Pastor Podcast - Acts 1:1-11 - Wait, Witness, Work!

Each week Pastor Mark takes time to go deeper and talk about the week's message!  If you have questions you'd like him to answer or hear more about please send those in by texting us at the link in the show notes!

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Jesus says “go,” then tells His closest followers to do something that feels almost impossible for driven people: wait. That tension is where Acts begins, and it’s where many of us get stuck, too. We kick off our new series in the Book of Acts by tracing the thread from Zechariah’s promise “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” to the birth of the Spirit-empowered church. 

We walk through Acts 1:1-11 and slow down on the details Luke highlights: the many proofs of the resurrection, the forty days of kingdom teaching, and the surprisingly personal fellowship Jesus shares with His disciples. We also dig into why Luke addresses Theophilus, and what that careful opening suggests about the credibility and purpose of the account. Then we get practical: why Jesus commands waiting, how impatience pushes us to operate in our own strength, and why the Holy Spirit in us is even better than Jesus beside us for the mission ahead. 

From there, we talk about the purpose of Spirit-given power: witness. Not spectating, not silence, but testimony that reaches from our “Jerusalem” outward, even when it costs us. We also challenge passive Christianity and unpack why we work not to be saved but because we’re saved, plus how spiritual gifts show up in real life through service, hospitality, encouragement, giving, and everyday obedience. If you want to find your place and recover joy in serving Jesus, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the series.

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Intro music by Joey Blair

Transcript

Welcome And Series Launch

SPEAKER_01 0:15

Well, hey Lifehouse family, welcome back to our video time with Pastor Mark. Always excited every week to just continue to dig a little deeper. Never get enough Sunday morning, right? We got to just talk more through it like we've talked about in the past. So much we can go into and just excited with a new book starting, but maybe just talk to us about the book of Acts and this new series.

Why Acts Fits The Year

Ordinary People Need Availability

SPEAKER_02 0:37

Yeah. So, yeah, finish the book of Zechariah, starting a new journey through at least the first eight chapters, maybe nine chapters of the book of Acts. And so why? Like, why not the whole book? You know, and really the idea is really connected to our theme for the year, uh, which is taken from Zechariah 4.6, where the Lord, through the prophet Zechariah, tells his people, it will not be by might, not by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts. In their context, it was to rebuild the temple. They didn't have what they thought it took to rebuild the temple financially, just materially, anything. But God was saying, no, you're going to rely on me to do this, and you are going to do this. And so, in the same sense, you know, Jesus said, I will build my church. And that's what we're seeking to build the kingdom of God. We will not do it in our own power, in our own strength or might, but it will be by the Spirit. And that's what we see, really. You know, the book of Acts is called the Acts of the Apostles. That's what we refer to it as, but it really should be called, many Bible scholars say, the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Because what we see are these ordinary people that we see in the Gospels doing these extraordinary things, not in their might, not in their power, but clearly by the power of the Holy Spirit. And so it's really the same Spirit, the Spirit of God, the second or the third person of the Trinity, is who we have access to, who we are indwelt by, who we are equipped by to do what we have been tasked and called and charged to do by our Savior. And so that's my hope and prayer is that our congregation, that we all will just be encouraged, motivated, and inspired. You know, one of the things that I really was reflecting on, because yeah, Peter, James, John, Andrew, these apostles that are used in such a profound way to build the church, and we see it testified, recorded in the book of Acts, you know, I really believe that if any of us were to have a conversation with them and tell them, man, like I'd love to do what you're doing, or or to be a part of what you're what you did, you know, but I'm not strong enough, or I'm not, you know, talented enough, or I'm not equipped enough, you know, to do, I could never do what you did, Peter, James, John, you know, Apostle Paul. I think they would say, Welcome to the club. Like, like, really, these to put into perspective, we see in the Gospels. And that's what really is so beautiful, how Acts is the continuation of the Gospels, in particular the Gospel of Luke, because Acts is written written by the same author, Luke. But we see Jesus call these fishermen, right? Peter, Andrew, James, John were fishing, and Jesus says, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. We see him call Matthew, who was Levi, but we also know as Matthew, was a tax collector, so an outcast. Young John Mark was just a young guy, you know. I mean, really, no experience. But but God used these ordinary people, true ordinary people, to do extraordinary things. And in the same way, he can use us. God doesn't want our ability. I should have said this yesterday. What he wants is our availability. They were available, God used them, and we need to be available. And so that that's my challenge in charge and hope that our our congregation will be encouraged by it this week.

