23 Jan 2012

Jesus Promises The Spirit | The Book of Acts | 1:1-5 | Pastor Duane Smets

This an expository sermon of Acts 1:1-5. It introduces the Book of Acts and its connection to the Gospel of Luke. It follows the brief summary of the life, ministry, and acts of Jesus and sets up for the coming of the era of The Holy Spirit. This sermon was originally preached on January 22nd, 2012 at The Resolved Church in San Diego, CA.

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The Resolved Church
Pastor Duane Smets
January 22nd, 2012

Jesus Promises The Spirit | Acts 1:1-5

I. Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (vs.1-2)
A. Books of the Bible & Divine Revelation
B. Word & Deed: The Marks of the Gospel
II. Jesus' Resurrection Changes Everything (vs.3)
A. Proofs & Their Power
B. The Message of the King
III. Jesus Initiates the Age of His Spirit (vs.4-5)
A. Preparation For Battle
B. The One From On High

Introduction

Well, after much anticipation we are finally starting our new sermon series where we'll be working and studying through the book of Acts. What we've got planned out are 35 sermons in three different stages. So combined with Easter and other special Sundays, it'll probably take us not quite a year with us finishing up around November sometime.

That might sound daunting to some of you but it's not as bad as when we took three years to go through the book of Romans! Actually let me kind of explain our reasoning and thinking through this. You see there are basically three different types of sermons.

One is narrative, where the preacher doesn't really deal with the Bible at all and his goal is basically to tell an entertaining, engaging and inspiring story. We plain out just don't do that here.

The other one is topical, where there may be a specific subject to address in the church or it's advent season, Easter or some other special Sunday. In topical sermons the goal is to address a specific subject matter and work from a passage of the Bible that addresses that. We do that sometimes here.

The third main type of sermon is what we call expository. It comes from the word "exposed." Expository sermons simply work through books of the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse and word by word and seek to expose what is there. This is what we do 90% of the time here at The Resolved Church. And there's a reason for that.

One of our main principles of ministry here is that it is the Word of God which does the work of God. So we believe that it's not so much how we put together our service in terms of music, art, coffee, or even the friendliness and relationships of our community that is going to bring people to Christ and help us grow in Christ. Not that those things are not good or do not assist, but we believe that it is the Bible is the chief tool that God has given and designed for us to come to know him and be changed by him. So for that reason we are committed to expository teaching.

This is what God's people have done for thousands of years going back all the way to when Ezra the prophet would open the Bible on a wooden platform at the ancient church services and explain the Scriptures were saying. It seems that for most of Jesus' ministry this is what he was doing was taking his disciples through the Scriptures and explaining them and showing them how they all pointed to him. Then as we'll see, all the preaching of the disciples who become apostles becomes saturated with preaching the Bible. When the apostle Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament spent three years with the church in Ephesus, he says while he was there he proclaimed to them "the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) and then in 2 Timothy 4:2 with the authority and inspiration of the Holy Spirit he commands preachers to "preach the word."

It's our conviction here that as Hebrews 4:12 states that the word of God is a living and active book that pierces through our heart. The Bible teaches that our hearts are often hard and they need to be pierced and broken and it's only God's word that can do that.

Some of you today know exactly what I'm talking about…if you feel numbness and apathy toward God, frustration or anger toward God, doubt and distrust toward God, shame and guilt toward God…those are all signs of a hard heart that needs to be pierced and broken.

Isaiah 55:11 states that God's word when it goes out from mouths will always accomplish it's purpose. So it's our prayer that through the preaching of the Word you will be softened and drawn in. For others of you, instead of being softened you'll harden your heart and will be driven away from hearing the Word, which though painful and sad is another one of it's functions of God's word to purify and protect the church.

Okay, back to Acts. Basically what I'm saying is the reason we preach through books of the Bible is because we believe that is what the Bible tells us to do primarily. We just sort of call 'em series to make it go down a little easier. It's like in Mary Poppins, a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.

