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good morning to everyone welcome to free grace Baptist Church just a couple announcements before we begin worship this morning first off we are having our luncheon today so everyone is welcome visitors everyone after the morning service will have you can head up into the fellowship luncheon hall at the back of the church there just a reminder to line up against the far wall but everyone is welcome to enjoy some some good food after the morning service as well this week on Thursday will be the the youth and young adults meeting at Daniels loot wag so 7:30 p.m. on Thursday be an email that will come out I imagine so you can look forward to that but that's this upcoming Thursday well let's turn in our Bibles and as we now move to the worship of our great triune God we'll turn in our Bibles together to Psalm 84 Psalm 84 for our call to worship Psalm 84 beginning in verse 1 this is the Word of God to the chief musician on an instrument of gaff a psalm of the sons of korah how lovely is your Tabernacle Oh Lord of Hosts my soul longs yes even faints for the courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young even your altars Oh Lord of Hosts my king and my god blessed are those who dwell in your house they will still be praising you say la blessed is the man whose strength is in you whose heart is set on pilgrimage as they pass through the valley of baka they make it a spring the rain also covers it with pools they go from strength to strength each one appears before God in Zion Oh Lord God of hosts hear my prayer give ear o God of Jacob Ceylan Oh God behold our shield and look upon the face of your anointed for a day in your courts is better than a thousand I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my god than dwell in the tents of wickedness for the Lord God is a Sun and shield the Lord will give Grace and glory no good thing will be withheld will he withhold from those who walk uprightly Oh Lord of Hosts blessed is the man who trusts in you amen let's stand and sing together him 218 and your larger Trinity hymnal 218 and when you turn there will be singing the first tune [Music] [Music] please be seated let's go to our God in prayer let us pray Heavenly Father we come to you now in prayer rejoicing in you our great God we rejoice in Father Son and Holy Spirit and we do pray that you'd help us now to worship you were right as we gather each and every Lord's Day on your Lord's Day Sabbath to worship our great God it's our prayer that you would help us by your spirit to worship you in spirit and in truth we pray that you would give us that measure of your holy spirit that our souls might be stirred to a proper praise now we pray that in this church your name would be hallowed and we pray that throughout the ends of the earth your name would be hallow that by the lips of your saints praises would be lifted up to the triune God and that you would be honored we reflect upon your blessings your benefits all those things that you pour out upon us and your condescension and your love and in your kindness and we thank you Lord God above all for Jesus Christ our Savior and the glorious gospel of our Blessed God we thank you that in the fullness of the times you did send forth your son born of a woman and born under the law to redeem those who are under the law we rejoice in that blessed truth that Jesus Christ came into this world sinners to save and we pray that you would help us Lord God to praise you for so great a salvation we know that we are not redeemed that we are not saved by deeds of righteousness which we have done but much more and much rather according to your mercy you saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit and we rejoice in your grace and in your mercy and we rejoice in the perfect work of Jesus Christ our Savior we thank you for His perfect life of obedience to your law rendered in the place of all who believe in his name we thank you for his glorious death upon Calvary's cross that death that was not an atonement of may be not an atonement of perhaps but upon that cross he so died so as to perfectly secure the salvation of a multitude which no man can number we thank you for that and for His resurrection on the third day we rejoice in that event that the truth that on the third day he rose again in power and in great victory that he has ascended to your right hand and that there our savior the Lord Jesus Christ the king of kings and Lord of lords he rules and he reigns over his enemies that he subdues the hearts of his elect and that he ever it lives to intercede for his people and we rejoice in so great a Jesus Christ we pray that you'd be with us help us to worship and as we worship God bring you honor and bring you praise and we thank you for the forgiveness of sins for everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Savior and so we do just pray God that you would be praised by the lips by the hearts of your people this morning we think of those who need prayer for physical things God we pray that you'd strengthen all our dear brothers and sisters who are struggling with with illness with disease and with injury do just bless them we pray that you'd just help them as heal them strengthen them we pray Lord God that you bring them swiftly back to health and in the midst of physical suffering that you would uplift them you would cause them to be resting upon you and all things you would help them in the midst of affliction not to be anxious in anything but with prayer and supplication mingled with Thanksgiving they'd make their requests known to you and that you'd bring peace to them through Jesus Christ our Lord we do pray that you'd be with those who are pregnant bless all of those ladies Lord who are expecting we thank you for these gifts that you give to your people and we do just pray that you'd watch over babies in the wombs that you'd strengthen mothers that you'd cause father's to look forward with great rejoicing and we do pray Lord God that in due time all of these would be brought forth with much rejoicing and that God we pray for each and every one of the young people in our midst we pray that at a young age they would own you as as their God we pray Lord God that at a young age you would bring them forth to a knowledge of Jesus Christ that you would bring them forth by victorious grace from the darkness of sin to life in Jesus and we do pray that you'd be with those throughout the world God who are persecuted for your name's sake we think of those in many nations where there is a government opposition where there is opposition from from family members and and and those of their own they're their own countrymen that bring violence that bring opposition that even bring murder upon those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and for the cause of the gospel we ask God that you'd be with your people around the world that you'd strengthen them that those are who are in the the midst of oppression and much persecution God that you'd strengthen them in the midst of that we pray that you would just uphold your dear Saints and that those who bring violence upon your people God we pray that you would that you would intervene that you would bring temporal judgments upon them we pray Lord God even for the salvation of those who would bring opposition to your people as a Paul so many years ago who was breathing threats and violence who was even bringing violence upon the church dragging men and women from their homes to persecution but you in your amazing grace brought him forth from the madness of that opposition and sin and depravity you brought him forth and and brought him into the kingdom of the son of your love we pray that you would do that throughout the world with those who are presently opposed to you you would conquer hearts that you would save sinners and God that you would grow your church throughout the world we pray that you'd be with those who rule over us the kings those who are in authority as the Bible calls us to pray for those who govern we pray for them Lord that they would do so in righteousness and in justice and we pray God that you would cause those who would seek to uphold wickedness and madness throughout the lands we would ask that you cause them to stumble like drunken men that they may no longer bring a wickedness and evil into the the ranks of government but rather God that you would judge them and that