Commissioned to Preach, Part 1

If you got your Bible, turn with me to Luke chapter 24. Luke chapter 24. We have two paragraphs to finish the gospel of Luke. Only two left. This week, next week, and the week after. It'll take us two weeks to cover this second to the last paragraph.

Of course it will. And then it will cover the last paragraph, and then we'll sum up the gospel for you Thanksgiving weekend. But we've been a part of this book for nine years. It's been a long time, and we have studied many things over those nine years. And now we're coming to the to the end. We're coming to the conclusion. And there needs to be a response from from all of us. You see, it is true that we we become very passionate about the things that don't matter and very passive about the things that do matter.

Have you ever noticed that? Very rarely are we passionate about the truth of God. We're very passive about the truth. But in all reality, it should be that one factor that moves and stimulates every single one of us. When we studied the gospel of Luke beginning some nine years ago, we began by looking at the first four verses of Luke chapter 1.

It's always good to begin at the beginning. And we saw where Luke would write to a man whose name is Theophilus. Luke had no idea that this would be a letter that would be read for for many centuries to come. Had no idea. But he wrote to one man because one man needed to know the exact truth about Jesus Christ. So in Luke chapter 1 verse number 4, verse number 3, it says it seemed fitting for everything carefully. I'm sorry. It seemed fitting for me as well having investigated everything carefully from the beginning to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus.

So you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. Luke was concerned that his friend know the exact truth. Because once you know the truth, you are responsible to dispense that truth. Once you know the truth, you are responsible to disperse and declare that truth. And so Theophilus would be responsible for the things now that he would learn. And what is it that Luke wanted him to know? He wanted him to know the things that he had already been taught about the Son of God. And so he began at the beginning with a forerunner to the Messiah, John the Baptist, to give you the history about how it all began.

Because he wanted Theophilus to know the exact truth. Because everything centered around the Son of God and what the Son of God would do. In Luke chapter 1 verse number 35 it says the angel answered and said to Mary the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and for that reason the Holy Offspring shall be called the Son of God. And everything was about the arrival of the Son of God and what the Son of God would do. And of course Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, would declare in his song these words, verse 68, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has visited us and accomplished redemption for his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant.

Then down in verse 77 to give to his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. So the offspring of Mary the Son of God would be the one who would bring salvation to the people of God that they would be able to experience the forgiveness of sins. And so what Luke does is he traces the historical and theological aspects of the arrival of the Messiah so that when we read the letter we know about the arrival of the King and we know what happens throughout the life of the King.

Leading up to his betrayal, his arrest, his trials, his crucifixion, his burial, and then of course his resurrection. And now we find ourselves at the end of Luke's letter. And Luke is concerned that once you have known the truth as these disciples now have known the truth, that you now have a responsibility to dispense that truth. And so this is what is said in Luke chapter 24 verse number 44. Now he said to them these are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you that all things which are written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.

Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures and he said to them thus that it's written that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things and behold, I am sending forth the promise of my father upon you and you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke takes us to the very end right before the ascension. Takes us at the end of those 40 days. In Acts, which was also written by Luke, he will pick up and tell us about what took place during those 40 days. But Luke talks to us about what happens right before the ascension and then gives us some of the details of that ascension.

But he wants you to know that when it's all said and done having understood the truth about the Son of God and the reason the Son of God came to earth that was to save his people from their sins now you must go into all the world and tell people that they must repent in order to receive the forgiveness of sins. That's the theme of the Great Commission and that's what he tells them. And all this is going to set the tone for the book of Acts, the early church, what they say, how they say it, where they say it, when they say it.

Having known the truth, you now are responsible to make sure that truth is known to others. It is so important for you and me to realize that if there's one thing we are to be passionate about it is the truth of the living God. Everything pales in comparison to that. And Luke was one who was fascinated with the truth. That's why he wanted Theophilus to know the exact truth. He wanted him to know it so that he could now live by it and tell others about the truth of the Son of God. And I wonder this morning as we introduce this this last or second to the last paragraph in Luke chapter 24, if you're really passionate about the truth.

And how do you know you are passionate about the truth? Let me give you some principles that will help you help you understand whether or not this is something you are passionate about.

