WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.355 --> 00:00:05.165 Welcome. Hope it's good to see you. Welcome online. Come on, 2 00:00:05.166 --> 00:00:09.045 let's stand and sing together. I'll praise in 3 00:00:16.825 --> 00:00:18.505 I'm I. 4 00:00:38.425 --> 00:00:38.665 So. 5 00:00:38.665 --> 00:00:39.498 As 6 00:01:00.715 --> 00:01:01.548 praise. When 7 00:02:11.245 --> 00:02:14.365 praise gonna shoot Rose. 8 00:02:15.365 --> 00:02:16.198 Defeated. 9 00:02:19.405 --> 00:02:20.238 Gonna shoot. 10 00:02:30.285 --> 00:02:31.118 Defeated. 11 00:03:56.195 --> 00:03:58.035 You. Calm the storms around 12 00:04:05.515 --> 00:04:06.348 the darkness. 13 00:04:21.555 --> 00:04:22.388 One 14 00:06:04.165 --> 00:06:08.805 greater. There's no power like the power of Jesus. 15 00:06:10.505 --> 00:06:12.945 Let arise. Let all, 16 00:06:14.825 --> 00:06:17.945 there's no power like the power Jesus. 17 00:07:40.505 --> 00:07:41.455 Hallelujah. Well, 18 00:07:41.456 --> 00:07:46.015 we're so glad to celebrate with you the glory of God in this place. 19 00:07:46.475 --> 00:07:47.775 For those of you, if you're here, 20 00:07:47.776 --> 00:07:50.935 and this is your very first time to Hope Community Church, 21 00:07:51.035 --> 00:07:55.575 we want to welcome you. You are so very welcome here. And after the service, 22 00:07:55.715 --> 00:07:57.815 if you just head out these doors and to your left, 23 00:07:57.816 --> 00:08:01.695 you're gonna see a next steps area and we would love to connect with you. 24 00:08:01.875 --> 00:08:04.815 We actually have a special gift that we would love to give you just for coming 25 00:08:05.155 --> 00:08:06.015 and checking us out. 26 00:08:06.016 --> 00:08:10.375 And there we can answer more questions about our church and help you take your 27 00:08:10.376 --> 00:08:14.535 next step with Jesus there. For those of you who are joining us online, 28 00:08:14.585 --> 00:08:19.095 we're so glad that you took some time out to check out Get Hope tv and we want 29 00:08:19.096 --> 00:08:21.175 to know that you're new. 30 00:08:21.176 --> 00:08:24.335 So if this is your first time and you're experiencing hope, go in the chat. 31 00:08:24.485 --> 00:08:27.695 Type the word new, our people would love to connect with you. And again, 32 00:08:27.795 --> 00:08:31.935 let you know all about what God is doing here at Hope Community Church. 33 00:08:32.645 --> 00:08:37.015 Well, we're gonna continue worshiping together, sing about our king. 34 00:08:56.885 --> 00:08:59.165 Without to from heaven, 35 00:09:04.325 --> 00:09:06.045 right to fulfill 36 00:09:12.965 --> 00:09:13.798 throne. 37 00:09:22.605 --> 00:09:22.765 Come. 38 00:09:22.765 --> 00:09:23.885 On church, lift your voice and sing 39 00:09:59.075 --> 00:10:01.955 reveal kingdom and 40 00:10:05.395 --> 00:10:07.675 to redeem whole creation. 41 00:11:16.355 --> 00:11:20.155 The lamb conquer dead. 42 00:13:32.054 --> 00:13:32.887 Thank you for 43 00:14:10.825 --> 00:14:12.745 I hear your invitation 44 00:14:16.605 --> 00:14:18.165 to let it all go. 45 00:14:21.845 --> 00:14:24.765 I'm laying down and I, 46 00:14:29.685 --> 00:14:30.845 I run the, 47 00:14:35.055 --> 00:14:38.095 I'm done with reason. 48 00:14:40.225 --> 00:14:45.065 My heart needs a soul. So 49 00:15:35.335 --> 00:15:35.855 I. 50 00:15:35.855 --> 00:15:36.688 Can't, 51 00:17:33.575 --> 00:17:34.408 I. 52 00:18:14.565 --> 00:18:16.085 Can we give God praise and thanksgiving. 53 00:18:16.905 --> 00:18:17.738 For his mercy. 54 00:18:23.845 --> 00:18:26.625 You know, I love the words of that song We run to the Father. 55 00:18:26.725 --> 00:18:27.585 And here's the thing, 56 00:18:27.645 --> 00:18:32.545 the power of that song is there's only one reason that we can run 57 00:18:32.565 --> 00:18:33.398 to the Father. 58 00:18:34.005 --> 00:18:37.705 We didn't have access until cer certain point in history. 59 00:18:38.405 --> 00:18:42.305 And it was when the perfect sacrifice happened. Jesus, 60 00:18:42.605 --> 00:18:43.945 the Holy Lamb of God, 61 00:18:43.946 --> 00:18:47.505 when he gave his very life and he died on the cross for our sins, 62 00:18:47.685 --> 00:18:51.945 that's what gave us access to the Father. And that's why as a church, 63 00:18:52.085 --> 00:18:53.865 on the first weekend of every month, 64 00:18:53.925 --> 00:18:58.665 we take time to pause in our service and observe communion 65 00:18:59.125 --> 00:19:01.025 to remember what he's done for us. 66 00:19:01.045 --> 00:19:04.744 And I wanna read to you what Paul says to the Corinthians in Corinthians, 67 00:19:04.945 --> 00:19:06.385 first Corinthians, chapter 11. He says, 68 00:19:07.165 --> 00:19:10.385 for I receive from the Lord what I also passed on to you, 69 00:19:11.205 --> 00:19:13.225 the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, 70 00:19:13.226 --> 00:19:17.345 he took bread when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 71 00:19:18.185 --> 00:19:22.265 this is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 72 00:19:23.165 --> 00:19:25.545 In the same way after supper, he took the cups saying, 73 00:19:26.385 --> 00:19:28.945 this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 74 00:19:29.045 --> 00:19:33.585 Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. And then Paul, 75 00:19:33.586 --> 00:19:36.065 the apostle adds these powerful words. He says, 76 00:19:36.665 --> 00:19:40.665 for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you me, 77 00:19:41.045 --> 00:19:45.865 we as Christ followers proclaim the Lord's death until he 78 00:19:46.025 --> 00:19:50.625 comes. So when we observe communion, it's not just a moment of reflection, 79 00:19:50.626 --> 00:19:53.385 it's not just a moment of remembrance. It is those things. 