10am Sunday 9 February 2025

Thank you, Jess and Mel. We might like to, I take up one of the black church Bible, somewhere in the pews, is a few down the sides here. If you need them run page 935 this morning. If we begin our series thinking about how we shall be Witnesses. Jesus's Witnesses. Looking at Acts chapter 12, 9 by this new stuff, up with things up here on the stage. I thought we would try something you but the start of the new year. Did you get any feedback and give it straight to me? I'm under the lighting's, not quite perfect chocolate might help us engage with one another but more particularly

Let me see if you'd got any comments on that. That's probably as we begin in God's word now.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this book of Acts which tells of the early church and I'm going out with the good news of Jesus that father, thank you. That is what here this morning that I can't go out alone but they go out and powered by your spirit. So like your first apostles plays as we leave from here and Paris by your spirits to tell. If you will great salvation,

Well, I don't know if you've ever read or watch anything equals recently time and I just watched Netflix sequel. It was it was, it was the night agent. Not Asian series. Wanted a couple of years ago and Series 2. Just dropped in January and we've been watched it already is since I've had probably not as good as the 1st of anything but it's pretty good but the famous equals out there on the Ocean's 11 Ocean's Twelve is Paddington 1 Paddington 2 and now you might have seen Paddington in The Lord of the Rings at Trilogy is a sequel to of course Jr. Tolkien's Hobbits sequels. Open the book of Acts this morning. We're actually looking at a sequel and Luke tells us this in the very first verse of Acts. He says this, In my former book Theophilus, I wrote about old, Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven. If he asks, is volume two of Lux to volume work, Luke, Luke, who's a doctor, everything and wrote these things down. For someone cooled, Theophilus. In chapter 24 with Jesus being taken up into heaven. And as we read this morning Acts chapter one, begins with that same events, it, that goes back into the story of what happened at the end of Luke. In the final chapter of Luke, Luke verse 24, we see Jesus's resurrection from the dead and that he appears to his disciples and many others. Over a number of days, 40 nights, Luke's House of Hair in Acts 1 to prove that he really is alive. And then right at the end of Luke, he ascends to Heaven, Luke. 24:51 is pretty much the same words. As act Acts chapter 1, verse to the Jesus was taken up in the heaven. How about the story doesn't end there? Because we have this volume to Luke, says, Jesus is work continues, even though he's in heaven, Jesus continues to do things look set in to teach things even though he's not physically present on Earth, but it's physically present at his father's side. In heaven, John stopped one Christian writer on. The book of Acts says, that is the continuing words and deeds of Jesus. By his Spirit through his Apostles, it's the continuing words and deeds of Jesus by his Spirit through his Apostles and it needs first 11 verses of a, we see this in three big movement since that on your sermon outline. If you want to take a few notes, then we see an OP movement, Jesus has ascended, we said down and in Series Kingdom power of the holy spirit is given and let me see, announce Woods movements does a kingdom priority of witnessing to the less we continue acts this time. We'll see that these first few verses of Acts continue to be programmatic for the rest of the book of Acts. Jesus is ruling and raining. By his Spirit, through his followers, empowering them to witness to the world's. And we'll see that in this little Siri. But let's have a first look at this first movement ASAP. Jesus, is King and he rules. And he reigns from Heaven. Lucas very clear as he begins his sequel. That Jesus was taken up to heaven. Is that was bookends to these opening buses. It's going to be a bunch of us to he. That's Jesus was taken. To Heaven verses 9 and 11. He Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, he has been taken from you into heaven, the angel who appear tell the apostles But between his resurrection, his raising that and his raised in to be in heaven, his Ascension. Luke record over a. Of 40 days. If he says in verse 3, that Jesus is Alive and Jesus spoke to the apostles and told them about his kingdom, the kingdom of Gods. Jesus, you see as the Gospel of Luke says on his acts will see is the king of God's kingdom and his resurrection has proved that. He is above every Power and dominion and Authority. He's dogs, King, who rules and Ryan's butt in that period of 40 days if you like, it's he haven't been in Thrones yet and so do the father raises Jesus further into the Heavenly Realms, a claims he mourned Thrones, Amor, correlates him as king. Are the writers of the Hebrews reflects on this. In Hebrews 1:3 with told that after he that is off the god, the son, Jesus, provided purification office in his work, on the cross and his resurrection. He Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. He was in Throne, does King over and now rules and reigns from Heaven. That's the idea of being sat down, that's the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in heaven it. So I can position of ruled in authority and power. And I just want to a reverend to say that Jesus is coronation is a bit like the carbonation of a king or a queen, coronation mug that I should I go to over here as well. It's still in the poopetrator. It was at 4. I hear is my Carnation. Mug commemorating. The coronation of King, Charles the Third King Charles acceded to the throne on the 8th of September 2022. When his mother Queen Elizabeth, the second died from that point on, he was legally King but he hadn't been in throwing King. He haven't seen coronated and the ceremony to crown him as King in his car and I shouldn't. Which maybe you watched it was not until Saturday the 6th of May 2023. Will Jesus is God's King and he's been rolling all throughout his life and all the things that he did on the Miracles. He performed the things he said he's been doing kingly thinks he's God's King through his death through his resurrection in these lost 40 days. He's being noise goes King. But now in his Ascension he's been coordinated and Thrones as King in this movement.