Okay? The psalmist said these words in Psalm 86 For thou art great and thus wondrous deeds thou alone art God. Verse 11 Teach me thy way O Lord. I will walk in thy truth. Unite my heart to fear thy name. Those who who walk in truth fear the name of God. Which helps us understand that if you're passionate about truth the very first characteristic that will be evident is that you will always tremble at the truth.

Isaiah 66 verse number 2 says to this man will I look to him who is broken and of a contrite heart and who trembles at my word. There's something about the Word of God that causes you to shake uncontrollably because of its authority. Those who are passionate about the truth tremble under the authority of God's Holy Word. Think about when when the disciples would hear the voice from heaven. This is my beloved son. Listen to him. How great fear came upon them on the Mount of Transfiguration. Think about Elizabeth and Zacharias and Mary and the and the shepherds and Anna as the Word of God would come to them through the angel Gabriel and they would shake uncontrollably because fear was the major theme of the birth of Christ because when people heard God's Word it caused them to tremble.

But if you're passionate about the truth, you're going to tremble at the truth. You don't trifle with the truth. You don't trivialize the truth. You tremble at the truth. In today's day and age we want to dumb down the truth. Make it simplistic. Make it something that we can we can put in modern vernacular. But in all reality we are to we are to tremble under the authority of God's Holy Word because he is a holy God and demands that his people be as holy as he is holy. Well, if we take that at face value for what it means that that would revolutionize the way we live our lives every single day.

But we have to ask ourselves am I one who trembles under the authority of God's Holy Word? If you are passionate about the truth, you'll tremble at the truth because the truth is that which warns you about sin and its consequences. It's a word from the Living God who speaks to the heart of man. It's a word that describes to us the character and nature of God. And listen once you once you come face to face with the Living God, you can't remain the same and you can't remain doing the things you've always done.

You just can't. Because God is holy, holy, holy. So you tremble at the truth. Number two, you will taste the truth.

Psalm 34 verse number eight, oh taste and see that the Lord is good. All the while you are trembling at the word, you can't get enough of the word and so you are constantly tasting the truth. That's why Peter says in first Peter chapter 2 verse number 1, as newborn babes desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby.

In other words, as a newborn baby loves the pure milk, so you too love the pure milk of the word. And then he says, since you've tasted of the good work of God. Because you've already tasted it, you want more of it. It's like it's like eating the best chocolate cake around. You get a taste of it. You just want more of it. It's like a it's like a great steak. Once you begin to taste it, you can't get enough of it. I would trust that that's the way you are. I would hope that that Sunday morning is not enough for you.

I would hope that Sundays and Wednesdays are not enough for you. That you want to taste and see that the Lord is good. And you continually taste the truth of God's Holy Word. It says in Psalm 19 verse number 10 that the word is more desirable than gold. More more than gold. Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. That's the Word of God. Psalm 103, I'm sorry, Psalm 119 verse number 103 says, How sweet are thy words to my taste. Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Why is the Word so sweet?

Because the theme of the Word is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. That's what makes the Word so sweet. Because it speaks to us about the beauty and the holiness of the Messiah of Israel. So you're passionate about the Word if you're one who trembles at the truth. You're passionate about the Word if you're one who tastes the truth. And number three, you're passionate about the Word if you treasure the truth.

If you treasure the truth. Psalm 119 11, thy word I have treasured in my heart that I might not sin against thee. Job 23 12, I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Now Job would know that because he lost everything and all he had was the Word of God. And so he treasured that more than than anything else. Because it was that one thing that sustained his life. Psalm 37 verse number 31 says, the law, the law of his God is in his heart. His steps do not slip. Those who treasure the Word of God have the law of God in their heart and their steps do not slip.

Do you treasure the truth? Listen, when you treasure something, you guard it, you protect it, you watch over it. You make sure that it's prized every single moment of the day. If you're passionate about the truth, you're gonna treasure the truth. Number four, you're gonna tend to the truth. You're gonna guard it, protect it. Jude 3 says, we contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 1st Timothy 6 20 and 21, 2nd Timothy 1 13 and 14 talk about guarding, protecting the treasure that God has given to us.

