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May 24, 2022 6:00 am
Pastor Rick teaches from the book of the Acts
Believer I'm going to know how to preach the gospel.
Structural otherwise we need the Holy Spirit.
Why would we need power to preach if we could these men had the spirit they were filled with the spirit just one overflowing not yet.
I hope that you we don't lose sight of the importance of Christian courage to make as bold as a lion do the things that we don't necessarily want to do this is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville. Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of acts. Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of his teaching, but for now let's join Pastor Rick in the book of acts chapter 1 as he begins a new message called a powerful promise of acts chapter 1 beginning in verse four, being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem 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. Would you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up in a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel who also said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven. The challenge for me is to try not to take away from any of the excitement that is going on in this historical account of what happened to the Christians after Christ was crucified and risen and ascended into heaven now starting in verse four. There's really not much of a connection to verse three direct connections for sequence goes independent of each other what we look now in verse four 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.
Well of course he made these periodic appearances to the disciples after the resurrection of about 11 are recorded in the Gospels and in acts and this being assembled together with them. There they are owed. One of these periodic appearances of their doing what the church is done ever since, with the church is supposed to do to assembled together with Christ. Thomas is no longer the missing man. At one point that disciple was not present.
He did not assemble with them what he learned his lesson and he is present and accounted for at this point. And of course rich rich with lessons for all of us to make sure I'm not the missing man.
When Christ shows up well we know that Jesus never leaves us more forsakes us but we careful to not forsake the assembly is so important to so so disappointing how clear the Bible is the New Testament is about the New Testament assembly and yet how many Christians are reluctant to grab hold of the value and the importance listen Koreans the North Korean Christians.
They would love to be able to assemble and freely worship their God. They cannot and so for us, we have to say well okay I accept this one might want to do with it because I know Satan's coming after anything that is productive for the kingdom is a target of hell is no question this is not if he's going to attack it is when and they won't be one attack. It will be constant and we should be ready.
The gates of hell shall not prevail. You either believe that trust God follow or you miss out. So this book of acts so dear, it should be so dear to all of us because the Holy Spirit is saying look I want to show you what the first Christians did in this section we have a powerful promise and you shall receive power to preach me that's for individuals and that is for the church also being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem and tells us here in verse four that is a command. Don't leave Jerusalem and were not sure where he was when he said this, he could've been in Galilee because he did tell them he would see them in Galilee. It could have been on the slopes of Bethany, where he was ascended from, but this was something that Luke records even twice in it is clear command. This is something not to lose sight of. Like everything else here.
He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, that was their order. I went on under this restriction ourselves to this point, but we are watching them to see what they are going to do with what he tells them. This comes into the story because he's going to say wait for the Holy Spirit and who would you think of all the apostles will say okay all way. But while I wait.
I'll take some initiative and it will be misdirected.
That will be Peter will get to that later but that's most things are for us. Well, he has to make sure they going to be in Jerusalem with Pentecost and there is going to be just good trolls. Multitudes of Jewish worshipers in Jerusalem 50 days from the time of the crucifixion they needed time these disciples to absorb what it taken place over the last three years and over the last few days since his crucifixion in this 40 day period that Jesus would show up randomly and then go away and show up again and we were told that in verse three that over 40 days he would show himself and then again not be visible to them. Peter get the idea that he took this time to study up on Scripture. And when we see him speaking in an acts chapter 2 we are impressed with his knowledge of Scripture, the Old Testament and his application to the things that are taking place after the ascension of Christ and again lessons abound.
It's like the famine with Joseph.
You know there was a severe famine with Joseph was ready.
God prepared him. And of course they had the seven years of plenty full and he stored up the grain and so when the severe when the famine came and they grew severe. Joseph was ready. That is also a picture of the Christian life. We are supposed to store up on God's word Amos the prophet said there's a famine coming, but it will be a food is going to be of God's word because you really don't care what I have to say I love these lessons from Scripture. I love that over the years they've not died down for me.
I love that the same Jesus Christ. It saved me that took hold of me as a sinner still loves me still invest in me still is patient with me seal still treats me with respect believe in hot God of the universe treating me with respect even when I'm clumsy and foolish and and can't seem to get it to where it needs to be well his commanded them to stay Jerusalem course there are eager to do whatever he tells them to do that going to learn. First off, they don't know what they're missing. I mean they don't know about the Holy Spirit, heard about it but they really don't understand. Still, what's going the church evolved in that sense, the church evolved into what we have today.
