WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.480 We will be reading Acts chapter 2 verses 1 to 41. Feel free to read in your own Bibles, follow along in the bulletin, or follow along on the screen above. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:25.480 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place, and suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:39.159 And divided tongues as a fire appeared to them, and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:53.480 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 00:00:53.479 --> 00:01:04.399 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:24.380 Perithians and Medes, Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians. 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:36.699 We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, What does this mean? But others, mocking, said, They are filled with new wine. 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:50.140 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, Let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:59.780 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, Since it is only the third hour of the day, But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:17.800 And in the last days it shall be, God declares, That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams, Even on my male servants and female servants. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:21.800 In those days I will pour out my Spirit, And their sons and their sons and their sons and their sons and their sons. 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:30.240 And I will show wonders in the heavens above, And signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:41.960 The sun shall be turned to darkness, And the moon to blood, Before the day of the Lord comes, The great and magnificent day. 00:02:42.380 --> 00:02:47.100 And it shall come to pass That everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Shall be saved. 00:02:47.800 --> 00:03:01.460 Men of Israel, Hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, A man attested to you by God, With mighty works and wonders, And signs that God did through him in your midst, As you yourselves know. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:10.960 This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan And foreknowledge of God, You crucified and killed By the hands of lawless men. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:18.740 God raised him up, Losing the pangs of death, Because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:21.500 For David says concerning him, 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:28.080 I saw the Lord always before me, For he is at my right hand, That I may not be shaken. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:34.219 Therefore my heart was glad, And my tongue rejoiced, My flesh also will dwell in hope. 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:39.979 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, But let your holy one see corruption. 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:47.060 You have made known to me the paths of life, And you will make me full of gladness with your presence. 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:54.719 Brothers, I may say to you with confidence About the patriarch David That he both died and was buried, 00:03:55.080 --> 00:03:57.180 And his tomb is with us to this day. 00:03:57.920 --> 00:04:02.840 Being therefore a prophet, And knowing that God has sworn with an oath to him, 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.759 That he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:09.280 He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:14.199 That he was not abandoned to Hades, Nor did his flesh see corruption. 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:18.939 This Jesus God raised up, And of that we are witnesses. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:22.979 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, 00:04:22.979 --> 00:04:26.759 And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:31.599 He has poured out this, That you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:36.139 For David did not ascend into the heavens, But he himself says, 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:42.379 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies your footstool. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:49.759 Let all the house of Israel therefore know, For certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:52.300 This Jesus whom you crucified. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:56.100 Now when they heard this, They were cut to the heart, 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.899 And said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:01.439 Brothers, what shall we do? 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:05.759 And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, 00:05:05.980 --> 00:05:08.379 Every one of you, In the name of Jesus Christ, 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:10.639 For the forgiveness of your sins, 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:14.339 And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:16.660 For the promise is for you, 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:17.839 And for your children, 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.040 And for all who are far off, 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:23.659 Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:26.019 And with many other words, 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:26.959 He bore witness, 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:28.659 And continued to exhort them, 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:32.660 Saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:36.540 So those who received the word were baptized, 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:40.720 And there were added that day about three thousand souls. 00:05:41.400 --> 00:05:42.780 This is the word of God. 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:46.200 Okay, thank you so much, Zoe and Iris. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:48.900 God, thank you for your word. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:52.560 Come and speak to us, we pray through your word. 00:05:52.700 --> 00:05:54.460 I meant to say earlier, if you don't know me, 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.120 My name is Kevin, 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:56.180 I'm one of the leaders here, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.180 And please, if it's your first time, 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.680 Come and introduce yourself afterwards. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.120 I'd love to get to know you, 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:02.040 And to meet you. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:03.620 It's great to have you with us. 00:06:04.100 --> 00:06:05.220 Now we, as a church, 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:07.980 Are working through the book of Acts. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:11.220 The book of Acts is one of the most wonderful books in the Bible. 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:13.560 If you are new to church, 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:14.720 And you've kind of wondered, 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:16.939 Where does this Christianity thing come from? 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:18.540 This thing called the church, 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.680 Where did it ever start? 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:22.319 How did this thing called the church, 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:23.800 Become this worldwide movement? 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:26.160 If you've ever wondered about the church, 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:28.120 A place to start is the book of Acts. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:30.680 You want to read and study the book of Acts, 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:32.000 Which is what we're doing on Sundays, 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:33.460 For a couple of weeks. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:37.340 And we want to see something of the passion, 00:06:37.900 --> 00:06:40.180 That took hold of the early church. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:41.660 I must confess, 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:43.900 It's very easy in a modern city like Hong Kong, 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:45.540 With so many that's going on, 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.780 For our faith to be somewhat pedestrian, 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.560 Somewhat apathetic. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.980 And when we read the book of Acts, 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:52.700 We see a group of men and women, 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.819 That were taken a hold of by God, 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.680 In a profound and a wonderful way, 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.680 And we want to learn from them. 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:59.439 And so we're looking at this book. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:01.740 Now two weeks ago we learned that, 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.439 Acts was written by a doctor, 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:04.580 Luke the physician, 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:08.060 And it was written in order to record, 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:09.900 The historical account, 00:07:09.980 --> 00:07:12.319 Of how the work of Jesus Christ, 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:14.520 Continued in the decades following, 00:07:14.640 --> 00:07:16.540 His death and resurrection and ascension. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.480 Jesus died and rose again, 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:20.960 And why did this movement not just peter out? 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:23.060 Well Luke wants to tell us. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:25.879 And we saw that Jesus said to his disciples, 00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:27.759 That he's passing on the baton, 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:29.600 He's passing on the mission to his followers, 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:32.700 And he commissions them to continue his ministry. 00:07:33.200 --> 00:07:34.420 And then we saw last week, 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:36.680 That before they are to go and do this, 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:38.060 Jesus has something to do, 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:39.939 The apostolic witness, 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:40.640 The team, 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:42.259 And needs to be completed, 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:43.800 They are missing a member, 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.840 And so God completes the apostolic witness, 00:07:46.840 --> 00:07:49.360 And now they are ready to go out. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:52.040 But there's just one thing missing. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:55.020 One author put it like this, 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.600 The place left vacant by Judas, 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.460 Has been filled by Matthias, 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:01.960 But the place left vacant by Jesus, 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:03.800 Has not yet been filled by the Spirit. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:05.819 Jesus is sending them, 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:06.879 He says I'm with you, 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:08.120 But then he goes to heaven, 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.240 They are waiting for the Spirit. 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:12.400 And so ten days later, 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:13.300 They are in prayer, 00:08:13.900 --> 00:08:15.420 And the day arrives. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:17.000 And it's a day that changes, 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.540 Not only the course of their lives, 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:20.220 But literally the history of the world. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:21.420 And still today, 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:22.319 Here in Hong Kong, 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:24.600 Many, many miles away from Jerusalem, 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.120 We are witnessing and experiencing, 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:27.259 The effects of that day. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.500 What happened? 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:31.360 Well God pours out his Spirit upon the church, 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:33.120 In a wonderful and a profound way. