 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.720 Now when they, 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.619 the religious leaders, 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.039 saw the boldness 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.899 of Peter and John 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:48.920 and perceived 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.659 that they were 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.799 uneducated 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:53.079 and common men, 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:55.420 they were astonished 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:57.940 and they recognized 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.420 that they had been 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.899 with Jesus. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:04.059 When we read 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.399 that old phrase, 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.359 that they had been 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:06.879 with Jesus, 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.680 we have to understand 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:11.339 that they had not only 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.079 been learning 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.000 His teachings, 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.759 they were spending 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.680 time with Him. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:18.879 They were experiencing Him. 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:20.700 They were communing, 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.240 having a common union 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.659 with Jesus. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:27.159 And being with Him, 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.759 through the power 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.599 of the Spirit, 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:31.720 they came to love 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:34.539 and cherish Jesus. 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:36.059 And so, 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.460 when they were brought 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.359 before those men, 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.420 they valued Him. 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.000 They valued Jesus 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.180 and what He thought. 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.759 more than what 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.599 anybody else 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:47.099 would think about them. 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.920 So the question 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.920 for all of us today is, 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:53.059 how are things 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.799 with you and Jesus? 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.279 How are things 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.000 with you and Jesus? 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.940 Maybe you're here today 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.799 and you have not 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.339 personally put your faith 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.639 in Christ 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:05.019 to rescue you 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.559 from your sin. 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.920 Listen again 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.759 to what Peter says. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.599 there is salvation 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:11.400 in no one else. 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.680 For there is no other name 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.400 under heaven 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:17.799 by which we may be saved. 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.900 You know what happens 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.740 oftentimes? 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.680 Before I was a believer, 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.940 I thought I was a good guy. 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.799 And I thought my goodness 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:27.140 would kind of get me 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.440 in God's graces. 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:31.500 I didn't really need Jesus 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.339 to be my Savior. 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.159 I was kind of 00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:35.099 being my own Savior. 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:37.179 And I really didn't think 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.579 that sin was a big deal. 00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:39.959 I just kind of made 00:30:39.959 --> 00:30:40.639 some mistakes 00:30:40.639 --> 00:30:41.279 here and there 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.459 and God would know 00:30:43.459 --> 00:30:44.319 that He's okay. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:47.839 Friends, 00:30:48.459 --> 00:30:49.240 my sin 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:51.019 and rebellion 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.199 had separated me 00:30:52.199 --> 00:30:52.699 from God. 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.779 I needed to know that. 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:56.179 I needed to know 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:57.319 that only Jesus 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.639 could save me. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.619 Only Jesus 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.539 could forgive me. 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.319 Only Jesus 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.920 could give me 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.460 the righteousness 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.039 I needed 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.099 to be justified 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:05.079 and saved 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.240 in the sight of God. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.000 So maybe that's you 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.500 this morning. 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.240 Maybe you're here 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.980 and you've not yet 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.519 trusted in that name. 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.159 And so Jesus 00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:14.279 calls you 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:16.139 now to confess, 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.420 acknowledge your sin 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:20.159 and trust Him 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.920 for the salvation 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.180 that only He can give. 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.099 He will 00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:24.619 give you forgiveness, 00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:26.680 joy, 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.720 and everlasting life. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:30.600 And for every 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.819 true believer today 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.400 that's here, 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:36.779 are you seeking 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.559 to be with Jesus? 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.640 Are you being with Him? 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.200 Are you struggling 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.500 maybe to speak 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.299 of Christ to people? 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.660 Maybe the struggle 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:48.279 is just pursuing 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:50.700 and being with Jesus. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.779 If so, 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.160 perhaps your love 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:55.980 has cooled 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:57.480 or did some. 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.460 And if you haven't 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.360 been with Jesus, 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.779 as you know, 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.680 you should. 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.860 Revelation chapter 2, 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.200 Jesus tells the church 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.720 in Ephesus 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:09.940 that they have abandoned 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.079 the love 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.279 that they had at first. 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:14.360 So He tells them 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:15.259 to repent 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.980 of that lack of love 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.779 and to do, 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:18.559 check this out, 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.759 to do the things 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.579 they did 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.640 before 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.779 when their love 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.240 for Christ 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.079 was at the center. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.599 What would some 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:27.339 of those things be? 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.420 How about 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.779 rehearsing 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.700 the truth 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.460 of the gospel 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.339 to yourself? 