cause those to rule who would be in their place that God those who govern in each and every nation throughout the world we pray that they would govern in a proper righteousness we long to see those things of virtue upheld in the land and those things that are abominations to be cast out from among the people we do pray that you'd be with us then now in worship we thank you again that we can worship you Father Son and Holy Spirit we do pray that you'd give a much strength and much wisdom and much grace to Pastor Butler as he preaches your word in a few moments we would pray that you'd uphold him in this pulpit god we just ask that you would just as he Oh up his Bible to proclaim the truth we pray that you'd give him much strength and as we take in the worship engage in worship and hear the preaching of your word Lord we pray that you'd give us much grace as well we pray that for your people gathered here this morning that as we worship as we take in the word preached we pray that you'd help us that you would encourage us that you would strengthen us and we do pray that we leave this place equipped well equipped God to live in light of the gospel of glorious Grace and we do pray that for all who entered in this church this morning outside of Christ and unbelief Lord we pray that you would save we pray that you would bring forth sinners this morning from by the power of your Holy Spirit attending the preached word we pray pray that you bring forth sinners young and old to a knowledge of Jesus Christ so we pray for that this morning god and ultimately we pray that you would be honored that you would be praised God that all of these exercises of worship would be done unto the praise of Father Son and Holy Spirit we pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord amen let's stand and sing again this time in your read Trinity Salter we're gonna stand and sing psalm 67:2 a familiar tune that's Psalm 67 [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] in turning your Bibles with me to Luke 9 for our New Testament scripture reading Luke chapter 9 and when you turn to Luke 9 you can find your way to verse 43 as we pick up reading there Luke 9 beginning in verse 43 once again the word of God and they were all amazed at the majesty of God but while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did he said to his disciples let these words sink down into your ears for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men but they did not understand this saying and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it and they were afraid to ask him about this saying then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest and jesus perceiving the thought of their heart took a little child and set him by him and said to them whoever receives this little child in my name receives me and whoever receives me receives him who sent me for he who is least among you will excuse me for he who is least among you all will be great now John answered and said master we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we forbade him because he does not follow with us but Jesus said to him do not forbid him for he who is not against us is on our side now it came to pass when the time had come for him to be received up that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem and sent messengers before his face and as they went they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for him but they did not receive him because his face was set for the journey to Jerusalem and when his disciples James and John saw this they said Lord do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them just as Elijah did but he turned and rebuked them and said you do not know what manner of spirit you are of for the Son of man did not come to destroy men's lie but to save them and they went to another village now it happened as they journeyed on the road that someone said to him Lord I will follow you wherever you go and Jesus said to him foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head then he said to another follow me but he said Lord let me first go and bury my father jesus said to him let the dead bury their own dead but you go and preach the kingdom of God and another also said Lord I will follow you but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house but jesus said to him no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God amen well just very briefly we are Christian hearts ought to be warmed and and filled with joy when we read these words concerning the Savior he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem we are Christians ultimately by virtue of the resolute diligence of the Lord Jesus Christ who knew that the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men in other words we are our salvation rests upon this perfect Savior the Lord Jesus Christ who did not shrink back from the task before him to go to Jerusalem to suffer the crucifixion to bear the wrath of God in the place of all who believed in his name that the the steadfast resoluteness of Jesus Christ our saviors set before us on the pages of Scripture and every time we read words like this and he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem we ought to rejoice that Jesus went to Jerusalem that he suffered upon Calvary's cross that he bore in his own body the sins of his people upon that tree and we rejoice in this Christ this Christ of such condescension foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head that one who was the praise of angels that one for whom the angels flew covering their eyes crying out holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the the whole world the whole earth is full of his glory this one takes upon himself man's nature and is finding nowhere to lay his head we ought to be each and every Lord's day each and every time our minds in fact are drawn to reflections upon Jesus Christ the Lord we ought to reflect on so great a a condescension you do that you know daily I'm gonna bind your consciences with some sort of you know daily reflection upon the Lord Jesus Christ but hopefully that doesn't bind your hopefully your consciences are bound by the joy and the glory of this Christ who came down from heaven for us men and for our salvation June every day we raised our heads in the morning from our our pillows we ought to reflect on so glorious a condescension that this Christ came down sinners to save we rejoice in this Christ who set his face to go to Jerusalem well let us pray Heavenly Father we thank you for the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord and we rejoice in these words as we read from the Gospel of Luke that our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ set his face to go to Jerusalem to do that which you had given him father that work to do we thank you that it was his meet to do the will of him who sent him and we do pray that we Lord God that you would fill us with rejoicing that you would fill us with an earnestness and worship we pray God that you would cause us to reflect now as we engage in worship on so great a Christ and so great a salvation do keep us attentive by your spirit help us Lord God to be the earnest now in worship might we as we've already prayed worshiped you now in spirit and in truth might the Lord Jesus Christ be exalted upon the praises of this gathered assembly and might you receive all honor and praise Father Son and Holy Spirit we pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord amen our final him before the preaching if you'll stand with me again is 678 this time again in the larger Trinity hymnal 678 let's stand and sing together [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] well please turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Acts Acts chapter 1 Acts chapter 1 last week we did some introduction this morning we're going to take up the first eight verses and what we'll find there is the prologue in verses 1 to 3 and then the Commission the apostolic Commission in verses 4 to 8 so I'll read the section we'll pray and then we'll look in detail at God's Holy Word the former account I made oath the office of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up after he through the Holy Spirit had given Commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen to whom he also presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs being seen by them during 40 days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God