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:35.440 And so in our passage today, 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.279 What we're going to see, 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:39.379 Is that God pouring out his Holy Spirit in the church, 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:41.179 On his followers, 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:43.879 Is not an unusual fringe event, 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.379 That happens to just a few unusual and fringe Christians, 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:51.039 It's not just a once off event in history, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:53.460 Kind of like a volcanic eruption, 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:54.840 That it erupts, 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.539 And there's lights, 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.179 And there's noise, 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:57.879 And there's a lot of excitement, 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.519 And then it just dwindles down, 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:00.399 And life continues. 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:03.179 God pouring out his Spirit in the church, 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:05.039 Is like having a child, 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.000 It's like giving birth, 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:07.460 It's like a marriage, 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:09.240 It's a cataclysmic event, 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:11.000 That it's a once off event, 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:12.980 But it changes your life forever, 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:15.340 And what we see is that God's plan, 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.780 To rescue and save the world, 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:20.060 Takes a dramatic turn on this day, 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:24.420 But it's a day that changes the church's existence forever, 00:09:24.660 --> 00:09:24.900 So, 00:09:25.160 --> 00:09:26.120 In our passage today, 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.680 If you've got your Bible, 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:28.340 Your bulletin, 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:30.340 You'll see there are three very clear sections, 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:31.379 And we're going to look at them together, 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:33.439 Verses 1 to 13, 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:35.320 Talks about the Spirit comes, 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:38.439 Verses 14 to 36, 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.139 The apostles explain, 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:41.559 Or Peter explains what happens, 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:43.700 And verse 37 to 41, 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.360 The people respond, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:45.659 So, 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:47.600 Let's dive in and look at it together, 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:48.240 Firstly, 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.639 The Spirit comes, 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:50.639 So, 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:53.399 Luke tells us that it was the day of Pentecost, 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.580 What does Pentecost mean? 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:57.620 Pentecost doesn't actually mean anything spiritual, 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.360 It just means the word 50th, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.080 Because every year, 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.879 50 days after Passover, 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:07.080 Jewish people would celebrate the harvest coming in, 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:07.759 And so, 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.399 They would all come to, 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:12.740 People from all of Israel would come towards Jerusalem, 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:15.259 They would bring their tithes and their offerings, 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.840 Their first fruits of their harvest, 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.980 And they would offer offerings to God, 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:20.139 And make sacrifices, 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:23.360 And celebrate God's goodness to their fields, 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:23.980 Their harvest, 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.759 And this happened 7 weeks, 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:27.279 50 days after Passover, 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:28.079 And so, 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:30.139 That was the celebration of Pentecost, 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:31.179 So, 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.620 The disciples are gathered, 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.740 As people would be around that time, 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:36.100 And they are waiting, 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:37.980 As Jesus tells them what to do, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.679 And suddenly something very unusual happens, 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.939 There's a dramatic sound in the room, 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.919 It sounds like a T10 typhoon is tearing the place apart, 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.779 And yet nothing is moving, 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:51.299 Everything is dead still, 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:54.480 And they open their eyes to see what's going on, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.820 And it seems like on top of everyone, 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.480 There are about 120 people in the room, 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:00.740 There's kind of like little flames of fire, 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:02.019 It looks to be dancing above their heads, 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:03.240 It's a very unusual sign, 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:04.659 But nobody is burning up, 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.720 Nobody is catching a light, 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:07.659 And as they open their mouths, 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:09.620 To say what's going on, 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:10.820 And to praise God, 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:11.460 And to pray, 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:14.300 They find themselves speaking in all sorts of languages, 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.539 Not their native languages, 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:18.820 Other languages from the surrounding countries around them, 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:21.300 What on earth is going on? 00:11:21.979 --> 00:11:24.639 Well they're experiencing what Jesus had clearly said would happen, 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:27.599 Jesus said that the coming of the Holy Spirit, 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.639 Would come upon them in a new and a dramatic way, 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.979 Now in one sense throughout the Old Testament, 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.159 God's people have always had the Holy Spirit, 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:37.740 The Holy Spirit was there in Genesis chapter 1, 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:38.959 Hovering over creation, 00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:41.199 He was there as he led God's people, 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:43.019 Through the wilderness to the promised land, 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:44.979 But what's unique about this is, 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:48.199 Though God had by his spirit led his people corporately, 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.600 As a nation, 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:52.920 Here God almost rested on each one individually, 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:55.000 You remember in the Old Testament, 00:11:55.140 --> 00:11:56.800 How God leads his people through the wilderness, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.080 At night time there's a big pillar of fire, 00:11:59.160 --> 00:12:00.200 That goes in front of them, 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:02.460 Here it says that a flame of fire, 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:04.480 Appeared to rest on each one of them, 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:05.240 It's like God is saying, 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:07.800 Each one of you is going to be filled with my spirit, 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.580 Just as I led my people corporately, 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.160 Each one of you is going to know me, 00:12:12.160 --> 00:12:13.500 In a personal and a deep way, 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:15.379 But what does this mean? 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:17.240 Well think about the symbolism, 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:19.419 Think about the sound of wind, 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:21.259 In both Greek and Hebrew, 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:23.700 Which the New Testament and the Old Testament languages, 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.779 That the Bible is written in, 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.340 The word for wind, 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:29.960 Is almost the same word as spirit or breath, 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:32.240 What is breath in our lungs? 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.259 Breath is that life giving force, 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.779 Without which you cannot exist, 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.960 Go a couple of hours without liquid, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.600 A couple of days without food, 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:43.159 Go a couple of minutes without breath in your lungs, 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:43.820 And you die, 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.320 Without breath in your lungs, 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.639 You cannot exist, 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.139 You die, 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:48.899 God is saying here, 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:50.580 That his missionary movement, 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.639 Called his church, 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:53.360 Absolutely needs, 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:55.100 His breath in their lungs, 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:55.720 His spirit, 00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.899 His wind in their lungs, 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:58.340 Without which they will die, 00:12:58.820 --> 00:12:59.960 They cannot exist, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.500 And God is saying, 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:01.879 I, 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:04.180 My spirit will keep this missionary movement, 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:04.940 Called the church, 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:05.779 Alive, 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.539 And what about the tongues of fire? 