SPEAKER_01 3:49

And he doesn't, you know, call the equipped, he equips the equipment. Amen. So many good, you know, one-liners we can include, but they all build in. And I think what jumped out, you know, too, just in the first verse you brought out yesterday is the book of Luke was just the beginning. You know, salvation is truly the beginning. Too often we look at salvation as okay, we've arrived, it's done. You know, like no. Salvation is actually the beginning of doing the amazing things, the walk with the world.

Salvation Is The Starting Line

SPEAKER_02 4:18

And experiencing and knowing, you know, and I really am burdened because I think so many people in the church today are genuinely saved. But for whatever reason, I think really mostly due to ignorance. You know, I don't say that in a condemning way, but they just don't know that there's more, you know, and so in essence, they're hanging out at the starting line. Like we have a race set before us that we are to run, but they're just as saved believers, genuine, hanging out at the starting line, not realizing that they are to run, that there's work to do, and that they are to be a part of that work. And as we work, we experience, right? We're to witness, right? Why don't you read the first uh the verses and then we'll let we'll dive into them?

Reading Acts 1:1-11

SPEAKER_01 4:58

Absolutely. So we're getting started in the book of Acts, and verse one says, In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt, Luke is writing here, of course, with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 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, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on him, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who you have taken up who has taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Verse 11. God's words.

Proofs Of Jesus And Theophilus

SPEAKER_02 6:38

Yeah. So weight, witness, and work. So the first three verses, though, are really what we see, I kind of they're kind of an intro and really, you know, confirming. Like it's stated explicitly, like Jesus presented himself alive by many proofs to the disciples, not just one proof. I think Paul even clarifies more in 1 Corinthians 15 when he says that when Jesus, during this time, he presented himself alive, not just to the twelve, right, or really 11 at this time, because Judas is out of the picture, but to over 500 men, brothers, you know, which are brothers and sisters. And so they all saw him and they talked with him. And he didn't present himself alive from afar, like he was standing on a roof building saying, Hey guys, see I'm alive. But up close and personal. Like I love how it clarifies in verse four, like while staying with them. And that word staying, transferred translated as staying in the ESV, is really speaking of fellowship. I think some translations even say, while eating with them, it's a word that that connotates intimacy. Like he was up close and personal with them during this time, teaching with them, spending time with them. There was no doubt that Jesus had resurrected and they saw him, like it's very explicit, you know, they watched him ascend into heaven. And so clearly there's no doubt that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Like they all know, and it's a beautiful thing. So, one thing to point out a lot of people wonder who's Theophilus. You know, as I mentioned yesterday, the name Theophilus literally means friend of God or lover of God. And so many Bible commentators suggest that Paul's using a pseudonym, if you will, kind of referring to all, I mean, you're a friend of God. I am a lover of God. And so this is to all those out there who are friends of God and lovers of God. But really, I believe, and many Bible scholars also believe, because of the way he's addressed in the Gospel of Luke, most excellent Theophilus. So there's this title, and the same way in Acts 26 that the Apostle Paul addresses Governor Festus, most excellent Festus. So it's kind of a title and very specific. I mean, I know you're a friend of God, but you're not most excellent.

SPEAKER_00 8:53

That's true. That's true. I am not. So anyway, no.