and being assembled together with them he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the father which he said you have heard from me for John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now therefore when they had come together they asked him saying Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel and he said to them it is not for you to know times or seasons which the father has put in his own authority but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth amen let us pray father we thank you for the written word we thank you for this book of the Acts of the Apostles and for what we find here concerning our Lord Jesus Christ and throned at the right hand of the majesty of God on I the one who gives the Holy Spirit to the church in a powerful way to equip and enable them for the the task of war missions how we thank you that you have saved a great multitude thus far and we look forward to the reality that there will be that number that no man can number persons from every tribe tongue people and nation assembled before the throne of God Almighty singing solovey salvation belongs to the Lord our God and to the lamb who sits upon the throne thank you for your mercy toward us thank you for the grace of the gospel toward us that you have had dealings with us that you have shown us our sins and shown us the glory of the Savior we know it's not because of our goodness or our righteousness but because of your grace you've effectually called us out of darkness and the marvelous light you have given us a glimpse of the Savior you've given us the graces of faith and repentance and in this we greatly rejoice and we are reminded and we are mindful that if you are able to save us certainly there is hope for sinners we pray for any and all who have come here this morning outside of Christ we pray that today would be the day of salvation that as the gospel goes forth you would be pleased to open eyes open hearts to the truth of God's Holy Word do this by the spirit do this for your glory and for your praise and for your exaltation do forgive us now for your sins and fill each and every one of us with the Spirit of God and we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord amen just by way of reminder from the introduction last week I had mentioned that the book of Acts is in fact a history book but its theological history it's not only an account of what has happened but Luke gives us the theology behind that it's the history of the first 30 years of the Christian Church the first three decades after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and as one popular introduction to the Bible notes the book covers events occurring in Jerusalem Judea Samaria Syria Cyprus many cities in Asia Minor Macedonia Greece and Rome the reader witnesses everything from preaching and miracles to jailbreaks and brats and remember that this sort of literature was prevalent in this time frame the book of Acts is aptly titled that as Acts was applied to written works which describe the exploits of great men in the in the ancient world so as I said we're going to look first at the prologue in verses 1 to 3 and then secondly at the Commission given to the Apostles in verses 4 to a but no in the first place we see that it should in fact be understood as the Acts of Jesus Christ notice in verse 1 the former account I made both the awfulness of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up so he establishes a link with the gospel that bears his name remember Luke wrote Acts Luke also wrote the Gospel according to Luke and here he refers to that work as the former account he had in both places in Luke 1 here and in here in Acts chapter 1 he sends this greeting to Theophilus a Christian man to instruct him concerning the Christian faith and then notice what he says concerning Jesus with reference to the Gospel of Lou of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up so what we find in the Book of Luke is what Jesus began both to do and teach and what we find in the book of Acts is what Jesus continues both to do and teach so in many respects it is right to call it the acts of the risen Lord Jesus the acts of the enthroned one on high the acts of Christ so Luke records what he begins and acts records what he continues to do now we say well he went back up into heaven how does he do that he does it and throned at the right hand of the majesty of God on high he does it by the spirit he does it by the word and he does it through the agency or the means of the Holy Apostles that he himself had chosen in fact J Alexander since that what he thus began in person upon earth was afterwards continued by his apostles under the influence and guidance of his spirit John Calvin makes an observation concerning these two ass facts set forth here concerning Christ notice of all that Jesus both began both to do and teach so Luke indicates for us it's the doings of our Lord Jesus and it's the doctrine of our Lord Jesus and we do well to imitate that far too often you see this sort of emphasis in some churches on only engaging in good works or acts of mercy I'm not suggesting we don't do that but they oftentimes do that to the neglect of doctrine they might suggest that all we're about is helping to ameliorate the downtrodden and the poor brethren we cannot neglect doctrine the other hand we need to have doctrine but we ought not to neglect good deeds this is the emphasis that we have seen recurringly through the book of James as we've been going through it on Sunday nights we both are we need both doing and doctrine we can't divorce this we can't cut it asunder we have to have both the soup and the salad it's not an either/or with reference to the Christian Church we need the truth of God's Holy Word driving us to engage in good deeds John Calvin as I mentioned speaks concerning these two things doing and teaching he says for this is a holy not which no man may dissolve so let's not sacrifice doctrines so that we can indeed engage in good words but at the same time let's not disregard the place of good words I would submit in light of reformed doctrine in light of what I think is a most excellent confession of faith in the second London confession we ought to be the most fervent in good works in other words if we understand who God is we understand who we are we understand what Jesus Christ is wrought in terms of redemptive benefit we have all people ought to be the boldest and most earnest to go therefore and do nice things later in the apostolic preaching the Apostle Peter is able to describe Jesus as a man who went about doing good again I'm all over this condemnation of the social justice warrior mindset that is growing increase more prevalent among evangelicals I don't like it it smacks of or reeks of the social gospel movement in the early 20th century so while I would condemn that and would nevertheless say that our doctrine ought to drive us to effectiveness in society to good deeds we don't have to be social justice warriors we don't have to be progressives we don't have to be liberals we simply have to be god-fearers who understand the truth of God's Word and seek by the grace of God to shine as lights in a crooked and perverse generation and hold forth the word of truth well to let our light so shine that men may see our good works and give glory to God so you see we're not supposed to rent asunder the doing in the doctrine but rather we are like our master to try and combine such things the doctrine ought to drive the doing and we ought to be a people that Paul tells Titus with reference to those believers in Crete there to be zealous for good works Jesus managed to combine both and certainly the Church of Jesus Christ ought to be able as well without either sacrificing doctrine or embracing in a social justice progressive mindset that is more akin to cultural Marxism than it is to biblical Christianity we need to be aware of this secondly notice what Luke tells us concerning the post resurrection Ministry of Christ notice in verse one the former account I made Oh Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up that's a reference to the Ascension we'll see that in more detail when we get to verses 9 to 11 so what won't spend a whole lot of time here on that but notice what he goes on to say after he through the holy spirit had given Commandments to who to the apostles whom he had chosen so what Luke is highlighting is