And Acts doesn't really need a whole lot of sugar because it is simply a super exciting, action packed, heartfelt, drama saturated book. I mean it's got sci-fi in it with levitation and and people turning to into salt and sick people magically getting better. It's got blood and guts with dudes getting stoned to death, thrown in jail, city-wide riots and courtroom trials. It's got shipwrecks, snake attacks and demon possessed getting taken down.

But most of all it's got these phenomenal stories of characters whose lives radically change after hearing the gospel preached and encountering Jesus. And then we see real love being birthed and played out in real life. Time and time again in the book of Acts we see individuals and groups of people whom God's Spirit descends on and changes them. People get saved, churches get planted, and the gospel spreads out all across the world like wildfire. So you guys pumped? I am!

Alright, that's probably enough introduction. Let's read the first five verses here in the first chapter of Acts, pray over them and work through some stuff together. (Read text and pray)

I. Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (vs.1-2)

Okay, so structurally there's sort of three main parts to these verses. Verses 1-2 link the Book of Acts to the Gospel of Luke, which I'll explain in a minute. Verse 3 is all about the resurrection of Jesus. And then verses 4-5 set the stage for the beginning of the story of Acts. These verses cover a ton of ground…the life, death, deeds, preaching, resurrection and ascension of Jesus plus the nature of the kingdom, installation of the apostles, and the coming of the Spirit…which if you put it all together is pretty much everything the Bible ever talks about. Each one of those things could be an entire sermon or sermon series in and of itself.

So I put together this outline to try and simplify some of it. These verses really do serve and function as a great introduction to the book. We'll work through three main points and say a couple things about each one of them. First, "Jesus in the Gospel of Luke."

The very first lines start out with, "In the first book." So this tells us that Acts is the second volume of a two parted work. And what's the topic? "All Jesus began to do and teach" and then verses two and three outline what he did and taught that was covered in the first book. Acts, then is the second volume of Jesus deeds and teaching, which he now does by His Spirit through his men rather than in person…which is why some have suggested the book should be called Acts of the Spirit rather than Acts of the Apostles. But book titles really were not as big of deal back then as they are today.

So maybe you're wondering, if Acts is the second book, what's the first book? Well, I kind of told you in the outline, it's the Gospel of Luke. Here's how you can tell. See where it says, "O Theophilus." That's a dedication, just like how many people will write books today and at the beginning of the book they dedicate it to someone. It doesn't mean it's for their eyes only but that this person especially inspired in the writing of the book.

There's only one other place in the Bible where the name Theophilus shows up…and guess where it's at? The beginning of the Gospel of Luke. So let me read you the first few lines of the Gospel of Luke and it would probably be good if you turned there and looked at 'em with me. The book title, "The Gospel According to Luke" and then this is Luke 1:1-4, "1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

Now we won't get into these verses a whole lot but they tell us that Luke and Acts are two books that go together and Luke is the author of them both. Theophilus is a real person, a name which means "dear to God" so it may have even been his Christian name he changed to like many did and he's "most excellent" meaning he's likely a prominent and well known Roman official.

Most of that's irrelevant to the book of Acts as a whole, but I wanted to bring it up because there's a couple things in these verses and the beginning verses in Acts which tell us some big things about the nature of the Bible and how its books are written. Many people today and perhaps you are one of them…want to know, how can you know the Bible is true? So let's talk about "Books of the Bible & Divine Revelation."

A. Books of the Bible & Divine Revelation

There's a couple things from the beginning of Luke and what it says about how Luke went about writing both Luke and thereby also Acts. Verse 1 tells us he read and studied other documents written about Jesus. So that would definitely include the Gospel of Matthew, Mark and John. Verse 2 says he interviewed eyewitnesses and in Acts sometimes when he's writing he'll say "we" went here or there and did this or that…which means at least in Acts, Luke was at times an eyewitness himself. Then verse 4 tells us he was concerned for accuracy and truth…wanting "certainty." Likewise in our Acts passage he is concerned about "proof." Luke was a medical doctor in his day so he understood the importance of evidence and reason.