Paul leading the charge getting rid of so many things that were a hindrance to the church the right hindrance to convert from the Gentile world and the Holy Spirit leading every step of the way so they going to learn that without the Holy Spirit, they have tongues to speak the word of God. Just no fire that so we get to chapter 2 in it and they all spoke with tongs and the image of the tongues of fire over them with the fire without that flyer.
There they were praising God without that Holy Spirit. It would've been ineffective and they going to learn these lessons and hopefully will learn them with alongside of these first Christians says, but to wait that's again and imperative from Christ waiting for God requires trust to do it right. Sometimes God puts in the situation where have a choice but other times we we do have. We can mess things up. We can refuse to wait we can metal we can fidget with things wistful to have our hands off of because were supposed to be waiting for him waiting for God not only requires trust sometimes, but endurance the long haul and sometimes courage. I find that helpful thing to be mindful of the patient's requires courage. I have to have some personal bravery that is invested in waiting for Christ. He said wait, does your just going to be not to wait most money for the command courage enhances all the attributes all the virtues of that that belong to Christianity, patient's perseverance, love, how how much greater is love. When you are courageous for Christ loyalty loyalty and labor learning. Living the Christian life. Courage enhances these virtues and I don't know about you but I do know about me there been times I've lost sight of it takes it takes some heart to do what Jesus says to do and not that you know the temptation is because I'm a believer that somehow I Mona I'm going to automatically do the things that I'm supposed to do because I'm a believer I'm automatically going to know how to preach the gospel to people. That's not true. Otherwise, who needs the Holy Spirit. Why would we need power to preach if if we could these men had the spirit they were filled with the spirit, they just weren't overflowing with not yet.
I hope that we don't lose sight of the importance of Christian courage to make as bold as a lion to do the things that we don't necessarily want to do and there is that fine line between initiative and impatience as we will see Peter will confuse the two. Well we got it or something in the Bible says and he messed it up anyway waiting for God also needs strength rather than weakness. You have to be strong to wade in addition to being courageous and trusting God. As I mentioned to not interfere strength, the whole strength in check to restrain oneself from some blundering activity. This is really good on paper is really good and in hearing it preached when your time comes. What are you going to do. I have tried to draw from scriptural lessons for everything I've tried to try to find its parallel in Scripture somewhere that I could no how I'm supposed to behave and it is much easier sometimes to just busy ourselves, for God than to wait for God, but as I mentioned, as we are waiting we can be getting ready doesn't mean do nothing. It just means don't do it you're not supposed to do just supposed to keep from doing Luke's gospel 24. There Jesus. It says he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. That's what was happening while they were waiting. That's why would lessee Peter when the spirit does come upon Peter we going to see this just outpouring of Scripture. This is what the prophet Joel said and there we have an example of working while waiting I petered as many blunders as he made wasn't all wrong at all. Great dynamic figure and was so grateful for him. I've said this before you go to the Gospels, and you say thank you God for the dumb questions of Peter as we want to learn. This is so much eat we learn from his questions and how the Lord handled him, so there's no slight on the man, we have to see ourselves in these things anyway.
Are we getting how beneficial these lessons are trying to sell them. I'm excited about them, but I'm not trying to sell him and I think the Barnaby get the born-again believer is excited about them two or we have lessons on these first Christians from the book of acts is powerful, promises do we fail to see how beneficial they are because were waiting to have our ears tickled, because instead, we want to hear the pastor tell me some problem. My life is going to be all right. God loves me and God is a plan for me and and there's some truth and some of that sometimes but not not all not always.
For instance, God has a plan for you mess it up and so I like good though. These things keep me courageous. Keep me on my toes.
I don't want to get caught flat-footed.
I want to be ready because I have been in the word because he has opened my understanding to comprehend the Scriptures how profound well he is. He had already charge them to go into the world to preach but they were ready just yet. To do this and so there's a delay is going to equip them with the Holy Spirit and hopefully when you leave your today if you didn't have it before you got here you will be leaving here saying I have to wait for the Holy Spirit. I can just do whatever I will say whatever I want to say preach. However, I want to preach. I must be led by the spirit who would object to that what Kristi was out. You know this. I'm fine. I read the Gospel of John last night I'm ready to go? The promise of the father had to become complete silence when he says these things right. Wait for the promise from the father. Acts chapter 2 verse 16 really have Peter with this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel and then here's Joel chapter 228 and it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh your sons and your daughters shall prophesy that musicians speak God's word is other things belonging to that, but that's the primary application of prophecy in the book of acts is speaking forth the truth of God, not necessarily predictive prophecy he continues. Enjoy all your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions, and also on my maidservants, menservants and maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. My point of reading Joel is to say that Peter is going to apply this one. When the spirit is given to the church on Pentecost, Peter is going to call Joel and say this is the promise. This is what the father spoke about this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel and of course Joel got it from from God and Jesus also in John's Gospel had said you received the promise I will pray to my father and he will give you the spirit. He says here in verse four, which you have heard from me again second time. Luke brings this up he doesn't want in his gospel and one hearing was here no less than seven times we hear about the promise that God would send the Holy Spirit will take one John chapter 7 but this he spoke concerning the spirit whom those believing in him would receive for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified and will or John later record when Jesus breathed on them when we get to that later. If we have time and says receive you the Holy Spirit it's not the same thing is that day of Pentecost, verse five for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. What Jesus refers back to John the, the baptizer John the Baptist contrasting the two different types of baptism, John's baptism, which was a water baptism is a confession of sin and awakening of the conscience before God.