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.360 Well in the Old Testament, 00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:11.840 Fire is constantly a picture of purity, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.919 Of holiness, 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.439 Think of how, 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:16.500 One stage in Exodus chapter 3, 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:17.059 Moses, 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:18.599 He's walking, 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:21.039 And God reveals himself to Moses, 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.120 He makes himself known, 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.079 How does he do that? 00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.860 There's a bush, 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.399 A tree, 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.439 That's on fire, 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:28.220 And Moses goes near, 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.560 To find out what's going on, 00:13:29.780 --> 00:13:30.340 And God says, 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:30.700 Moses, 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.860 Don't come any closer, 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.420 Take the sandals off your feet, 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.560 For the place where you stand, 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.720 Is holy ground, 00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:37.620 Well think about how, 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.720 In Isaiah chapter 6, 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.580 Isaiah sees a vision of God, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.740 And around the throne, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.100 There are these cherubim, 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:43.840 What are cherubim? 00:13:44.020 --> 00:13:45.360 They're not just cute little angels, 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:48.500 They are gigantic balls of fire, 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.000 Around the throne of God, 00:13:50.020 --> 00:13:50.680 And they're crying out, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.120 Holy, 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.540 Holy, 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:51.900 Holy, 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.060 Is the Lord God Almighty, 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.440 And then Isaiah falls on his knees, 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:55.740 And he says, 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.639 Woe is me, 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.400 I'm a man of unclean lips, 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:58.980 I'm a sinner, 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.820 And I live amongst the people of sin, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.379 And God brings a coal of fire, 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.680 And he comes and drives, 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.940 And he touches Isaiah's lips, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.900 And he purifies him, 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.200 And he says, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.460 Your sin has been atoned for, 00:14:08.520 --> 00:14:09.660 Your guilt has been removed, 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.360 What's God saying? 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.559 When God's spirit comes in our lives, 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:14.779 God's spirit is not just a, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.399 A cuddly, 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.139 Teddy bear, 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.199 To make us feel good, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.360 He is nothing less than the sovereign, 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.019 Holy, 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.159 Majestic, 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.699 Lord of all, 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.159 And when he comes, 00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:24.939 He must, 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.480 And he will, 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.740 Purify our lives, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.319 God is the spirit, 00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:30.279 Or think of Acts chapter 5, 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.799 We're going to look at this in a few weeks time, 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.779 There are two disciples in the early church, 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.639 Followers of Jesus, 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.740 But they're kind of, 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:37.360 They're not really following Jesus, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.100 There's a bit of dodginess, 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.920 Just going on the side, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.200 And they, 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.740 They pretend to follow Jesus, 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.279 But actually, 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:43.540 They're living for themselves, 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:45.820 And Peter comes and he says to them, 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.220 Ananias and Sapphira, 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.980 Why is it that the Holy Spirit, 00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:51.460 Led you to think you could lie to the Holy, 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.680 Why is it that Satan, 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:55.240 Led you to think you could lie to the Holy Spirit, 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.740 And they fall down dead, 00:14:56.920 --> 00:14:57.180 Boom, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:57.800 Boom, 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:00.300 God's spirit is his holiness, 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.399 It's his purity, 00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:01.840 It's his, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.440 It's his purifying fire, 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.580 And then of course, 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.580 There's the other languages, 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:05.960 Which, 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:06.879 In some ways, 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.680 Is a reversal, 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.759 Of what happened at the Tower of Babel, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.860 Now there's more going on here, 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.560 But remember Genesis 11, 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.620 The Tower of Babel, 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:15.139 And people come together, 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:15.800 And they gather, 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:16.620 And they say, 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:18.280 Let's build a great tower up to heaven, 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:20.259 And we will make a name for ourselves, 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.500 We will reach up to God, 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.220 We don't need God, 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:23.240 We can do it on our own, 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.500 And God says, 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.800 That's a very foolish thing to do, 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.600 And so he confuses their languages, 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:29.960 And he scatters them across the earth, 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.519 In some ways, 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.879 This is a prototype reversal of that, 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.440 God is giving his disciples, 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.540 Various languages, 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.879 Here it's just for the Jews, 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:39.940 Later on it will be for all nations, 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.860 But he's bringing back these people, 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.580 That are scattered, 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:44.120 He's giving them one, 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.860 He's allowing them to all speak together, 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:47.660 And to glorify God, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.400 And worship God, 00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:50.280 And that's what we see in verse 5, 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.139 Look at what happens in verse 5 here, 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:54.320 God's spirit comes upon this group, 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.420 And what happens, 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:55.720 It says, 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:57.220 Now they were dwelling in Jerusalem, 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.240 Jews, 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.720 Devout men from every nation, 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.279 Under heaven, 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.500 And at the sound, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.139 The multitude came together, 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.440 They were bewildered, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.899 Because each one was hearing them, 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.320 Speak in his own language, 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:08.519 They were amazed, 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.200 They astonished, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.580 They said, 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.040 Are not all these, 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.320 Who are speaking Galileans, 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.180 How is it that we hear each of us, 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.820 In our own native language, 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.639 And then there's a long list of countries, 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.000 Okay, 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:20.060 We hear them telling in our own tongue, 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:21.800 The mighty works of God, 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:23.759 So God's people have been spread, 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.980 All across the world, 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:26.660 And God is bringing them back together, 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.320 To hear of the wonder of Jesus, 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:28.920 And the cross, 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.639 And what God has done, 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.019 For them, 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.240 So, 00:16:31.660 --> 00:16:32.720 That's what happens, 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:34.660 So what should we make of this, 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.940 What does this all mean, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.160 Well that's a good question, 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.920 It's the question the crowds ask, 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.899 Look at verse 12, 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:40.620 It says, 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.580 And all were amazed, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.200 And perplexed, 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.160 And said to one another, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.279 What does this mean, 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.639 In fact actually, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.279 The crowds here, 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.279 Ask two questions, 00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.019 In verse 12, 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:49.360 They say, 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.180 What does this mean, 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:51.379 In verse 37, 00:16:51.540 --> 00:16:51.980 They ask, 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.120 What should we do, 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.040 And those are two great questions, 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:56.560 To ask whenever you read the Bible, 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.399 Or listen to a sermon, 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.220 What does this mean, 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.519 What should we do, 00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:01.459 Well Peter's going to give us the answer, 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:02.819 So let's look at what Peter says, 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:05.859 Peter explains