80 00:19:54.125 --> 00:19:57.825 But it's a moment of proclamation, of the power of the gospel, 81 00:19:58.244 --> 00:20:02.265 the power of the death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 82 00:20:02.266 --> 00:20:03.585 So if you're joining us online, 83 00:20:04.385 --> 00:20:09.185 I want to encourage you to go and grab some crackers, juice, bread, 84 00:20:09.545 --> 00:20:12.785 what whatever you have that just represents the broken body of Jesus, 85 00:20:13.244 --> 00:20:15.984 the blood of Jesus, shed for you. And if you're a Christ follower, 86 00:20:15.985 --> 00:20:18.825 take time to remember his sacrifice here in the room. 87 00:20:19.425 --> 00:20:20.825 I want to ask you right now, 88 00:20:21.015 --> 00:20:23.545 just to make your way around the room to the tables, 89 00:20:23.895 --> 00:20:26.305 take the elements back to a seat. Have a seat there. 90 00:20:26.306 --> 00:20:30.305 There's some scriptures on the screen to just reflect and pause before you take 91 00:20:30.306 --> 00:20:33.065 the elements. But let's do this in remembrance of him. 92 00:22:39.295 --> 00:22:43.215 Fall into grace. I'm done with it. Heart, 93 00:22:44.335 --> 00:22:48.295 no reason away. My heart needs a 94 00:22:49.935 --> 00:22:52.455 soul, needs a, so I run, 95 00:22:57.175 --> 00:23:01.455 I run, I fall into grace. 96 00:23:02.734 --> 00:23:06.375 I'm done with it. No reason to 97 00:23:07.895 --> 00:23:10.895 my heart found a soul. 98 00:23:12.815 --> 00:23:17.615 So I again, I run, 99 00:23:18.335 --> 00:23:22.535 I run, I fall into grace. 100 00:23:23.815 --> 00:23:24.648 I'm done 101 00:23:29.244 --> 00:23:33.805 heart. So 102 00:23:49.484 --> 00:23:50.805 and again and. 103 00:23:51.405 --> 00:23:52.238 Again. 104 00:23:57.665 --> 00:23:58.325 Church. 105 00:23:58.325 --> 00:23:59.525 Just our voices sing. I run to. 106 00:24:00.085 --> 00:24:04.565 I run to the Father, fall into grace. 107 00:24:05.845 --> 00:24:09.765 I'm done with hiding the reason away 108 00:24:10.785 --> 00:24:15.045 my heart found a soul, found a friend. 109 00:24:16.005 --> 00:24:20.885 So I run to the Father again and again and 110 00:24:21.565 --> 00:24:22.398 again. 111 00:24:27.435 --> 00:24:30.715 Hallelu God, 112 00:24:31.035 --> 00:24:33.275 we give you thanks for your mercy. 113 00:24:36.895 --> 00:24:40.315 God we honor you and we glorify you. God, 114 00:24:40.316 --> 00:24:44.875 we lift up our praise to you for only you are worthy. God, 115 00:24:44.876 --> 00:24:48.515 we pray that today, if anyone doesn't know you, that you would draw them to you. 116 00:24:48.775 --> 00:24:49.196 And God, 117 00:24:49.196 --> 00:24:52.675 we pray that you would open our minds and our ears to hear and learn from your 118 00:24:52.676 --> 00:24:56.155 word tonight. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. 119 00:25:02.975 --> 00:25:05.305 Well, what's going on? Hope family. You know, 120 00:25:05.306 --> 00:25:09.305 a couple years ago we had this vision and the vision went something like this. 121 00:25:09.695 --> 00:25:14.385 What if we could put a resource in the palm of your hands that was available to 122 00:25:14.386 --> 00:25:18.825 you 24 7 to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ? 123 00:25:19.665 --> 00:25:23.665 I could not be more excited to let you know that the day is finally here and the 124 00:25:23.666 --> 00:25:27.265 hope in real life app is ready to be downloaded. Uh, 125 00:25:27.266 --> 00:25:28.505 just to give you a little backstory, 126 00:25:28.805 --> 00:25:32.505 the way that we approached this was with this masterclass mentality. 127 00:25:32.815 --> 00:25:36.585 Like what are the growth tracks where you have a felt need to grow in your 128 00:25:36.586 --> 00:25:40.465 relationship with Jesus and to live our lives the way that God has for us. 129 00:25:40.565 --> 00:25:45.505 And so areas like marriage, uh, parenting, uh, how, how about our finances? 130 00:25:45.945 --> 00:25:45.946 Uh, 131 00:25:45.946 --> 00:25:49.945 what does it really mean for me to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ? 132 00:25:49.965 --> 00:25:52.025 And so I want you to know it's organized that way. 133 00:25:52.215 --> 00:25:56.545 There's even ways to actually find community inside of the app to share prayer 134 00:25:56.546 --> 00:25:56.885 request, 135 00:25:56.885 --> 00:26:00.705 to know that people are coming alongside of you to encourage you to grow in your 136 00:26:00.706 --> 00:26:05.305 relationship with Jesus. So that's one thing I wanna let you know. Also, 137 00:26:05.734 --> 00:26:06.705 alongside of that, 138 00:26:06.925 --> 00:26:10.945 we are going to be starting an all in church Bible study together starting 139 00:26:11.005 --> 00:26:15.265 Monday, February 5th. And we're gonna do that through the app. 140 00:26:15.905 --> 00:26:18.305 It's gonna coincide with our current sermon series. I'm telling you, 141 00:26:18.306 --> 00:26:21.625 this is an opportunity for us as a church to go beyond Sunday, 142 00:26:21.685 --> 00:26:26.225 to go beyond the walls of our campuses and actually engage God through scripture 143 00:26:26.865 --> 00:26:30.905 together. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to text app, alright? 144 00:26:30.906 --> 00:26:35.545 That's a PP to 7 2 9 8 9. When you do that, 145 00:26:35.546 --> 00:26:38.385 you're gonna get a link sent directly to your phone that's gonna allow you to 146 00:26:38.505 --> 00:26:39.338 download the app. Now, 147 00:26:39.484 --> 00:26:42.105 if you don't do that now and you get home later and think, oh yeah, 148 00:26:42.145 --> 00:26:46.045 I need to download the app, and you forget that 7, 2, 9, 8, 9 number, 149 00:26:46.075 --> 00:26:49.165 just go to whatever app store you usually use to download apps, 150 00:26:49.345 --> 00:26:52.925 search Hope in Real Life app. It'll pop up and you can jump in. Listen, 151 00:26:53.315 --> 00:26:57.765 this is an opportunity for us as a church to take a next step that God is 152 00:26:57.766 --> 00:27:02.484 calling us into. We're jumping in week one. That's the move. Let's go. 153 00:27:09.805 --> 00:27:11.145 And now back to the church. 154 00:27:13.705 --> 00:27:18.185 I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. Yeah. Like to come on. 155 00:27:19.025 --> 00:27:20.465 I like to move it, move it. 156 00:27:23.925 --> 00:27:24.758 As we see here. 157 00:27:24.875 --> 00:27:29.875 3 158 00:27:34.744 --> 00:27:35.345 25, 11 38. 