that after the resurrection and probably even prior to the resurrection Jesus had given Commandments by the spirit to his apostles now there's some question is the agency of the Holy Spirit here see as the means by which Christ chose the apostles or is the agency of the Holy Spirit the means by which Christ commanded the Apostles I take it as the way that Christ commanded the Apostles but he gave them commands and this is very important for us to understand as we start in this book of Acts and it was very important for the early church to understand notice verse 2 after he through the Holy Spirit had given Commandments to the Apostles whom he had chosen now the gospel records indicate that Christ did in fact choose these twelve men at this time it's 11 but it will eventually be 12 again but it is true that Jesus chose these men there's no mention of the agency of the Spirit in the choosing so again I think agency of Spirit goes better with his commands to that but notice the ascended Lord the authoritative head gave these commands to the Apostles in other words everything that follows in the book of Acts is in according to the Apostles they didn't develop this they weren't innovators they weren't creators of the Christian religion but rather they were the means by which the ascendant Lord sent them out to traffic in the group in the grace of God to preach the truth of the gospel they were not self-appointed they were not self authorized they were men given a command by God to go and to engage in this particular task and probably the commands that are specifically in view is the commandment to go and make disciples of all the nations to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo Jesus promises I am with you to the end of the age now we spent a great deal of time going over the Great Commission when we finished Matthew's Gospel we won't duplicate that here but that's probably what's in view after he through the Holy Spirit had given Commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen Lords he gave them marching orders this is what you're supposed to do as my servants this is what is to occupy you no occupy you not go in and ameliorate the downtrodden and poor certainly if you're faithful and gospel ministry there will be that spillover effect but the primary emphasis given to these apostles was to make disciples in other words to preach the gospel the reality that Jesus Christ lived that he died that he was raised the third day and that he did this for the salvation of sinners that's the primary emphasis given to the Apostles with reference to the book of Acts go make disciples once those disciples are made baptized those disciples in the name of the triune God once those disciples are baptized in the name of the triune God gather to them together in places called churches and then instruct them from the Word of God all that I have commanded you and instruct them not simply for their intellectual benefit but instruct them so that they will be obedient to all that I have commanded you you see that's what Christ wants his church to be about and again I think if we properly understand both Testaments and we properly understand this doing doctrine dynamic once we know truth we will be more equipped to do good in this present world and it must be by vocation I mean there's just not the time in the day for everybody to do everything embrace where God has planted you and seek to be faithful in that capacity now notice what we go on to see in the in the this post resurrection Ministry of Christ again in the prologue specifically at verse three it was the affirmation of his resurrection so he gave these Commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen now note verse three to whom he also presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God he presented himself alive to them now there's a reading in verse 4 where it says and being assembled together there is a reading and a variant that suggests that being together to eat now I'm just pointing that out as a means by which Jesus presented in self alive remember in Luke's account they were you know basically shocked when they saw Jesus and they reckoned that he was a phantom and that's when Jesus tells them to hurry it calms them or soothes them by saying I have flesh I have bones I'm not a phantom I'm not an apparition for us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven you assume true humanity after the resurrection he retains true humanity albeit glorified and wondrous and most excellent to be sure but he's not a phantom he's not an apparition and remember that that account were following in Luke's Gospel he eats fish and and broiled fish and honeycomb honeycomb if you're in the King James tradition if you're not then he just ate fish during the King James tradition he liked both savory and sweet the honeycomb is absent from most modern versions but in the King James New King James there's honeycomb so he broiled fish and he ate this a honeycomb what does that do that demonstrates that he's alive doesn't it phantoms don't eat as far as I know phantoms can't eat they don't have the gastrointestinal system to process food but a raised Christ does eat and he shows himself by many infallible proofs and this word is most certain and strong it is that which causes something to be known in a convincing and decisive manner or proof the reference to his suffering the reality that he is alive indicates that his suffering was unto death he was dead he was buried but he was raised the third day and now in this 40 40 day period he shows himself alive by many infallible proofs and this is something I want to encourage you as we start on the book of Acts you'll notice that the Apostles the Lord ourselves and this sent himself never presents Christianity as a possibility they don't even present it as a probability it is always always presented as a certainty is that possible proofs that the Lord had been raised from the dead it's not even probable proofs that the Lord had been raised from the dead it's proof that the Lord had been raised from the dead now I simply mentioned this to call attention to anybody here that is not a believer simply ask the question why not most of you presumably have been raised up in Christian families where these envelopment infallible truths have been presented to you you have been pressed always with the truth claims of God Most High you see it right before your eyes now I realize as you get old at college and you start to meet with the god-hating secularists and atheists and they start to teach you how to challenge authority and challenge the authority of Scripture you have these questions well what about creation and what about this and where it can get his wife and what about Jesus and all that if you take your nose and stick it into the pages of this book you will see it is true it's not possible it's not even probable it is absolute certainty in Acts 2:36 Peter says so that all the house of Israel would know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ now just ponder that for a moment think about that that you would know assuredly that this Jesus whom you crucified again travel back 2,000 years ago and put yourself in that crowd of Jerusalem sinners they had crucified Him they had executed him they had seen him hanged on the cross they had seen that he had gone into a tomb and now they knew that the tomb was empty and that Peter is telling them that he's ascended on high and that he seated at the right hand of the Father and Peter's applying psalm 110:1 specifically to the Lord Jesus Christ to a group of sinners Jerusalem sinners that would have known psalm 110:1 Peter doesn't say well if you'll take the time to investigate I think you'll find that the data measures up no I want you to know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ you can't escape this you cannot run from this you cannot hide from this this is what gives the impetus to the entirety of the book of Acts the fact that Jesus says go make disciples in Jerusalem in Judea Samaria and to the end of the earth why because if you don't do that then the nations perish and their sins if you don't do that then sinners go off to hell if you don't do that and men will be on done what drives them the Apostolic mission in the book of Acts is certainly promised Genesis 12:13 15 17 20 - certainly prophecy all the promises of God given to Israel in terms of fulfillment by Jesus Christ all of that undergirds the Commission but certainly what is also involved is the reality that God is a thrice holy God that is I is too pure to look approvingly upon any evil that's not like us when we're raising our children if we are not if we don't have the energy or we're too tired we won't discipline them we'll let things slide well well you know turn the blind eye to that of the deaf ear see God's not like that you know what is the Soliman saying in the book of Proverbs the eyes of Yahweh are in every place beholding the good and the evil that's a reality that's the truth that's a Christ says when he comes to the churches in Asia Minor I am he who searches the heart that's terrible in light of the fact of what the Bible says concerning man that we are sinful wicked wretched and deserving of God's just curse wrath punishment hell and everything that that might not make you happy but that's what the case is all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God all we like sheep have gone astray brethren apart from this gospel this message that Christ gives to his apostles to go out and to preach and to establish the foundation of the church from whence then the gospel continues to go out throughout history apart from this message you will die in your sins it's what Jesus says to the religious leaders in John's Gospel in Chapter 8 he says unless that you believe or unless you believe that I am NOT just that he lived in Palestine in the first century unless you believe that I am and all that that entails in terms of who Jesus is not only according to his humanity but according to his deity unless you believe that I am you will perish in your sins you see the book of Acts is a most comprehensive plan for the good of the world that's what it's about and it's a most blessed thing it's not possible it's not probable but rather it is certain and then notice what he spoke to them during these 40 days now just remember that Pentecost comes 50 days after the Passover so that's the timeframe in which we are operating chapter 2 is going to deal with the events concerning the day of Pentecost but note the subject matter that concerned them for this 40 day period it was the kingdom of God the kingdom of God look at acts 28 for just a moment acts 28 you ever get a loaf of bread and you notice that on one end or on either end there's the sort of heel pieces they're not like every other piece one side is sort of closed off and the other side is sort of closed off and then you have all the open sort of pieces in the middle the kingdom of God sort of functions like that here in the book of Acts the first thing mentioned and the last thing referred to notice in 2831 we find Paul in prison in his Roman imprisonment verse 30 then Paul dwelt two whole days are two whole years in his own rented house and received all who came to him preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no one forbidding him you see the emphasis on the kingdom of God in Chapter one and then again in chapter 28 it's also scattered throughout the book of Acts also chapter eight chapters nine chapter 19 and then that most blessed statement in chapter 14 verse 22 the Apostle Paul went to his next speaking assignment and when he preached his tax was we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God why do I say he lent because he was at Lystra and he had been stoned and he had been left for dead and then he drags himself it doesn't say he dragged himself but it does say got up and he went to Derby Derby was probably 50 or 60 miles away so he stoned outside olestra he goes to Derby probably bearing in his body the brand marks of Jesus visa vie the stoning that he had just incurred and he says to them through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God I guarantee you nobody said what does he mean who was he talking about Oh what tribulations he bore in his own body the brand marks of Jesus remember he says that in the book of Galatians which many day as probably his first epistle well he says specifically in Galatians chapter 6 from now on oh let no and by trouble make try bear in my body the brand marks of Jesus oh I think I've shared with you before Sinclair Ferguson has a little book on on the Christian or on the be out I think it is and he mentions if you were at the sort of the the family picnic or the church picnic and in in Galatia one of the churches in Galatia there and the famous and the great Apostle Paul had come back from his first missionary journey and and somebody one of the children asked him hey you want to want to go for a dip or go for a swim and he takes off his outer garment there you see Galatians 6 all over his back I bear in my body the brand marks of Jesus you see it is through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God this is subject matter that is most important that has taught us in this book of Acts so let's move on secondly to the Commission given to the Apostles know first the promise of the Holy Spirit verses 4 and 5 and being assembled together with them he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the father which he said you have heard from me for John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now this is duplicated from Luke's Gospel Luke 24 now he tells them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem what do you think he does that probably because everything in them would want to leave the city of Jerusalem wouldn't you they just crucified the Lord of glory they just took an innocent and just man and hung him on the cross I don't know that I'd want to stick around in Jerusalem but there's a particular reason why that Jesus tells them to do so I think it's encapsulated in the prophet Isaiah chapter 2 a prophecy concerning the latter days when the nations come to Zion when the law of Yahweh goes out from Jerusalem just as Jerusalem was established both political and religious capital by David back in 2nd Samuel so we see that sort of an emphasis here Jerusalem becomes the beginning of the church we see that James the Lord's brother becomes one of the leaders in that church so they need to Terry they need to wait they need to stand by and I think that this is most important for us to remember for them to do what Christ is calling them to do it demanded divine power how do twelve men turn the world upside down how does the Apostle Paul go to Ephesus and a city formerly given over to occultism takes their books of occultism and burns them how in the world do men do what these men did without the power of the Holy Spirit so Christ says to them tarry in the city wait in Jerusalem until you are given this power from on high this promise from on high and that is specifically the promise in view notice in verse 4 wait for the promise of the father when we compare this with other passages chapter 2 verse 33 chapter 2 verses 38 and 39 we see that this was in fact the Holy Spirit and this Holy Spirit was promised in the prophets remember Luke is telling us in the book of Acts this is not a new thing this is consistent with ancient promise this is consistent with the prophets this is consistent with Isaiah the outpouring of the promised Spirit is specifically Joel - in fact on the day of Pentecost when this phenomena occurs that's what Peter says this is that which joel spoke about see Luke is telling us that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the natural fulfillment of the promises made by God to Abraham such that when we move through the book of Acts and we see Jewish opposition to the Apostles into the church we'll see Paul say such things as I'm on trial for the hope of Israel I think Paulette many points is saying to the to the especially Jewish leaders that are persecuting him he's saying I'm not the one who's deviated from the plan you are in your rejection of Messiah and your rejection of Jesus of Nazareth in your resistance of these truths you have rejected Abraham you have rejected Isaiah you have rejected Joel you have rejected all of the prophets of God Most High it is Paul that is the Apostles it is the church that is the natural fulfillment of these promises made to Israel it's beautiful thing so notice they are to wait and and notice what it says as well to whom he also presented himself after his suffering suffered I'm sorry verse 4 and being assembled together with them he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the father which he said you have heard