what's going on here, 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.700 So look at verse 14, 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.639 Peter stands up, 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.859 And he says this, 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.779 Men of Judea, 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.000 And all who dwell in Jerusalem, 00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:13.799 Let this be known to you, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.959 And give ear to my words, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.619 These people are not drunk, 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:17.419 As you suppose, 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.339 It's only the third hour of the day, 00:17:19.439 --> 00:17:19.839 In other words, 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:21.079 It's nine o'clock in the morning, 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.459 Okay, 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.099 So why are they acting like this, 00:17:24.219 --> 00:17:25.039 They haven't been drinking, 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.419 It's, 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.159 Don't worry about that, 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:30.039 And Peter then gives two explanations, 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.959 For what's happening, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.119 The first one he says is this, 00:17:33.459 --> 00:17:34.979 This is what God promised, 00:17:34.979 --> 00:17:36.259 Would happen in the Old Testament, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.359 And he quotes Joel chapter 2, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.579 He says this is what is uttered, 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:40.519 By the prophet Joel, 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.299 In the last days it shall be, 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:42.979 He says God, 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.679 I will pour out my spirit, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.759 On all flesh, 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:46.479 On your sons, 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.199 And your daughters, 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.959 Shall prophesy, 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:50.139 Young men will see visions, 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.559 Old men will dream dreams, 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:53.159 Even on my male servants, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.219 My female servants, 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:56.559 In those days I will pour out my spirit, 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:57.579 They will prophesy, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.619 Verse 21, 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.219 And it shall come to pass, 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:02.779 That everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.059 Will be saved, 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.119 Now, 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.979 Peter could have gone to lots of places, 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.619 In the Old Testament, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.699 Isaiah, 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.339 Jeremiah, 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:09.979 Ezekiel, 00:18:10.239 --> 00:18:11.119 But he goes to Joel, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.719 And what he's saying is this, 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.719 This is what God said would happen, 00:18:15.239 --> 00:18:16.899 These Christians haven't lost their minds, 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.199 They haven't been drinking, 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.899 This shouldn't surprise you, 00:18:19.979 --> 00:18:21.000 Your own prophets, 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:22.539 Your own people have said, 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.159 That this is what's going to happen, 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:25.439 When the Messiah comes, 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:27.179 In the messianic age, 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:29.199 When Israel's true king comes to save, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:29.879 And rescue, 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:32.019 And restore his eternal kingdom, 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.819 He will pour out his spirit, 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:35.079 As you are seeing today, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:37.500 He will do through the power of his presence, 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.220 On all people, 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.059 On men, 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.619 And women, 00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.259 Young, 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.379 And not so young, 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.839 And masters, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.399 And servants, 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.240 All people, 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.819 Doesn't matter what your background, 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.639 God will bring you into, 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.699 His kingdom, 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.159 And they will, 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.639 Tell people about God, 00:18:51.699 --> 00:18:52.639 And call people to, 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.519 Turn to him, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.819 They will prophesy, 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.220 That means, 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.439 Calling people to turn back to God, 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.500 So Peter's saying, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.500 This shouldn't surprise you, 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.240 This is what your own Bible has said, 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.740 But then Peter gives a second reason, 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.860 A second explanation, 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.500 And this is what he says, 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.039 He says, 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.440 This is what must happen, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.559 As a result of Jesus, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.860 Rising from the dead, 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:14.140 And ascending to heaven, 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.940 Look at what he says here, 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.680 Verse 22, 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:16.519 It says, 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.180 Men of Israel, 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.860 Jesus of Nazareth, 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.440 A man attested to you, 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.840 That means confirmed to be the Messiah, 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.960 By God, 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.000 With mighty signs, 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:24.519 And works, 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:25.100 And wonders, 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.820 That God did through him in your midst, 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.059 As you yourselves know, 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.359 This Jesus, 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.799 Who was delivered up, 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.359 According to the definite plan, 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:33.359 And foreknowledge of God, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.659 You crucified, 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.039 And you had him killed, 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:37.659 By the hands of lawless men, 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:38.559 But, 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.419 God raised him up, 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.939 Loosing the pangs of death, 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.319 Because it was not possible, 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:44.519 For him to be held by it, 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:46.579 So Peter stands up, 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.299 And he tells them, 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.019 About the death, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.220 And the resurrection of Jesus, 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.659 And he says, 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.119 This is what, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.919 According to God's deliberate plan, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:55.019 That God would send his son Jesus, 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.519 To die on the cross, 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.900 For the sins of all those, 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.700 Who would hope in him, 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.539 And trust in him, 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.059 Put their confidence in him, 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.480 And then he wouldn't stay dead, 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.819 He would rise again, 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.160 And he would ascend into heaven, 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.519 Just as you saw, 00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:07.079 He says, 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.180 You saw him die, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.639 Just six weeks ago, 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.660 You know that we saw him, 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.480 Raised from the dead, 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.379 We felt him, 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.019 We touched him, 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.859 We spoke with him, 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.440 And now he's ascended into heaven, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.779 But Peter says, 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.559 That Jesus' ascension into heaven, 00:20:21.820 --> 00:20:23.860 Wasn't his escaping, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.440 All the horrors of this dirty world, 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.640 Jesus ascending into heaven, 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:29.420 Wasn't Jesus getting away, 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.880 Unless they killed him, 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.259 Good and proper the second time, 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:34.860 Jesus' ascension into heaven, 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.820 Was in a sense, 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.380 His coronation, 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.900 His inauguration ceremony, 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:42.600 It was his kingly exaltation, 00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:43.680 Jesus says, 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:44.540 I'm the king, 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.680 And I'll prove it to you, 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.140 I'll die, 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.980 And I'll rise again, 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.000 And he does, 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:49.280 And then he ascends into heaven, 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:51.280 And now Jesus is seated, 00:20:51.280 --> 00:20:53.160 On the throne of the universe, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.280 In glory, 00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.460 Where he rules, 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:57.259 And he reigns over everything, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.380 Jesus' ascension is his, 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.200 His coronation, 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:02.120 His kingly exaltation, 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:04.440 And how is Jesus going to rule, 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.240 From heaven, 