Daniel in the prophecy. He had in Daniel chapter, 7 has a picture of this where he sees a son of man coming to God. The Father with the clouds of heaven, interesting. That clowns are referred to here and acts as Jesus. Ascends to Heaven. Is the son of, man, ascends to heaven with the Clouds Of Heaven. Daniel 7:14, says as king. He was given Authority glory and Sovereign power donations, on old people's of every language worshiped him. His Dominion is an everlasting Dominion that will not pass away. And his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. Jesus rules and Brian's and where is he now? He's physically present in heaven at his father's side and what is he doing? He sent down that what? He's not doing the crosswords or reading a book having a little break planning. His next holiday thinking, about his retirement, know Jesus is active as king. He rules and Reigns of everything and everyone and said he's in control over everything that's happening now. To you to me. And he's working out all things for his glory and all goods and will say that. As we got one in the book of Acts Jason suspension, bookends this section from Acts chapter 1, verse 1 to 11 in in between investors 328 resume. And Luke says, in verse 4, on one occasion, in those 40 days between Jesus's, resurrection and Ascension on this one occasion where Jesus is giving instructions through his holy spirit, Luke says, to the apostles, whom he has chosen and Jesus instructions on to the question, but what are we to do now that Jesus is gone? What his father is going to do, what's going to become of his kingdom. Now that the king is not physically present in trusting. Jesus told a parable about that, in Luke chapter, 19. You can read that later if you like Well, what happens to the apostles and as well, see a Zacks progressed progresses by extension to Old followers of Jesus, is that Kingdom power comes upon them. The Holy Spirit comes down upon them to be with them. And in the face down and in movement that they send us is 4 + 5, Luke Reitz but on one occasion while hey that's Jesus, was eating with them, he gave them this, come on, do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift. My phone list which you've heard me speak about, but John baptized with water but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

This gift of the Holy Spirit, should not be a surprise for the apostles, Jesus said that fell asleep, because Jesus says that it's a gift. But his father has promised a street in, from the prophet Joel and Joel chapter to where God says, that there will come a time, and I will pour out my spirit on all people. I'll pour out my spirit on my people in those days. And Jesus says, to his Apostles, Thursday to nearly, he is so white capsule together in Jerusalem and white for the Holy Spirit to come. And secondly Jesus says that I've only heard him. Talk about this gift of the holy spirit in Luke's gospel, Luke 11:13. Jesus talking about fathers giving good gifts to their children. And he says, look if you give good gifts does Ashley father steal children. How much more will your heavenly father? Give the Holy Spirit. To those who ask him. So he told them about the gift of the spirits of common John and his gospel. If you know, John's gospel records, much more about that about how Jesus said, I'm not going to leave you as often, but I will come to you. I will send you the comforter the Holy Spirit to be with you. And thirdly, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Shouldn't be a surprise for the apostles because John the Baptist said they skip to the Holy Spirit was coming. Not in Luke 3:16 John. The Baptist says I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful and I will come the straps of whose sandals. I am not worthy to untie. That's Jesus. And he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.