from me two times in one message even refer to Sinclair Ferguson again in his book on the Holy Spirit he mentioned something I think it was his observation of somebody that he was talking to has been a while since I have consulted that but he says when Jesus was about to depart and he spent time in the upper room do you know what the emphasis is it's on the Trinity for 21st century Christians we need to hear that because we don't think Trinity like we are we're at best Moda lists and at worst just absolute heretics we need to think in terms of Trinity and that is precisely what Jesus is doing in the Upper Room discourse how many times does Jesus emphasize that he is going to give them another comforter the one whom the father sends we see the spirit proceeds from the father and the son this is an emphasis to the disciples in the upper room and on the one hand it's a great promise for all of us that we can universal eyes and the Holy Spirit is indwelling us and we receive him when we believe and he's the seal and the guarantee but in a primary setting he is equipping these apostles for the work of turning the world upside down and he promises this divine benefit this divine helper this divine comforter you're not going to go into this world alone you're not going to go into this world as orphans you're gonna have one accompanying you so that when you bring the heat as it were persons are going to add either a belief or be resist but you just keep doing what you're supposed to do it's a beautiful thing Jesus promised to them concerning the Holy Spirit and then notice the reason so as you wait for the spirit and then in verse 5 for John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now now there are a whole host of interpretations in terms of what is the baptism of the Holy Spirit - the second work of grace is it to speak in tongues is it some higher life blessing I think it's what John Gill says it is he says and it designs such an extraordinary and plentiful donation of the gifts of the Spirit as may be expressed by a baptism that's what it means it doesn't mean gonna speak in tongues I mean they do into 8 and 10 as I've said that was a corporate manifestation of the power of the Spirit in light of the prophets not an abiding individual practice go home and speak in tongues and you're taught in your closet that's not what - 8 and 10 are about there's just not but here specifically Christ promises the power of the Holy Spirit so notice he not only defines for them the mission or he will in verse 8 specifically but he also gives them the power for its fulfillment Christ doesn't leave them on their on it to say I want you to accomplish this task but I'm not gonna tell you how to do it I want you to go out and change the world change the dynamics extend my Empire what you love singing 678 speaking about the Empire of Christ ought to make us all want to you know skip and dance a little bit and the only way of course but that is a glorious thought he doesn't tell them go and extend my Empire give them no resources on how to extend his empire he says wait in the city you're gonna receive the spirit just like I told you about in the upper room just like my father has promised in accordance with the Old Testament prophet you're gonna receive this spirit and then you're gonna be equipped and you're gonna go and extend the kingdom of God now notice in verse 6 they ask a question about the kingdom now I used to think with Calvin he says there are as many errors in this question as words I don't know that I'm as staunchly opposed at this particular time to verse 6 on the one hand I think it was a bit of a natural question the hope of the kingdom had been anticipated in Luke chapter 1 and in Luke chapter 2 we get these accounts of certain people and they get a message concerning the kingdom of God you see Jesus dis coursing with his disciples telling them it is my father's pleasure to give you the kingdom in Luke 22 29 he says I covenant to you the kingdom so there was a certain idea of Kingdom that our Lord Jesus had communicated to his disciples he announced the coming of the kingdom at his you know the beginning of his ministry repent for the kingdom of heaven or god is at hand he tells them that they are participants in the kingdom remember in Luke 11:20 if I cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit then the kingdom of God has come upon you so they knew something about the kingdom now consider the fact that they've seen their king risen from the dead that's significant is it that's pretty big you saw your Lord go into the tomb and now you see him demonstrating himself or presenting himself alive by many infallible proofs you're you're thinking good things have to be coming right the king who was dead is now alive now they've got this promise of the Holy Spirit that's going to come upon them I don't think verse 6 is you know completely outlandish in terms of Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel now it could be the case and here is where I would embrace what Calvin says that their ideas perhaps in terms of their participation in said Kingdom might not have been altogether noble remember that scene in Matthew's Gospel in chapter 20 when the sons of Zebedee are jockeying for position Lord tell me safe state promise that when you come in your kingdom we'll sit on your right and on your left now if that's what's in verse 6 that's not good as well there is this desire for the restoration of a national / political Israel that's the language they use Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel again a question that if you are somewhat familiar with the Old Testament you'll know that it's not completely out it's not you know wow I can't believe these guys are asking this it was the case that the northern tribes were destroyed in the 8th century it was the case that the southern tribes were destroyed in the 7th century the 6th century it was the case that they had been scattered it was the case that is a cyrus issued a decree and many did return to Judah it is the case that Christ is Messiah and they dissociate a messiahs reign with political and national sort of ramifications so that's what I think they're thinking will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel well we have another earthly glorious geopolitical power will we subjugate our enemies the Romans will we be on top will there be a chicken in every pot a car in every driveway will there be you know two two kids 2.3 and a dog in every home is that what we're looking forward to Jesus I would suggest that's probably what's in view perhaps jockeying for position in this kingdom or perhaps this idea of a simply national political restoration of Israel now note how Jesus responds it's beautiful Jesus first of all reminds them of God's sovereignty so here's us isn't it we want to know the when when is this going to happen when is this going to take place when are you going to subjugate our enemies what's Jesus say to them that's not your business you parents have had to say this to your kids before I'm sure that's none of your business we're getting to the place in our history though where that's going to be a hate crime children have to be involved in every decision in the home well there was a nicer day back in the day when you could just tell your kid it's none of your business without damaging or ruining his psyche without offending his delicate sensitivities you could just tell them you don't have a need to know fact you might not have even has said that much silence was often appropriate kids ask you I can't make you talk right see this is what Jesus tells the Apostles you're thinking about the when you're thinking in terms of restoration specifically in a national political sense that that part of it is off the beaten track they want national political restoration in light of history but what Christ calls them to is spiritual kingdom of God nests based on the promises made to Israel visa V Abraham fulfilled in the seed of Abraham even our Lord Jesus Christ but that first aspect of his answer is verse 7 he reminds them of God's sovereignty it is not for you to know times or seasons which the father has put in his own authority don't worry about that do what you have been commanded to do see here's the thing we we want to know all the wins before we do Jesus says do let God deal with the lands that makes sense what's it going to be like how is it gonna be