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.259 Reminding yourself 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.660 of all that God 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.279 has done 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.639 to rescue you 00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:39.399 from your sin 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.599 and what that means 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.819 and how you love 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.819 your family, 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.779 your church, 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.660 your friends 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.279 that is heard 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.019 without Christ. 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.399 What other things 00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:48.740 do we do 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.200 at the beginning? 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.299 Listening to the voice 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:50.759 of Jesus 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.419 in the word 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.440 and then caring 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.159 deeply 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:54.399 about what He says. 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.180 So that means 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:55.980 when I come to the word, 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.980 Jesus, 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.579 I need you to show me 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.519 what you want me 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.099 to know today 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.519 and help me 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.619 to hear it, 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.119 to believe it 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:04.359 and change me 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:04.940 where you need me 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.599 to be changed. 00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.099 How about 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.159 worshiping together? 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.279 Praise God 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.019 for this Saturday, 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.919 this morning. 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.839 Worshiping together, 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.839 coming alongside 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.680 other believers 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.700 who may be worn out 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.440 or discouraged. 00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:17.659 Being in a small group 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.460 where you can pray 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.099 for each other, 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.139 support one another 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:20.820 and keep each other 00:33:20.820 --> 00:33:21.280 accountable. 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.640 How about 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.680 seeking God, 00:33:24.780 --> 00:33:25.440 asking God 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.259 to fill you 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.240 with the Spirit 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.259 so that you might 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.420 have encouragement 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.660 to tell others 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.840 about the gospel 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.980 that rescued you. 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.100 If we know 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:36.680 that we're called 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.400 to be witnesses, 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:38.900 then God wants 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.920 to take steps 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:42.220 in reaching out 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.700 to others 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.020 with the gospel, 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.920 but at the base 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.259 of it, 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:47.600 we need to be 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.060 with Him. 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:49.759 we need 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.500 to be 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.240 with Jesus, 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.619 delighting in Him, 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.539 treasuring Him. 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:53.919 You know what 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:54.720 John Piper says? 00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:56.200 You always 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.799 honor 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:58.039 the one 00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:58.779 you delight in. 00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.599 Isn't that true? 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.599 Whoever you love, 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:03.200 whoever you delight in, 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.200 don't you love 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.339 talking to other people 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.319 about that person? 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.440 God says, 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:08.759 you're going to be 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.299 out of Jesus. 00:34:10.299 --> 00:34:11.279 So get to know Him. 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.199 Be with you. 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.360 Ask God 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.840 to help you 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.699 see more of Him, 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:15.480 to treasure Him. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.179 I'm going to end 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.840 with an illustration, 00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:17.920 another story. 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.820 Years ago, 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.880 after Bible college, 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.500 I was working 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:25.240 as a security officer 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:27.320 in an AT&T facility. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:27.780 Yes, 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.099 I was known 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.019 as Officer Pat. 00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.800 And I'm working 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.599 at this place, 00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:35.219 and I became friends 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.880 with two guys. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.059 One was named Mark, 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:38.579 and one was named Matt. 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.980 Mark was kind of 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.760 this hip guy, 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.340 ponytail, 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.059 very funny. 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:43.920 He got along 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.559 pretty well, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.639 and after some time, 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:46.960 I thought, 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.380 you know what? 00:34:47.700 --> 00:34:48.539 Mark's my friend. 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.519 I didn't even tell him 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.340 about Jesus. 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.099 So I'm going 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.940 through my rounds 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.420 one night, 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.400 and I go past 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.099 his cubicle, 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.639 and I said, 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.380 hey Mark, 00:34:58.440 --> 00:34:58.920 you know what? 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:00.559 I just really appreciate 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.139 our friendship, 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.659 and I wanted to share 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.440 something with you. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.740 And so I began 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.300 to tell him 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:06.039 about Jesus. 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.960 And when I was done, 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.280 he just looked up 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:11.360 at me and said, 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:12.980 man, 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:14.119 what did you have 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.760 to do that for? 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:17.000 I really can't 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.900 be your friend anymore. 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:22.039 I lost a friend 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:23.860 because of the gospel. 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.320 I experienced 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.800 some measure 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:29.719 of persecution 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:31.400 because of Jesus. 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.460 But then there was Matt, 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.400 young guy, 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.119 pretty intellectual, 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.920 kind of going through 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.940 a rough time 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:40.440 in his life. 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.920 I began telling him 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.740 about the gospel. 