WEBVTT

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 Just take your copy of God's Word and turn to Acts chapter 14.

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 Two weeks ago, we began a study of chapter 14 of Luke's second volume,

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! Most commonly referred to as the Acts of the Apostles.

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 You can look at the beginning of this book in your Bible and see it likely titled the Acts of the Apostles.

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 And that's true in much measure.

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 We're looking at the early life of the church and the apostles and the way in which God used them to proclaim the gospel to the known world at the time.

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 But I think it would be more apt to call this book the Acts of the Risen Jesus Christ.

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 And I don't say that as a rebuke of the people who translated our Bibles.

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 I'm very thankful for them.

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 But rather to set your mind headed in the right direction.

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 The Acts of the Risen Jesus Christ.

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 Luke's first account is about his ministry on earth.

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 His second account is about his ministry from heaven.

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 As he acts by the agency of the Holy Spirit in the lives of his followers.

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 Much of the book of Acts is aimed at helping us understand the activity of the Holy Spirit.

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 At the very end of chapter 13 in verse 52 Luke writes this.

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 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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 Now remember that our chapter numbers, verse numbers, subtitles, not inspired.

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 So flowing from the end of chapter 13 into the beginning of chapter 14.

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 I believe that Luke intends this phrase and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit to bridge us into the next chapter.

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 Right.

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 They were filled with the Spirit.

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 Watch.

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 Here's what happens when you're filled with the Spirit.

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 And I asserted to you the past two weeks the following.

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 The primary role of the Spirit of God is the exaltation of Jesus Christ in the salvation and perfection of his church.

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 If you're taking notes, I'm going to give that to you again.

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 I'll give it to you later if you need it again.

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 The primary role of the Spirit of God is the exaltation of Jesus Christ in the salvation and perfection of his church.

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 And the primary means that he uses to accomplish this is the word of God believed and spoken by the people of God.

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 The primary means used to accomplish this is the word of God believed and spoken by the people of God.

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 Whatever the works of the Spirit you believe to be active, there's many views on this.

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 Whatever you believe to be active or in some cases even real, the work of the Spirit is always aimed in this direction.

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 The exaltation of Jesus Christ in the salvation and perfection of his church.

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 By causing belief in the word of God and causing the word of God to be spoken by the people of God.

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 The Spirit of God's job is to draw the world's attention.

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 Those who already are following Christ and those who have yet to follow Christ to Christ.

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 This is the job of the Spirit.

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 If this concept is new to you, I really want you to listen to the past two sermons.

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 Not because I think they're the most wonderful sermons on the topic.

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 But because I know they contain within them the biblical context you need to rightly understand this.

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 So go back.

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 Our website has it.

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 You can go look these sermons up.

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 Or just do some good study of the Spirit.

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 And the Spirit's activity in the life of the believer.

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 But for this morning, I want to prime the pump a bit from our last two weeks before we continue our study of this text.

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 Week 3 of Acts chapter 14.

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 By reading a quotation to you by Charles Spurgeon.

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 And I'm actually going to do it from the book I got the quotation from.

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 To make a point as an aside.

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 On your bulletin every week, there's a quotation at the top of that.

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 But it's often Charles Spurgeon because of this book.

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 I want you to know that we don't use quotations to sound smart.

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 My intent is never in quoting some saint of old or someone with more accolades than myself.

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 To make me sound smart like I'm reading all the time.

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 And I come across all these gems.

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 And I've just got to let you know that I know what's going on out there in past and present Christianity.

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 Never the point.

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 What I find is that often, particularly the old dead guys, just say things better than I say things.

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 I just think they do a great job of summing up and driving the point home.

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 Further, all saints, all of those who are God's past and present and future are part of the universal church.

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 And we should love all of them.

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 We have access to such wonderful minds.

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 A grace of God to us that we can access such writing.

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 So that's why we're giving that to you.

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 A little church history.

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 I don't want you to think that the ideas that are being presented on Sunday morning are anything new.

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 They're just great old ideas.

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 And that's part of the reason.

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 So I've got this wonderful book, Through the Eyes of Spurgeon, that my wife got me for something.

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 I can't remember what it was exactly that I got it for.

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 And it's done by topic in alphabetical order.

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 So I can just look up quotes.

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 And that's why you often get Spurgeon quotes.

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 So I'm going to read this to you to drive the point we're making about the Spirit of God working to the exaltation of Jesus Christ using the Word as the primary means.

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 Spurgeon said this,

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 God by his Spirit brings old truth home to the heart, gives new light to our eyes, and causes the Word to exercise new power over us.

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 But he reveals no new facts.

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 And he utters no words in any man's ears concerning his condition and state.

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 We must be content with the old revelation and with the life and power and force with which the Holy Spirit brings it to the heart.

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 Neither must any of us seek to have any additional revelation, for that would imply that the Scriptures are incomplete.

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 So if we're to be empowered by the Spirit, be filled by the Spirit, right, in this case that I've been making to you,

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 that means that we need to have the Word of Christ dwell in us richly.

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 It is the tool that the Spirit of God uses to bring about obedience in His people.

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 So if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, it will serve you well to give a careful consideration to what it means to be filled by the Spirit.

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 Do not neglect the third person of the Trinity.

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 Do not make Him into something that He is not, or magnify work attributed to Him that is not Christ-exalting,

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 but rather take hold of the gift that He is in the life of the believer.

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 Precious gift that we have.

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 And chapter 14 can help us to do that, right?

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 It can help us by showing us some things.

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 It's not everything, not an exhaustive way that the Spirit works in the life,

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 but there's things that we can observe in the lives of believers who are filled with the Spirit.

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 And we can hold our life up to that and wonder,

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 is this me?

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 Am I filled with the Spirit?

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 So I'm going to read to us Acts chapter 14.

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 We'll get into it.

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 It's Acts chapter 14, beginning in verse 1.

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 Now at Iconium, they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way

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 that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

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 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

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 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord,

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 who bore witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

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 But the people of the city were divided.

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 Some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.

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 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to mistreat them and to stone them,

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 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lithuania, and to the surrounding country.

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 And there they continued to preach the gospel.

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 Now at Lystra, there was a man sitting who could not use his feet.

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 He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

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 He listened to Paul speaking and Paul looked intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,

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 said in a loud voice, stand upright on your feet.

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 And he sprang up and began walking.

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 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycauanian,

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 the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.

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 Barnabas they called Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

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 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,

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 brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

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 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it,

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 they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,

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 Men, why are you doing these things?

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 We also are men of like nature with you.

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 And we bring you good news that you should turn from these vain things

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 to a living God who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

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 In past generations, he allowed all the nations to walk in their ways,

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 yet he did not leave himself without witness,

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 for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,

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 satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

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 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

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 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds,

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 they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

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 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city,

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 and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

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 When they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples,

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 they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

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 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,

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 and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

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 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church,

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 with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

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 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

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 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Italia,

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 and from there they sailed to Antioch,

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 where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

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 When they arrived and gathered the church together,

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 they declared all that God had done with them,

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 and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles,

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 and they remained no little time with the disciples.