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:07.220 Over all the kingdoms of the world, 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.120 Through his spirit, 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:11.679 And his spirit empowered church, 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:13.799 And so Peter says, 00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:15.059 This is what must happen, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.899 Jesus said he was going to die, 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.819 And rise and ascend, 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.679 And give his spirit, 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.619 Well he died, 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.339 And he rose again, 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:20.859 And he ascended, 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:22.519 This is the next stage, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.719 In God's development plan, 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.319 And Peter then quotes, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.239 Two psalms by King David, 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:27.599 And he says, 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:27.839 Listen, 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:29.559 Even David a thousand years before, 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.699 Said this was going to happen, 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:32.899 That when Israel's true king comes, 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.979 He won't die, 00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:35.059 He will overcome death, 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:37.179 And he will reign forever and ever, 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.219 And so look at verse 30, 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.759 He says, 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.279 Therefore being a prophet, 00:21:40.719 --> 00:21:40.919 He, 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.559 That's David, 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:44.619 Forsaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.799 This Jesus God raised up, 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.959 Of that we are all witnesses, 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:51.039 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:51.939 Seated on the throne, 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:54.159 Having received from the Father the Holy Spirit, 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:56.279 He has now poured out his spirit, 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:58.899 That you yourselves are seeing and hearing, 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.780 See what Peter's saying, 00:22:00.780 --> 00:22:01.840 He's saying, 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:04.000 The outpouring of the spirit is the proof, 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.840 That Jesus really is, 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.560 The one who died and rose again, 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.240 As he said he would, 00:22:08.280 --> 00:22:09.100 And he's ascended into heaven, 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:09.620 He's the proof, 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.220 He's the Messiah, 00:22:10.300 --> 00:22:10.700 The king, 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:13.620 And the fact that he died and rose again, 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:15.420 Is the proof that he's the promised one, 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.820 The one that we've all been waiting for, 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:18.000 And so look at verse 36, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.019 He says, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:22.200 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain, 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.819 That God has made him Lord and King, 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:27.139 This Jesus whom you crucified, 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:28.960 Friends, 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.579 The work of the Holy Spirit in the church, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:33.379 Is the way that the risen Lord Jesus, 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.579 On the throne of the universe, 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:37.500 Is ruling and reigning in the world, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.319 And so, 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:42.519 Jesus says that this is what must happen, 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.019 Peter says this is what must happen, 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.180 This is God's plan, 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.700 God sent Jesus to die and rise again, 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.920 God said he'd send the spirit, 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.200 Why are you so surprised? 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.440 And remember, 00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:54.140 In John chapter 7, 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.819 Jesus actually spoke about this, 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.700 One said Jesus says this, 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.539 He says, 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.980 If anyone thirsts, 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.759 He's not talking about physical, 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.480 He's talking about existential soul thirst, 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.660 If you have a feeling like, 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.759 There must be more to life than this, 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.340 Jesus says then you're thirsty, 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.240 If anyone thirsts, 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.360 Let him come to me, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.880 And drink of me, 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.580 For whoever believes in me, 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.460 As the scripture said, 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:16.140 Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water, 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:16.740 Jesus says, 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.680 I will quench the longing of your heart, 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.880 And then John writes and says, 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:23.240 This he said about the Holy Spirit, 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:26.220 Whom those who were to believe in him were received, 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:28.220 For as yet the spirit had not been given, 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.840 Because Jesus had not been glorified, 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.559 So John's saying, 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:33.380 There's coming a time when Jesus will be glorified, 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.720 Then he'll give you the spirit, 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.940 Well now Jesus is glorified, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.480 He's died, 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:38.019 He's risen, 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.480 He's on the throne of the universe, 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.480 He's glorified, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.180 And what is he doing? 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.900 He's pouring out his spirit, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.860 On all those who will trust in him, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.140 And hope in him, 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.880 So that they can know him, 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.160 And encounter him, 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.080 Now, 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:52.100 What does this mean for us? 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.360 Okay, 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.720 Thank you Peter for your explanation, 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.240 But we live in Hong Kong, 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:56.220 In the 21st century, 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.920 What does this actually mean for us? 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:58.779 Well, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.720 Two things, 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.059 Okay, 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.120 Two things I want us to think about, 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.039 Firstly, 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.259 The spirit and the Christian life, 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:05.720 Okay, 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.799 Here's a question for us to think about, 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:08.920 If you're, 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.000 If you're new to church, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.940 This language may be a bit strange, 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.220 But if you're familiar with church, 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.279 I want you to think about this, 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:17.299 Is the day of Pentecost, 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:19.079 A once off event, 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.779 Okay, 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.380 That we shouldn't expect, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.740 Just we read about in history, 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.079 And say, 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.299 Wow, 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.180 That was a good day, 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.420 Or, 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:27.120 Is it an ongoing event, 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.099 That we should expect, 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.779 Every Sunday, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.720 When we come to church, 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.220 Okay, 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.279 You see the question? 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.440 Is it a, 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.779 Is this the normal pattern, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.700 Of the Christian life? 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.720 Or, 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.640 Is this, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.980 Just a once off event? 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.839 And the answer is, 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.880 Yes, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.019 Okay, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.880 The answer is in a sense, 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.380 Both, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.339 Let me explain what I mean, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.759 In one sense, 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.880 The outpouring of the spirit, 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.680 In the day of Pentecost, 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.900 Was a once off, 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.799 Unique event, 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.339 That's never going to happen again, 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.339 The Bible says that, 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.980 God's salvation plan, 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.539 Through Jesus, 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:02.079 Has these many chapters in it, 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.799 That Jesus lived the life, 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.559 We should have lived, 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.380 But we didn't, 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.480 He died the death, 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.140 We should have died, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.680 But didn't, 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.980 He rose again from dead, 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.940 Because he's the Messiah, 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.539 He ascended into heaven, 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.859 And the fifth stage, 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.180 Of his salvation work, 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.900 Is giving of the spirit, 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:17.779 So, 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.180 Jesus is never going to die, 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.819 On the cross again, 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:21.120 That's happened once off, 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.380 Right? 