So that brings up a big question, is Luke writing history or theology? Is he writing about his own personal religious opinions or he more like a journalist attempting to accurately report facts? How can we trust that his books in the Bible are actually true? Because you can tell from even these first few verses he's obviously persuaded and biased already. Right?

Here's what I'd say. Besides the fact that it is impossible to not have any preconceived biases and be totally objective…simply because Luke may be convinced and even have a theological agenda, does not mean he is doesn't have integrity and is tweaking facts to fit his opinions! He actually goes out of his way to say he's not doing that. And if there actually is any merit, or truth to the whole God and Jesus thing…wouldn't you expect it to actually be true, factual and fantastic?

It's for that reason several have said Acts is like theo-history. It's both a historical account and a theological account. It's true, but make no mistake, the desire and intent of the story is that you too would come to faith in Christ and plant churches like so many people in the book do.

One more thing here. In Luke 1:3 he says, "it seemed to good to me" to write these books. Luke's being modest here. The Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul are more pointed and tells us that was actually the Holy Spirit directing and commanding him to write so that what he would write would be the word of God.

Here's what they say. 1 Peter 1:20-21 says no Scripture "…comes from someone's own interpretation…(not) produced by the will of man, but men spoke (or wrote) from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture (the holy writings by men of God's Word and works)…All Scripture is breathed (or Spirited) out by God."

What this tells us is that books like Luke and Acts really have a second, bigger author instructing the human authors to write the books and then directs their words. It's what we call "Divine Revelation." Divine, God…revealing himself to us…making himself known. You see, it seems a lot of people want or even pray for revelation, for God to reveal himself. But we believe he already has, through words in a book. So you don't want to pray for revelation because that's asking God to have you write a book of the Bible.

Our task is to get to know our God by reading, studying and applying the revelation he has already given to us. So what you have to decide for yourself in our study of the Acts, today in this sermon and in your life during the week is whether or not this book really is God's book. Because if it is then everything it says is much more significant and much more meaningful and will be much more life-changing then we ever dreamed.

Okay, let's say goodbye to the beginning of Luke and get back to Acts. There's one other thing here in the first verse I'll make some short comments on…where it says "all Jesus began to do and teach." This is "Word & Deed: The Marks of the Gospel."

B. Word & Deed: The Marks of the Gospel

There's two ways this phrase is functioning. One is what we already talked about…that it's providing a simply summary and reference to the entire life and ministry of Jesus covered in the first book, the Gospel of Luke. However, there is a second thing and that is the nature of word and deed in and of itself. Word and deed always go hand in hand.

When you read through any of the Gospel accounts…Matthew, Mark, Luke or John…what you consistently see Jesus doing is teaching and preaching and then healing people or feeding crowds or praying to the Father or some other thing. Word and deed. And that is also what we'll consistently see throughout the book of Acts, Word going out accompanied by great deeds. The gospel is a message, a good news message and when it is embraced it is meant to have practical play outs in our lives. They go hand in hand. You can't just do good deeds as a Christian, you've got to proclaim…and you can't just proclaim, you need to live it out in front of others.

The Gospel is unique. You see some people or philosophers have these great ideas (like various forms of skepticism, atheism or relativism) but when it comes down to it they are completely unlivable. For example, you can say everyone has the right to their own opinions and beliefs but if I believe stealing is okay and I steal something from you it turns out that idea actually isn't livable.

Other people seem to be very spiritual and can have a very committed and structured life but there is not a consistent or coherent belief system to support that way of life. For example, you can say like the eastern philosophies that we just need to become one with the world and nature and live a life of harmony and peace that way but I really can never even sit on a chair or on the ground if the chair and I are truly one or I could never eat anything because I would be eating a part of myself. So you may be able to live the life of an ascetic but you'll never be able to explain it.

It's actually a really good test to tell if something is actually true…if it's both is consistent and livable. What is amazing about Jesus and the gospel is that it like no other religion or religious belief offers both a consistent coherent worldview and offers a life that is actually livable.