You want to tend to the truth. You want to watch over the truth. You are so passionate about it. You don't want people to speak about it in error. You don't want people to blaspheme the name of God because of the Word of God and how they've used it inappropriately. So you're gonna protect the Word. You'll die for the Word. If you're passionate about it, you'll tend to the truth. You tremble at it, you taste it, you treasure it, you tend to it. And then number five, you teach the truth. You teach it.

You have to. Because others need to know what it is you've tasted. You ever tasted something really good, you say, oh, you gotta taste it. This is so good. It melts in your mouth. Oh, come on. You gotta taste this. Don't you ever say that about some meal that doesn't last very long anyway? You spend too much money for it? Well, that's the same way it is about the Word of God. You gotta see this. You gotta taste this. And so what do you do? You need to teach it to somebody else. That's where Luke was.

Oh, Theophilus, you need to know the exact truth about the Son of God. You need to know the exact truth about why it is He came to save us from our sins and how it is He's going to do that. You need to know the exact truth. So I'm going to give it to you. I'm going to teach it to you. Matthew five tells us in very simple words. It says, whoever then knows one of the least of these commandments and so teaches others shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Greatness in the kingdom of heaven is determined by how often, how well you teach the truth. That doesn't mean you got to stand up in a classroom and teach a whole bunch of people. That's not what it means. Luke was teaching Theophilus through a letter that he would write. OK, but you want to teach others the truth and greatness in the kingdom of God stems from how it is we dispense that truth to another individual, to another family member, to somebody else, that they might learn what you know, because you want them to taste what you have tasted.

You want them to treasure what you treasure. You want them to protect what you protect. You want them to shake under the authority that you shake under. So you teach them the truth. And that's what it means to be passionate about the truth of God's holy word. But we're not done. Only halfway through. You're going to translate the truth. You're going to translate it, you're going to live it out. You're going to demonstrate, you're going to translate the truth to life. You're just not going to teach it to somebody.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep the word of God. You're going to be great in the kingdom of God. You keep these words, you teach these words. It's all about translating the truth. What makes the truth so believable is that it's actually changed our lives. It's changed our marriages. It's changed the way we perceive God. It changes the way we view life. Everything about our life has changed because what we believe is true. And now we translate that out for others to see. Your children are looking for the word of God to be seen in mom and dad, in grandmother and grandfather, in aunt and uncle.

You say you believe the word of God, then live out the word of God. Translate that truth to those who are closest to you, that they can see love in action. It does no good just to love in word and in tongue, but actually in deed and in truth. James said to this way and James said to one, don't just be simply hearers of the word, but be doers of the word. If you're a doer of the word, it controls the way you speak. If you're a doer of the word, it controls the way you deal with other people who are less fortunate than you are.

If you are living out the word of God, then it will govern how it is you keep yourself unspotted, unstained from the things of the world. That's what God's word does. So ask yourself, are you are you translating the truth to the way you live your life? Because if you're passionate about it, there's a translation that comes with it. Next, you tell the truth. You tell the truth. If you're passionate about the truth, you tell the truth. Ephesians 4, 25, you speak the truth and love. First John 2, 4, the one who says, I know him and does not keep his word, his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.

First Timothy 2, 7, Paul said, I don't lie. I speak the truth. You tell the truth. You don't lie. Next, you trust the truth. You trust. The truth, the Bible says in Psalm 19, verse number seven, these words, that is, you are trusting the truth of God to do exactly what it says it's going to do.

It says the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. I trust the the Lord to do that. I trust his word to do that. It's perfect. It's complete. And because God's word is complete, it converts the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. In other words, God's word is so unmistakable. God's word is so reliable. God's word is so concrete that it takes the simple man and gives him wisdom. I trust the truth to do that. And then it says the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.

God's word is so straight, it's so right, so righteous that it rejoices the heart of a man. I trust the truth to do exactly what it says it's going to do, because the true joy that only you and I can ever experience comes from the truth of this book. That's why John said, I write these things unto you that your joy may be made full. I'm writing this to you because you need to have the joy of the Lord. I'm writing to you because your joy needs to be made full. So if you read these words, if you heed these words, if you hear these words and you apply these words, the joy in your heart will be overflowing.

So I trust the Lord. I trust his word to accomplish exactly what it says it's going to accomplish. I trust the truth, says the commandment of the Lord is pure, it's clear, enlightening the eyes. It means that the commands of the Lord are not mystifying, are not confusing, but they're absolutely clear. And therefore.