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.120 He's never going to rise again, 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.700 From the cross, 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.740 He's already done that, 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.660 Jesus is not going to give, 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.760 The spirit again, 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.880 Like he did on Pentecost, 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.160 That's already happened, 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.600 So in one sense, 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.460 The giving of the spirit, 00:25:32.760 --> 00:25:33.720 At the day of Pentecost, 00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:34.880 Is a once off event, 00:25:35.040 --> 00:25:36.140 Never to happen again, 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:38.320 It's a dawning, 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.180 It's a dawning of a new age, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.860 A new era, 00:25:40.020 --> 00:25:41.100 What Joel calls, 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.980 The last days, 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.920 But in another sense, 00:25:44.020 --> 00:25:44.720 The giving of the spirit, 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.240 Is something that we should live in, 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.140 All the time, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.820 Ongoingly, 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.780 It's not, 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.520 Like I said earlier, 00:25:49.800 --> 00:25:50.800 A volcanic eruption, 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.880 That explodes, 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.460 And there's lights, 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.980 And excitement, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.140 And then quietens down, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.440 And life just goes back to normal, 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.320 No, 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.640 Actually, 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.920 The day of Pentecost, 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.060 Is like a marriage, 00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.720 Right? 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.160 Think of it, 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.000 If you get married, 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.360 It's a watershed event, 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.539 That'll change your life, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.079 So if you got married, 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.200 In the last couple of years, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.380 What do you do on your anniversary, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.799 You don't go and send out invites, 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.500 Okay? 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.720 Book a venue, 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.140 Get a church, 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.500 Get dressed up, 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:17.140 Invite your friends and family, 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.660 Take a thousand photos, 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.160 Go to the marriage registry, 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.100 Sign the documents, 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.180 Say your vows again, 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.100 And then have a banquet, 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:23.880 No, 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.000 No, 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.579 You're married, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.240 For better or for worse, 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.120 You're married, 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.120 Once off, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.799 It's done, 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.700 But, 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.500 You say your vows once, 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:34.740 But you now got to live out your vows, 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.339 A hundred times a day, 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.419 In all the big and small moments of life, 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.139 It'll change your life forever, 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.940 You also don't just get married, 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.159 And say, 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.819 Well that was fun, 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.419 Let's just go back to how life was, 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.200 No, 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.200 It's a watershed moment, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.579 That will change your life forever, 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.139 In some of the same ways, 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:52.299 It's the same with the giving of the spirit, 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:54.519 Pentecost is never going to happen again, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.200 The giving of the spirit has happened, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.279 If you're a follower of Jesus, 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.759 The day you became a Christian, 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.019 You got filled with God's spirit, 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.659 Christ now lives inside of you, 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.539 But it's a watershed event, 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.980 That will change your life forever, 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.779 And now you live out, 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:10.799 The reality of walking with the spirit of Jesus, 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.519 In the up and down moments of life, 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.680 A hundred times a day, 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.139 As God calls you to, 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:17.079 Be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:19.180 So John Stott said it like this, 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.579 John Stott, 00:27:19.659 --> 00:27:21.500 Very wonderful theologian and pastor, 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:24.319 He's talking about the uniqueness of Pentecost, 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.379 And this is what he said, 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:27.280 We must be careful however, 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:30.180 Not to use the uniqueness of Pentecost, 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:32.640 As an excuse to lower our expectations, 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:35.200 Or to relegate to the category of the exceptional, 00:27:35.760 --> 00:27:38.700 What God may intend to be the normal church's experience, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.580 The wind and the fire, 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.560 They were abnormal, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.100 Okay, 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.860 Not to be repeated, 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.240 But the new life, 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.360 The joy, 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.260 The fellowship, 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.320 The worship, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:47.920 The freedom, 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.759 The boldness, 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:49.660 The power, 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.240 No, 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:52.019 Those were not unusual at all, 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.400 See what he's saying, 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.660 There's some elements that are not going to happen again, 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.880 But we shouldn't just say, 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.480 Well that was fun, 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.560 Let's go back to life, 00:27:58.620 --> 00:28:00.060 Actually God now calls us, 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.920 Full of his spirit, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.400 To live out his missionary mandate, 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.640 In the power, 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.279 The joy, 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.300 The freedom, 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.800 The authority of the spirit, 00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:08.720 So what does this mean for us, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.279 Individually, 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.980 As a church, 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:12.000 We shouldn't expect Pentecost to happen, 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.240 But day by day, 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:13.820 We should say, 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.160 God, 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.640 Come fill me with your spirit afresh, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.620 Jesus, 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.480 Come have your way, 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.759 God, 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.819 I want to depend on you, 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.660 I need you, 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:22.360 I can't live the life you've called me to without you, 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.259 God, 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.620 I need your breath in my lungs, 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:26.500 I need your fire to purify me, 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.240 Make me holy, 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.220 God, 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.860 Come help me to speak your words, 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:31.279 And to proclaim your gospel, 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.180 We need the spirit, 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.000 Okay, 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.200 Here's a second application, 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:36.000 The spirit and the gospel, 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.980 What does this mean for us, 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.700 Well, 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.339 One of the fascinating things, 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:41.680 When Peter stands up to explain, 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.220 This unusual appalling of the spirit, 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.059 He does two things, 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.380 On the one hand he says, 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:47.259 This is what the Old Testament said, 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.879 Was going to happen, 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.160 Okay, 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.039 Don't be surprised, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.500 But the other thing he does, 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:52.420 Is he gives the world's greatest sermon, 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:52.960 Okay, 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.579 And it's a great, 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.220 Great sermon, 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.920 But one of the things you might notice, 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:59.019 Peter stands up to explain, 