Those of us who have heard and embraced the gospel know this…we are regularly being changed and compelled to live out the implications of the gospel in deeper and wider ways. We are to hear the Word and then put it to work in action. As the book of James says, faith without works is dead. The go hand in hand.

If you just hear the Word but it's not changing you then maybe you haven't quite heard yet. I was having a conversation with someone in my community group this week who was telling me that they had a friend who said each time they came to church it seemed like it was the same message.

That's true and it makes me proud because we've got nothing else to give but the gospel and every word of every page is all about Jesus. So though we come at it in different ways it always boils down to the same thing. The greatness of who Jesus is and what he has done…word and deed.

It reminded me of this old anonymously written poem about God's word and the gospel that I sometimes recite. I may have quoted it to you once before but if so it's been a while. It goes like this.

My pail I'm often dropping, deep down into this well
It never touched the bottom however deep it fell
And though I keep on dipping by study, faith and prayer
I have no power to measure the living water there

May God help us to be hearers and doers of his Word. Okay, so let's move on and talk about "Jesus' Resurrection (that) Changes Everything."

II. Jesus' Resurrection Changes Everything (vs.3)

Verse 3 assumes we know about Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross from the Gospel of Luke and then recounts Jesus resurrection adding in the note that he appeared several times for forty days and that these appearances were "proofs."

If you read through the New Testament it records 10 distinct appearances. He appears to women at the tomb, to Mary Magdelene, to the two men on the road to Emmaus, to Peter in Jerusalem, to ten of the disciples when they're in hiding, then later to to them again when Thomas is present…He appears to seven of them when they're fishing and eats a meal with them, then later to all eleven in Galilee, then to over 500 people at one time there and then to his brother James. These are all separate independent accounts with over 500 witnesses…sometimes I wonder if it were today and we put Jesus' resurrection on trial how many would have to testify before a jury could be convinced.

One thing that's interesting in the book of Acts is that the preaching is saturated with talk about Jesus' resurrection BUT nobody contests or argues about whether it really happened, instead the question what it actually means. Which actually really brings up the issue of "Proofs & Their Power."

A. Proofs & Their Power

This word "proofs" here in verse three is a someone intriguing word. The Greek word behind it that gets translated as "proof" here is "tekmerion." It's in part where we get one the derivative English word "technical." Tekmerion means something that is surely and plainly known, evidence or proof.

Thus the resurrection has been called the "crowing proof of Christianity." It's unique because no other single religion in the world says there is proof or evidence for it's authenticity or truth. Every other religion places it's test in one's personal experience…in what you feel. Christianity is the only religion which says, whether you experience or not it's true and actually happened. And it goes even further. 1 Corinthians 15:14 says if the resurrection of Jesus didn't happen then Christianity isn't true and everyone who believed it were fools.

Now here's the rub. The proof is there. But the proof alone is not enough. A person just being presented with evidence and reasons for the truth of Christianity does not make them a Christian. Proofs are helpful and give us an external and objective claim and worldview…but that does not convert and change the heart. Proofs can only go so far. They lack something. And this verse points out what it is.

When Jesus was appearing after his resurrection and giving these proofs, what does it say he was doing? Look at it. Verse 3, what was Jesus doing when he showed himself? "Speaking about the kingdom of God." Proofs without proclamation are incomplete! There must be a message explaining the meaning and implications of the proof. And it's in through that message, in hearing it and embracing that God has chosen to regenerate hearts by his spirit. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

And this is what ends up consuming the book of Acts. The announcement that Jesus came into the world, lived and died and rose again and then the message of what that means for our lives here and now.

So I want us to look at what this message is Jesus was speaking about, the kingdom of God. But before we do I want to ask you a question. If Jesus appeared before you, right in your bedroom at home or right here among us before our very eyes do you think we would then believe the message of the Gospel?