SPEAKER_02 8:56

So I just really believe that there was a man named Theophilus, and for whatever reason, you know, some people even believe that he was the one actually defending Paul in Rome when Paul was in prison. And so maybe a lawyer or something, and so Luke was presenting information literally to be presented in a court of law to justify Paul's actions and propagating the gospel. So, anyway, that's who Theophilus is. But yeah, I I one of the things I do want to point out in verse one is that word began, right? You know, the continuation. You know, when Jesus ascended into heaven, he, you know, he did say it is finished when he was on the cross, meaning that he accomplished the work that he had been sent to do, he shed his blood and thereby providing salvation. But Jesus remember said, I'm going to build my church in such a way that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And so really the gospels are just the beginning, you know, and so what Acts is the is the continuation of what we see in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Acts picks up right where those four Gospels left off, and the church is built, and we see the Holy Spirit working in and through, you know, the helper that Jesus promised to send in John the last uh chapters of John and John 14 through 16. Jesus told his disciples, It is to your advantage that I go, right, you know, so that the helper will come. I will send the helper to you. And I really, that's something to consider. Like, what could be better than Jesus Christ standing literally right beside you? I mean, that would be amazing, the Son of God. Jesus tells it'd be more advantageous, profitable for you, not just a better experience, but like it will help you accomplish, right? It would more advantageous for you, better for you that the Holy Spirit come, that the Holy Spirit be inside us. That's better than Jesus beside us. That's a profound thing to consider, you know, as we move forward in ministry.

Why Jesus Commands Waiting

SPEAKER_01 10:50

But yeah, outside of physical limitations and even like you were saying, the beginning, Jesus said it was finished. I would say, like the foundation, the cornerstone is laid, the foundation is finished. Now build the church on the foundation. Absolutely. Time to move forward, the beginning of all that the kingdom of God will accomplish. And we're just blessed to stand here 2000 later for all that work that is still continuing. And again, like you mentioned, we were talking earlier with it really being the acts of the Holy Spirit. I know we'll get to there in a couple weeks, but you know, as the church was starting, you know, really like, hey, if this is from God, we're not gonna be able to stop it. But you know, if it's not from God, it'll just you know fizzle out. So that's gonna be because here we are today. Exactly. So we're just gonna see why, you know, this commission, the ascension, all those things is just that launching off, if you will, of the Holy Spirit. And so that gets to like, wait, though. We gotta do that.

SPEAKER_02 11:42

Yeah, so it seems like kind of this odd command. So yeah, Jesus is gonna ascend, but he tells them, wait in Jerusalem. Like, don't do a thing. I mean, pray, you know, I mean, actively wait, but but stay. You know, he told them the great commission is for them to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I've commanded. We're told that he said and told them in the gospels, I'm sending you out, you know, into the harvest, right? The laborers are few. But and so it's like, go, but wait. He is sending them. The plan has not changed, but he wants them and he knows that if they're going to go and be successful and accomplish and endure and persevere, because he did tell them they would experience trials and tribulations, he knew that they would need the helper, the Holy Spirit. And so this is who the promise of the Father that they were told to wait for was the coming of the Holy Spirit that we later see in Acts chapter two in a glorious way. And so, yeah, to wait. Waiting's hard, right? I hate to wait. I talked about that.

SPEAKER_01 12:48

We are in a society where waiting is, man, we're like instant gratification, got to be ready.

SPEAKER_02 12:54

We want it now, we want it, but but really, like God, and it wasn't that God was delayed or got hung up or sidetracked. It was that his timing was perfect and ordained and specific. And I even think that that was really made clear when he talks about, you know, that all the commands that he gave was through the Holy Spirit, you know, that the apostles that, you know, the the ragtag bunch of men that were there, like he chose them. Like everything was precise and providential. And so this waiting was intentional.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

So yeah, it'll be maybe a little bit paradoxical to working that we'll get to, but we are to be patient, to wait on the Lord. That's all the way in Psalms. And too often in our society, we want what we want, when we want it, how we want it, you know, like was it Burger King, whatever that, you know, have it your way, whatever it is. But that's how we have a mindset sometimes, and we carry that into our spiritual lives when truly if we're to walk by the Spirit, it's going to be seeking God's timing, seeking God's purposes. So just that big-time principle.

SPEAKER_02 13:59

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: Well, and I think that that what we're to be clear about is that these men did not go forward in their own strength and their own power. Like they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to do what we see them do beyond the the Holy Spirit's coming. And I just know even for myself, like in you know, my impatience, sometimes I can get ahead of God. Like I'm longing, you know, for an answer or provision. And I, you know, we got credit cards, I'll make it happen. You know, I mean, just whatever it is, what we can get ahead of God when we're to be in step with the Spirit, like as we move forward. And so I think that that's kind of a foundational lesson and principle to understand and know and apply to our lives, you know, from these commands, to wait for the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 14:46

There's the one extreme where we do it in our own power, right? And so we want to get it moving. Like you said, we'll either our resources, which are so finite when we compare like the temple you mentioned earlier. But yeah, we'll see something. Sometimes people, I know we've mentioned it in past episodes, will even think they're doing something for God, you know, whether it's a church or whatever. But you know, I've got to do it right away, I've got to do it in my time rather than seeking God's timing, seeking God's resources. And sometimes God will let you do it, right? You know, He'll let see how that goes for you.