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.220 And eventually, 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.780 he came to church 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.220 with me, 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.720 told me that he 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.599 really believed in it, 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:51.940 he wanted to repent 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.840 and put his trust 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.420 in Christ. 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.159 Told his girlfriend 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:56.539 she became a believer. 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.240 They joined our church. 00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.780 They began serving 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:06.000 the body of Christ. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.019 They had kids, 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:09.000 those kids grew up 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.639 in the church. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.619 And they are still 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:13.800 serving Christ today. 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.800 I'm not saying this 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.960 to pat myself on the back. 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:17.340 That was the power 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:18.079 of God. 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.400 Right? 00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:20.780 In one case, 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.480 it would mark 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:24.000 rejection 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.619 and some measure 00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:26.259 of persecution. 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:26.920 Not a lot, 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:27.900 but some. 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.780 On the other hand, 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.440 there was Matt. 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:32.960 Repentance, 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:33.840 faith, 00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:35.380 and life 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:36.940 for him, 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.420 his wife, 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:37.920 his family, 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.460 and others. 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:42.079 The gospel 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.660 may result 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:43.360 in persecution, 00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:44.579 but it is 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.740 mighty to save, 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.340 friends. 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:48.039 It is mighty 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.840 to save. 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.820 If you turn 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.620 from your sin 00:36:50.620 --> 00:36:51.360 and you turn 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:52.220 to faith in Christ, 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:52.960 then it is mighty 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.660 to save you 00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:54.840 and he'll use you 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:56.640 to see others 00:36:56.640 --> 00:36:57.220 come to faith 00:36:57.220 --> 00:36:57.620 as well. 00:36:57.619 --> 00:37:01.019 Jesus said this, 00:37:01.779 --> 00:37:02.699 I will build 00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:03.420 my church 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.839 and the gates 00:37:04.839 --> 00:37:05.099 of hell 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.619 will not stand 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.179 against them. 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:08.480 How will he do that? 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.960 How will he build 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.579 his church? 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.219 We see the answer 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:13.359 in Matthew 28, 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.299 18 to 20. 00:37:14.699 --> 00:37:15.079 He says, 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:15.980 All authority 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.779 in heaven and earth 00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:17.699 is given to me. 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.960 So you disciples, 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.359 you go 00:37:20.359 --> 00:37:22.380 and make disciples 00:37:22.380 --> 00:37:23.819 of all peoples, 00:37:24.339 --> 00:37:25.259 baptizing them 00:37:25.259 --> 00:37:26.179 in the name of the Father 00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.739 and the Son 00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:27.559 and the Holy Spirit. 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.279 teaching them 00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:28.920 to observe 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:30.000 all I have commanded you 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.779 and behold, 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:32.119 I am with you 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:33.199 always. 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:35.880 Christ will build 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.659 his church 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:38.880 through his faithful 00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.799 witnesses 00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:42.420 as they seek 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:44.619 to declare the gospel 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:45.940 and to disciple 00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:47.259 those who come to faith. 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:48.719 He's going to do it 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.559 through his people. 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:52.239 For the last two years, 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:54.000 Jesus has been building 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:55.000 this church 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:56.239 through you. 00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:58.819 through your leaders, 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.679 through your members 00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:03.319 here at Trinity Church 00:38:03.319 --> 00:38:03.899 Cambridge. 00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:05.699 And he will continue 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:06.500 to do that 00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:08.619 as you corporately 00:38:08.619 --> 00:38:10.099 and individually 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:11.879 set your mind 00:38:11.879 --> 00:38:13.199 on the things 00:38:13.199 --> 00:38:14.019 of the Spirit, 00:38:14.779 --> 00:38:15.759 the Word of God, 00:38:16.299 --> 00:38:17.619 praying in humble 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.459 dependence 00:38:18.459 --> 00:38:19.679 for him to fill you 00:38:19.679 --> 00:38:21.299 and empower you 00:38:21.299 --> 00:38:22.259 to be his witnesses. 00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:24.340 and as you do, 00:38:25.220 --> 00:38:26.320 God will help you 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:28.560 to continue to grow 00:38:28.560 --> 00:38:30.200 as fearless 00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:32.480 and fear-filled 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:34.240 gospel witnesses. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:34.640 Amen? 00:38:35.600 --> 00:38:35.840 Amen. 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.360 Let's pray. 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.780 Father in heaven, 00:38:39.640 --> 00:38:40.040 oh, 00:38:40.140 --> 00:38:40.860 we need you. 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:46.039 we see your Word, 00:38:46.180 --> 00:38:47.240 we see the example 00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:48.960 of your own life, 00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:49.800 the life of your 00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:51.800 called men and women, 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:54.340 and we want 00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.680 to grow 00:38:55.680 --> 00:38:56.559 in our witness 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:57.440 for you. 00:38:57.780 --> 00:38:58.800 But you see 00:38:58.800 --> 00:39:00.260 our weaknesses 00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:01.300 and our failures 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:03.960 and how I thank you 00:39:03.960 --> 00:39:05.360 that you are 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:07.180 powerful to help. 00:39:07.179 --> 00:39:08.019 and you say, 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.539 come and ask 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:11.460 and I will help. 00:39:12.639 --> 00:39:13.719 And you say, 00:39:13.839 --> 00:39:14.659 even in the midst 00:39:14.659 --> 00:39:15.259 of our struggles 00:39:15.259 --> 00:39:15.899 and failures, 00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:17.859 that the work 00:39:17.859 --> 00:39:18.679 you began, 00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:20.279 you will complete 00:39:20.279 --> 00:39:21.659 in the day 00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:22.419 that your Son returns. 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.359 So, Father, 00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:24.339 help us to be 00:39:24.339 --> 00:39:25.599 freshly encouraged 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.579 that your Spirit 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.299 is with us 00:39:27.299 --> 00:39:29.539 and that we have 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.579 all the help 00:39:30.579 --> 00:39:31.139 we need 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:32.059 to be 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:33.419 your witnesses 00:39:33.419 --> 00:39:35.279 for the glory 00:39:35.279 --> 00:39:35.739 of your Son, 00:39:35.839 --> 00:39:36.099 Jesus. 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:37.000 and in His name 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:37.460 we pray. 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.219 Amen.