John's message was repent and be baptized, and do those works fitting the righteousness it was an Old Testament call to cleansing the life and devotion to God and in many cases re-devotion to God. John call the Jewish people to symbolize this devotion through being immersed in water and outward demonstration of an inward pledge would John's baptism is not the Christian baptism. I assured that it was an Old Testament event leading to it. They are connected. John the Baptist knew Jesus did not need the cleansing did not need to be baptized. Matthew chapter 3 John tried to prevent him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me? Was Christ was being numbered with the transgressors.
At one phase of it. John's baptism was one of recommitment hours.
This rebirth we are baptized we are saying, I am born again.
The old me has died in Christ and the new me is risen in Christ. I am a new creation. All things are washed away.
This is the Holy Spirit's baptism is one of salvation. First Corinthians 12 verse 13 for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, that is when we become believers. Now there's controversy here.
Many believe that well this is one baptism the Holy Spirit and the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Spirit being the same thing. Then there are others that they know there is a threefold experience of this baptism that we have in Christ of this experience with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's baptism as a mention one of salvation, quoting first Corinthians 12 verse 13. But here Jesus baptism that he's going to baptize his apostles with on Pentecost empowers them to preach Matthew's gospel chapter 3 verse 11. John speaking I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire CDs distinctions there there necessary for us. We read about John and we say okay but I'm a Christian and that is that there's been another baptism that does I'm told is that I'm going to experience as a Christian and John himself is the one that started it all. There is a difference between being filled with the spirit being baptized with the spirit and this is not something to fight and argue about you. You may have seen different approaches to it and that's that's okay, but this is my view is the view of my pastor Chuck Smith.
In this view of of others to the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
We are filled with the Holy Spirit. But that's not enough.
As I mentioned these men were saved but that wasn't enough. That's why they had to tarry in Jerusalem to wait for the spirit. Have you ever met a Christian that believes in the Lord believes in the Bible say but just has no power doesn't share Christ with anybody isn't excited about sharing Christ with anybody sort of just just without the fire.
Satan going to heaven I don't dispute that at all, but there is more available. According to these lessons again.
The moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and the moment that we receive him. The Holy Spirit begins to indwell us. First Corinthians 12 three no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit… Let me just review this threefold experience with the Holy Spirit is taught in the Gospels and the book of acts.
The Holy Spirit incidentally at work in the life of a person, even before they give their life to Christ.
He's already at work and in the person is going to become a believer and the ones that often times the ones that hear the gospel and rejected all the Holy Spirit was trying to draw them in. He was beside the apostles, endearing them to Jesus John's gospel chapter 14 the spirit of truth in the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he dwells in the Greek word here is par alongside, for he dwells par oh with you and will be in you two different experiences of the Holy Spirit. The first one is he is beside you par drawing you to Christ. The second one is you become a believer. He is now in you.
The Greek word is in our English EN and he is in you in the same meaning little confusing but there's still another one he was in them, enabling them to know the Scriptures recover that John's gospel chapter 20 verse 22 before the church was born on Pentecost when the promise was given.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. Okay, they had the Holy Spirit there were saved. This is New Testament theology. Things are are expanding and involving other phases of his promises are now being fulfilled. Then when he fills them he comes upon them of the Greek word by Paul powering us to witness that's what is promising here with you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now that parlor next to an inside and then FI upon you justice. Outflowing of the Holy Spirit where it's not only in you. They not only about your salvation, but now the truth flows from you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, distinct event that has not happened yet. Chronologically is looking at this and ask John's that of Jesus in chapter 1 of John's Gospel. This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit who you've been listening to cross reference radio daily radio ministry pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia. As we mentioned at the beginning of today's broadcast.
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