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 Beloved, this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for his glory and our good.

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 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 So we've structured our study.

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 So this is part three, Acts chapter 14.

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 We've structured it around seven points.

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 I'm going to give those to you really quickly.

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 As I've said, this is not exhaustive of all the work of the Spirit,

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 but we can find all of these things in our text, and they're worth our consideration.

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 So the person who is filled with the Spirit,

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 number one is fruitful,

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 number two is opposed,

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 number three speaks boldly,

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 number four acts humbly,

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 number five develops disciples,

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 number six is committed,

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 and number seven loves fellowship.

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 Two weeks ago, we managed to make it through the first point.

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 So the person who is filled with the Spirit is fruitful.

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 That is, I mean this in the Mark chapter 4 good soil sense.

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 The person who is filled with the Spirit is multiplied as they proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 The Spirit of God uses God's people to bring people to faith.

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 The person who is filled with the Spirit is fruitful.

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 Last week I worked to present the next three points.

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 So secondly, number two,

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 the person who is filled with the Spirit is opposed.

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 The gospel of Jesus Christ has been and will be

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 accepted by many and has been and will be rejected by many.

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 Rejection takes all kinds of form.

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 It often takes the form of direct opposition,

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 and we see a lot of that in our text.

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 You picked up on the plots and the actual stoning of Paul.

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 Much opposition in the text.

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 The person who is filled with the Spirit will be opposed by some.

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 Thirdly, the person who is filled with the Spirit speaks boldly.

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 Even in the face of great opposition,

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 the Christian filled with the Spirit does not shrink back when they ought to press forward.

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 Thirdly, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach the gospel in the face of persecution.

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 Fourthly, this is summary.

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 I thought you didn't catch that.

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 I'm moving us to today's points.

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 Fourthly, the person who is filled with the Spirit acts humbly.

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 Right?

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 The person who is filled with the Spirit is humble.

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 They are not self-seeking or self-promoting.

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 Paul and Barnabas are given the opportunity to be worshipped as gods,

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 but they seek only to see the God of heaven and earth exalted.

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 My job on a Sunday morning is not for you to think of me as a good preacher.

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 My job is for you to worship the risen Christ.

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 Get me out of the way.

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 I hope you can't pick me out in a crowd at the end of today,

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 but that you are in love with Jesus as a result of our time this morning.

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 So this week, Lord willing, we'll complete our study of chapter 14 with the concluding three points.

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 So here they are again for your note-taking benefit.

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 The person who is filled with the Spirit, number five, so catch the order,

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 number five develops disciples,

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 number six is committed,

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 and number seven loves fellowship.

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 So number five, the person who is filled with the Spirit develops disciples.

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 It's starting to feel like a list on Reddit, isn't it?

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 Seven ways you know you're filled with the Spirit.

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 Number five, develops disciples.

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 Paul and Barnabas carried with them the promise and the command

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 of what we most often call the Great Commission.

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 Being filled with the Holy Spirit,

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 they are obedient to the command of Christ,

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 which we find in Matthew chapter 28, verses 18 through 20.

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 Now, hear me, the case I'm making to you

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 is that to be filled with the Spirit

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 is to have the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.

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 Set your mind, Romans chapter 8,

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 set your minds on the things of the Spirit

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 and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

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 What are the things of the Spirit that we set our minds on?

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 It's the book that He's written for us.

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 So they understand both the power for

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 and the command to make disciples.

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 Matthew 28, 18 through 20.

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 And Jesus came and said to them,

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 right, here's the power for,

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 all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.

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 And here's the command.

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 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

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 not merely converts,

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 but followers of Jesus Christ.

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 Not merely those who say they follow Jesus,

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 but those who actually follow Jesus.

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 Baptizing them in the name of the Father

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 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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 Verse 20, teaching them to observe

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 all that I have commanded you,

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 following Him.

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 And behold, I am with you.

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 I've got all power and I am with you.

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 Always.

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 To the end of the age.

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 Paul and Barnabas know this information.

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 They don't have it from Matthew 28, 18 through 20 at this time.

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 They are aware of the power that Jesus brings

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 and the command to go.

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 Oh, that we would have a vision for discipleship

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 that is consistent with our Lords.

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 Those of us who have been saved by Christ

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 going out and bringing about redemption

00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:06.200
 in the lives of others.

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:09.700
 Paul instructs Timothy concerning discipleship

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:13.019
 in the following way in 2 Timothy 2, 2.

00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:13.980
 He says,

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:16.039
 What you have heard from me

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.920
 in the presence of many witnesses

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:20.120
 entrust to faithful men

00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:24.779
 who will be able to teach others also.

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:28.940
 So Paul's vision for discipleship

00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.200
 is generational.

00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:33.080
 To raise up a generational witness

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:35.919
 to the glory of our risen Christ.

00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:38.839
 In 2 Timothy 2, 2, there are four generations.

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.399
 There's Paul, right?

00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.899
 Instructed by Christ himself, an apostle,

00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:46.480
 who now has imparted this knowledge

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:48.339
 of the Gospel of Jesus to Timothy,

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:51.720
 who he's now instructing to impart that

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.779
 to faithful men

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:56.059
 who will impart that to others.

00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:58.919
 This picture of the Gospel going forth

00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:02.779
 through loving, truthful relationship

00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:06.320
 from person to person to person.

00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.980
 And we can see in our text,

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.759
 in the face of opposition,

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:14.500
 when they first arrive in Iconium,

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.440
 there's this opposition to them.

00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:17.640
 There's a stirring up.

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:20.060
 There's an embittering of people's hearts

00:18:20.060 --> 00:18:20.820
 toward them.

00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:21.920
 So verse 3 says,

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:25.279
 So they remained for a long time,

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:27.500
 speaking boldly for the Lord.

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.000
 Here's a people,

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:31.119
 young converts to Christ,

00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.660
 that desperately need instruction.

00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.920
 So they stay on

00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.279
 in the face of this opposition

00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:39.339
 to help raise them up in Jesus.

00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.200
 Verse 21,

00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:43.480
 When they had preached the Gospel

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.440
 to that city,

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.960
 he's referring to Derbe,

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.599
 and had made many disciples,

00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:51.039
 so these are converts coming to faith,

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.059
 what do they do?

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.640
 They return.

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.579
 Go back to the places

00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:57.079
 where they have been preaching the Gospel,

00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.439
 and people have been coming to faith,

00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.099
 that there's opposition.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.759
 They go back to these places,

00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.339
 to Lystra,

00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.579
 and to Iconium,

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.199
 and to Antioch,

00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.039
 doing what?

00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.679
 Verse 22,

00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:10.079
 strengthening the souls

00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.639
 of the disciples,

00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:14.379
 encouraging them to continue

00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.939
 in the faith,

00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.799
 helping them to be sanctified,

00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:19.839
 to be raised up in Christ,

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.579
 and saying that through many tribulations,

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:23.779
 we must enter the kingdom of God.