SPEAKER_02 15:18

I mean, Jesus made it clear in John 15, apart from me, you can do nothing, you know, and and we just need to know that. Like we're need we're reliant on the Holy Spirit of God for everything. Like we need to abide in Christ, remain in him, keep in step with the Spirit, not get ahead of, not lag behind, but keep in step, you know, everything that we do, everything we are is because of him. Empowered by him, we're created by him, we're sustained by him. And so there's just it's important to acknowledge that, it's important to understand that and move forward with that understanding and wisdom. Yeah.

Power For Costly Witness

SPEAKER_01 15:52

And this is so countercultural for us in our busyness, you know, everything again, just our impatience. But our society is fill up the schedule, be busy, do do do, rather than wait, you know, for the Lord. So this is something that's hard. I think it was even in my reading this morning. You know, we cannot be spiritually mature and be so busy and distracted. Like it truly requires slowdown, wait, listen for the Lord before you move forward.

SPEAKER_02 16:20

You gotta go fill up your tank. You can't just keep going.

SPEAKER_01 16:23

Yeah. Well, let's move on to witness. So what are we waiting for? Waiting for power, waiting for power from one high.

SPEAKER_02 16:30

You know, ability, but there's this command. He says, You will be my witnesses, right? In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the end of the earth. And like, I again, I'm kind of putting myself in the shoes of this ragtag bunch, right? Peter, James, John, and Andrew. I mean, we see in the gospels Peter deny Christ three times. We see them like they can't even pray, right? In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, like, can't you guys even pray? Like, I just need you to pray with this. This is like an hour, you know. Right. They're locked behind closed doors, terrified, because you know, they think, well, they're gonna do to us what they did to Jesus. But we see, you know, this transition, you know, they were to be clothed with power from on high. Like with the Holy, when the Holy Spirit comes, power comes. I want to talk about this for a moment, because every believer, like we believe, you know, and understand scripture communicates, is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. They were not yet indwelt with the Holy Spirit until the Spirit comes in Acts chapter 2. But every believer, right, when we're born again, we're born of the Spirit, John chapter 3. But sometimes I think that we can overthink this and what this means to be, you know, this doesn't mean that we're gonna be able to flip over cars like in our own strength, you know, but that we are going to be able to endure what we would not otherwise be able to endure, even accomplish what we would not be able to accomplish in and of our own strength, you know, in regards to witnessing, right? Now, so witnessing, right, that can be a confusing word because sometimes people think, well, witness, well, like let me sit down and I'll witness like what's going on as an observer, but that's not what we're to do. It's to testify, testify, right? To proclaim, unashamed, right? We're to proclaim. Actually, the word that's translated as witnesses is martyris, which literally is where we get the word martyr from, because many of those who obeyed the Great Commission, who went to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth, were literally killed. And so it became kind of a synonymous term, right? Witness, martyr. Like if you go out in this way to proclaim in this way, you're likely gonna die. Like you, like you likely will die. And so that's what they faced. That's not something that we really face in our culture and context today, but it's a profound thing. Like now, were did God forget them or or overlook them as they were martyred? No. Oftentimes in their deaths, and I think specifically of the the witness of Stephen in Acts chapter six and seven, a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit, like he was just going about doing what God had called him to do on mission for the Lord, and yet he was stoned to death. But his witness made a mark, right? Specifically on the Apostle Paul, right? At that time he was Saul of Tarsus, but God eventually reveals himself to him. But he always and never forgot the testimony that Stephen, wow, all he had to do was recant his faith. All he had to do was renege and say, Never mind, I don't love Jesus, I don't worship Jesus. But he didn't do that. He stood firm until the end, and his death glorified God, magnified Christ in an impactful way. And so a lot of times we kind of assess and wonder, like, you know, what was successful, what was not successful. Success is sharing the gospel, right? Regardless of what happens in the end, right? Being obedient, persevering. But we have the power of the Holy Spirit, meaning we can do what we would not otherwise necessarily do. Like I think about putting myself in Stephen's shoes and some of the testimonies of the early church, and I think, man, I could never do that. Like, would I be faithful? Like it would I have the same mentality that Paul has in prison, right? Like he was arrested just because he was sharing the gospel. Like, would I have joy? Could I say rejoice always, like from a prison cell? And that's the thing. I couldn't end my own strength. But I truly believe that having the same spirit that the apostle Paul had, that the Lord would give me what I need to have joy in those circumstances, seemingly unfavorable circumstances. And even in death, like the testimony of uh Stephen says that he looked to heaven and he saw Jesus, you know, and it gave him what he needed to even endure death, right, in a way that that was glorious and benefited him even. So I believe that God gives his people what they need to remain faithful, even in the case of death. That's the power we're talking about.