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.619 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.059 And then he actually says, 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:03.519 Very little about the Holy Spirit, 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.960 And he quotes Joel, 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.339 And he says, 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.099 This is what would happen, 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.980 But then what does he talk about, 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.579 He talks about Jesus, 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.200 He talks about the gospel, 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.579 He talks about the fact, 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.399 That Jesus died, 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.159 And rose again, 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.019 And is now on the throne, 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:16.119 And ruling and reigning, 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:17.480 He's the promised Messiah, 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.259 Most of Peter's sermon, 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.199 Is actually about Jesus, 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.980 And the gospel, 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.740 What does that tell us, 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:24.039 Well actually in fact, 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.960 This is something we see, 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.199 Throughout the book of Acts, 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:28.079 Throughout the book of Acts, 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:28.559 We see, 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.259 The work of the spirit, 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.119 And the work of the gospel, 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.480 And the worship of Jesus, 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.339 Are very, 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.639 Very closely aligned, 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.259 When they're preaching about Jesus, 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.539 The Holy Spirit is right there, 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.559 When the Holy Spirit comes down upon them, 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.019 What do they do, 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.059 They talk about Jesus, 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:44.240 So we see this in Acts chapter 2, 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:46.159 We see the same thing in Acts chapter 10, 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.000 But it's the other way around, 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.179 Acts chapter 10, 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.819 Peter is going speaking to Cornelius, 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:52.039 He's a Gentile, 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:53.059 He's not a Jewish man, 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.919 And he's telling him all about Jesus, 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.079 And the fact that he died, 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:58.000 And he rose again, 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.279 And he's going to come back, 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.960 And he's going to judge the living and the dead, 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.319 And he's telling him the gospel, 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:04.079 And look at what Acts 10 says, 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:07.079 While Peter was still saying these very things, 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:09.599 The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word, 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.819 And the believers, 00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.219 Those who would come with Peter, 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.240 Were amazed, 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:15.759 Because the gift of the Spirit was poured out, 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:17.139 Even on the Gentiles, 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.579 What happens? 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.959 The Spirit is poured out, 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.179 And they're given to them, 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:23.439 So they now rejoice even more deeply in the gospel, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.259 So what does this tell us? 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.500 Friends, 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.219 Some Christians, 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.159 Maybe some churches, 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:30.299 It's very easy to fall on either side, 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.619 Right? 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.559 It's like, 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.919 It's like riding a bicycle, 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.000 And you fall on one side, 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.019 And then you get back up, 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.959 And then you fall on the other side, 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.219 Actually, 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:38.079 It's hard to keep the middle path, 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:40.419 Sometimes we tend to think, 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:42.500 All we've got to do is just explain the Bible, 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:44.759 And just explain how every page points to Jesus, 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.579 And talk about Jesus, 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.259 But we think that just our explanation, 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.399 Our reading of the Bible, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.500 Our studying of the Bible, 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.639 Is enough, 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.759 And we kind of don't, 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:54.259 We don't give enough credit to the fact, 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.279 That we need the Holy Spirit, 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.619 To make this alive in our hearts, 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:58.460 And to open our eyes to worship Jesus, 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:01.240 And sometimes the Bible can become academic, 00:31:01.439 --> 00:31:03.240 And we can see the connections to Jesus, 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.740 And understand the gospel in our head, 00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:06.159 But it's not in our hearts, 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:07.620 And then other people, 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.160 Other churches, 00:31:08.300 --> 00:31:08.960 Other people, 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.540 Are all about the Holy Spirit, 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:12.120 And just worship sessions, 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:14.259 And weekends with just the Holy Spirit, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.440 But they don't, 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:17.640 They forget that the Spirit is meant to cause us, 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:19.220 To love Jesus in the gospel, 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:21.000 And to realize our identity, 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.759 And our security, 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.700 And our hope in Jesus, 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.060 And meant to lead us out, 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:26.080 To proclaim that Jesus is Lord and King, 00:31:26.800 --> 00:31:28.100 And so we've got to be a church, 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:31.000 That is desperately dependent on the Spirit, 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.259 And the Spirit is helping us to worship Jesus, 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.600 And proclaim Jesus, 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:36.719 And as we proclaim Jesus, 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.699 And love Jesus, 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:40.000 We need the Holy Spirit to help us do that, 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:42.159 And that's what we see in the book of Acts, 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.779 And what we see here, 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.480 Peter shows us, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:47.539 That the Spirit is given to open our hearts, 00:31:47.719 --> 00:31:49.139 To love and worship Jesus, 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.619 And to open our mouths, 00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:52.379 To proclaim that Jesus is Lord, 00:31:53.199 --> 00:31:53.839 So, 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.980 What should we do? 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.299 Okay, 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:58.179 So the crowds ask these two questions, 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.899 What does that mean? 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:01.539 It means that Jesus is ascended into heaven, 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.700 He's ruling and reigning, 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:04.579 One day He's going to come back again, 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.899 And now is the time for you to know Him, 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.240 God is pouring out His Spirit, 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.180 And what, 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.619 And then the second question, 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.700 What should we do? 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:13.220 Well that's a great question to ask, 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:15.700 And so as we close off our sermon today, 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.819 Let's ask that same question, 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.460 And so look at verse 37, 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.059 It says, 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:40.619 Friends, 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.339 What should we do? 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:45.259 We should give ourselves wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ, 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.379 As Lord and King, 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:49.379 All of us should give ourselves to Jesus, 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.240 As Lord and King, 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:52.240 And Peter uses this interesting word, 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.660 He says, 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.859 We should repent, 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.599 We should repent, 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.559 Repent means, 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.859 Turning away from the life, 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.460 Where I live for myself, 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:02.180 Where I'm the center of my world, 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.640 I live for me, 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.640 And I trust me, 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:06.759 And I try and save myself, 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.819 We turn away from that life, 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.720 To the life where now Jesus is center, 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.359 And I live for Jesus, 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.420 And I trust Jesus, 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.480 And I hope in Jesus, 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:17.380 And the natural disposition of every one of us, 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:20.200 The natural tendency of every human heart, 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.339 Is to live for me, 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:23.259 For me to be Lord and King, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:25.240 And to try and please myself, 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:28.299 And Jesus says that that way leads to