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:26.000
 Paul and Barnabas

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:28.859
 did not just see people converted,

00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:32.240
 but also growing in grace and truth.

00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:34.059
 But they did not stop there.

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.619
 They also appointed leadership

00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:38.519
 to continue this work

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:40.240
 of generational witness.

00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.160
 Verse 23,

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.680
 they appointed elders for them

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.420
 in every church.

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.079
 They pray,

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.559
 and they fast,

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.460
 and they commit these elders

00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:50.519
 to the Lord

00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.619
 in whom they had believed.

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.500
 And there's an important lesson

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.459
 in this,

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.879
 probably particularly

00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.759
 for church leaders,

00:19:56.939 --> 00:19:58.059
 but if you'll hear me for a second,

00:19:58.699 --> 00:20:00.679
 note the way that Paul and Barnabas

00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:02.799
 trust that Christ

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.579
 is the head of the church.

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.919
 They do the work

00:20:05.919 --> 00:20:06.659
 that they're called to do.

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.299
 They're obedient

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.419
 to be disciple makers.

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.659
 They appoint elders,

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.759
 and then what do they do?

00:20:10.959 --> 00:20:12.599
 They commit them to the Lord.

00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.379
 They're able to go on.

00:20:14.439 --> 00:20:15.219
 They're able to finish

00:20:15.219 --> 00:20:16.139
 their missionary journey

00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.179
 and go away

00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:19.259
 because who is with them?

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.440
 Jesus Christ working

00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:23.519
 by the agency of the Spirit

00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.200
 with the Word of God.

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.059
 They're able to press on

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.579
 to a new work beyond

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.720
 once they've established

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:32.220
 these things amongst them.

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.220
 So they were disciple makers.

00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.339
 They developed disciples

00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.619
 being filled with the Spirit.

00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.140
 Beloved,

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:40.500
 this is the work of the church.

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.839
 Ephesians chapter 4.

00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.140
 I want you to turn there with me, please.

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.980
 Ephesians chapter 4,

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:47.079
 just verses 11 and 12.

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:49.359
 I want you to see this for yourself.

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.539
 We will go back to Acts 14.

00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.839
 Ephesians chapter 4, verse 11.

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.480
 Paul has just talked about

00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:01.460
 how Christ ascended.

00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.299
 What does that also mean?

00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.399
 But it also means that He descended,

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.259
 He came down to earth,

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.559
 and He gave gifts to men.

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.839
 And he begins to talk about

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.079
 these gifts that He gave

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.519
 for the sake of the church.

00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.059
 Verse 11.

00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.439
 And He gave the apostles,

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.039
 the prophets,

00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.139
 the evangelists,

00:21:14.199 --> 00:21:14.639
 the shepherds,

00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.079
 and teachers

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:16.799
 to equip the saints

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.859
 for the work of ministry

00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.299
 for building up

00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:21.019
 the body of Christ.

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.519
 As a side note,

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.319
 it was so hard for me

00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.339
 to stop at that point.

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.179
 The chapter gets so good

00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:27.740
 after that.

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.419
 But to stay on point,

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.659
 verses 11 and 12,

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.240
 He gave the apostles,

00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:31.599
 the prophets,

00:21:31.699 --> 00:21:32.119
 the evangelists,

00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:32.559
 the shepherds,

00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:32.960
 and teachers

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.899
 to equip the saints

00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.939
 for the work of ministry

00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:37.319
 for building up

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:39.240
 the body of Christ.

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:39.639
 Now,

00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.159
 I want you to understand this text.

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.919
 That's why I want you there.

00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.920
 I want you looking

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:44.279
 at this text.

00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:44.720
 Okay?

00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:45.240
 So,

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:47.440
 Christ gives gifts

00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.380
 to the church.

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.380
 And there's a lot

00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.400
 of various views

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:53.060
 on this particular text.

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.340
 And I will admit

00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.380
 that I have a view.

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.039
 I can't say

00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.279
 with 100% confidence

00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.080
 that it's right.

00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:01.200
 But I think it's right

00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.340
 and I want to show you why.

00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:02.720
 Right?

00:22:03.100 --> 00:22:03.360
 So,

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:05.600
 of these gifts,

00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.340
 these positions

00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.060
 that have been given,

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:07.880
 right,

00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:08.940
 the question would be

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.220
 which of them

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.960
 are active still?

00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.100
 All of them are,

00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:16.400
 but there's not people,

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.980
 I would argue,

00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:18.160
 that are actively apostles,

00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.900
 actively prophets.

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.680
 Okay?

00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.279
 Let me show you why

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.840
 I think that.

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.259
 Okay?

00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:22.779
 So,

00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:23.759
 if you back up in Ephesians

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.380
 to chapter 2,

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.519
 verse 19 and 20,

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.580
 Paul says,

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.300
 so then you are no longer

00:22:28.300 --> 00:22:29.360
 strangers and aliens,

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.779
 a result of God's redeeming

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.340
 work in your life.

00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:31.800
 You're no longer

00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.380
 strangers and aliens,

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.660
 but you are fellow citizens

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.980
 with the saints

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.740
 and members

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.100
 of the household of God.

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.820
 I'm in Ephesians 2,

00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.120
 19.

00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:40.920
 Right?

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.960
 This is what's happened

00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.480
 as a result.

00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:42.920
 You're no longer

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.480
 strangers and aliens,

00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.279
 but you are fellow citizens

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.759
 with the saints

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.220
 and members

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.060
 of the household of God.

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:46.860
 Verse 20,

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.640
 built on the foundation

00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.160
 of the apostles

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.200
 and prophets,

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.640
 Christ Jesus himself

00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:54.420
 being the cornerstone.

00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:54.960
 Okay?

00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.940
 Now go to Ephesians chapter 3,

00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:58.039
 verses 4 and 5.

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.500
 So one letter,

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.420
 Paul's writing here,

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.100
 we're carrying thoughts,

00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:03.259
 we're carrying these thoughts

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.779
 with us

00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:05.000
 from Ephesians chapter 2

00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:06.460
 into Ephesians chapter 3

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:08.539
 into Ephesians chapter 4.

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.400
 Okay?

00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.319
 So he's talked about

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.140
 the church

00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:12.400
 has been built

00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.400
 on the foundation,

00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.840
 built on a foundation,

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.700
 it's been laid,

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.180
 right?

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:17.559
 The foundation has been laid,

00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.180
 it's being built

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.079
 on top of that.

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.120
 Apostles,

00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.559
 prophets.

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.220
 It has a past tense

00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.720
 feeling to it.

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.120
 Ephesians 3,

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.059
 verses 4 and 5,

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.360
 when you read this,

00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.120
 you can perceive

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.900
 my insight

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.700
 into the mystery

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.400
 of Christ,

00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.019
 which was not made known

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.640
 to the sons of men

00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.460
 in other generations,

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:35.559
 as it has now

00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.380
 been revealed

00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:38.600
 to his holy apostles

00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:40.019
 and prophets

00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.660
 by the Spirit.