They. Are the truth that helps enlighten. My eyes. And then it says the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true. They are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold. Yes, than much fine gold. Sweeter also than honey in the honey drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them, my servant is warned in keeping them. There is great reward. There's not just a reward. There is a great reward for those who keep the word of God, who can discern his errors, acquit me of a hidden faults.

Also, keep back that servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not rule over me. Then I shall be blameless and I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in my sight. Oh, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Do you trust the truth to do exactly what it says it's going to do? That's how you know you're passionate about it. You tremble at it. You taste it. You treasure it. You tend to it. You teach it. You translate it. You tell it. You trust it to do exactly what it says it's going to do.

You're passionate about it. You always test the truth. You always test the truth. First, John four verses one to six says test every spirit.

Someone 19 one 60 says the sum of thy word is truth. First, that's when it's 520 21. Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything. Hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Listen, when you're passionate about the truth, you test everything. In light of that truth. The truth becomes the grid by which you test every conversation, you test every sermon, you test every book that you read, you test every show that you watch, you test and scrutinize every action that you commit on that day because it's under the authority of God's holy word and you test it to see whether or not it's true, whether or not it's whole, whether or not it honors God or whether it doesn't honor God.

You test the truth. Next, if you're passionate about the truth, you tamper not with the truth. You tamper not with the truth. You don't do anything to discredit the truth. You don't do anything to admit or take away from the truth. Book of Revelation says whoever adds to this book or takes away from the words of this book to him shall be added the plagues that are written in this book. God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah chapter twenty six, Jeremiah twenty six. First number two, these words.

He says, thus says the Lord, stand in the court of the Lord's house and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the Lord's house. All the words that I have commanded you to speak to them and do not omit a word. Jeremiah, you're my representative. And if you're my representative and you're going to stand before my people and you're going to speak to them, my word, you can't afford to leave anything out. You've got to give them everything. As long as it takes, you give them everything.

Do not take away from anything that I have said to you. Omit not a word. Folks, a lot of us tamper with the truth. We take partial aspects of Scripture and don't apply the whole thing to our lives. Can't admit it. You can't add to it. You cannot tamper with the truth. That's how you know you're passionate about it. And lastly, this should be number one.

Number eleven. Well, I thought I had twelve. Two, four, six, eight, ten. You're right, it's number eleven. If you're passionate about it, you transfer the truth. You transfer the truth to the next generation. Paul said this way to young Timothy in Second Timothy two, verse number one, you, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses.

These entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. In other words, Timothy, you got to pass it on. You got to transfer it on to somebody else. That's what Luke did with Theophilus. Little did he know how far reaching. That one letter would be. And little do we know. How? Our teaching the truth, transferring the truth, telling the truth, tasting the truth will transcend generation after generation after generation. And so we need to be the kind of people that are always willing to speak the truth.

And that's where we find ourselves at the end. Because the Lord wants them to transfer the truth. You just can't hold it in. Just can't keep it to yourself. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Now you must tell the world. And now they have responsibility, they have responsibility to tell Jewish people. Who have already rejected the Messiah, that Jesus was their Messiah. And how are they going to do that? They're going to have to take what is commonly called the Old Testament. Wasn't called the Old Testament then, but it is now.

And teach the Jewish people that Jesus was a fulfillment of everything that was spoken of in the Old Testament. The problem is, is that they didn't even believe it. See? And so Jesus would spend 40 days talking to them about things pertaining to the kingdom. He would give them a foundation. He would give them a foundation. And then he'd give them the presentation. And then he'd give them the mission. And then he'd give them the provision to accomplish that mission. He gave them a foundation which was biblical and scriptural.

And then he would give them a presentation that was Christological and theological. And then he would give them a mission that would be global as well as cross-cultural. And then he would give them a provision which would be supernatural, the Spirit of God. And so he would provide everything for them that they needed to have, to make sure that the truth that they had received and heard and had witnessed for three years. He calls them, you are witnesses to these things. He gives them everything necessary to accomplish this task.