159 00:27:35.345 --> 00:27:36.178 That we. 160 00:27:43.244 --> 00:27:43.695 Moving. 161 00:27:43.695 --> 00:27:44.528 Into the Renaissance. 162 00:27:47.785 --> 00:27:48.618 Physically, physically 163 00:27:55.585 --> 00:27:55.825 what's in. 164 00:27:55.825 --> 00:27:56.984 The modern mirror. We start to see. 165 00:28:00.785 --> 00:28:03.265 Like, it, it. 166 00:28:06.265 --> 00:28:07.705 It, it it. 167 00:28:11.285 --> 00:28:12.945 Church history. Like you've never seen it. 168 00:28:16.005 --> 00:28:18.385 We saying there's nothing that our God can't do. 169 00:28:21.685 --> 00:28:23.825 But he doesn't always do what we like. 170 00:28:25.935 --> 00:28:28.265 Sometimes he doesn't meet our expectations. 171 00:28:30.885 --> 00:28:33.055 He's powerful enough, he's able, 172 00:28:33.555 --> 00:28:36.695 but he doesn't do what we think he ought to do. 173 00:28:38.555 --> 00:28:40.915 If you've ever experienced that with God, then we are in good company. 174 00:28:41.015 --> 00:28:45.315 As we turn to Acts chapter one today, we begin a new series, 175 00:28:45.395 --> 00:28:50.235 a four-part series on the book of Acts as we watch how the church expands 176 00:28:50.345 --> 00:28:53.515 from Jerusalem to all the parts of the earth. 177 00:28:53.575 --> 00:28:58.275 So I'd like you to turn to Acts chapter one and we're going to 178 00:28:58.345 --> 00:29:02.595 dive right in. There's a lot to cover and it's gonna be, 179 00:29:03.075 --> 00:29:08.035 I think, and I hope a pivotal study for us. 180 00:29:09.565 --> 00:29:14.305 We sang the Spirit lit the flame, and this is what we're gonna see in, 181 00:29:14.325 --> 00:29:15.425 in the Book of Acts. 182 00:29:15.485 --> 00:29:20.345 So I'm gonna read Acts chapter one verses one through 11 so 183 00:29:20.346 --> 00:29:24.665 you can follow along. As I read from the ESV in the first book, 184 00:29:24.935 --> 00:29:29.145 this is what Luke is writing. His first book is the Gospel of Luke. 185 00:29:29.165 --> 00:29:33.225 He also writes Acts. So his, he says in the first book, ooph, 186 00:29:33.825 --> 00:29:38.665 I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was 187 00:29:38.666 --> 00:29:42.605 taken up after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles 188 00:29:42.606 --> 00:29:43.439 whom he had chosen. 189 00:29:44.025 --> 00:29:48.285 He presented himself alive to them after suffering by many proofs, 190 00:29:48.755 --> 00:29:53.245 appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 191 00:29:53.665 --> 00:29:54.845 And while staying with them, 192 00:29:55.185 --> 00:30:00.005 he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the 193 00:30:00.006 --> 00:30:02.285 promise of the Father, which he said, 194 00:30:02.525 --> 00:30:05.085 you heard from me for John baptized with water, 195 00:30:05.865 --> 00:30:10.325 but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 196 00:30:11.425 --> 00:30:13.325 So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, 197 00:30:13.915 --> 00:30:17.925 will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 198 00:30:19.915 --> 00:30:24.785 He said to them, it's not for you to know there's some disappointment. 199 00:30:25.775 --> 00:30:30.585 It's not for you to know the times or the seasons that the Father has fixed by 200 00:30:30.586 --> 00:30:32.025 his own authority. But 201 00:30:34.875 --> 00:30:39.255 here's the new news. You will receive power, 202 00:30:41.315 --> 00:30:45.735 Divine enabling when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my 203 00:30:45.975 --> 00:30:50.535 witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. 204 00:30:51.315 --> 00:30:53.935 And when he had said these things as they were looking on, 205 00:30:54.275 --> 00:30:57.935 he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. 206 00:30:58.795 --> 00:31:00.815 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, 207 00:31:00.816 --> 00:31:03.975 behold two men stood by them in white robes and said, men of Galilee, 208 00:31:05.685 --> 00:31:07.045 why do you stand looking into the sky? 209 00:31:08.355 --> 00:31:13.285 This Jesus who has taken up from you into heaven will come back 210 00:31:13.305 --> 00:31:16.045 in the same way as you saw him go. 211 00:31:18.725 --> 00:31:23.305 Now this is Luke's second account, his second volume, 212 00:31:23.765 --> 00:31:27.305 and his first volume ends in chapter 24 of Luke. 213 00:31:28.285 --> 00:31:33.105 And and the story goes like this. Jesus has died. 214 00:31:34.585 --> 00:31:36.665 He has raised up from the dead. 215 00:31:38.005 --> 00:31:42.625 And two of his disciples, we know only one's name ops, uh, 216 00:31:43.185 --> 00:31:48.145 cleopas. They were walking from Jerusalem to a Emmaus. It's about a seven hour, 217 00:31:48.465 --> 00:31:53.465 I mean seven uh, mile walk. So they're walking. As they're walking, 218 00:31:53.466 --> 00:31:56.385 they're discussing what happened in Jerusalem. I mean it was a big to-do. 219 00:31:56.435 --> 00:31:57.785 Jesus had been crucified. 220 00:31:59.285 --> 00:32:04.225 And all of a sudden Jesus appears alongside of them, say, Hey, 221 00:32:04.345 --> 00:32:07.785 what do you, what are you talking about? And they look at him like, 222 00:32:08.365 --> 00:32:13.335 are you crazy? You know what happened in Jerusalem, right? 223 00:32:13.795 --> 00:32:15.935 And Jesus is acting like, no, I don't know what's going on. 224 00:32:16.675 --> 00:32:19.815 And so they tar started to explain what, what happened in Jerusalem, 225 00:32:19.835 --> 00:32:23.895 how Jesus had died and, and they were expecting something. 