So, the gift of the holy spirit is going to come, but why, why this gift of the Holy Spirit? Well, Jesus Oz that in the Saints, but you will receive power. When the Holy Spirit comes on you, it's all about power. The holy spirit is the power source for what God will do. in his Apostles, in his church, from this point on In fact, the Holy Spirit was the power source for Jesus and his ministry. Tremblant Jesus was baptized Luke record that Luke 3:21. Jesus was baptized by John and then the Holy Spirit, descended upon him. Like a dove an Impala, same for his ministry. Luke says 321, he says that Jesus in the power of the spirit, Jesus began his ministry. The holy spirit is upon him. And he begins his public Ministry. Preaching teaching proclaiming healing performing, Miracles, dying for our sins and Rising again to bring us new life. The holy spirit is the power source for God's work is for you and me to do the work of God without the Holy Spirit and some ways on a futile battle prepare to help with this one as well. A leaf blower has people into fans of leaves asleep, like I'm not, but if you don't have the power source on that, you're not going to get very far with blowing your leaves, only when I can try myself. But he felt like. Did you pay that? now, it's useless and futile without the power source, but if I put the power source in, And we got to see if it'll get you. Maybe let me game. I can't we need the power source time. We will go to work.

And we have an infinite power source available to us The Holy Spirits. Don't need recharging like a rechargeable battery that He's always on always available.

I know I do. I'm taking out the battery out of the leaf blower, and expecting amazing things to be happened. On your garden to be neat and tidy. So we can have the most amazing vision from Aspen Village Church down there to know Jesus and make him nine weeks. What about it? Last week, we can have the most amazing and Joe all for the glory of God's. but if we don't use the power source that God provides His Holy Spirit, What is going to be done in? All right, and strength, not going to get very far. That's a how do we know if we're relying on the power of the holy spirit in us? I think one big indication. We all prayers. Prayer is that the Holy Spirit might work in power in you. Press of the Holy Spirit might work in power in others, present, the Holy Spirit might work in power. In this church mussman Village Church. We need to be praying for God's to be at work by the power of his spirits that David Cook. Another Christian writer says, this does not have to engage in Ministry activity. Must not crowd out front. I just wanted to engage in Christian Ministry and activity whatever that might be, my snot crowd out for that and the next we see the Churchill man needs time and time again. Are you on your knees? So just speak in Crash time and time again, that God would be at work by his spirits. In Acts will see the early church often gathering together to pray that they would gather together in the temple courts and they pray together will. How about if we begin this year committing to come to our monthly prayer meeting? But I can gather daily we got to wait clay. And then once a month on the first Monday of the month, we can have a tough ride. The god might be at work, remind me, nice, Reviving. This job working where I Mission pump is off by his holy spirits. Let's gather together and pray. Jesus says that leaves Apostles and then by extension ice will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on, but what is this power for? What is the same as it was for Jesus to do the work of gods and that was to go out with this. Good news of God's kingdom to proclaim the kingdom of God. And so cool people to repent and believe. To go out. There's a kingdom priority. Which is witnessing to the world. Jesus says that the reason the holy spirit is being given is it they might be his witnesses to the worlds of the holy spirit's the six that wants to hear about the Holy Spirit coming. They make Sergeant Lee gather around Jesus and I asked him Lord. Are you at this time?

This is going to be the time Lords. I think that she is quite a natural question for them to ask that we might think it's a bit.

In particular tie, the gifts of the holy spirit with God's kingdom coming. Joel does that with his promise of the holy spirit, being pulled out on all God's people, just before he promises restoration for God's people restoration of Israel. I'm so excited, anything but this is going to be the time. A Jesus replies to them, about how the coming of the Holy Spirit and goes Kingdom, truly Reliance. And actually the worldwide extent of God's Kingdom,

Did Jesus says this? He said to them it is not for you to know the times or dates. The father has set by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my Witnesses. We're in Jerusalem, what he told them to stay until the Holy Spirit came, but then further Fields Jerusalem Judea for the South Samara to the North and then to the ends of the Earth.

John Stotts at helpfully says this, about Jesus's reply to the disciples. Rather nationalistic question about Jesus's Kingdom coming and restoration of his route. He says, been in Jesus's reply me, see three things that the kingdom of God is spiritual in its character, not based on a place Jerusalem, it is international its membership. It is for everyone, Jerusalem Judea Samaria, the ends of the Earth, anyone and everyone can be in God's kingdom, and it is gradual in its expansion. It's not going to come at once with the gift of the Spirit. By the gift of the spirit is going to help it. Go out and expand to the ends of the Earth. You see the disciples confuse the kingdom of God's with the Kingdom of Israel. That's sadly, that's why many scientists have done and still do today confusing. The kingdom of God with the Kingdom of Israel. Jumpstart also says that she says, the kingdom of God, is his rule set up in the lives of his people by the holy spirit's it is spread by Witnesses, not by soldiers, through the gospel of peace, not a declaration of war. I'm by the work of the spirit, not by the Force of Arms, political Intrigue, or revolutionary violence.