SPEAKER_01 20:57

Trevor Burrus, and the purpose of that power. I think that's frequently very often, you know, like again, we want power to do, kind of like in the waiting to do what we want, but we will have power to witness a power for the purpose of the proclaiming, like you talked about. So when we think that family member that you can't reach, or man, I can never talk to a stranger, or wherever it plays out, your coworkers, wherever God's placed you, how you live, you know, how we can live in a way that glorifies God. We have through the Spirit, you're dealing with addiction or whatever, you have the power through the Holy Spirit to overcome that and proclaim that, to be a witness, whatever that looks like, if it's overcoming something, if it's sharing something, God will equip you through that power to do that.

SPEAKER_02 21:44

When the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. This is the power that he was talking about. When he said, My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches and glory, he's talking about this power. Our God is faithful. He doesn't just give us commands, right? Go witness. He gives us the ability to do everything he commands. I I think it's Philippians 2 13 where Paul says that my God, or God will give you not just the desires, but also the power, the ability to do what pleases him, right? So God doesn't leave us hanging. He gives us commands, orders, instructions, he guides us, but he also equips us, fuels us, sustains us, encourages us, comforts us. He gives us what we need, all of us, right? Not just a specific elite few, all believers. And so I would say, you know, point to 1 Corinthians 12 for those who think, well, not me. Like I don't have power. No. What it says there is that to each is given a manifestation of the spirit for the common good. Right, right there. It is spelled out. No room for confusion. To each, as in each and every single one, is given a manifestation of the spirit. It may look different, it may be in a different form, but it is a manifestation of the spirit of God to each is given. And so, yeah, witness, right? Whatever that is.

Work As Joyful Readiness

SPEAKER_01 23:18

Witnessing is going to involve working, right? It's not a passivity, it's not a just chilling out because, you know, the other extreme, you know, people want to run ahead. Some people will be passive, you know, Christians, like you said, some of those, whether through ignorance or whatever, just sitting at the starting line. But witnessing involves living our lives to glorify God, doing the worshipful things, sharing, proclaiming. There's work to be done 100%.