226 00:32:24.275 --> 00:32:28.615 And what they were expecting was this Jesus that they had walked with for three 227 00:32:28.625 --> 00:32:29.458 years, 228 00:32:29.565 --> 00:32:33.615 this Jesus who had cast out demons and healed the sick and preached the the 229 00:32:33.616 --> 00:32:36.295 kingdom of God to people and saw many people follow him. 230 00:32:36.565 --> 00:32:41.445 This Jesus was to make a difference for the people of Israel by 231 00:32:42.555 --> 00:32:45.485 declaring war on Rome, 232 00:32:46.765 --> 00:32:50.365 toppling the Roman Empire. This is what they had expected. 233 00:32:50.555 --> 00:32:52.245 This is how they read the Old Testament. 234 00:32:53.075 --> 00:32:57.765 This is what they were expecting Jesus to do because he they believed 235 00:32:58.025 --> 00:33:02.735 was the Messiah. But he died. 236 00:33:05.465 --> 00:33:08.605 It shattered their dreams. To go on to mention, 237 00:33:08.606 --> 00:33:12.125 well a couple ladies came and told us that they didn't find him in his tomb. 238 00:33:12.185 --> 00:33:16.445 So maybe that's good news. And so as they're walking along, 239 00:33:17.955 --> 00:33:21.485 they asked Jesus to join them for supper. He says, alright, 240 00:33:21.555 --> 00:33:25.805 I'll join you for supper. And so in Matthew 24, verse 27, 241 00:33:26.225 --> 00:33:27.245 it says that Jesus, 242 00:33:27.385 --> 00:33:31.365 during that supper began to explain to them 243 00:33:32.435 --> 00:33:36.125 from the Old Testament everything concerning him. 244 00:33:37.505 --> 00:33:39.325 Can you imagine that Bible story? 245 00:33:40.785 --> 00:33:45.165 He takes all of the Old Testament and he shows it those two people, 246 00:33:45.545 --> 00:33:49.325 how it applies to Jesus. Jesus is saying to them, 247 00:33:49.885 --> 00:33:54.525 I am the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. And it says, 248 00:33:54.685 --> 00:33:57.805 suddenly their eyes were opened, they realized who it was. 249 00:33:58.625 --> 00:34:02.405 And just the time they realized who it was, he vanished from their sight. 250 00:34:03.935 --> 00:34:08.735 There he goes again. We just saw him and now he's gone again. 251 00:34:08.736 --> 00:34:10.295 First he dies and now he vanishes. 252 00:34:11.235 --> 00:34:14.295 And so they go and they tell the other disciples, he says, Hey, we just, 253 00:34:14.675 --> 00:34:18.055 we just saw Jesus and the women were there too. And they said, we, 254 00:34:18.355 --> 00:34:22.915 we saw an empty tomb. Two men stood by us and said, 255 00:34:23.075 --> 00:34:25.395 why are you looking in the tomb? It's empty. He has risen. 256 00:34:28.075 --> 00:34:30.455 And so they're all scratching their heads. Now where is he? 257 00:34:30.995 --> 00:34:34.614 And just as they're doing that, he appears once again 258 00:34:36.435 --> 00:34:41.245 automatically appears. He says, Hey, 259 00:34:41.965 --> 00:34:45.445 peace be unto you. And they're like, what do you think you're a ghost? 260 00:34:45.864 --> 00:34:48.325 That's what it says. They thought he was a ghost. 261 00:34:50.855 --> 00:34:52.395 And Jesus again explained to them 262 00:34:54.665 --> 00:34:59.215 everything concerning himself from the Old Testament. He repeats it. 263 00:35:01.475 --> 00:35:05.185 And then what he does is he tells them, 264 00:35:06.614 --> 00:35:11.425 reminds them actually that the Holy Spirit is going to come 265 00:35:12.405 --> 00:35:16.465 as he promised. If you remember John 16, the upper room discourse, 266 00:35:18.215 --> 00:35:22.205 Jesus was telling them that it's necessary for him to depart. So the counselor, 267 00:35:22.206 --> 00:35:27.145 the comforter could come, well now it's time. So, 268 00:35:27.344 --> 00:35:29.265 so for 40 days, Jesus spent 269 00:35:31.745 --> 00:35:36.114 with his disciples teaching them banishing their fears, 270 00:35:36.265 --> 00:35:38.565 helping them understand all that they needed to know, 271 00:35:38.835 --> 00:35:41.925 opening their eyes to the Old Testament and how it was fulfilled in Jesus. 272 00:35:42.465 --> 00:35:45.205 And then teaching them about the promised Holy Spirit. 273 00:35:45.505 --> 00:35:50.445 And it was not until he told them about the Spirit and had answered their 274 00:35:50.645 --> 00:35:51.805 questions, felt they were ready, 275 00:35:52.075 --> 00:35:56.125 that he ascended to the father's right hand. 276 00:35:58.645 --> 00:36:00.305 And that's what we read in Acts chapter one. 277 00:36:03.505 --> 00:36:07.325 But they had this haunting question 278 00:36:08.805 --> 00:36:12.085 that we read in verse six. Is it at this time, 279 00:36:12.945 --> 00:36:16.364 now that you're back, you disappeared, but now you're back again. 280 00:36:16.665 --> 00:36:19.685 Is it at this time you're restoring the kingdom to Israel? 281 00:36:19.955 --> 00:36:24.165 What their perspective was was what they probably read in Isaiah chapter two. 282 00:36:24.905 --> 00:36:29.885 Isaiah chapter two said that Jerusalem would be the center for 283 00:36:29.905 --> 00:36:34.245 all the peoples of the nations to come and worship God. And they were thinking, 284 00:36:34.246 --> 00:36:38.165 this is the perfect time. You have just risen from the dead. 285 00:36:38.695 --> 00:36:39.528 Now's the time 286 00:36:42.975 --> 00:36:44.035 and Jesus departs. 287 00:36:47.614 --> 00:36:52.285 And so they're left and awe of his ascension. 288 00:36:52.985 --> 00:36:56.125 But wondering what is this going to be like? 289 00:36:59.555 --> 00:37:02.605 What is God up to? This is not what we expected. 290 00:37:04.455 --> 00:37:08.114 We expected more and more people to come to Jerusalem, 291 00:37:09.185 --> 00:37:13.075 more people to be converted by the Messiah. It's just not happening. 292 00:37:13.175 --> 00:37:17.795 So we turn over to Acts chapter two 293 00:37:18.335 --> 00:37:21.594 and I'm going to read several verses there as well. 294 00:37:23.715 --> 00:37:28.114 Chapter two verse one, when the day of Pentecost arrived, 295 00:37:28.985 --> 00:37:32.795 they were all together one place and suddenly there came from heaven, 296 00:37:33.435 --> 00:37:35.315 a sound like a mighty rushing wind. 297 00:37:35.316 --> 00:37:39.475 And it filled the entire house where they were sitting and divided tongues of as 298 00:37:39.515 --> 00:37:42.395 a fire appeared to them and rested on each of them. 299 00:37:42.975 --> 00:37:45.795 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other 300 00:37:45.796 --> 00:37:49.995 tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem, 301 00:37:50.225 --> 00:37:51.058 Jews 302 00:37:52.475 --> 00:37:56.355 Di devout men from every nation under heaven. 