WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.439 It's commonly thought, and certainly in the last 50 years, a lot of skeptics and critics of the Christian faith would have said that the world is becoming less and less religious. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:26.179 As more people modernize and gain technology and advancement, that we would put away myths and superstitions. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:34.759 But many scholars and folks who study this show us that the data says quite the opposite. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:39.840 The world is rapidly becoming more religious. 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:48.079 Ecclesiastes 3.11 says that God has set in our hearts eternity. 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:59.060 He's designed all of us with this longing and this desire for us to encounter, to experience the divine. 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:04.219 However we define that, we have so much in this nation. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:15.959 We are so powerful, so advanced, yet we're so bored and so empty and so hungry and so thirsty. 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:25.239 For the Christian, we teach and believe that this longing is ultimately and fully found in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:30.299 I love the author Pat Conroy, who wrote The Great Santini. 00:01:31.139 --> 00:01:32.280 He once wrote, 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:40.359 I could not quiet that pearly ache in my heart that I diagnosed as the cry of home. 00:01:41.259 --> 00:01:43.179 I'm 53 years old. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:45.740 I've lived in nine homes. 00:01:46.300 --> 00:01:53.160 And every time I drive up the driveway of my parents' house, I feel like I'm home again. 00:01:53.820 --> 00:01:58.920 But I know that it's ultimately not the home that I long for. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.960 Don't we all want to find home? 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:02.760 I thought it was interesting. 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:05.240 I walked in and saw the sign out there that said home. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:13.019 We're all looking for community, for friendships, for relationships, for family. 00:02:13.519 --> 00:02:23.599 This eternal longing is a longing that God has placed in our hearts to come home to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:31.780 So if the world is becoming more and more religious, and people are more hungry and thirsty for home, 00:02:32.299 --> 00:02:41.079 then I commend to you that the answer will be given on Pentecost Sunday that the Lord has sent to us his spirit. 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:44.940 And I'm supposed to do this in about 17 minutes. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:47.040 So buckle up. 00:02:48.300 --> 00:02:53.760 I want to show you in just a few brief moments the beauty of Pentecost, 00:02:54.320 --> 00:02:57.380 the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing unity, 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:00.920 and the great telos of God's plan, 00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:03.000 every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:06.719 So first, the amazing beauty and the timing, 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:12.120 the unique timing of this unique day of Pentecost in human history. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.919 In the Old Testament, as Tommy mentioned from the outset, 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:17.860 there's this theme. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:18.680 It's latent. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.120 It's nascent. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.280 Running through the Old Testament scriptures 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:25.539 that God will be our God, 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:26.960 and we will be his people, 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:32.539 and he will send to us the promise of his spirit being poured out. 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:34.419 We heard in the opening liturgy 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:39.159 the renewal of this promise through the prophet Joel 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:43.000 that God will send his spirit upon his people, 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:46.180 and young men and young women shall dream dreams. 00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:51.099 And if you know the passage of dry bones from Ezekiel, 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:55.739 you see this promise of the renewing of God's spirit, 00:03:56.319 --> 00:04:00.819 and at the end of it, Ezekiel writes about God, 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:03.359 my dwelling place is with them. 00:04:03.699 --> 00:04:05.139 I will be their God, 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:07.039 and they will be my people. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:11.479 Then the nations will know that I, the Lord, 00:04:11.959 --> 00:04:13.199 make Israel holy 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.199 when my sanctuary is among them forever. 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.139 This is the great promise that we see coming 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:20.100 through all of scripture, 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:23.259 that God will be with his people. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:24.379 Think about this. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:27.459 What has God promised you in this life? 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:33.500 He's not promised you that all will go well with you in this world, 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.699 that your dreams will come true, 00:04:36.899 --> 00:04:39.839 that the answers and longings of your hearts 00:04:39.839 --> 00:04:42.500 will be met in the things and the events 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.259 and the circumstances of this world. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.339 He has promised you this. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:48.519 I will be with you. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:52.279 And the way that he ensures you know this promise 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.879 is that he gives you his spirit. 00:04:57.159 --> 00:04:59.699 So there's this festival in Israel, 00:04:59.859 --> 00:05:02.479 this festival called the Festival of Weeks, 00:05:02.819 --> 00:05:05.479 and every year people would gather in Jerusalem 00:05:05.479 --> 00:05:09.479 50 days after the Passover Sunday. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:12.299 That's the word Pentecost in Greek, 50. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:17.160 So they would gather and they would bring sacrifices of new wheat, 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:20.000 new crops that have come up in the spring season 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:24.420 as a celebration that it is God who provides for them. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:28.360 And this agricultural celebration of new wheat 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:32.480 was symbolizing it is God who brings newness of life 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.639 to his people. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:38.439 And it was also tied to Moses giving the law on Mount Sinai. 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:41.540 So year after year and season after season 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:44.760 for hundreds if not thousands of years, 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.160 the people of Israel gathered together in Jerusalem 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:49.700 with this festival, 00:05:50.260 --> 00:05:53.760 celebrating and being reminded of the newness of life, 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:54.900 the promises of God. 00:05:56.260 --> 00:05:58.960 But at this festival, uniquely, 00:05:59.820 --> 00:06:01.520 people had for some reason, 00:06:02.340 --> 00:06:04.900 in God's providence, come from all over. 00:06:06.020 --> 00:06:07.300 So who is here? 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:09.820 We heard a list that Aaron read for us. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:13.219 Scholars and commentators have said about this list. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:18.779 It represents the list of the known world nations. 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:24.100 So all the nations are here in Jerusalem. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:25.800 We're representatives from them. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:28.620 And Luke, the writer of Acts, 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:31.199 says that there's converts and there's God-fears. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:34.259 Something very special and electric 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:37.439 is happening in the city of Jerusalem this day. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:39.500 Back to the promise. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:43.360 God would pour out his spirit upon all flesh. 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:46.660 Meaning we could know him personally 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:49.160 and intimately and relationally. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:53.240 A relationship with God was no longer just speculation 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.319 or the activities of our mind, 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:58.500 but a reality of our heart. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.279 It was personal. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:04.259 So this year, this particular year in the history of Israel, 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:08.419 this particular time and celebration of the newness of life 00:07:08.419 --> 00:07:10.239 and the first fruits 00:07:10.239 --> 00:07:14.679 has now become the stage for the most powerful event 00:07:14.679 --> 00:07:16.259 in human history, 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:19.619 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:24.459 Some say this is the birth of the church. 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:26.979 Second point. 00:07:27.099 --> 00:07:30.000 Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem. 00:07:31.359 --> 00:07:33.839 Acts 1.8 says, he says to them, 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:35.680 the Holy Spirit will come upon you 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.839 and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, 00:07:39.139 --> 00:07:42.639 in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 00:07:43.659 --> 00:07:47.419 So the 120-ish disciples waited 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:52.220 and they're waiting and they're waiting on the Holy Spirit. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:55.699 And at the Festival of Weeks celebration, 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.280 this day we now call Pentecost, 00:07:58.900 --> 00:08:02.660 God poured out his spirit on the disciples. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:05.680 As the writer says, 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:07.100 when the day of Pentecost came, 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:09.080 they were together in one place. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:13.480 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.060 came from heaven 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:17.839 and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:20.860 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:24.199 that separated and came to rest on them. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.600 And all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.819 and began to speak in other tongues 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:32.559 as the Spirit enabled them. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:38.360 Before our theological and denominational minds 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:40.600 get tied up in these symbols 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.460 and these words and these concepts, 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:46.860 let's just simply see the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.080 Jesus says, 00:08:49.660 --> 00:08:51.519 if you love me, you'll keep my commands 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:53.060 and I will ask the Father 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:57.379 and he will give you another advocate to help you 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:58.940 and be with you forever. 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:01.800 The Spirit of Truth. 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:03.840 He says further down, 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.879 I will not leave you as orphans. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:09.800 I will come to you. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:13.500 This is the fulfilling of the promise of God 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:14.579 throughout scriptures. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:18.079 And the Christian life that we teach 00:09:18.079 --> 00:09:20.359 and that we strive to live 00:09:20.359 --> 00:09:22.459 is simply a life trusting 00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:25.399 and walking in the power of the Spirit. 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:28.539 We can often think that the Christian life 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:30.620 is lived by just what I do, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:33.879 but it's a life lived in trust 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:35.740 and surrender to God. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.539 On the contrary, 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:40.419 Jesus sends his Spirit to dwell in us, 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:41.899 not just by what we do, 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:44.340 but he sends his Spirit to us 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:48.240 to assure us that we are not alone, 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:51.620 to remind us that we are coming home. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.139 You know, I think about all of the power 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:57.000 that we possess. 00:09:57.659 --> 00:10:01.720 My cell phone has more information 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:03.980 within a click of a button 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:07.660 than the whole library of ancient Alexandria. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:12.000 And yet we are the most disconnected people, 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:13.940 the loneliest people. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:16.279 I hear it everywhere I go. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:17.399 People say, 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:19.440 I'm looking for community. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.820 We had the Comfort Man share yesterday, 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.500 and a number of them remarked 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:28.560 one of the reasons why they ended up here at Advent 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.879 is they found a home. 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:32.899 They found community. 00:10:33.479 --> 00:10:34.859 If you're a guest today, 00:10:35.099 --> 00:10:36.859 we pray that you'll come back 00:10:36.859 --> 00:10:38.479 and find that kind of community. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.899 The Father sends us his Spirit 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:44.419 so we are not alone in this life. 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:46.079 You are not an orphan. 00:10:46.619 --> 00:10:48.839 Yesterday, Bayou shared with us 00:10:48.839 --> 00:10:50.239 some of her story, 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:53.399 and something you said really stuck with me. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:56.500 Of all the things that you have gone through 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:58.579 and the things that we have gone through 00:10:58.579 --> 00:10:59.399 in this life, 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:03.179 we are reminded that Jesus was with us 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.319 through them all. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:06.519 That is the work of the Spirit 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:07.959 assuring you, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:11.480 you are not alone in this life. 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:14.480 Psalm 68.6 says that 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.860 God sets the lonely in family. 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:19.579 Romans 8 says 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:21.820 that if the Spirit of Him 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.480 who raised Jesus from the dead 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.700 is living in you, 00:11:25.160 --> 00:11:27.879 He who raised Christ from the dead 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.620 will also give life to your mortal bodies 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:32.660 because of His Spirit 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:34.759 who lives in you. 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.480 He continues, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:38.500 for those who are led by the Spirit 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.720 are children of God, 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:40.620 not orphans. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.320 The Spirit you receive 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:43.680 does not make you slaves 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:45.560 so that you live in fear. 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:46.180 Rather, 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:49.159 the Spirit that you have received 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:51.299 brought about your adoption 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.659 to sonship. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:55.219 And so by Him we cry, 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:55.859 Abba, 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.299 Father. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.500 The Spirit Himself 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.379 testifies with our spirit 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:04.699 that we are God's children. 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.799 I'm not finished in Romans. 00:12:06.979 --> 00:12:07.239 Listen, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.939 He says that a little bit further down 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.779 in the same way. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:11.579 The Spirit helps us 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:12.439 in our weakness. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.120 We do not know 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.519 what we ought to pray for, 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:17.340 but the Spirit Himself 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:19.600 intercedes for us 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:21.539 through wordless groans. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.939 And He who searches our hearts 00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:26.779 knows the mind of the Spirit 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.519 because the Spirit intercedes 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.100 for God's people 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:33.399 in accordance with the will of God. 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:36.539 And probably the most famous verse of Romans, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.360 and we know 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.980 that in all things 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.299 God works for the good 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:42.460 of those who love Him, 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.500 who have been called 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.420 according to His purpose. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.500 The hardest thing for me 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.220 to believe 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:51.060 in my 53 years of life 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:51.680 is not, 00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:52.860 is there a God? 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.600 But is there a God 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.700 who is good 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:57.759 and really working 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.280 through the circumstances 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.100 of this world 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.200 when I see the troubling things 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:02.840 that happen, 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:04.639 troubling things that happen 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.280 to us, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:05.820 to me, 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:08.000 to believe that God 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.340 is actually at work 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:10.759 in all of these things, 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:12.620 takes a trust 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:14.480 in the Holy Spirit. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.080 You're not alone. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.980 The Spirit is poured out 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:22.200 so everyone can be filled. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.960 And just to show off, 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.879 not because I'm a Greek scholar, 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:28.700 but one of the confirmands is, 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.600 the word filled 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.960 means present, 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:33.540 imperative, 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:34.940 passive, 00:13:35.280 --> 00:13:35.800 and plural. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.299 The Holy Spirit 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:39.399 is continually 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.539 or repeatedly 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.740 filling us. 00:13:42.339 --> 00:13:43.439 We leak. 00:13:43.979 --> 00:13:45.519 We need the Spirit. 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.699 It is imperative. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.299 We are to be filled. 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:51.079 The Apostle Paul says, 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:53.479 don't get filled up on wine 00:13:53.479 --> 00:13:55.279 or any other thing 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.379 that you want to substitute, 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:58.879 but instead be filled 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.719 by the Spirit. 00:14:01.599 --> 00:14:02.559 It's passive. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.839 I don't make the Spirit 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.539 fill me. 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.579 I surrender 00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.819 and say, 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.779 Holy Spirit, 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.500 come 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.559 and have your way 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:12.120 with me. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:14.059 A very dangerous prayer. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:14.959 Lord, 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:16.439 have your way 00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:17.379 with me. 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.919 And lastly, 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.639 it's plural. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.980 It's not just for me. 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.019 It's not just for 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.279 super people 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.980 or leaders. 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:26.120 It is the filling 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.819 of the Spirit 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.620 for all 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.759 of God's people. 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:30.539 So God 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:31.219 pours out 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.799 His Spirit 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.599 on disciples 00:14:32.599 --> 00:14:34.279 and He pours out 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.059 His Spirit 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:36.519 on people 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.459 from all over 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.199 the known world 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:39.039 at Pentecost. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.399 But what else happens? 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:43.339 Let's look at Acts chapter 8 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:44.219 for just a second. 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:45.500 Acts chapter 8, 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:46.539 those who had been scattered 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.359 preached the Word 00:14:47.359 --> 00:14:48.500 everywhere they went. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.579 Verse 5, 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.459 Philip went down 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.739 to a city in Samaria 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:53.399 and He proclaimed 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:53.419 and he proclaimed 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.480 the Messiah there. 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:55.620 When the crowds 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.279 heard Philip 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.220 and saw the signs 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.820 he performed, 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:59.240 they paid close attention 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.500 to what he said 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.539 for with shrieks 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.919 impure spirits 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.919 came out of many 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.360 and many who were paralyzed 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.320 or lame 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.000 were healed. 