The end of Matthew's gospel said that some didn't…that even after seeing Jesus some still doubted the meaning and message of it (Mt 29:17). You see sometimes I think we think, oh if I could just see it then I would believe it. And I don't know if you would? Because ultimately our lack of belief does not come from a lack of proof but from a hardness of heart.

So if you're here today and you're sort of on the fence about this whole thing, or if for you the amazement that Jesus rose from the dead has become old news and not good news to you anymore…I want to entreat you and beg you to have God soften and change your heart. I want to appeal to you just to, even if for a moment to consider the message. Hear the gospel out with fresh ears as if for the first time and allow it to pierce your heart.

We all need that. Each week when I prepare my sermons and when I preach my prayer is that God would pierce my heart anew with the gospel. So let's look at and hear "The Message of the King."

B. The Message of the King

When Jesus is about thirty years old and he begins his official ministry here on earth, the first thing he does is begin preaching and the very first words we have Jesus recorded saying in the Gospel of Mark are, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Then if you read through any of the gospel accounts what you have Jesus consistently talking about over and over again is the kingdom of God. Then after he dies and rises and appears what is Jesus talking about? The kingdom of God.

From beginning to end, start to finish Jesus' message is the kingdom of God. So then, what is the kingdom of God? Now that's a huge question and there are a ton of books written just on that subject. There's some radical and heretical ideas about it and then there are the more simple biblical answers. Part of the challenge in talking about the kingdom of God is sometimes Jesus says it already had arrived, sometimes he says it is now and then sometimes he says it's in the future to come.

So without getting bogged down I'll offer just a couple simple hand holds. One I think we have a hard time with the word kingdom because we don't live in a kingdom. The idea and experience of living under a ruling king is completely foreign to us here in 21st century america. But when you see and hear the word kingdom, at it's most basic and fundamental level it's addressing the rule and reign of a king.

You don't have a kingdom without a king. In world history what separates the kings is how much land and how many people they ruled over…how far their kingship extended. So when the Bible uses the phrase "kingdom of God" what do you think it's getting at the most base level?

That God is the king! And how far do you think the rule and reign of God's kingship extends? All of the heavens and the earth. He's king over all! Throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible this is universally true. It is the most fundamental truth about the kingdom of God…so whenever you hear and see that phrase you can rightly understand and interpret it as the rule and reign of God.

Now let's think a little deeper…second hand hold. Where does the rule and reign of God seem to not penetrate…but then through belief in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus begins to? In people's hearts. People are bound by sin and Satan and Jesus the king comes into the world, inaugurating his rule…but he begins at the root of things by going after hearts. What is yet to come of the kingdom is Jesus physical rule of the land which will occur when he bodily returns with his army from heaven.

The message of the Gospel is rightly called the message of the kingdom. The good news is the announcement that Jesus lived, died and rose and therefore is rightly declared the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev 19:16).

The truth about our hearts is because we are born in sin, we want to be king and worship all kinds of other things and people as the king of our hearts. But when we hear the gospel, we are convicted of our false worship, pierced, we confess our sin and Jesus our King is a kind king who forgives us and paid the price for our treason on the cross so we might be welcomed into his fellowship. What king who when someone tries to overthrow him and take his seat on the throne, then says "wait, hold on, let me pay the death penalty price for your treason so you can be welcomed into my kingdom"? Who does that!

The message of the kingdom is that sin and Satan have been defeated on the cross and since then there is the in-breaking power of God's kingdom spreading across hearts in the lands. And God's kingdom is one of righteousness, love, mercy and peace. The things we all long for but can never find or create on our own.

Some of you today, may have never heard the gospel quite like this or maybe you have but you're just really hearing it this time. Who is king in your life? You? Your boss, your job or your career? Your spouse, your kids or your friends? What rules you? Everyone has a king, the question is if Jesus is your king.

The truth is we've all worshipped false kings and attempted to ascend to the throne ourselves. But Jesus the true king died for us so we might be forgiven and transferred into a family, into a life where we love him and worship him who is the only worthy king of all.