where is gonna just do what you're told how's this all gonna just do it again I'm thinking back to the time when I had little kids I thought just just do it this is what Christ tells them je Alexander again says he cures their morbid curiosity by recalling them to present duty that's what's happening verse 7 it is not for you to know times or seasons which the father has put in his own authority I mean strictly speaking he doesn't shut down their question is how dare you even ask the question it's a matter with you asking about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel I mean all that they had heard all that they had learned all that they had been taught all that they had known from their earliest youth certainly that question is natural but he shuts down the question in terms of the land in terms of the application in terms of the fulfillment that's not our task and I think there's an abiding lesson here for the church we want all the when answered we want all the details worked out we want to know before we'll ever do anything Christ says do what you're supposed to president duty demands that you obey not speculate on what may be what could be how it's going to work out just do what you're told so he reminds them of God's sovereignty and then notice he highlights the importance to the divine command verse 8 he says you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth now if we interpret acts 1:6 in the sense where they perhaps had some ambition Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom we sit on the right or on the left or if they're thinking in terms of political or national restoration that would indeed involve power Christ just promised them power so with that power there ought to be this restoration right seems to follow I like what FF Bruce says here he says instead of the political power which had once been the object of their ambitions a power far greater and nobler would be theirs think about it Christ has promised them power if they want you no earthly status if they want a political Kingdom they've missed it there's much greater things going on here apostles we're not talking about simply reforming Jerusalem we're not simply talking about you know including Israel or Samaria and Judea back together again what this power that you receive via Vasavi the Holy Spirit is insuring is worldwide conquest now it's just here that most pre mills and all mills go nuts and say how could he say that well however you interpret the nature of the kingdom that is precisely what acts 1:8 says worldwide conquest not with military might with bandoleros and shotguns or we are 15 not any of that the means by which the world is conquered for Christ is the spirit and the word and the emphasis in the book of Acts is on there I said preaching not drama not scared not mine not video but preaching for since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom did not know God it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe that's why when we start on this book of Acts we will see the emphasis first on Peter and then on Paul and you know what's Center Center most is their preaching they're not going to be taken from that task because that's why they've been given the spirit to make disciples to teach those baptized disciples this is the emphasis again they did good things not saying that they did it but even then we get to act 6 and in the doing of a good thing which was feeding the hellenistic widows the Apostles realize that what we're feeding them we are not feeding you and we need to feed you word doctrine so find good man that will be able to look after the widows so that we can devote ourselves to prayer and the Ministry of the word it's a beautiful thing I don't know why we we struggle with this why do we want pastors to be CEOs we want them to be preachers that should be the emphasis why do we want them to be team leaders and movers and shakers and world changers we want them to be preachers best thing you can pray for Michael Kirkpatrick is it'll be a faithful preacher best thing you can pray for the elders in this church is that there'll be faithful preachers you know what you most desperately need brethren its faithful preaching not a great big dose of guilt manipulation or guilt or envy or any of that stuff that's being bandied about so frequently today and in big-name conferences it's it's alarming faithful exposition of God's Holy Word you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth it's a beautiful thing the Apostles witnessed the life the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus having witnessed this themselves now they go and witness to and testify to others this is the means by which they make disciples they baptize them those disciples they find or found local churches and there in the people of God are taught and the comprehensive plan is verse 8 and it's a beautiful thing because that's how the book proceeds first in Jerusalem the law of the Lord will proceed from Jerusalem when the nations stream to Zion as they will in acts 2 that law proceeds from Jerusalem so Jerusalem is center most and verse chapters 1 to 8 and then Judea Samaria 8 to 12 and then with the call the Apostle Paul we see the the missionary enterprise takes the gospel to the end of the earth he said well rome wasn't the end of the earth I think Darrell Bock explains this well he says from a literary standpoint within ATS because it does end up in Rome Paul ends up in Rome in that that house prison there in acts 1 EA he's not there by choice this rented house wasn't because it had a great view it wasn't because he was you know chillin by the seaside he was imprisoned but he's in Rome that's significant the gospel marches from Jerusalem to Rome he said well that's not the end of the earth again here's what I think is very helpful in that light from a literary standpoint within Acts the reference to Rome after a long providential sea journey in acts 27 would mean that the message has now reached the hub of the Gentile world from which it can proceed everywhere so from that vantage point we see that the gospel is going forth we see that the gospel is comprehensive we see that God's plan is that men from every tribe every tongue every people and every nation will be included in the covenant promises of God Most High which are all yay and in Jesus Christ this is a most exciting book brethren it's a most joyous book because it's a look at the Ascended Christ ruling from on high by spirit by word through the agency of these men whom he commanded to go and to do the task that he had entrusted to them it's a beautiful wonderful study that I hope all of us will be greatly encouraged by terms of our concluding thoughts before we pray and we eat first the function of the book we've seen it continues to record for us what Jesus does and teaches as well we see that the book is a description of the first three decades of the church and serves as a great bridge between the gospel narratives and the epistles without the book of Acts you'd finish John and then you start Romans and you'd wonder where did all these Christians come from in Rome you'd continue on in 2 Corinthians you'd say I wonder where these Corinthians came from how did the gospel get from place to place to place acts answers that does it doesn't it it tells you how these churches became it tells you how these peoples are there it tells you who Paul is it tells you who Peter is it tells you who these men are and what they did in terms of turning the world upside down if you didn't have the book of Acts you would be lost in terms of at least trying to explain who these people were secondly the importance of the Holy Spirit now we will see that as we move through this book the importance of the Holy Spirit how do we engage in the the work of gospel ministry in our own strength what we don't i've often encouraged you brethren and i will continue to encourage you probably more so as we go through the book of Acts on Sunday morning your per ought to be God send the spirit isn't it wonderful to see people get saved isn't it wonderful to see God effectually call sinners out of darkness into marvelous light isn't it wonderful when people say wow I didn't understand justification by faith before but now I do and by the grace of God I see that Christ alone is the way of salvation and that in him I received both forgiveness and the imputation of the righteousness that avails with the