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.720 So there was great joy 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.399 in that city. 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:10.200 Jump down 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.100 to verse 14. 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.200 When the apostles 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.960 in Jerusalem 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:14.460 heard that Samaria 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.379 had accepted 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.379 the Word of God, 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.659 they sent Peter 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.240 and John 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.060 to Samaria. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.939 and when they arrived, 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:21.579 they prayed 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.719 for the new believers 00:15:22.719 --> 00:15:24.639 that they might receive 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.559 the Holy Spirit 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:27.459 because the Holy Spirit 00:15:27.459 --> 00:15:28.519 had not yet come 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.399 on any of them. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.639 They had simply 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.359 been baptized 00:15:31.359 --> 00:15:32.519 in the name 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.959 of the Lord. 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.759 Then Peter 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.339 and John 00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:37.319 placed their hands 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:37.799 on them 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.659 and they received 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.739 the Holy Spirit. 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:44.159 Acts chapter 10, 00:15:45.819 --> 00:15:47.259 Peter began to speak. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:49.000 He's with Cornelia 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:51.000 and he said, 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.019 I now realize 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.840 how true it is 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.759 that God does not 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.899 show favoritism 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:55.120 but accepts 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.340 from every nation 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.539 the one who fears him 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:59.039 and does what is right. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.200 You know the message 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.980 God sent 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:02.200 to the people of Israel 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:04.320 announcing the good news 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:04.799 of peace 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.919 through Jesus Christ 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.600 who is Lord of all. 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.639 You know what has happened 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.659 throughout the province 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.480 of Judea 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.019 beginning in Galilee 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.019 after the baptism 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.139 that John preached. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.019 How God anointed 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.779 Jesus of Nazareth 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.039 with the Holy Spirit 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.639 and power 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:22.179 and how he went around 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:22.860 doing good 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.439 and healing 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.439 all who were under 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.059 the power 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.019 of the devil 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.519 because God was with him. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.179 Jump down a little bit. 00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:30.139 While Peter 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.159 was still speaking 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.919 these words 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.159 the Holy Spirit 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.019 came on all 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.079 who heard the message. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.100 The circumcised believers 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.360 who had come with Peter 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.919 were astonished 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.139 that the gift 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:42.059 of the Holy Spirit 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:43.079 had been poured out 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:45.139 even on the Gentiles 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.620 for they heard them 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.780 speaking in tongues 00:16:47.780 --> 00:16:49.440 and praising God. 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.540 See what's happening 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:51.639 in the book of Acts. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.460 The disciples in Jerusalem 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:55.759 the disciples in Samaria 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:57.379 the Gentiles 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.700 jumped to Acts 19. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.020 While Apollos 00:17:01.020 --> 00:17:01.940 was in Corinth 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.360 Paul took the road 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.180 through the interior 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.559 and arrived at Ephesus. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.000 There he found 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.700 some disciples 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.660 and he asked them 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.940 did you receive 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.740 the Holy Spirit 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.680 when you believed? 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:12.980 And they answered 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.620 no we've not even heard 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:15.740 that there's a Holy Spirit. 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:17.360 That's most of the church 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.820 it seems like some days. 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.299 So Paul asked 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.299 then what baptism 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.259 did you receive? 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.259 John's baptism 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.960 they replied. 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.860 Paul said 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.799 John's baptism 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.740 was a baptism 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.640 of repentance. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.259 He told the people 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.860 to believe 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:30.360 in the one 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:31.420 coming after him 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.820 that is in Jesus. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.860 On hearing this 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.840 they were baptized 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.880 in the name 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.680 of the Lord Jesus 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.380 when Paul placed 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.400 his hands on them 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.660 the Holy Spirit 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.600 came on them 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:43.860 and they spoke 00:17:43.860 --> 00:17:44.519 in tongues 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:46.560 and they prophesied 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.720 there were about 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.860 twelve men 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.580 in all. 00:17:50.820 --> 00:17:51.700 What is happening 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.460 is that God 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.380 was making 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:55.560 his promise 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.320 come true 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:58.420 through belief 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.680 and the filling 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.560 of the Spirit. 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.360 The book of Acts 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.300 gives testimony 00:18:03.300 --> 00:18:04.920 that there is this 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.660 one holy Catholic 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:08.100 and apostolic church 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.539 and faith 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.779 and those 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.299 who believed 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.480 became witnesses 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.679 in Jerusalem 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:15.500 Judea 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.519 Samaria 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.819 and to the ends 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.539 of the earth. 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.579 This is the promise 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.059 of God 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.899 through the scriptures 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:24.059 and you 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.819 friends 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.699 by faith 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:28.419 are included 00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:29.299 in that family. 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.059 Think of this 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.139 staggering fact 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.619 with me 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.480 for just a moment. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.599 On Pentecost 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:37.579 there were about 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.419 120 people 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:41.119 waiting on the Spirit. 00:18:41.959 --> 00:18:42.240 That was 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.759 2,000 years ago. 00:18:44.699 --> 00:18:44.980 Today 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.279 there are more 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:48.959 than 2.5 billion 00:18:48.959 --> 00:18:50.299 men, 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:50.859 women, 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.539 and children 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.919 around the world 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.740 identifying 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.659 in some way 00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.959 with the person 00:18:56.959 --> 00:18:57.579 of Jesus. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.199 Feng Gang Wong 00:19:00.199 --> 00:19:01.019 who studies 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.639 Christianity 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.279 in China 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.819 says, 00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.039 in China 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.779 by the year 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.759 2060 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.940 the nation 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.519 of China 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.079 will be 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.980 a majority 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.579 Christian nation 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:12.339 and the largest 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.059 nation 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.879 with Christians 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.480 in the world. 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.720 God continues 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.119 to pour out 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.399 his Holy Spirit. 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:22.460 He is making us 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.099 witnesses 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.460 to the ends 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.339 of the earth. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.460 There are 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.200 3 billion people 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.779 alive 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.960 who do not know 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.240 another living 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.160 breathing Christian 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:32.980 in this world. 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.980 Who will go 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:36.539 and preach 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.120 to them 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:38.620 the good news? 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.860 My last point 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.340 is this, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.279 the effect 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.200 of Pentecost 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.319 is that 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.620 God is building 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:47.480 a people 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.360 for himself 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.279 as he's promised 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.059 through the scriptures 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.920 from every tribe, 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:52.420 tongue, 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:52.940 people, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.620 and nation. 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.799 God is building 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.880 his people. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.519 This is the impact 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.420 and the effect 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.300 of Pentecost. 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.460 What happened 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.800 2,000 years ago 00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:03.740 is staggeringly 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.500 effective 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.600 even today. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.300 In Genesis 00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:07.560 chapter 11 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.160 there's this 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:09.720 fantastic story 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.880 about people 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.820 then who wanted 00:20:11.820 --> 00:20:13.000 to make themselves 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.440 great, 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.300 their name great 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:14.779 and they built 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.400 a ziggurat, 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.160 a tower 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.360 to ascend 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:17.940 on high 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.480 and God 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.680 scattered them 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.840 and confused 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.880 them with languages 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:24.580 that divided 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.440 and separated 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.880 them. 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:27.480 but here 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.240 at Pentecost 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.000 what's happening 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.180 is God 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.240 is reversing 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.800 Babel. 