303 00:37:58.465 --> 00:37:59.405 And at this sound, 304 00:37:59.425 --> 00:38:02.844 the multitude came together and they were bewildered because each one was 305 00:38:02.845 --> 00:38:06.965 hearing them in his own language and they were amazed and astonished saying, 306 00:38:07.305 --> 00:38:09.805 are not all these who speaking Galileans? 307 00:38:10.385 --> 00:38:14.725 And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? 308 00:38:15.985 --> 00:38:20.875 Parthians, Meads mites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, 309 00:38:21.594 --> 00:38:23.635 Pontus, Asia, reia, paraphilia, 310 00:38:23.685 --> 00:38:26.915 Egypt and parts of Libya belong to re and visitors from Rome, 311 00:38:27.025 --> 00:38:29.555 both Jews and ProSites credence in Arabian. 312 00:38:29.895 --> 00:38:33.755 We hear them telling in our own tongues, the mighty works of God 313 00:38:36.715 --> 00:38:40.695 and all were amazed and perplexed saying to one another, 314 00:38:41.565 --> 00:38:42.735 what does this mean? 315 00:38:43.355 --> 00:38:46.614 Now others were mocking saying they're filled with new wine. 316 00:38:47.995 --> 00:38:51.335 And what we see here is something very significant. 317 00:38:52.364 --> 00:38:56.815 This is the reversal of something that happened back in Genesis chapter 11 318 00:38:56.816 --> 00:38:59.614 called Babel. Do you remember that story? 319 00:39:01.815 --> 00:39:06.135 Humanity on their own wanted to reach God. So what did they do? 320 00:39:06.525 --> 00:39:09.695 They built what's back, an ancient near east, a zt, 321 00:39:10.335 --> 00:39:13.255 a multi-tiered building or a tower. 322 00:39:13.955 --> 00:39:18.575 And they were trying to reach God. They're trying to get to heaven on their own. 323 00:39:19.695 --> 00:39:24.125 And God said no. So God confuses the tongue. 324 00:39:24.265 --> 00:39:28.765 That's the Hebrew word, Babel to confuse. He confuses their tongue. 325 00:39:29.265 --> 00:39:30.364 All of a sudden they find each other. 326 00:39:30.725 --> 00:39:31.965 They're speaking the same language as they, 327 00:39:32.114 --> 00:39:35.325 they split up and the nations are are born. 328 00:39:38.515 --> 00:39:39.348 What we have here 329 00:39:40.905 --> 00:39:45.045 is not man seeking to reach God in their own way, 330 00:39:46.094 --> 00:39:48.995 but God seeking to reach man 331 00:39:50.675 --> 00:39:51.508 in a new way. 332 00:39:54.715 --> 00:39:59.375 That's a beautiful picture of the unity of scripture and how God takes what is a 333 00:39:59.376 --> 00:40:01.895 mess that man makes and makes it right. 334 00:40:04.015 --> 00:40:07.905 When those people were building that tower, they didn't expect that to happen. 335 00:40:09.625 --> 00:40:11.235 When the people of, uh, the, 336 00:40:11.236 --> 00:40:14.275 the disciples thought he was gonna build a temple didn't happen. 337 00:40:15.094 --> 00:40:19.195 Disappointment everywhere, bewilderment, disillusionment. 338 00:40:20.594 --> 00:40:22.375 But God had a better plan. 339 00:40:23.755 --> 00:40:27.575 And so here we are, we where and there we go. 340 00:40:31.275 --> 00:40:36.015 So now they're sitting, the spirit has come upon them, 341 00:40:36.016 --> 00:40:37.495 they're speaking in tongues 342 00:40:39.935 --> 00:40:44.475 and God has done something amazing and they're still not sure what does this 343 00:40:44.476 --> 00:40:49.045 mean? I think we'd be in the same boat. 344 00:40:53.545 --> 00:40:55.885 We wouldn't understand it either. In fact, 345 00:40:56.085 --> 00:41:00.925 I believe today we've lost the dynamic that we're about to read about in the 346 00:41:00.926 --> 00:41:04.045 church in the West goes something like this. 347 00:41:05.665 --> 00:41:09.285 If you look at chapter two of Acts, 348 00:41:10.975 --> 00:41:11.808 we see Peter, 349 00:41:12.755 --> 00:41:17.635 remember Peter denying Peter confused Peter bumbling Peter 350 00:41:18.195 --> 00:41:22.594 couldn't get anything right unless God Dev divinely gave it to him 351 00:41:24.825 --> 00:41:26.555 just a couple months after he denied Christ. 352 00:41:27.465 --> 00:41:30.114 He's here in the street corner of Jerusalem 353 00:41:34.105 --> 00:41:39.045 and he's going to preach something that he had 354 00:41:39.046 --> 00:41:39.885 never preached before. 355 00:41:41.585 --> 00:41:45.315 He's gonna say words that were not from him. 356 00:41:47.795 --> 00:41:52.455 The Holy Spirit had come upon him and the others and now 357 00:41:52.635 --> 00:41:57.455 he stands and he says he stood up with the other 11 358 00:41:57.715 --> 00:41:58.548 raised his voice. 359 00:41:58.815 --> 00:42:01.415 Remember all those people from all the nations are gathered in Jerusalem 360 00:42:03.285 --> 00:42:07.405 and he stands up, he says, listen to me. This is important. 361 00:42:07.955 --> 00:42:11.525 Lean in. He wasn't like, oh hey guys, I got something. If you have time, uh, 362 00:42:12.585 --> 00:42:15.625 I'd like to share something with you. No, 363 00:42:16.125 --> 00:42:19.225 he stood in the confidence that the spirit of God had given him 364 00:42:22.275 --> 00:42:23.535 and he proclaims to them 365 00:42:25.455 --> 00:42:30.215 a message that we need to recapture in the church in the West. 366 00:42:30.855 --> 00:42:34.895 And that is this Jesus. Look at verse 22, 367 00:42:36.635 --> 00:42:39.735 men of Israel, listen to this 368 00:42:41.305 --> 00:42:42.138 Jesus, 369 00:42:51.815 --> 00:42:56.075 he didn't start telling these people about the stories of walking by the sea of 370 00:42:56.076 --> 00:42:56.995 Galilee with Jesus. 371 00:42:58.135 --> 00:43:01.155 He didn't recount everything that had happened to him and all the wonderful 372 00:43:01.156 --> 00:43:02.995 experiences he had with his master. 