Ascension, the Holy Spirit, and the Church's Mission

And a promise is only as good as the one who gives the promise. But we know that Jesus is the ultimate promise keeper. He keeps his promises. Everything Jesus promised, everything that was promised through Jesus has happened except for his return. His first coming was promised. He did that in the incarnation. He promised that he was gonna die. That happened. He promised he was gonna rise from the grave. That happened. [00:24:57] (30 seconds)

He said he was gonna go to the father. That happened. He said the day of Pentecost was gonna happen where he was gonna pour out his spirit and birth the church. And he promised he's coming back. And he's going to. And that could be at any time the father tells him, hey, it's time. [00:25:27] (19 seconds)

When someone is drunk, they're under the influence of alcohol. Correct? That's but the same thing Paul is saying here, be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. And he says, you do you you get filled with the spirit because you get poured out every day. You you pour yourself out, the Holy Spirit back in. Be filled with something that we participate in by singing songs and hymns and spiritual songs, being grateful to God, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ is how we are filled with the spirit. [00:17:20] (35 seconds)

So when you think of this unfinished task, I want you to remember this. The work of Jesus is finished. It's finished. We talked about this a couple weeks ago. He he did everything through his life, death, and resurrection to draw us to himself and give us salvation. But and we can't add anything to that. But the work of the church, it's unfinished. It's an unfinished task. [00:20:48] (31 seconds)

Pastors don't build churches. Jesus is building his church. What he's called us to do as the church to participate with him is to make disciples. He did tell the church, go into all the world, baptizing, teaching, and what I and commanding them what I've commanded of you and make disciples. A disciple is a student, a learner. Jesus is our rabbi and we are learning from him. [00:10:36] (29 seconds)

The when Jesus returns, he's going to recreate the heavens and the earth, we're told. So the heavens as we know it are temporary and the earth as we know it is temporary. When he returns, he's gonna recreate the heavens and the earth. Right now, he's ruling and reigning over his kingdom and his kingdom is wherever he is acknowledged as king. That's individually, in a family, in a community, in a church, and throughout the world. [00:08:06] (28 seconds)

this unmatchable presence brings power. It brings power. How many need power in your life that's supernatural? We do. We need power. Be filled with the spirit, Paul says. Be filled. So we live by the spirit. We walk by the spirit. We're filled with the spirit. To the context of that is Paul says, don't get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, but instead be filled with the spirit. [00:16:53] (28 seconds)

And I'm living my life for that well done, good, and faithful servant. Servant. And you don't have to be a pastor or a missionary or something like that to hear a well done, good, and faithful servant. Just be faithful. Be faithful to the the the people in your life, the things that he's called you to do. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit's presence. Participate with the Lord in this unfinished task through your time, talent, and treasure, and pray for his return. [00:26:15] (38 seconds)