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:34.060 The world 00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:35.060 is present 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:36.080 at Pentecost. 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.720 This is why 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:39.200 the world history 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.380 is one story 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.300 after another 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:42.240 of racial 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.180 hatred 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.560 and enmity. 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.080 No people 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:46.720 on earth 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.720 have clean hands 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.320 on this. 00:20:49.040 --> 00:20:49.920 On Pentecost 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.420 day, 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.740 this is God's 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.560 answer to the 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:54.140 problem of enmity 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.340 between the races 00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:56.720 and the nations. 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.080 The message 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:58.840 of Jesus 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:00.640 makes a new 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.420 people, 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.320 one family. 00:21:04.020 --> 00:21:04.480 Tongues 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.160 even meant 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.259 everyone at that 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.920 moment could 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.640 understand. 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.180 A few years ago 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.740 at Church of the 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.259 Redeemer in 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.800 Greensboro, 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.680 we were reading 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.740 the Acts 2 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.040 passage and I 00:21:14.040 --> 00:21:14.759 kind of slipped 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.740 a surprise on 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.120 people. 00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:17.580 After about 00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.480 the first two 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:18.820 verses, 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:19.620 someone stood 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.040 up in the 00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:20.460 congregation 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.980 and they 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.240 started reading 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.980 aloud in 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.380 German. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.620 And another 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.300 person about 00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:25.840 three or four 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:26.520 verses later 00:21:26.520 --> 00:21:27.060 stood up and 00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:27.660 started reading 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.480 in Swahili 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.500 and another 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.560 one in Spanish 00:21:30.560 --> 00:21:31.400 and another 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.160 one in Arabic 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.120 and this lady 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.860 who was visiting, 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.120 she was visiting 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.540 our church 00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:36.380 first time ever. 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.440 She got up 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.100 from her seat 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:38.620 in the back 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.400 and walked up 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.220 to me and she 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.540 said, 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.560 they're speaking 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:42.280 in tongues. 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.580 You have to 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:44.460 get an interpreter 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.660 and make them 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.120 stop. 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.320 And I said, 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.160 the interpreter's 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.160 reading in English. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:51.200 And she went, 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:51.580 oh. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:52.920 And she 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.420 understood. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.040 That's the 00:21:55.040 --> 00:21:56.440 moment that 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.820 God made 00:21:57.820 --> 00:21:58.600 clear to 00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.460 every nation 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.860 his gospel. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:05.259 Seven times in 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.720 the book of 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.700 Revelation, 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.880 the phrase, 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.100 every tribe, 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:09.720 tongue, 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:10.680 people, 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.440 and nation 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.140 appears. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:14.160 Seven times. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.279 Why so much? 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.779 It's as if 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.599 at the end 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.460 of the book 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.039 God is saying, 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.420 I want you 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.359 to understand 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.240 what I'm up 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.779 to in the 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.059 world and 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.920 with people. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.899 Every tribe, 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.079 Fule, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.619 every kin, 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.740 every clan, 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.559 every tongue, 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.639 glossolalia, 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.940 every language, 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.160 every people, 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.059 Laos, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.279 every living 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.019 place where 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.899 people exist, 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.799 whether it's 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.559 a yurt in 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.139 Mongolia 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.840 or a high 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.420 rise here 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.060 in D.C. 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.660 And ethnos, 00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:51.640 every race 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.880 coming together 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:54.040 as one 00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:55.120 people, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.240 one family, 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:59.560 no more 00:22:59.560 --> 00:23:00.640 enmity. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:02.540 Through the 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.100 spirit, 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.220 God is 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.800 reversing 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.300 Babel 00:23:05.300 --> 00:23:06.520 and making 00:23:06.520 --> 00:23:07.640 one big 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.120 beautiful 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.759 family. 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.080 You know, 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.580 we talked 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.220 today about 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.720 the goal 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.580 of diversity, 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.140 but diversity 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.580 is too low 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.339 a goal. 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:17.659 God is 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.220 interested 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.059 and committed 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.639 to a 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.279 family. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.699 Psalm 133, 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.619 how blessed 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.879 it is 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.000 when brothers 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.019 and sisters 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.899 dwell in 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.279 unity. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.379 God is 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:30.119 making a 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.899 family through 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.599 his spirit 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.139 of people 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.720 who love 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.539 him and 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.899 will be 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.519 loved by 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:34.899 him, 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.819 and he's 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.500 doing that 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.220 as we 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.759 become 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.399 witnesses 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:40.240 of his 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.740 gospel. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.820 Let me 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:43.280 close with 00:23:43.280 --> 00:23:43.820 this thought 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.380 to you, 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:44.800 Church of 00:23:44.800 --> 00:23:45.180 the Advent. 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.740 Don't be 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.580 content to 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.200 find your 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.820 space 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:51.140 and have 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.780 a place, 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.900 although it 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.200 will be 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.660 amazing. 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.220 But see 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.440 this church, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.560 this family, 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.940 for every 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.580 tribe, 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.180 every tongue, 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.880 every people 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:08.060 and every 00:24:08.060 --> 00:24:08.560 nation, 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.600 believing in 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.160 Jesus, 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.860 filled with 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.640 his spirit 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.980 to worship 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.580 and to go 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.860 tell their 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.720 worlds 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.900 and their 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.519 neighbors 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.360 where to 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:22.900 find 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.960 home. 00:24:24.820 --> 00:24:25.140 Would you 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.660 pray with me? 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:30.360 I invite 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.120 you just 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:32.600 silently to 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.560 think and 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.560 consider the 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.560 idea of 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:36.600 God filling 00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:37.100 you with 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.660 his spirit. 00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.960 And I 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.580 encourage you 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.279 just for a 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:44.700 moment, 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.980 in your 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.900 heart or 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.700 even with 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.400 your hands 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.980 physically, 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.580 just to 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.240 open them 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.759 and say, 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.480 come, 00:24:54.800 --> 00:24:55.560 Holy Spirit, 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:57.660 and fill 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.820 me today. 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.019 We thank 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.440 you, Lord, 00:25:04.540 --> 00:25:04.920 for the 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.720 promise of 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.380 your spirit 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.540 that you 00:25:07.540 --> 00:25:08.880 give generously 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.980 and graciously 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.120 to all who 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:11.660 believe. 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.700 So fill 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.860 us that 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.800 we may be 00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:16.840 witnesses of 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:18.320 you in 00:25:18.320 --> 00:25:18.880 our day 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.900 and in 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.420 this time. 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.820 And we 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.580 thank you 00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:23.300 for the 00:25:23.300 --> 00:25:24.080 power of 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:24.500 your Holy 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.040 Spirit. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.820 may you 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.340 receive 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.480 honor and 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.200 glory and 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.400 blessing from 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.060 our lives. 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.380 And we pray 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:32.880 this in 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.580 Jesus' name. 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.220 Amen. 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.980 . 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.960 . 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:50.539 . 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.900 . 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.299 . 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:58.620 . 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:03.620 .