373 00:43:04.695 --> 00:43:09.335 He proclaims Jesus. Listen to what he says. 374 00:43:10.785 --> 00:43:13.975 Jesus of Nazareth was a man. 375 00:43:15.075 --> 00:43:17.655 He talks about Jesus' humanity, 376 00:43:21.275 --> 00:43:25.915 Accredited by God, by his miracles, wonders, and signs his deity, 377 00:43:27.485 --> 00:43:31.075 which God did among you through him. As you yourselves know, 378 00:43:31.385 --> 00:43:36.195 this man was handed over to you by God's 379 00:43:36.655 --> 00:43:39.995 set purpose and foreknowledge. 380 00:43:41.895 --> 00:43:42.728 Wow. 381 00:43:46.355 --> 00:43:47.125 Do you remember Peter? 382 00:43:47.125 --> 00:43:50.895 This is the same Peter when Jesus said he had to go to the cross, he said, 383 00:43:51.015 --> 00:43:54.055 I will not let that happen. And you remember what Jesus said, 384 00:43:54.555 --> 00:43:58.055 get behind me Satan. Why did Jesus say that? 385 00:43:58.056 --> 00:44:02.675 Because Peter unknowingly wanted to 386 00:44:02.864 --> 00:44:06.195 stop Jesus from doing the very thing he came to do. 387 00:44:09.255 --> 00:44:11.915 He said that's that's the work of Satan. 388 00:44:12.655 --> 00:44:17.435 That's same Peter is now saying, you know what? 389 00:44:17.855 --> 00:44:19.875 By God's predetermined counsel, 390 00:44:21.094 --> 00:44:23.315 he delivered his own son 391 00:44:25.085 --> 00:44:29.975 That could only be attributed to the coming and work of the spirit of 392 00:44:30.035 --> 00:44:31.805 God at the day of, of Pentecost. 393 00:44:35.035 --> 00:44:36.535 Now what's important about that? 394 00:44:39.005 --> 00:44:40.975 It's important because we understand 395 00:44:44.094 --> 00:44:48.825 that the message of our mission is 396 00:44:49.445 --> 00:44:50.278 Christ. 397 00:44:54.075 --> 00:44:57.745 We're getting that confused in churches today across our land. 398 00:44:58.905 --> 00:45:03.305 I believe we're in this ecclesiastical moment in our land where people are 399 00:45:04.675 --> 00:45:05.785 abandoning the faith. 400 00:45:08.675 --> 00:45:13.364 They're replacing Jesus with other commitments that make them 401 00:45:13.475 --> 00:45:16.005 feel more safe In this culture 402 00:45:17.775 --> 00:45:19.555 and in this ecclesiastical moment, 403 00:45:19.905 --> 00:45:23.995 it's also a personal moment for you and for me. We have to ask the question, 404 00:45:26.445 --> 00:45:27.705 am I going to one, 405 00:45:28.635 --> 00:45:33.425 renew my commitment to this kind of spirit fill spirit led 406 00:45:33.985 --> 00:45:38.864 ministry of preaching and proclaiming Jesus Christ where we live, learn, 407 00:45:38.865 --> 00:45:41.785 work and play. Or two, 408 00:45:41.805 --> 00:45:45.864 am I gonna replace it with something that is more comfortable for me with my 409 00:45:45.865 --> 00:45:47.825 friends and my colleagues and my neighbors? 410 00:45:52.025 --> 00:45:55.275 I'll talk about spirituality, I'll, I'll talk about God, 411 00:45:55.335 --> 00:45:57.075 but not Jesus. 412 00:46:00.455 --> 00:46:02.895 A lot of churches are doing that. As you may know, 413 00:46:04.795 --> 00:46:08.445 they're giving into all kinds of political ideologies and other things and 414 00:46:08.446 --> 00:46:10.364 they're emphasizing the wrong thing. 415 00:46:14.475 --> 00:46:19.015 Or we can thirdly just reject Christ 416 00:46:20.655 --> 00:46:24.375 altogether. Those are three choices in this moment. 417 00:46:25.465 --> 00:46:29.205 Do we renew our commitment to proclaim him and him alone? 418 00:46:30.225 --> 00:46:33.844 Do we replace it with something more comfortable for our culture or do we reject 419 00:46:33.845 --> 00:46:34.678 it altogether? 420 00:46:35.065 --> 00:46:39.285 And there's churches right in our community that have completely 421 00:46:39.925 --> 00:46:44.125 rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. And as doing that, 422 00:46:44.275 --> 00:46:48.925 they have separated themselves from the 2000 years 423 00:46:49.785 --> 00:46:52.364 of gospel preaching, spirit 424 00:46:54.075 --> 00:46:59.045 enabled spirit empowered proclamation of Jesus the 425 00:46:59.105 --> 00:47:01.285 man, Jesus God. 426 00:47:04.725 --> 00:47:06.065 You see, that's, that's important. 427 00:47:08.925 --> 00:47:13.145 And so the first implication from Ephesians one and two is that Christ 428 00:47:13.725 --> 00:47:18.455 is the message of our mission Jesus. 429 00:47:19.735 --> 00:47:23.094 And as you work your way through the messages of acts, 430 00:47:24.364 --> 00:47:29.005 what you find over and over and over again is, 431 00:47:29.114 --> 00:47:30.935 is it's about Jesus. 432 00:47:32.725 --> 00:47:34.255 It's always about Jesus. 433 00:47:36.864 --> 00:47:40.685 And you get to Paul and you read his letters and he says to me, 434 00:47:41.145 --> 00:47:42.725 to live is Christ. 435 00:47:46.985 --> 00:47:51.205 If you put anything else in that place to me to live is health to me. 436 00:47:51.505 --> 00:47:55.325 To live is financial security to me to live whatever, 437 00:47:56.965 --> 00:48:01.295 then you can't say the last part of that same verse for he said to me, 438 00:48:01.435 --> 00:48:05.255 to live is Christ. To die is gain 439 00:48:10.065 --> 00:48:13.844 For you to live as health. You'll be sorely disappointed 440 00:48:15.864 --> 00:48:20.405 for you to live as financial security. It will be taken away. 441 00:48:20.915 --> 00:48:22.605 There's no pockets and shrouds. 442 00:48:24.425 --> 00:48:25.258 Right? 443 00:48:27.235 --> 00:48:29.535 And this is, this is at what is at stake. 444 00:48:31.705 --> 00:48:36.555 What Luke is wanting us to understand as he writes these letters or 445 00:48:36.556 --> 00:48:37.635 writes these words rather, 446 00:48:38.614 --> 00:48:43.475 is for us to understand the key dynamic of the church of Jesus 447 00:48:43.535 --> 00:48:46.635 Christ is precisely him. Jesus Christ. 