SPEAKER_02 23:43

So Christianity is not a spectator sport. It's not passive. It is not passive. And listen, we don't work to be saved, but we do work because we're saved. Like we get to work. We get to be a part of the greatest mission ever. And if you don't understand that, then I would question like your understanding. Like God has not really revealed the truth about this to you. You know, it is a joy to serve. It is, yeah, there are times when I'm worn out and I'm ready to take a nap and I'm ready to sleep and I sweat for Jesus, but it is a joy. You know, we're to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain. I forget the reference. I think that's in 1 Corinthians somewhere. But this is who we are. Like this is what we do. We work. And I love it's almost kind of comical and how that's kind of that truth is revealed in this. So the disciples, they're watching Jesus like literally be taken up, like ascend into heaven, and they're gazing. That's what I would be doing. Like, whoa, you know, I mean, if you've ever seen like, you know, balloons float up into the cloud, and this is like the person that you love, you know, Jesus the Son of God, like going up. Like, I mean, my eyes would be fixed on, I'd be gazing too. But what we're told is that two angels, right, two men in white robes, stood among them and said, like men of Galilee, like, why do you stand here gazing? Right? He said, He says, essentially, like this Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Like Jesus is coming, and and all throughout the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, he made it clear that faithful servants were ready for their master's return. In essence, they weren't sitting around doing nothing, like they were ready to receive him, like to open the door when he knocked on the door, to set food before him when he was ready to eat, like they're they were going about working, and that's what we're to be doing. That's what a ready, a faithful servant is a ready servant, is a working servant. And so we just work again, not to be saved, but because we're saved. And it is a joy to do so. It may not, it may be working in different ways, like but I but I would say that just assessing evangelical Christianity, this isn't necessarily an indictment on our church, but I would say that there are some uh correlations here. Oftentimes you'll read books, and it's often there's this frustration among ministries that say like 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work. 20% of the people are giving 20% of the offering. Like, and so there's these, what what that's communicating is that a small percentage of people understand this necessity, this opportunity that we have to work, while others, the majority, essentially are spectators, observers. For whatever reason, you know, I don't know if it's that they're distracted by other things. They're not faithful servants in essence. They're not ready servants, they're servants of the Lord. I mean, they're they're they claim saving faith. Many of them have been baptized, but they're not living it out. They're not contributing to the building of the kingdom through giving, through serving. And so I would just say, and these are the words of Christ. And again, really, you know, I don't want to, I don't think even the Lord wants to guilt people into working. Shouldn't be. What I want to do is help people to know that they're missing out on the joy of giving, of serving. Truly, that is what it is. It is my joy to serve alongside. I'm not complaining that I'm one of the 20%. I'm not patting myself on the back, but I'm burdened that more of my brothers and sisters, or self-professed brothers and sisters, are not truly enjoying the blessings of sweating for Jesus, of sacrificing and worshiping and expressing in physical ways and even through their pocketbooks and whatever it is. God, I love you. Like I trust you, right? Like Jesus promises over and over in scripture, like throughout scripture, like you just can't outgive God. And I don't mean that's necessarily financially, but just in any way, like expend energy, whatever it is, you cannot outgive. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Those are the words of Jesus Christ, who tells the truth, who is the truth. And so essentially, this charge to work, God forbid that anyone be guilted into that. What I want people to know is that there's here's an opportunity, take advantage of it. Here's an opportunity, make the most of it. Steward well the opportunities that you have, not just the gift that has been given to you, the manifestation of the spirit for the common good, but also the opportunity to employ that gift so that you can experience the power that we've been talking about, which is a joy.

SPEAKER_01 28:30

Does that make sense? Oh, absolutely. I was just thinking, you know, as you're going through that, we just did the book of Ecclesiastes, a pretty quick overview in a few weeks on our Wednesday night study. And the whole book of Ecclesiastes, if you're doing it without God, it's meaningless. Everything in your life, whether it's money, whether it's pleasure, even, you know, like you say, some people will serve trying to earn their salvation. Anything you're doing apart from God is meaningless. And so the work that we do, it should be for the glory of God. And that's where the enjoyment comes from. And as Christians, we should have we should have FOMO, if you know Yeah, fear of moving out. Missing out because not of missing out on worldly things, but of just missing out on the blessing of being part of the work of a experiencing God.

Spiritual Gifts Beyond The Stage

SPEAKER_02 29:18

Right? That's what it's all about. Here's the thing: God's at work right now. Like he is at work. And what we're to do, it's that study, experiencing God. Like we join him where he is at work. And there we experience him, like we see things, like we experience him. We see him, we hear from him, like in those places, in those spaces. And for whatever reason, you know, is it because people who claim to be saved are not really saved? Maybe, maybe that's a part of it. Maybe it's just ignorance. Like people, again, hanging out at the starting line, they don't know that they can run. Like they can actually run and you know, soar really, you know, in Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. So I love that FOMO. Like if you're a believer, like listen, if you're not working witnessing for the Lord, like you are missing out. And I pray that God gives you FOMO and motivates to mo motivates you to rise up and to join the mission that He has called us to be a part of and thereby experience him ways and that in that you're not already experiencing him.