death, 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.079 Leads to death in our life, 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.720 But also death forever and ever, 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.460 All eternity, 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:34.380 That way is never, 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.779 Never going to produce life, 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.579 There is a better way, 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.660 To turn away from that, 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.640 To turn to Jesus, 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.059 To say, 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:40.460 Jesus, 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:42.079 You died on the cross, 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:43.019 To take my sin, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.660 To take my shame, 00:33:45.320 --> 00:33:45.540 Jesus, 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.100 You died, 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.420 So I can be saved, 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.840 And raised to life again, 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:49.980 Jesus, 00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:50.660 Peter says, 00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:51.940 The one thing we need, 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:53.120 Is to turn from self, 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.779 And to live for Jesus, 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.160 And trust in Jesus alone, 00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.380 And, 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.860 And he says that, 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.620 You should do this with baptism, 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.300 And that's what baptism is, 00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:01.460 Right, 00:34:01.560 --> 00:34:03.540 Baptism is a visible picture, 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.320 That our old life, 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.259 The me-centered life, 00:34:06.540 --> 00:34:07.800 This life has died, 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.579 And it's like buried, 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.220 It's gone, 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.940 It's in the grave, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.500 And now we are raised, 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.720 To new life with Jesus, 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.900 Just as Jesus died, 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.360 To sin, 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.500 And raised to new life, 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:16.700 We die to our old, 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.940 Me-centered way of life, 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.940 And we are raised, 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.780 To new life again, 00:34:20.200 --> 00:34:21.820 Baptism is a visible picture, 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:23.380 Of an invisible reality, 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.519 That happens in our hearts, 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.179 And that's why we got some people, 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:27.019 Getting baptized today, 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:27.639 Ron, 00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.679 And Celine, 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.860 And Marilyn, 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.579 And Mac, 00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.360 And Damien, 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.220 As they, 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.679 They've become followers of Jesus, 00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:34.740 In the last few months, 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:35.320 Or years, 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:37.960 And today they're showing us, 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.380 What that was like, 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.640 That their old life is dead, 00:34:40.720 --> 00:34:41.840 And now they are living to Jesus, 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.340 But friends, 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.059 It's not just them, 00:34:43.700 --> 00:34:44.680 All of us, 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.440 All of us, 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.940 Need to choose to, 00:34:47.140 --> 00:34:49.000 Follow Jesus as Lord and King, 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:51.160 And they've made that decision, 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.619 Today they're showing that, 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:54.619 But it's not just a once off decision, 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.460 It's actually something you live out, 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:58.039 The whole of the rest of your life, 00:34:58.099 --> 00:34:59.380 And so all of us in the room, 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.559 Whether you're a follower of Jesus, 00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:02.180 And maybe you need to do it again, 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:03.400 Or you're not a follower of Jesus, 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.800 And you need to do it for the first time, 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.400 All of us need to, 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.280 Follow, 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.539 Give ourselves wholeheartedly, 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.579 To him as King, 00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:10.599 And Lord, 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.000 So friends, 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.840 As we come to a close, 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.639 Let me ask you, 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.320 Does that describe you? 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.779 Does that describe you? 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:17.940 Are you a follower of Jesus? 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:20.000 Have you given your life to him? 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:23.059 Have you turned from the me-centered way of life, 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:24.079 To Christ-centered? 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.219 Have you put your hope in, 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.519 In Jesus alone, 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.699 And what he did on the cross for you? 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.179 Friends, 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:31.519 Are you still trying to live for your own kingdom, 00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.139 And your own glory? 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:32.440 Friends, 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.840 Jesus went to the cross, 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:35.539 And he died for your sin, 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.320 And your shame, 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:39.079 Jesus gave up his life, 00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:40.720 So that you can find life in his name, 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:41.980 And the amazing thing, 00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.519 The Bible says, 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.619 There is no sin, 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.860 That is too big, 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.139 To disqualify you, 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.380 But there's no sin, 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.480 That's too small, 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.639 That doesn't need to be brought, 00:35:49.700 --> 00:35:50.639 Before God in repentance, 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.860 And that means all of us, 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:54.360 And Peter actually says that, 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:54.860 He says, 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.900 He says, 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:57.079 God made a promise here, 00:35:57.140 --> 00:35:57.640 For you, 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.980 And for all who are far off, 00:35:59.240 --> 00:36:00.000 For all, 00:36:00.220 --> 00:36:00.620 Anyone, 00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:02.660 Who calls on the name of the Lord, 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.400 So friends, 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.900 What about you? 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:06.360 Have you followed Jesus? 00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:07.240 Have you trusted in him? 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.300 Or are you still trusting yourself? 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:11.059 Jesus came to earth for you, 00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.599 To die, 00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:12.720 So that you can know him, 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:15.820 So that your old life of death can die, 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:17.280 And you can be raised to new life, 00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.400 In this world, 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.480 And forever and ever, 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.240 And on that day, 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:23.340 3,000 people put their faith in Jesus, 00:36:23.500 --> 00:36:24.140 And trusted him, 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:25.699 And they became new people, 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.719 If you're not a follower of Jesus, 00:36:27.819 --> 00:36:29.539 I would love you to join those 3,000, 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:32.500 And join the 150 or so of us here today, 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:34.039 That have done that sometime in our lifetime, 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:36.019 And become a follower of Jesus, 00:36:36.179 --> 00:36:38.000 And let him change you forever, 00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:39.659 Why don't we do that now, 00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:40.819 As we come to him in prayer, 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:42.059 Let me pray for us, 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.139 Lord Jesus, 00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:46.119 Thank you so much for your amazing grace, 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:47.819 Thank you for the gift of the spirit, 00:36:47.819 --> 00:36:50.480 The life giving breath of God, 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.219 In our hearts, 00:36:51.799 --> 00:36:53.539 Jesus we could never ever, 00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:54.840 Live the life that you've called us to, 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.119 Without your death and resurrection, 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.739 And without your ascension, 00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:59.059 And without your spirit, 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.099 So God we love you, 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.019 We thank you, 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.360 We need you, 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:02.599 Lord Jesus if there are, 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.880 For those of us in the room, 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:05.019 That aren't followers of Jesus, 00:37:05.300 --> 00:37:06.900 Won't you open the eyes of our hearts, 00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.820 To see you, 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.239 And to know you, 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.119 And to follow you, 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.800 To become Christians Lord, 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:13.380 And to love you, 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.219 And to live with you, 00:37:14.259 --> 00:37:14.980 As Lord and King, 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.779 In this world, 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:16.860 And forever and ever, 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.679 God give us faith, 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:20.820 We pray in your great name, 00:37:20.820 --> 00:37:21.960 Amen.