448 00:48:53.725 --> 00:48:56.175 This is why Paul in Ephesians chapter four, 449 00:48:57.885 --> 00:49:01.455 when he is talking about the ascension of Christ and that the ascension of 450 00:49:01.456 --> 00:49:04.335 Christ, Christ gave gifts to people 451 00:49:06.075 --> 00:49:06.915 through the Spirit. It 452 00:49:08.885 --> 00:49:13.585 so that Christ's mission that he began as he walked this earth would continue 453 00:49:13.586 --> 00:49:16.105 through his people. And so he gives them gifts. 454 00:49:18.165 --> 00:49:22.625 And he says the reason he gives gifts is so that the church, 455 00:49:23.685 --> 00:49:26.905 you, me, together, 456 00:49:28.035 --> 00:49:32.905 might grow up to the fullness of the stature of 457 00:49:32.906 --> 00:49:35.265 Christ. Hope. 458 00:49:36.645 --> 00:49:40.715 We do not measure ourselves against each other 459 00:49:44.215 --> 00:49:47.755 as a collective. We don't measure ourselves against another church. 460 00:49:50.585 --> 00:49:51.635 Hope, community Church, 461 00:49:53.045 --> 00:49:57.265 summit Vintage C3 Shepherds, you name it. 462 00:49:57.535 --> 00:50:02.385 They are to measure and we are to measure ourselves against Jesus Christ. 463 00:50:04.715 --> 00:50:06.895 He is the message that we proclaim. 464 00:50:07.955 --> 00:50:12.735 And the sec second implication of this is that we are responsible 465 00:50:13.114 --> 00:50:14.094 for that mission. 466 00:50:18.935 --> 00:50:21.425 It's easy, however, to neglect that 467 00:50:23.305 --> 00:50:27.885 It's easy for us to get comfortable not sharing Jesus. 468 00:50:31.594 --> 00:50:33.055 And Luke wants to remind us 469 00:50:34.885 --> 00:50:39.855 there's a long history of men and women who gave 470 00:50:39.856 --> 00:50:42.695 their all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 471 00:50:46.515 --> 00:50:47.585 Missionary stories, 472 00:50:47.695 --> 00:50:52.025 stories from all over the world of men and women that have gone into places that 473 00:50:52.335 --> 00:50:56.545 some of us wouldn't think about going to in order to tell them about Jesus. 474 00:51:00.485 --> 00:51:04.094 Good mission, biographies are very rarely read anymore, 475 00:51:04.435 --> 00:51:05.935 but they're very well worth reading. 476 00:51:06.735 --> 00:51:08.975 'cause they remind us of the people that have gone before us. 477 00:51:09.275 --> 00:51:13.775 My wife often says the cloud of witnesses that spur us on, 478 00:51:14.485 --> 00:51:18.375 that we can look to and gain courage from because they were faithful. 479 00:51:18.435 --> 00:51:21.575 We can be faithful in hope. We need to be faithful. 480 00:51:23.835 --> 00:51:27.735 We do not want to be a church that replaces Christ 481 00:51:28.605 --> 00:51:30.094 with something more comfortable. 482 00:51:34.025 --> 00:51:37.885 We certainly do not want to be a church that rejects Christ all together. 483 00:51:39.785 --> 00:51:43.605 I'm glad hope is committed to the truth of God's word and to the proclamation of 484 00:51:43.606 --> 00:51:46.364 that. And we do that so that we can be equipped. 485 00:51:46.545 --> 00:51:48.645 So when we are here being refreshed 486 00:51:50.825 --> 00:51:55.125 and renewed by the teaching of the word, we go out, we're sent. 487 00:51:55.665 --> 00:51:58.525 And this is the the work of the spirit he sends. 488 00:51:59.745 --> 00:52:03.765 So as you go through acts, you find throughout acts these, 489 00:52:04.055 --> 00:52:09.005 these little statements and they appear at key places through the 490 00:52:09.006 --> 00:52:11.405 Book of Acts chapter six, verse seven. 491 00:52:12.305 --> 00:52:15.205 The word of God spread and the number of disciples increased. 492 00:52:15.915 --> 00:52:17.364 Chapter 9 31. 493 00:52:17.885 --> 00:52:22.125 And the souls of the of the disciples were strengthened and God was adding to 494 00:52:22.126 --> 00:52:25.735 their numbers daily. 16, five, 495 00:52:26.035 --> 00:52:28.655 the word of God spread. Disciples increased. 496 00:52:31.565 --> 00:52:35.005 1920, the number of disciples increased. 497 00:52:35.065 --> 00:52:36.965 The word of God strengthened and spread. 498 00:52:39.465 --> 00:52:43.645 And then it ends in the last verse of chapter 28 499 00:52:44.594 --> 00:52:46.125 with an unfinished task. 500 00:52:49.985 --> 00:52:52.315 Paul in chains 501 00:52:54.505 --> 00:52:57.495 still proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. 502 00:53:00.045 --> 00:53:03.695 When our minds race forward to the book of Revelation, 503 00:53:06.955 --> 00:53:11.575 you might remember that verse that says that their people 504 00:53:12.245 --> 00:53:16.895 from every tribe and tongue and people, group and nation 505 00:53:20.205 --> 00:53:25.045 standing before the throne of God and of the Lamb singing 506 00:53:25.085 --> 00:53:29.665 praise to him, How do they get there? 507 00:53:37.705 --> 00:53:42.535 It is our responsibility by the power of the Spirit with the 508 00:53:42.536 --> 00:53:46.344 gospel of Jesus Christ to populate heaven 509 00:53:48.165 --> 00:53:51.935 with people from every tongue, tribe, nation. 510 00:53:54.665 --> 00:53:59.325 That's your responsibility. That's my responsibility. 511 00:54:00.905 --> 00:54:03.235 It's not the responsibility of the people that are up here speaking. 512 00:54:06.395 --> 00:54:10.555 I mean it is, but not solely or the paid staff. 513 00:54:12.614 --> 00:54:17.195 It wasn't the responsibility simply of the 12 apostles for when they all 514 00:54:17.395 --> 00:54:21.195 gathered in Jerusalem and they were happy just to be in Jerusalem. And God said, 515 00:54:21.196 --> 00:54:24.195 I wanted to go to Judea and Samaria and then to the uttermost parts of the 516 00:54:24.196 --> 00:54:27.315 earth. He sent persecution so the church would scatter and who scattered 517 00:54:28.855 --> 00:54:31.835 new believers, scattered people that were new in their faith. 518 00:54:32.455 --> 00:54:35.675 The apostles stayed in Jerusalem. There's people like you and me, 519 00:54:36.745 --> 00:54:41.085 no credentials, no great scholarly scholar like Paul. 520 00:54:41.675 --> 00:54:43.685 They went out and they spread the good news. 521 00:54:44.985 --> 00:54:46.405 And as they went and spread the good news, 522 00:54:46.844 --> 00:54:50.125 churches were started all over Asian minor. 