SPEAKER_01 30:19

And then you mentioned it earlier. We all have gifts. You know, it doesn't mean you have to be a great speaker. Right. You know, maybe you're just great at serving, you know, maybe you're great at just being friendly to people in the parking lot or or greeting people or making pretzel salad. Exactly. You know, just serving coffee or you know, being an usher, you know, whatever it is. Like that all of that was on Sunday. We need like 150 plus people to just make church happen. There is a need. And there's so much going on. And how much more we could do if it was even shifted to like 70-30 or 60-40. Like it's always convicted.

SPEAKER_02 30:55

I do just I know we probably wrap need to wrap it up soon, but like I do want to caution just all of us to think that the gifts of the spirit or manifestations of the spirit need to be packaged or look a specific way. Just like you said, it's not necessarily the ability to preach or to sing. I mean, we have so many talented musicians, right, here at Lifehouse Church. I'm so thankful. And so many gifted servants who are gifted at teaching children. And and, but it may be like spiritual discernment that God uses, like for you to maybe see someone in a crowd, right, and just know that that person needs encouragement, like that spirit like draws you to that person, and you're just compelled to go and speak to that person and befriend that person and maybe meet a tangible need in that person's life. I mean, you know, there what what what title is that within like our you know volunteer slots that we have to fill? It's literally just living on mission for the Lord. Absolutely, it does mean filling slots, you know, that we have because it takes like a village, like all of us, so many people, I think a hundred people each week to to serve with the greeters and the singers and the greet, you know, preaching everything. But but it's even just, yeah, like having open eyes in and out through the week in the community, you know. It may be hospitality, like where you're just really gifted at showing the love of Christ through making food for someone or caring for someone. I think of many nurses in our church who work at the hospitals, who I believe are gifted spiritually to be able to care for and show empathy and compassion for people in a way that is helps the healing process for people. And so, yeah, I think we need to be careful to think that it, well, I'm not a preacher or I'm not a singer or uh I'm not an extrovert greeter, and so yeah, I don't have a manifestation of the spirit. No. There's a place for everybody. There's a place for everybody.

SPEAKER_01 32:50

Yep. And so now don't miss, you know what we're saying. We're, you know, not saying that you, you know, have to do all these things, but find your place. And I do think if you don't feel connected to your community and your church, it's probably because you're not serving, you're not involved. You know, a lot of times you are missing out because you're not taking those steps. So we're not doing this trying to guilt anybody, but we truly, just like with giving, serving, all of it. God wants something for us in this.

SPEAKER_02 33:18

Right. I would say even it's not necessarily I think finding your place is the means. Really, the end is finding joy or you know, joy in Jesus, right? You know, there in his presence there is fullness of joy. So yeah, find your place so that you can find joy, right? Experience like joy, like spirit, like the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, and peace. And I it really serving the Lord, working for the Lord, laboring for the Lord is not to be perceived as this burden. Oh, I have to do this, you know, check that box. No, this is an opportunity. Like, this is like that ride at the amusement park that like you have to stand in line for for an hour, like to you get to do this, and you're willing to stand in line for an hour because it's worth the wait, right? So that's what we're trying to communicate and get across. Yeah.

Next Steps And Next Week

SPEAKER_01 34:08

And I know we'll touch on a lot more of that because you say the acts of the Holy Spirit, seeing the church built. So these will be some consistent themes of what that looks like, how could we can rely on the Spirit, how the Spirit will reveal those gifts, open opportunities. If you pray for opportunities to serve and you know, work, pretty sure God will answer that prayer in big ways. So plenty previews for next week as we wrap up this week.

SPEAKER_02 34:33

So, yeah, interesting. You know, Judas will be replaced, you know. And yeah, I I yeah, still kind of studying and praying about what direction, you know, but clearly we'll see the Spirit of God work, you know, in the next, I think it's chapter verse 12 through 24. So we'll finish out finish out chapter one and excited to do that next Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 34:54

Awesome. Well, Lifehouse family, we appreciate you joining us. Again, we hope you're waiting on the Lord, also seeking opportunities to witness and working. Many of you may be, but if you're not, we'd encourage you if you have questions, if you're confused or just not sure what your gifts are. You know, it's something that absolutely we can help you explore and just find what God can use you for in mighty ways. And it will, as we've talked about, give you joy. So appreciate you joining us. We'll see you next week.