Then for those who become his subjects he then gives us a mission. To spread the news of his kingship. But he does not send us out unequipped but promises and gives us his Spirit. So let's look at our final point this morning, "Jesus Initiates the Ages of His Spirit."

III. Jesus Initiates the Age of His Spirit (vs.4-5)

Let me just re-read these verses so we have them fresh in our head. Acts 1:4-5 "4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Now, first off what we're reading here is not just the beginning of a story or a little side note of some cool thing Jesus did in the middle of a bunch of other stuff. This is a huge transitional, epoch, age changing scene Jesus is speaking of.

God created the heavens and the earth and history began. Since then there have been different stages or periods of history. Historians have their own names like ancient age, Golden age, Medeival Age, Renaissance age, Baroque age, Enlightenment Age and so on. The Bible has it's own ages. Theologians debate what they ought to be called, "dispensations" or "covenants." I'm on the covenant side but it's probably not as big of deal as just recognizing that in God scheme and plan of history…which the Bible says he planned out before he ever created anything…in his plan there are different ages or stages of history.

I won't go through them all now but simply say, what Jesus is addressing here in verses 4-5 is the new age of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit temporarily come upon certain specific individuals for a limited time and purpose. But many of the prophets, like Joel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiah spoke of time that God would send his Spirit and he would stay and be in all God's people.

Prior to Jesus it had been years, like 500 years plus since there was any prophet or any activity of the Spirit whatsoever. Then at the beginning of Jesus ministry, he goes to the synagogue, stands up, and reads from Isaiah 61 saying "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" and then sits down and says "this Scripture has now been fulfilled in your hearing (Lk 4:18,21)."

So stay with me. When Jesus starts his ministry, he says…Spirit's back, and he's in me. Actually when Jesus is born there is all kinds of Spirit activity, then throughout his ministry the Spirit is active at his baptism, in his preaching, prayers, death and then Romans 1:4 says he was declared with power to be the son of God by the Spirit in his resurrections from the dead. So Jesus has the Spirit of God.

Then Acts. He says things are going to change and that he is going to give his Spirit to all his people. Two quick things I want us to not about this. How Jesus is really "Preparing (them) For Battle" and who this Spirit as "The One From on High."

A. Preparation For Battle

First, notice Jesus tone in these verses we've been looking at today. Back up in verse 2 says he was giving "commands through the Spirit." Then here in verse 4, he "ordered them." We're seeing a Jesus here in full authority and charge over his men.

Next week we'll look in further detail at the mission Jesus gives. For now we'll just say he's about to send them out into the world where Satan has been ruling and wreaking havoc in people hearts and lives. But before he sends them out and before he even equips them for this spiritual warfare, he has something he wants them to do…to wait.

Jesus says, don't go yet. I want you to wait. I don't know about you but for me waiting for anything is hard. For example, we got this Blu-ray player for Christmas but I didn't have the right cables to hook it up. So I got online right away and ordered them and I was so impatient I started checking the mail that day and every few minutes the day after!

Maybe there are some of you who are super good at being patient, but not me. And it seems to me that most people are pretty impetuous. Due to our insecurities and our desires, we either want what we want now or we make fast decisions because we don't like the uncomfortableness of not knowing what we're going to actually be doing or where we will be going.

We talked about this a bit last week how we can have a big vision and plans but unless we're in step with God and his timing then they will all be for not. Psalm 46:10 says to "Be still and know that I am God." And I think that there is something God would have us to teach about the importance of waiting on him. Sometimes it seems to me like a lost discipline. To really wait, and pray and be quiet in the presence of the Lord.

Now I know that is sort of a side note from our story in Acts but I thought it was important to draw out because I think there are some of you going through some things in life right now, things you're looking at or considering and you just need to slow down and wait on the Lord a bit. Don't run ahead of him. Wait.

Well, let's look at this final thing of what Jesus was wanting the disciples to wait for and what by extension he has promised and given to us, "The One From On High."