Father now I don't know that they always articulate it quite like that but that's great isn't it how do we see if I dare use the word those results it's not because of Butler or Porter it's not because of your effectiveness it's not because of the meal we're gonna share went in this afternoon because of the power and the presence of the Spirit we ought to be more Pentecostal and charismatic than the Pentecostals and the charismatic we ought to call God down we ought to say with the Prophet rend the heavens and come down it's not what Isaiah says not stay there we're perfectly fine on our own we need the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit if sinners are going to be saved but consider our sanctification as the people of God how do we grow in the Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus we need the spirit some of us don't always make the progress that we ought to be making all of us I'm sorry none of us that's probably better dramatically what we don't progress as we ought we're not growing as we are second Peter 3 sounds great but we don't why is that perhaps we've forgotten our dependence upon the Holy Spirit pastor Porter reminded us that when we lift that head off the pillow we ought to think about the beautiful glorious condescension of our Christ do for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and then we ought to thank God I need the Holy Spirit today again that's why I can speak in tongues not so I can multiply hotdogs and feed the homeless no I need the Holy Spirit so that I'll pursue those things that are pleasing in God's sight I need the Holy Spirit so that I won't download pornography I need the Holy Spirit so that I won't be gossipy I need the Holy Spirit so that I'll treat my wife with the respect dignity and love that Paul calls me - I need the Holy Spirit so that I can submit to my own husband as unto the Lord the way Paul calls me - you see the spirit given in the book of Acts certainly has some glorious tremendous and wonderful displays in terms of - 8 and 10 but for the most part you know what the Holy Spirit's job is Paul outlines it very clear in Ephesians chapter 4 he tells us to be not drunk with wine in which is dissipation but be filled with the holy spirit I've always loved this passage the people say what does it mean to me Philip sorry Ephesians five what does it mean to be filled with the holy spirit we're told by certain groups that it means speaking in tongues it means being able you know do a healing it means being able to you know give or do whatever in terms of a splendid donation or whatever notice what Paul says the Holy filling with the Holy Spirit looks like says be filled with the Holy Spirit now this is flashed out by several words telling us what it looks like to be filled with the Holy Spirit verse 19 speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs seeking a singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ submitting to one another in the fear of God you need the Holy Spirit each and every day don't you every single day intriguing he goes on now to relationships what does it mean to submit to one another in the fear of God it looks like what he's going to say in the rest of chapter five wives submit to your own husband's as unto the Lord that doesn't mean husband you're a despot tyrant Mao Hitler Stalin you're gracious and loving and you love her the way that Christ loved the church you see submission in the Bible gets a bad rap because men don't do what they're supposed to do they rule like they're Stalin they rule like their mouths they rule like their Hitler or Pol Pot and then we we wonder why the wife is struggling to submit to her own husband as unto the Lord brethren for these relationships we need the Holy Spirit for these relationships we need his ministry among us and the book of Acts makes that conspicuous thirdly we ought to appreciate with reference to the mission of the Apostles they were not to be consumed about the when of the restoration of the kingdom they were to be consumed with the whites going back going out and trafficking and the good things of the kingdom and seeking by the grace of God to make disciples Calvin makes two good observations he makes a ton of them but to for our purposes here he says they are also greatly deceived herein remember he thinks acts 1:6 it is as many errors as there are words so he's coming down you know probably a bit heavier than I would but I think what he says is right they are also greatly deceived herein in that they they restrain Christ's Kingdom under the carnal Israel which was to be spread abroad even unto the uttermost parts of the earth and then he also says I shall be my witnesses he corrects two errors of theirs in one sentence for first he shows that they must fight before they can triumph now that's important before we proceed and we're gonna close soon and I realize it's getting late but think about this will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel sometimes if Jesus is saying brothers you haven't even begun to understand what's gonna happen the kingdom that is coming by the power of the Holy Spirit and word through the agency of the Holy or through the Apostles on earth is not the kingdom that you're looking for it's not the chicken in every pot it's not the free cellphone it's not the whatever it is that that we've been trained to hold out our hands for through many tribulations you must enter the kingdom of God listen to what Calvin says he says he corrects two errors for first he shows that they must fight before they can triumph do you know the bulk of the Paul narratives at the end of Acts is Paul being brought up before tribunals Jews and Romans and with reference to the Romans it's at the behest of the Jews notice calvin goes on and secondly that the nature of Christ's Kingdom was of another sort than they had judged it to have been lords Jesus says don't worry about the when your your idea of what in terms of what the the restored Israel looks like needs you know some serious bit modification which does come to pass in terms of you know Peter applying Joel to in the context of Pentecost that they got it the spirit taught them what was going on in terms of Gentile inclusion into the covenant people of God this is consistent with what we find so they got it and they go out and they obey and they take the gospel to those places that the Lord had commanded so that's the prologue that's the commission again I want to end on this high note if you are not a believer in Jesus Christ this morning realize that it's not a possibility or even a probability that if you come to him you will be saved it is a certainty a most blessed certainty a certainty those of us who by His grace have come can tell you about can witness to you about can testify to you about it may sound something like John Newton's him I was blind but now I see I was dead but now I'm alive it's all about God's grace and mercy and goodness and kindness and the reality that Jesus lived died and was raised and that whoever looks to him in faith will have everlasting life you come to Christ right here right now and there is certainty of forgiveness there is certainty of a righteousness that avails with the Father there is certainty in the gospel Jesus says all that the father gives me will come to me and the one who comes from me I will certainly not cast out be encouraged flee to the Savior don't resist don't reject don't wait another day the salvation is today today is the day of salvation flee in faith to the Redeemer well let us close in a word of Prayer father in heaven we thank you for your word we thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit we pray that he would be at work now that you'd open hearts to the truth of the scripture to the reality that men women boys and girls are sinners against a holy God and to the Blessed truth and reality that Christ is a real Savior for real sinners be merciful we pray though with us now we pray and help us to sanctify this day and to rejoice in the goodness of our God and Father and we pray through Jesus Christ the Lord amen will close by singing the doxology that can be found on page Roman numeral 16 in your Trinity hymnal and will stand as we sing the doxology together [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all amen well please be seated for a brief time of meditation then I'll come up and give thanks for the food and we can go eat [Music]