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.220
 So now,

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:43.960
 these insights

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.299
 into who Christ is,

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.000
 right,

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:47.100
 has been revealed

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:48.279
 in the apostles

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.480
 and prophets.

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.160
 So he's using

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.940
 the apostles and prophets

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.420
 in a very specific way,

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.140
 and when we get

00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.900
 to chapter 4,

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.860
 I would suggest

00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:56.000
 he's still using it

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.880
 in that way.

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.220
 Not new apostle,

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.380
 not new prophet,

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.620
 which would suggest

00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.640
 the way he's been using it

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.460
 in Acts chapter 2

00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.140
 and Acts chapter 3,

00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.660
 that there's going

00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.759
 to be new revelation.

00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.780
 What I'm suggesting

00:24:07.780 --> 00:24:08.320
 to you is that

00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:09.780
 the word of God

00:24:09.780 --> 00:24:11.580
 is the apostles

00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:12.320
 and the prophets.

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.540
 It's built on this foundation.

00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.940
 They were active

00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.820
 in this day,

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:17.860
 still writing the canon,

00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:19.660
 and now we have

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:21.920
 apostles and prophets

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.480
 active.

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.840
 God's given us a gift.

00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.240
 Apostles and prophets

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.920
 were people

00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.740
 that wrote

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.140
 a book

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.400
 used by the Spirit

00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:30.500
 to write this book.

00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.300
 So the word of God

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.000
 is employed

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:35.039
 by evangelists

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:37.720
 and shepherd teachers.

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.339
 Shepherd teachers.

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:40.259
 Right?

00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.099
 Are you tracking me?

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.980
 I hope you are.

00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:45.000
 This is what I would suggest

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.879
 is the way in which

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.599
 God has given us

00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.339
 a book

00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.480
 and he's given us

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.359
 people particularly gifted

00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.220
 to be evangelists

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.659
 and people particularly gifted

00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.019
 to be shepherd teachers.

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:55.500
 But to what end?

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.220
 But to what end?

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.599
 To equip the saints

00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.579
 for the work of ministry

00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:05.039
 for building up

00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.000
 the body

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.500
 of Christ.

00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.059
 I want you to note

00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.420
 there is

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.460
 no

00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:13.879
 grammar,

00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.779
 there's no

00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.660
 punctuation,

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.079
 excuse me,

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.740
 punctuation

00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:18.799
 in New Testament Greek.

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.619
 There's no punctuation.

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:22.000
 So the translators

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.339
 have to do

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.239
 this difficult work

00:25:23.239 --> 00:25:23.979
 of figuring out

00:25:23.979 --> 00:25:24.579
 where to stick

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.519
 our English punctuation.

00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.159
 Like where does

00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:27.000
 the sentence end?

00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:28.219
 Where does the

00:25:28.219 --> 00:25:28.939
 comma belong?

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.319
 I'm using an ESV.

00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:31.939
 I think they did

00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:32.839
 a really good job

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.379
 on this verse.

00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.039
 Okay?

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.299
 And here's why.

00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:35.919
 I want you to note

00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.919
 that they did not

00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.759
 put a comma

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.919
 after the word

00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:39.599
 saints

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.339
 in verse 12.

00:25:42.719 --> 00:25:43.500
 Had they put

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.219
 a comma there,

00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.759
 here's how I think

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.519
 we would understand it.

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:47.759
 Right?

00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.000
 Christ gives gifts,

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.039
 the word of God

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.740
 and evangelists

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.500
 and shepherd teachers

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.259
 for three things.

00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.980
 To equip the saints

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.460
 for the work,

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.240
 excuse me,

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.000
 to equip the saints,

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.119
 thing one.

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.960
 For the work of ministry,

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.119
 thing two.

00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.539
 For building up

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.259
 the body of Christ,

00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:07.279
 thing three.

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:10.000
 So my job description

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.720
 as a shepherd teacher

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.339
 needs to include

00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.140
 those three things.

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.259
 That's the work

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.339
 I'm meant to do.

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.019
 But note instead,

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.019
 without the comma there,

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.700
 the way we would

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.740
 read the text.

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.480
 Right?

00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.299
 He gave these gifts,

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.879
 the word of God

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.720
 and people,

00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.200
 leaders,

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.980
 verse 12,

00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.839
 to equip the saints

00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.019
 for the work of ministry.

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.759
 You catching the difference?

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.599
 So what is it

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.440
 that these gifts

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.119
 are meant to do?

00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:33.839
 Right?

00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.059
 My job this morning

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.619
 is to equip you,

00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.160
 the saints,

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.859
 for the work of ministry.

00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.440
 I'm supposed to do

00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:42.980
 work of ministry,

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.240
 but that primarily

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.240
 is equipping you

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.819
 for the work of ministry.

00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.519
 And then,

00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.599
 with the comma after ministry,

00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.700
 it's an addition to,

00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:53.180
 it is helping us

00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:54.160
 understand what

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.240
 that looks like.

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.859
 Your work of ministry

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.200
 is the building up

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.980
 of the body of Christ,

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.940
 bringing people to faith,

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:03.339
 making disciples.

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.119
 I hope you're tracking me there.

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.720
 We can go back

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.599
 to Acts chapter 14.

00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.680
 The person who is filled

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.680
 with the Spirit

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:13.160
 develops disciples.

00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.300
 If you are a follower

00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:15.259
 of Jesus Christ,

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.300
 you have the Spirit of God,

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.620
 you are commanded

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.240
 by Paul to be filled,

00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:20.800
 and Ephesians,

00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.660
 to be filled

00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.620
 with the Spirit of God,

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.040
 that person makes disciples.

00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.880
 And it's your job

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.540
 as a Christian

00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:28.700
 to be a disciple maker.

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.279
 So the person who is

00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.720
 filled with the Spirit

00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:33.140
 develops disciples.

00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:34.820
 The person who is filled

00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:35.200
 with the Spirit

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.400
 also,

00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.480
 number six,

00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.420
 is committed.

00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.819
 Is committed.

00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.500
 In our text,

00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.140
 we observe

00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.259
 the completion

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.460
 of the first

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.740
 missionary journey.

00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.599
 The first missionary journey.

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.279
 This is Paul's

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.039
 first missionary journey.

00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.339
 Barnabas is with him

00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.839
 on this one.

00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:55.579
 They return in this

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.160
 to their sending church.

00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.680
 Verse 24.

00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.500
 They passed through Pisidia

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.500
 and came to Pamphylia.

00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.079
 And when they had spoken

00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.160
 the word in Perga,

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.380
 they went down to Italia,

00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.059
 and from there

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:08.279
 they sailed to Antioch.

00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.519
 Now, this Antioch

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.099
 is the Antioch of Cilicia,

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:13.519
 not Antioch in Pisidia.

00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.599
 There's two Antiochs.