523 00:54:52.635 --> 00:54:53.895 It wasn't the work of one man, 524 00:54:53.896 --> 00:54:56.175 it was the work of the spirit of God through the people of God, 525 00:54:56.665 --> 00:54:59.735 using the word of God to proclaim the son of God. 526 00:55:03.475 --> 00:55:06.655 That's our responsibility. Christ 527 00:55:08.915 --> 00:55:10.975 is the message of our mission. 528 00:55:13.745 --> 00:55:16.364 We are responsible for that mission. 529 00:55:18.205 --> 00:55:21.705 And as we go through acts, we're gonna see that 530 00:55:23.485 --> 00:55:27.315 people like you. So I can't do that. 531 00:55:29.125 --> 00:55:32.425 You're right. Not without the spirit of God. 532 00:55:35.065 --> 00:55:35.898 Well, I dunno what to say. 533 00:55:40.535 --> 00:55:45.235 Paul preached Jesus. You know Jesus, 534 00:55:51.375 --> 00:55:52.115 the proclamation. 535 00:55:52.115 --> 00:55:56.355 Doesn't mean you have to get up and preach in a corner as Peter did. 536 00:56:00.085 --> 00:56:04.445 It means as you sit down over a coffee and share with a neighbor or a friend, 537 00:56:05.165 --> 00:56:08.045 a coworker, what Jesus has done in your life, 538 00:56:10.395 --> 00:56:14.925 explain to them who this Jesus is. Let the Spirit of God do the work. 539 00:56:14.985 --> 00:56:18.685 We are not responsible for saving souls. That's his responsibility. 540 00:56:18.985 --> 00:56:21.125 We are responsible for proclaiming the good news. 541 00:56:27.875 --> 00:56:28.735 And the question is, 542 00:56:32.614 --> 00:56:35.475 are we up for that? 543 00:56:41.825 --> 00:56:44.195 There's nothing our God can't do 544 00:56:46.864 --> 00:56:50.114 through you in the lives of others, 545 00:56:51.364 --> 00:56:54.585 by the power of the Spirit and the Gospel of Christ 546 00:56:59.445 --> 00:57:02.425 by God's Grace May hope be a place 547 00:57:04.805 --> 00:57:07.855 that always preaches to the gospel and sends 548 00:57:09.864 --> 00:57:14.805 the family out to be the witnesses that the spirit of God wants to 549 00:57:14.825 --> 00:57:19.645 use to populate the throne room of heaven with people 550 00:57:21.755 --> 00:57:22.725 From all over the world. 551 00:57:25.975 --> 00:57:28.405 Let's ask God to help us do just that. 552 00:57:31.025 --> 00:57:35.725 Father, we thank you for your word. Your word is truth. Your truth sets us free. 553 00:57:35.726 --> 00:57:38.725 And if it's good enough for us, we certainly don't wanna hoard it. 554 00:57:38.726 --> 00:57:41.885 But at times we confess to you that that's how we live our lives 555 00:57:48.815 --> 00:57:53.805 times. We forget that Jesus is the core of our message 556 00:57:57.305 --> 00:58:00.205 and that you've sent us on mission. 557 00:58:05.235 --> 00:58:06.445 Lord, we ask you 558 00:58:08.505 --> 00:58:13.485 do a work in our hearts individually, corporately, as a church family 559 00:58:15.715 --> 00:58:20.565 that propels us out of our comfort zones, out of our fear, 560 00:58:22.505 --> 00:58:25.925 and with boldness and grace, taking the message of Jesus 561 00:58:28.905 --> 00:58:33.685 by the power of the Spirit to the people who so desperately need to hear 562 00:58:33.686 --> 00:58:34.519 about him. 563 00:58:37.275 --> 00:58:41.405 Help us by your grace to continue 564 00:58:43.445 --> 00:58:47.445 strengthening and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. 565 00:58:48.265 --> 00:58:50.405 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 566 00:59:05.165 --> 00:59:08.855 Well hope Community Church, we have received a gift this weekend. 567 00:59:11.485 --> 00:59:14.975 Some of you may not be that familiar with Gary Vet. 568 00:59:15.475 --> 00:59:20.095 He is one of our senior leaders and I've been here at hope for 569 00:59:20.605 --> 00:59:23.285 over 11 years and my life is richer. 570 00:59:23.865 --> 00:59:26.645 My understanding of God's word is richer. 571 00:59:26.705 --> 00:59:31.325 My understanding of how to apply that to my life in a practical way 572 00:59:31.985 --> 00:59:33.685 is richer because of this man. 573 00:59:34.745 --> 00:59:37.445 And today was a gift. 574 00:59:39.345 --> 00:59:44.125 It was a simple and yet incredibly prophetic and profound message 575 00:59:44.955 --> 00:59:48.485 that I know I need to go back and re-listen to a couple more times. 576 00:59:49.745 --> 00:59:51.005 And so I want to encourage you, 577 00:59:51.045 --> 00:59:54.005 I wanna encourage those of you who have joined us online too, 578 00:59:54.625 --> 00:59:59.325 go back and let the spirit of God that we've heard so clearly about 579 00:59:59.326 --> 01:00:04.245 today bring this message even more to life and more to 580 01:00:04.246 --> 01:00:07.085 application through your life for His glory. 581 01:00:08.405 --> 01:00:12.565 I wanna remind you about the app and I want to encourage you to download the app 582 01:00:12.566 --> 01:00:17.565 and you can do so by texting app a PP to 7 2 9 8 9 583 01:00:18.505 --> 01:00:23.365 and let's all of us download that and do this journey 584 01:00:23.605 --> 01:00:26.045 together through the Book of Acts starting on Monday morning. 585 01:00:26.425 --> 01:00:29.205 And I'll be doing that. I would love for you to join me, 586 01:00:29.555 --> 01:00:31.765 join us as we journey through the Book of Acts. 587 01:00:32.465 --> 01:00:34.565 If you're here in the room with us and you're new, 588 01:00:34.585 --> 01:00:38.445 we would love to meet you at next steps after the service. 589 01:00:39.105 --> 01:00:42.125 And if you're online joining us new, please let us know. 590 01:00:42.425 --> 01:00:46.725 And if there's any way we can serve you and or your family as a church, 591 01:00:46.905 --> 01:00:49.405 please let us know. Thanks for being with us during this time. 592 01:00:49.406 --> 01:00:52.405 We look forward to seeing you next week. You're dismissed.