Because what he gives them is how the church will be born. And how the church will extend from generation to generation until the Lord Jesus comes again. But he begins with the foundation. One that is biblical, one that is scriptural. This is what he says. He says, these are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. What are my words? The words I'm going to give you. The words about how the Christ must suffer and enter into glory. That's what he told the two men on the road to Emmaus.

And so what Jesus is going to do is tell his men virtually the same thing he told the two men on the road to Emmaus. Some 40 days earlier, he's going to reiterate it all to them again. So they understand it. Because the foundation of their presentation must be biblical. It must be scriptural. They're going to go and talk to Jewish people who say they believe in the law. Who believe in the prophets. Who believe in all that the Old Testament has written. So they will have to take them back to the Old Testament and show them.

Listen, Christianity is rooted in Judaism. Without Judaism, there is no Christianity. Christianity is the fruit. Judaism is the root. And so they must understand foundationally the root of Judaism. And everything in the Old Testament talked about Jesus Christ our Lord. His coming again. And what it would mean when he would rule and reign on the earth. But he must come first of all and suffer and die.

And so he says to them very clearly. These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. How many times do you think that Jesus told his men that he would suffer and that he would die? A lot. There are several records of them. Go back with me if you would to Luke chapter 9. Luke chapter 9 verse number 22. Christ says after Peter speaks and tells that thou art the Christ.

The Son of the living God there in Caesarea Philippi. He tells them don't tell them that but tell them this. The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests. And scribes and be killed and be raised up on the third day.

And that's the first time recorded in scripture that Jesus articulates that to his men. And that's when Peter according to Matthew 16 says no Lord that's not right. It's not going to happen that way. But they didn't understand. Then you go over to Luke chapter 9 verse number 43. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that he was doing. He said to his disciples because remember Jesus was a miracle worker. And he would do these miracles and people would be enthralled by the fact that this man.

This man named Jesus from Nazareth would do these great miracles. Amazing things beyond anything they could ever imagine. And his disciples would be swept away in the majesty and the mystery of all that he was doing. So he tells his disciples these words. Let these words sink into your ears. For the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. Listen, I know what you're thinking. Because of what you've seen. But you must let these words sink deep into your ears. You must digest these words.

You must know these words. The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. But verse 45. They did not understand this statement. They couldn't get it. They couldn't understand it. And it was concealed from them so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this statement. They were afraid to ask. They didn't understand because they had been taught by their rabbis. They had been taught by people who did not understand the entirety of the Old Testament. They were taught by men who had come up with an idea about what they thought Messiah would do.

And how he would live and how he would behave. And they came up with this agenda and presented it to the Jewish people. And they bought it hook, line and sinker. So when Jesus shows up on the scene, they're like, what do you mean suffer and die? We never taught that by our rabbis. They never told us that. But you come on a scene, talk about the brutality of your death. The necessity of your death. The certainty of your death. And we don't even buy into that. Our Jewish leaders never taught us that.

That's why you got to be a part of a church that teaches the entire scripture. That's why you got to be in a church that preaches and teaches the Word of God. And doesn't tell you all these newfangled stories and all these anecdotes. To get you to laugh and feel good about yourselves. You need to hear the truth. That's all that matters. You need to know what God's Word says. And these guys didn't get it. And they didn't want to get it either. Because it was contrary to their way of thinking. And then it says over in chapter 18 of Luke.

Christ says it again. Luke chapter 18 verse number 31. And He took the twelve aside and said to them. Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man. Will be accomplished. He tells them. Listen.

The prophets have already said this. They've already written this down. And everything that they have written is now going to be accomplished. We're going to Jerusalem. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles. Old Testament prophesied that. And will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon. Old Testament prophesied that. And after they scourged Him. They will kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.

And they understood none of these things. And this saying was hidden from them. And they did not comprehend the things that were said. They just could not believe. That what He was saying was true. Even though they were with Him. And even though the Bible records it on these three different occasions. In Luke's Gospel. And I'm sure that over the three years that He was with these men. He said it on many more occasions. They just could not accept it. They could not. And so at the resurrection. The angel said.

To the women. These words. He is not here. Luke 24 6. But He is risen. Remember how He spoke to you. While He was still in Galilee. Don't you remember? Don't you remember what He said? Over and over and over again. They didn't get it. They didn't digest it. So the foundation. They would receive. Would be a reiteration of everything that was taught in the Old Testament. And going back to show them how Jesus fulfilled all of that. This was theology. Christology. Bibliology 101. Taught by. Jesus. Christ the Savior.