And Jesus says the priority, but his disciples is it. The kingdom of God would go out As a witness to the world, through the power of the spirit. And that's exactly what we see in Acts. But if you cannot see in that tub diagram that, but on the right hand side that map down the bottom Jerusalem, the first area where the disciples begin to tell people about the good news of Jesus and called on them to repent and believe the good news just as Jesus did. Thanks goes on chapter 69. In particular, it spreads further to Judy are in the South and some are in the north. The traditional kind of boundaries of Israel. Come under the sound of this good news, and then she goes for the wrong, I must do this another time, but Acts chapter is 10 to 28. We see the good news of Jesus, coming out to the world, but the key is pulled, his missionary Journeys. Have an apostle out into the worlds.

The house you're witnessing gumming. Maybe it's going really well and that's great. But I'm guessing we could all say. It's not where I'd like it to be. That's why we would want everyone to come to the every opportunity course, so that we can work together to encourage one another. To make Jesus known to do that. Better begins this week, long on Wednesday night, sign up for a place, let me know you're coming and can have enough booklets and chairs and all that kind of stuff Wednesday night. 7:30 wasn't, right? Michael Thursday, mornings at 9:30. Come along to one of those that move things around in your week, so that you can come We love everyone to make the most of every opportunity and witnessing to the Lord Jesus because if you're a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit to empower you to do this.

So, where is Jesus? Sending you out as his witness. Maybe it's amongst your family. maybe some monks friends that you made up with and play golf with maybe it's amongst your neighbors swimming meets. That maybe it's to the cafe will cuz you go to a cafe each week at a particular time.

Where is it that God is sending you out to. It might be because the Holy Spirit Works in you he sending you out even further afield.

Finished recipe, many are going out to different places. You no more recent times. We've had James, and Britney xiamen going out with bush church. I eat to different places that currently in Kobe.

Let me go see about Sally but don't use her son and because she's in a sensitive area in the Middle East, she's going out today. The witness to the good news of Jesus by the power of God spirits. But maybe you can actually go at this time. I do that. I said about a lovely lady in the previous church. That I knew who went out. I think it was 75 Indians in America. To tell them the good news of Jesus age. Needn't be a barrier. Haven't maybe you can't go this time. Maybe you could support this Global Mission financially through Mission Apartments, phones. That's what the gospel might got out from Sydney to Australia to the ends of the Earth with those that we partner with, if you want to come treat to our mission fund. As Michael said, a bit about last week and you can put the cash in an envelope marked Mission Fund in the box of the back or you can do a regular direct electronic transfer to all general account and include mission in the reference for it.

Jesus says, Kingdom power of the Holy Spirit has been given so that we might be witnessing to the world. That is his kingdom priority.

So, where are you looking?

That's why you leave the disciples here. We temporarily leave them looking into having them. Wait, as Jesus is taken from them before their very eyes and the clouds hunt Hines, Jesus from that site that looking intently up into the sky. But then to Angels, bring them back down to us again, my side. Why you looking up into the sky? And the implication is look, you've been given a mission. Lookouts. With the power of God's holy spirit, who's going to come and go out into the world. And we can see is back schedule. Know, that's what happens in the rest of chapter one, which we won't see. Jesus is come on by go to Jerusalem, they pray. Now you down for the Holy Spirit to come and then it's we'll see next week, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Where are you looking? We've seen today that Jesus is, I he's directing everything he's in control, he rules, and he reigns from heaven. Please come down adding To Us by his holy spirit to empower us to look house and to go out.

Are you looking out in the power of the Holy Spirit to make the most of every opportunity to witness to Jesus? Let's pray that we do that.

Follow me. Thank you. That that is a mission that you've given us to do the kingdom priority to go out with this. Good news of Jesus to make Jesus known. And to cool people to repent and believe in the good news. But father thank you that we don't do this by our own strength and so please help us to increasingly rely on your power, the holy spirit that you've given us to empower us to witness.

Lord, where are you? Taking us this week? Could be all sorts of different places could be somewhere unexpected. Lord, please help us to call upon you in prayer that you might Empower espanol, holy spirits. To be Witnesses for you. Let me pray this For Your Glory.