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.240
 They go back to

00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.639
 Antioch of Cilicia,

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.720
 and that's where

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.559
 they were commissioned

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.379
 to go on this journey.

00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.279
 We can see that

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.720
 at the beginning

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:25.099
 of Acts chapter 13.

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.500
 So they go on a trip

00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.940
 from Antioch of Cilicia.

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.879
 They end up in

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:30.039
 Antioch of Pisidia.

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.419
 They go back to Antioch

00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.700
 in Cilicia.

00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.339
 Okay?

00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.980
 Where they had been

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.519
 commended

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:38.220
 to the grace of God

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.559
 for the work

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:42.019
 that they had fulfilled.

00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.759
 They were committed.

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.819
 They stayed the course.

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:48.140
 They finished the task

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:50.319
 that was laid before them.

00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.240
 In the face

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.799
 of a difficult journey,

00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.799
 a treacherous journey,

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:57.220
 they completed the task.

00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.140
 And notice

00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:59.759
 that they spoke

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.920
 in this return journey,

00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.599
 they spoke the word

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:04.000
 in Perga.

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.220
 And to my point

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.079
 that they were committed,

00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.880
 look back just a little bit

00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.839
 in Acts chapter 13,

00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.599
 verse 13 and 14.

00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:14.720
 This is the journey out.

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.920
 Chapter 14 is talking

00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.920
 about the journey back.

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:18.920
 Acts chapter 13,

00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.740
 beginning in verse 13,

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.740
 Now Paul and his companions

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.220
 set sail from Paphos

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:24.640
 and came to Perga

00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.640
 in Pamphylia.

00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.559
 And John left them.

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.259
 This is John Mark

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.279
 and returned to Jerusalem.

00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.799
 But they went on

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.220
 from Perga

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.180
 and came to Antioch

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.620
 in Pisidia.

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.420
 And on the Sabbath day,

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.339
 they went into the synagogue

00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.539
 and sat down.

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.740
 Now notice what doesn't

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:38.039
 seem to happen in Perga.

00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.579
 They don't seem to preach

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.259
 the gospel there.

00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.079
 For whatever reason,

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.519
 right,

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.480
 the occasion didn't

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.220
 present itself.

00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.319
 I believe they're filled

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.700
 with the Spirit.

00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.460
 The occasion didn't

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.099
 present itself, though,

00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.579
 for them to preach

00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:49.059
 the gospel in Perga.

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.819
 So what did they do

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.879
 on the return journey?

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.619
 I just think it's fantastic.

00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.139
 They preached the gospel

00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:56.799
 in Perga

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.059
 on their way back.

00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.659
 Man, we didn't proclaim

00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:00.579
 the gospel in Perga.

00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:02.399
 So they didn't neglect

00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.659
 the preaching of the Word

00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:05.099
 in any city.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.279
 They were committed

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.819
 to the making of disciples

00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:10.359
 amongst the Gentiles.

00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.039
 So the person

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.559
 who's filled with the Spirit

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.279
 develops disciples,

00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.579
 is committed,

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.879
 and number seven,

00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.480
 loves fellowship.

00:30:20.520 --> 00:30:21.320
 Loves fellowship.

00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.560
 Verse 27,

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.700
 when they arrived,

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:28.040
 this is Antioch in Cilicia,

00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:30.020
 back to the city

00:30:30.020 --> 00:30:30.720
 that they started

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.560
 their journey on,

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.500
 they gathered the church

00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.400
 together,

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.820
 and they told the church

00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:38.040
 all that God had done

00:30:38.040 --> 00:30:38.820
 on this trip.

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.920
 They exalted the work of God

00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.920
 in their lives

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.800
 on this trip

00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.660
 that they had done.

00:30:43.780 --> 00:30:44.220
 And how,

00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.340
 verse 27,

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.700
 the last part,

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.640
 says how he had opened

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.500
 a door of faith

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.240
 to the Gentiles,

00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:48.500
 right,

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.600
 to those who were not Jewish,

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.700
 taking the gospel

00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:52.039
 to the nations

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:54.039
 as a starting point.

00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.980
 And then verse 28 says,

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:57.080
 and they remained

00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:58.840
 no little time

00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:00.380
 with the disciples.

00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:02.400
 Now on your bulletin

00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:04.440
 there's a very brief quotation

00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.620
 from Charles Spurgeon

00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.920
 just says,

00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.960
 sheep go in flocks

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.120
 and so do God's people.

00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.920
 I think that would make

00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.960
 a fantastic t-shirt.

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.180
 I'm going to read to you

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.820
 the longer form

00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.920
 of that quotation.

00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.720
 So listen carefully.

00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:16.540
 Some Christians

00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:18.120
 try to go to heaven

00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:20.120
 alone in solitude,

00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:21.080
 but believers

00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:22.100
 are not compared

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:23.260
 to bears

00:31:23.260 --> 00:31:24.280
 or lions

00:31:24.280 --> 00:31:25.420
 or other animals

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.640
 that wander alone.

00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:28.000
 But those who belong

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.640
 to Christ

00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.420
 are sheep

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.640
 in this respect

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.920
 that they love

00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.340
 to get together.

00:31:34.280 --> 00:31:35.200
 Sheep go in flocks

00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:37.240
 and so do God's people.

00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.360
 Often when I talk

00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:42.400
 about the great need

00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:44.040
 of fellowship,

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.360
 there will be a person

00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.040
 or some people

00:31:47.040 --> 00:31:47.800
 in my mind

00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.460
 that I haven't seen

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.100
 in a long time

00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.740
 that I know

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.960
 really need to hear

00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:52.220
 and guess who tends

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.800
 to not be there

00:31:52.800 --> 00:31:53.280
 that Sunday?

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:55.819
 Sometimes it feels

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.559
 like I'm preaching

00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.399
 to the choir

00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:58.319
 when I tell people

00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.180
 who are at church

00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.039
 that they should be

00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.859
 at church.

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:04.119
 So here's the exhortation

00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.639
 to you, right?

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.799
 Like maybe this morning

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.740
 this is not the normal

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.359
 thing for you

00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:07.940
 that you're a follower

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.299
 of Jesus

00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.119
 but you're not committed

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.680
 to a fellowship

00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.920
 of believers

00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.759
 and you really need

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.180
 just to hear it

00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.139
 for yourself, right?

00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.819
 Come back

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.920
 or find another fellowship

00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.839
 to be part of

00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.460
 and commit to

00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.319
 and live life with.

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.000
 Or it could be

00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.599
 that you are

00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.599
 and many of you are.

00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.200
 Many of you are

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.980
 so committed.

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.019
 Wonderfully committed

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.480
 to the life

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.360
 of this church

00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.079
 but you know

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.700
 people who aren't, right?

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.680
 You know that person

00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.240
 that should be sitting

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.039
 here with you this morning

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.539
 in fellowship

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.400
 with Christians

00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.120
 and they're not.