B. The One From On High

So Jesus says after a period of them waitingthe promise of the Father would come and they would be baptized by the Spirit. Now we could get bogged down really easy here with theological questions about whether or not the disciples were regenerate before the Spirit and what is the baptism of the Spirit and what about tongues and gifts of the Spirit and all that stuff. But we're not going to get into any of that today. We got a lot of weeks coming up where we'll get to talk about all that stuff.

What I mainly want to do here is focus on "the promise of the Father." Jesus here in verse 5 cites himself prophesying the the Spirit's coming and I think what would be most helpful for us is to hear more about that because there are number of places the Bible talks about this age changing empowerment of the Spirit. So just listen to these few passages.

Joel 2:28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…sons and daughters…old…young…male…female." So Joel says a day would come when all God's people will get the Spirit.

Isaiah 44:3 "I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." So Isaiah says God's Spirit will pass through family members who are of the faith.

John 14:16-17&26 "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…for he dwells with you and will be in you…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." So Jesus says the Spirit will help us, be in us, glorify Jesus' name and teach us and remind us of all the things Jesus said.

John 16:8 "When he comes, he (the Holy Spirit) will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." So Jesus says the Spirit will cause guilt and remorse in our hearts when we break and violate the commandments of God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 says the "promised Spirit" is the "guarantee of our inheritance" so he gives us assurance that we will be saved and be in heaven with Jesus.

Romans 5:5 says God's love gets "poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit."

Romans 8:15 says the Spirit enables us to be intimate with God in prayer calling him "abba Father."

Galatians 5:22 says the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness in us.

And in Luke 24:49 Jesus says, "I am sending the promise of my Father upon you"….and when he came his people would be "clothed with power from on high."

I know I just threw a ton of Scripture at you but I wanted you to get a feel for how great the Spirit of God is that Jesus has promised to us. There's two common misconceptions I think we have when it comes to the Holy Spirit. There's probably more but these are the ones on my mind today.

Since the we are in the age of the Spirit and the Spirit has been at work in God's people for nearly two-thousand years now, I think His work too easily become too common to us and we forget what a great and awesome benefit this promise of the Father given to us through Jesus is. That all believers get the Spirit! Even our children! That he teaches us and reminds us of Jesus! That he convicts us of sin! That he makes us loving! That enables us to be close with God. That he gives us joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness! And that he empowers us to live for God and spread the gospel! The gift of God's Spirit is a massive gift!

The other misconception I think sometimes hinders us from delighting in the great gift of God's Spirit is because some branches of Christianity have seemingly reduced the work of the Spirit to supernatural things like tongues and miracles. And those things tend to either excite people or freak people out…and both responses really are just sensationalism and should not deter us from glorying in all the marvelous benefits that come from having the Spirit of God at work in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is God, given by the Father and the Son from on High! That is incredible! What a promise! What a gift!

1 Corinthians 10:13 says all people who believe in Jesus have the Spirit, so if you're a Christian you've got God's Spirit. Yet, I think some of us today need a fresh realization of how wonderful that is. The age of the Spirit was initiated by Jesus but I don't think that entirely eliminates our need to still have some of the same sentiment Jesus commanded the disciples to have when he said to wait for the Spirit.

I think it's entirely appropriate for us to wait on God and ask God's Spirit to changes us and fill us and empower us and to bring to fruition all the promises of God given to us through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. We'll see people doing that time and time again in the book of Acts. So today as we respond, ask God for more of his Spirit to be at work in your life.

Conclusion

We're going to conclude and receive the Lord's Supper. As John 14:26 says, one of the Spirit's chief jobs is to glorify the name of Jesus. When we receive the Lord's Supper each week that's what we do. We pronounce the name of Jesus…that there is no name given under heaven whereby men can be saved. That Jesus and Jesus alone died for sin and rose again and is king and Lord.

So as you come today respond to the preaching of the Gospel this morning. We've hit a lot of stuff. These verses cover a ton…something for everyone. If there is an area you sense God's Spirit working on in you, pay attention to that and bring it to the table this morning and talk to God about it.