00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.220
 And you need to take

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.160
 this truth

00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:36.420
 be a developing

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.279
 disciple maker

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.319
 and help people

00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.039
 understand their

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.980
 great need

00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:42.000
 of a church fellowship.

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.640
 The Apostle John

00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.900
 writes in 1 John 4, 7 and 8

00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.339
 Beloved,

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.039
 let us love one another

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.279
 for love is from God

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.200
 and whoever loves

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.299
 has been born of God

00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:51.799
 and knows God.

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:53.720
 Anyone who does not love

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.700
 does not know God

00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:57.599
 because God is love.

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.879
 It should be the natural response

00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.960
 for those of us

00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.940
 who have been loved by God

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:04.619
 to love one another.

00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:06.740
 He's not speaking generically

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.799
 although there's definitely

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.319
 an overflowing,

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.720
 outflowing,

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:12.480
 loving response

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.559
 to the community around us.

00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.359
 But he's primarily talking about

00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:17.079
 those of us who are in Christ

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:19.379
 loving one another.

00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:21.139
 Get together

00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:22.099
 with the people

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:24.099
 that you love.

00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:26.460
 Paul prays

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.240
 for the Thessalonian believers

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:30.059
 in 1 Thessalonians 3, 12.

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.359
 May the Lord

00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.579
 make you increase

00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.539
 and abound

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.179
 in love

00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:34.939
 for one another

00:33:34.939 --> 00:33:36.399
 and for all

00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:37.379
 as we do

00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:39.039
 for you.

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.839
 The Spirit-filled

00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.539
 Christian

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:43.539
 loves the church.

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:45.039
 both universal,

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.680
 loves the church generally,

00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:48.039
 but also loves

00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.200
 the church

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.599
 local.

00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.259
 And beloved,

00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:53.139
 I know

00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:54.180
 this is not

00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.920
 always easy.

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:58.180
 There are many times

00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:58.980
 that I am thankful

00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:00.019
 that I have a job

00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.460
 to do

00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.680
 and it would be

00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.859
 neglectful of that job

00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.839
 if I didn't show up

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:05.180
 and do that job.

00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:07.000
 There are some times

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:08.679
 I just don't feel

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.440
 like being

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.559
 with people.

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:11.739
 I'm thankful

00:34:11.739 --> 00:34:12.500
 that I'm driven

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.500
 to be with you

00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.000
 and I'm always

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.579
 really thankful

00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.340
 when I am.

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.440
 I'm glad that I'm here

00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.739
 once I get together.

00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.000
 Community group night,

00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:19.400
 those of you

00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.099
 who are in my community group,

00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:21.360
 there's a rare Tuesday night

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.219
 that I just feel like

00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:23.039
 bopping out the door

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.360
 and spending the evening out.

00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.119
 Usually I would rather

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.799
 sit on the couch

00:34:26.799 --> 00:34:27.860
 at home,

00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.299
 right?

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.880
 But I'm compelled,

00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.360
 right?

00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.360
 It's an argument

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:31.900
 I'm making.

00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:33.059
 Fill with the Spirit.

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.380
 Fill with the Spirit.

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.259
 Love.

00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.179
 God's.

00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.019
 People.

00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.279
 Last week I told you

00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:41.100
 that the Monday prior to that

00:34:41.100 --> 00:34:42.280
 I fell out of a tree.

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.760
 Now that I know

00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.200
 I'm not going to have

00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:45.940
 to go to the hospital,

00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:47.720
 it was a tree here.

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.860
 If you understand

00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.440
 workers' comp,

00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.160
 you'll understand that.

00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.720
 I'm pretty sure

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.600
 I cracked two ribs.

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:57.580
 I'm pretty sure

00:34:57.580 --> 00:34:58.519
 that I cracked two ribs.

00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:01.340
 And in the pain

00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.040
 of that week,

00:35:03.080 --> 00:35:04.140
 Clay offered to preach

00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:04.980
 for me last Sunday

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:07.220
 and it would have been

00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:08.120
 really easy to go,

00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:08.500
 yeah,

00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.599
 I'm going to stay home.

00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.880
 A heating pad feels great

00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:12.699
 right now.

00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:15.400
 But I love being with you guys.

00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.579
 And I wasn't going to come

00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.159
 and not preach.

00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.279
 I couldn't say,

00:35:18.339 --> 00:35:19.099
 oh, my ribs are cracked.

00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.759
 I'm going to sit down.

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.980
 No, no, I'll get up

00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:23.039
 and I'll preach all the same.

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.960
 This morning,

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.839
 Clay called me.

00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.819
 So I'm downstairs.

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.659
 Clay calls me.

00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.339
 For Clay to call me

00:35:29.339 --> 00:35:29.980
 on a Sunday morning,

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.279
 I'm thinking,

00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.159
 oh, what's going on?

00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.359
 So I call him.

00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.739
 He sounded horrible.

00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:34.619
 He's got the flu.

00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:36.179
 And he called me

00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:37.259
 and he asked my permission

00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:38.500
 not to come this morning.

00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.539
 I said, Clay,

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.639
 of course don't come, man.

00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:42.039
 Like no one else wants the flu

00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:43.079
 and you need to get better.

00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:45.199
 And he said,

00:35:45.279 --> 00:35:45.739
 and he said,

00:35:45.819 --> 00:35:46.500
 and I just wouldn't

00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:47.159
 have expected this.

00:35:47.259 --> 00:35:47.900
 He said, man,

00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:50.099
 I just really want to come.

00:35:50.799 --> 00:35:52.079
 I just really want to be there.

00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:52.900
 And I was,

00:35:53.279 --> 00:35:54.179
 little of me was hoping

00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:54.880
 you'd make me.

00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.940
 I said, no,

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:58.319
 you need to stay home

00:35:58.319 --> 00:35:59.659
 this morning.

00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:01.500
 Do we long

00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:02.500
 to be

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.859
 with God's people?

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.359
 And hear me say,

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:06.519
 it's not just that you come in

00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.159
 and you sit down

00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:08.679
 and you observe a show.

00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.559
 If that's what you think

00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.239
 of as church,

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.599
 yeah, skip it.

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:14.019
 You're not missing that much

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.659
 if that's all

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.539
 that you're getting out of it.

00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:16.359
 You can listen

00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:17.539
 to a fantastic sermon

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.879
 and sing wonderful songs

00:36:18.879 --> 00:36:19.559
 in your car

00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.199
 by yourself.

00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:22.899
 If that was church,

00:36:23.399 --> 00:36:24.079
 I will tell you

00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:25.279
 that my Sunday mornings

00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.139
 would be spent

00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:27.199
 heading somewhere

00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:28.519
 to get out in the woods

00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.579
 and I'd listen

00:36:29.579 --> 00:36:30.219
 to a good sermon

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.159
 and I'd listen

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.039
 to some great music

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.940
 and that would satisfy.

00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:35.539
 It's not that.

00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:36.960
 It's people living

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.199
 in relationship together.

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.199
 That's why I said

00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.940
 not the person

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.400
 still in the spirit

00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.840
 loves church

00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.639
 because I think

00:36:42.639 --> 00:36:43.739
 we have a misunderstanding

00:36:43.739 --> 00:36:44.920
 of what that word means

00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:45.980
 but loves fellowship.

00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:48.099
 Loves being in relationship

00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:49.380
 with one another.

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.400
 We can do that

00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.500
 in some shape and form

00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:52.280
 on a Sunday morning.

00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:52.940
 More than that,

00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:53.639
 it needs to be happening

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.539
 in other ways.

00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.780
 We have activities

00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.019
 and just life,

00:36:57.239 --> 00:36:58.119
 just getting together

00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:58.920
 because you long

00:36:58.920 --> 00:37:01.500
 to be with God's people.

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.599
 The church is not perfect

00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:05.179
 but the church

00:37:05.179 --> 00:37:06.799
 is our faith family,

00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.880
 our refuge

00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.839
 in a world of trouble.

00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:11.420
 Too often we are troubled,

00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:13.819
 we run to our solitude.

00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.159
 Beloved,

00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.380
 I am guilty of this.

00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.179
 I'm an introvert.

00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:17.519
 I would rather be alone

00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.799
 most of the time,

00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:20.559
 especially when things

00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:22.719
 aren't going well for me.

00:37:23.319 --> 00:37:24.559
 But what I need most

00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:27.039
 is to be with God's people.

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.880
 We ought to flee

00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:30.460
 to be together,

00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.960
 to be reminded

00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.779
 of the hope

00:37:32.779 --> 00:37:33.519
 that we have

00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:35.860
 in this world.

00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.679
 Michael Horton,

00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.779
 professor of theology

00:37:38.779 --> 00:37:40.039
 and apologetics

00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:41.579
 at Westminster Theological Seminary

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:43.119
 said this

00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.300
 in a foreword of a book

00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:45.239
 that I actually did read.

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.739
 The visible church

00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.900
 is where you will find

00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:49.639
 Christ's kingdom on earth

00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:51.619
 and to disregard the kingdom

00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:53.320
 is to disregard

00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.579
 its king.

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:57.239
 So,

00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:58.960
 the person who is filled

00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.380
 with the Spirit

00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.739
 is fruitful,

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.659
 is opposed,

00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:04.480
 speaks boldly,

00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:06.039
 acts humbly,

00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:08.039
 develops disciples,

00:38:08.639 --> 00:38:10.079
 and is committed.

00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.199
 Let me ask you

00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:12.739
 some questions

00:38:12.739 --> 00:38:13.619
 for application.

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.500
 Number one,

00:38:16.779 --> 00:38:18.639
 have you been baptized

00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:20.659
 in the Holy Spirit?

00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:22.759
 Jesus' promise

00:38:22.759 --> 00:38:23.199
 is the baptism

00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:23.779
 of the Holy Spirit

00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:25.199
 in Acts 1,

00:38:25.819 --> 00:38:27.079
 verse 5.

00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:28.699
 In brief,

00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.279
 this phrase

00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:29.799
 is only used

00:38:29.799 --> 00:38:30.579
 seven times

00:38:30.579 --> 00:38:31.299
 in the New Testament.

00:38:32.019 --> 00:38:33.179
 It occurs four times

00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:33.779
 in the prediction

00:38:33.779 --> 00:38:34.539
 of John the Baptist

00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:36.219
 concerning Jesus' promise

00:38:36.219 --> 00:38:37.500
 to baptize believers

00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:37.980
 in the Spirit.

00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:39.639
 The next two,

00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:41.179
 directly to the day

00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:41.940
 of Pentecost,

00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.699
 fulfilling that promise,

00:38:44.659 --> 00:38:47.519
 the only other reference,

00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:48.379
 and it is a variation

00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.180
 of the statement

00:38:49.180 --> 00:38:51.260
 is found in the New Testament

00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:52.700
 in 1 Corinthians 12,

00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.800
 verses 12 and 13.

00:38:54.860 --> 00:38:55.780
 For just as the body

00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.220
 is one

00:38:56.220 --> 00:38:57.079
 and has many members

00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:58.039
 and all the members

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:58.500
 of the body,

00:38:58.640 --> 00:38:59.160
 though many,

00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.160
 are one body,

00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.519
 so it is with Christ.

00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:03.360
 For in one Spirit

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.680
 we were all baptized

00:39:04.680 --> 00:39:06.180
 into one body.

00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:06.740
 Jews are Greek,

00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:07.360
 slaves are free,

00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.160
 and all were made

00:39:08.160 --> 00:39:10.320
 to drink of one Spirit.

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:12.000
 I want you to look

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.480
 at this further,

00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.079
 especially if you're

00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:14.340
 wrestling with the notion

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:14.980
 that I've laid out

00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.420
 for you today.

00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:17.440
 But from that text,

00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.720
 1 Corinthians 12,

00:39:18.780 --> 00:39:19.320
 12 and 13,

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.180
 the Spirit

00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:21.940
 is the element

00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:24.260
 in which the believers

00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:24.780
 were baptized,

00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.840
 which moved them

00:39:26.840 --> 00:39:28.039
 positionally

00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:29.880
 from outside the church

00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:31.200
 to positionally

00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:32.320
 in the church.

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:32.780
 This is what Paul

00:39:32.780 --> 00:39:33.559
 is communicating

00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:35.740
 in 1 Corinthians 12.

00:39:36.180 --> 00:39:37.059
 They were baptized

00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:37.659
 in the Spirit

00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.860
 and found themselves

00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:40.380
 in the church.

00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:40.900
 Paul writes

00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.639
 in Romans 8,

00:39:41.720 --> 00:39:42.139
 verse 9,

00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:43.000
 anyone who does not

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.700
 have the Spirit

00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:44.219
 of Christ

00:39:44.219 --> 00:39:46.219
 does not belong

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.779
 to him.

00:39:47.339 --> 00:39:47.699
 So,

00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.899
 to be baptized

00:39:48.899 --> 00:39:49.939
 in the Holy Spirit

00:39:49.939 --> 00:39:51.299
 is to be regenerate,

00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:53.379
 is to be saved

00:39:53.379 --> 00:39:54.299
 by God

00:39:54.299 --> 00:39:55.519
 in Christ.

00:39:55.939 --> 00:39:57.259
 If you are a follower

00:39:57.259 --> 00:39:58.000
 of Jesus,

00:39:58.119 --> 00:39:59.480
 you have the Spirit

00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.119
 of God.

00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:01.659
 You have been

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:03.279
 baptized.

00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:05.239
 And you cannot be

00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:06.119
 filled with the Spirit

00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:07.359
 if you have not been

00:40:07.359 --> 00:40:09.299
 baptized in him.

00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:10.960
 So having been baptized

00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.960
 as a Christian,

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:13.579
 it's possible for him

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:15.599
 both to be filled

00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:17.740
 and to not be filled.

00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:18.300
 That's what we've

00:40:18.300 --> 00:40:19.000
 been talking about.

00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:20.059
 How do we know?

00:40:20.240 --> 00:40:20.980
 If we're believers,

00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.220
 how do we know?

00:40:22.720 --> 00:40:23.300
 But the question

00:40:23.300 --> 00:40:24.420
 that must precede that

00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:24.559
 is,

00:40:24.720 --> 00:40:25.440
 are you a Christian?

00:40:26.539 --> 00:40:28.079
 Do you ever

00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:29.179
 produce fruit

00:40:29.179 --> 00:40:30.400
 of the Spirit?

00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:31.720
 And I would suggest

00:40:31.720 --> 00:40:32.260
 to you that you

00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:32.940
 ponder that yourself,

00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.460
 but I would also

00:40:33.460 --> 00:40:34.000
 suggest to you

00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:35.119
 that you talk to people

00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.880
 who are followers

00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:36.639
 of Jesus Christ,

00:40:36.760 --> 00:40:37.699
 who know you,

00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:38.760
 if you're not sure.

00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:40.179
 Do you think

00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:40.840
 I'm regenerate?

00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.760
 Do you see

00:40:41.760 --> 00:40:42.559
 a growth

00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:43.260
 in holiness

00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:45.019
 in my life?

00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:46.200
 And if your friends

00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:46.760
 won't be honest

00:40:46.760 --> 00:40:47.039
 with you,

00:40:47.100 --> 00:40:47.780
 find new friends.

00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.400
 You cannot be

00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:52.900
 filled with the Spirit

00:40:52.900 --> 00:40:53.559
 if you have not

00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:54.120
 been baptized

00:40:54.120 --> 00:40:55.460
 in him.

00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:56.740
 So if you would

00:40:56.740 --> 00:40:57.500
 honestly answer

00:40:57.500 --> 00:40:58.200
 the question,

00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:58.860
 have you been

00:40:58.860 --> 00:40:59.600
 baptized in the Spirit?

00:40:59.760 --> 00:41:00.059
 No.

00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.860
 Repent and believe.

00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:03.480
 Flee from the wrath

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.260
 to come.

00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:05.600
 Repent and believe

00:41:05.600 --> 00:41:07.220
 in the sufficient

00:41:07.220 --> 00:41:08.320
 work of the gospel

00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:10.039
 of Jesus Christ.

00:41:11.660 --> 00:41:12.280
 If you answer

00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:13.220
 yes to that question,

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:13.900
 yes, I've been

00:41:13.900 --> 00:41:14.760
 baptized in the Spirit.

00:41:15.800 --> 00:41:16.720
 Do you develop

00:41:16.720 --> 00:41:17.100
 disciples?

00:41:17.740 --> 00:41:18.600
 Are you at work

00:41:18.600 --> 00:41:19.220
 with people?

00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:20.100
 Are you investing

00:41:20.100 --> 00:41:20.600
 something?

00:41:20.700 --> 00:41:21.220
 All of us have

00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:22.260
 something to invest.

00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:23.400
 You may not feel

00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:24.300
 equipped for that.

00:41:24.660 --> 00:41:24.940
 You may not feel

00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:25.340
 like you have

00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.220
 some wealth of

00:41:26.220 --> 00:41:26.920
 knowledge to impart

00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:27.500
 to somebody else.

00:41:27.680 --> 00:41:28.620
 You have something

00:41:28.620 --> 00:41:30.140
 to invest in somebody

00:41:30.140 --> 00:41:30.920
 who's younger in the

00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:31.480
 faith than you

00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.440
 or even a peer.

00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:34.559
 Invest into others.

00:41:34.640 --> 00:41:35.180
 Do you develop

00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:35.519
 disciples?

00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:37.660
 Are you committed

00:41:37.660 --> 00:41:38.620
 to the cause

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.659
 of Christ?

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.239
 Are you committed

00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:42.019
 to the cause

00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:42.400
 of Christ?

00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.239
 Are you chasing

00:41:43.239 --> 00:41:44.440
 your dream?

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:45.739
 Are you chasing

00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:46.440
 his dream?

00:41:47.079 --> 00:41:47.779
 Is your life

00:41:47.779 --> 00:41:48.719
 given to the

00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:49.559
 building of the

00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:51.279
 kingdom of God?

00:41:51.619 --> 00:41:51.960
 And beloved,

00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:52.980
 we do this in all

00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.900
 kinds of practical

00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:54.239
 ways.

00:41:54.339 --> 00:41:54.839
 We do this as

00:41:54.839 --> 00:41:55.199
 students.

00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:55.819
 We do this as

00:41:55.819 --> 00:41:56.339
 employees.

00:41:56.819 --> 00:41:57.460
 We do this as

00:41:57.460 --> 00:41:58.319
 husbands and fathers

00:41:58.319 --> 00:41:59.039
 and parents.

00:41:59.460 --> 00:42:00.159
 All kinds of

00:42:00.159 --> 00:42:00.839
 very practical

00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:02.460
 ways we build

00:42:02.460 --> 00:42:03.319
 the kingdom

00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.519
 of God.

00:42:06.240 --> 00:42:07.519
 Do you love

00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:08.200
 the fellowship

00:42:08.200 --> 00:42:09.640
 of God's

00:42:09.640 --> 00:42:09.900
 people?

00:42:11.559 --> 00:42:12.360
 Do you love

00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:12.780
 the fellowship

00:42:12.780 --> 00:42:13.340
 of God's

00:42:13.340 --> 00:42:13.539
 people?

00:42:14.820 --> 00:42:15.519
 If you answer

00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:16.120
 yes to these

00:42:16.120 --> 00:42:16.580
 questions,

00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.420
 then there are

00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:18.160
 signs that you

00:42:18.160 --> 00:42:18.860
 are being filled

00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:19.380
 with the Spirit.

00:42:20.080 --> 00:42:20.880
 The Word of

00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:21.860
 Christ is dwelling

00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:22.840
 in you richly,

00:42:23.120 --> 00:42:24.900
 at least at times.

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:27.240
 If you answer

00:42:27.240 --> 00:42:28.300
 no, then why

00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:28.740
 not?

00:42:29.760 --> 00:42:30.420
 Why not?

00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:31.000
 Why are you

00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:33.000
 not being filled

00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:34.400
 with the Spirit?

00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:35.980
 What is it that

00:42:35.980 --> 00:42:36.920
 you believe that

00:42:36.920 --> 00:42:37.699
 is not consistent

00:42:37.699 --> 00:42:38.340
 with what the

00:42:38.340 --> 00:42:39.500
 Bible has to say

00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:40.159
 about you,

00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:41.420
 what it has to

00:42:41.420 --> 00:42:41.860
 say about the

00:42:41.860 --> 00:42:42.800
 world around you,

00:42:43.139 --> 00:42:43.940
 and what it has

00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:44.800
 to say about

00:42:44.800 --> 00:42:46.260
 our great God?

00:42:46.659 --> 00:42:47.119
 Let's pray

00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:47.380
 together.