For it to be in that classroom. What an amazing thing that must have been. He taught his men. That they would understand the truth. Their outreach had to be biblically based. So they needed a clear understanding of the Old Testament. The scales on their eyes needed to be removed. So they could understand exactly what Jesus was teaching them. And so he teaches them. What's he teach them? He takes them back. Tells them how Abraham. How the Messiah will be. From the line of Abraham. Genesis 12 verses 1 to 3.

Read Galatians chapter 3. You realize that Jesus was from the line of Abraham. How to be from the tribe of Judah. Genesis 49 verse number 10. Revelation 5.5. Proves that to us. The line of David. 2 Samuel chapter 7. Isaiah 7.14. Predict that he'd be born a virgin. Micah 5.2. Predict where he would be born. And he was. Psalm 41. Predict how he'd be betrayed by a close and trusted friend. Isaiah 50 and Micah 5. Talk about how he'd be beaten and spit upon. Have his beard pulled out. Psalm 22. Talks about how soldiers would gamble his clothing.

How he'd be crucified again in Psalm 22. And pierced in Zechariah chapter 12. How his death would be vicarious in Isaiah chapter 53. I'd rise from the dead. Isaiah 53 verse number 10. Psalm 16.8 to 11. That Christ is the history of the gospel. He would take them back and begin to teach them. Everything that the prophets have said. He said, I'm going to tell you. The law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms. Must be fulfilled. This is all biblically based. None of this is some idea. That some guy made up along the way.

It was all prophesied. It was all spoken of. By some 40 different authors. Who wrote over a span of 1500 years. And they all said the same thing about the same guy. Who was going to come. Who was the Messiah of Israel. And they all spoke the truth. And it all was fulfilled in me. The one who stands before you Jesus says.

And of course he had been raised from the dead. And they now believe that because they see him. And now he's going to reiterate everything from the Old Testament. This is their foundation. In Jesus it says. Open their minds. Verse 45. To understand the scriptures. For the first time.

There was clarity of thought. For the first time. In the three plus years that Jesus was with them. For the first time.

They understood fully. That the Messiah must come. And suffer. Then enter. Into glory. They now were finally.

Starting to get it. And so. The question comes. How do you know they got it? Well all you do is read the book of Acts. In the book of Acts. Listen to what Peter says. In Acts chapter 1. By the time you get to Acts 1 verse 15. Christ has ascended into glory. At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren. And gathered about 120 persons. Was there together. And said brethren the scripture had to be fulfilled. Now Peter can speak with authority. Because the Bible said. And because the Bible said it.

Whenever you say the Bible says. You speak with ultimate authority. Whenever you say Jesus said. You speak with ultimate authority. Because it's completely outside of yourself. It's completely objective. It's from the sovereign ruler of the universe. And Peter says the scriptures had to be fulfilled. Which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David. Concerning Judas. Who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. He says listen everything about what Judas did. Was in line with what the Bible said.

And we missed it. We didn't get it. We sat there around the table. Breaking bread with the Messiah. And there was Judas. And little did we know that when Jesus said. That there will be one among you who will betray me. And we all said it is I. Is it I? Is it I? Is it you? Is it me? No it must be him. No it's them. Little did we know. But now we do. That the prophets fulfilled. That Judas would be the one. Who would betray. The Messiah. It says. For he was counted among us. And received his portion in this ministry.

Now this man acquired a field. With the price of his wickedness. And falling headlong. He burst open in the middle. And his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem. So that in their own language. That field was called. Hakeldama. That is the field of blood. For it is written in the book of the Psalms. Okay. So here is Peter's first opportunity to speak.

He tells him this is what the Bible says. But let me give you the exact verse. In the Psalms. So you know that what I'm saying. Is absolute truth. Let his homestead. Be made desolate. And let no man dwell in it. And his office let another man take. It is therefore necessary. That of the men who have accompanied us. All the time. That the Lord Jesus went in. And out among us. Beginning with the baptism of John. Until the day that he was taken up from us. One of these should become a witness with us.

Of his resurrection. Their appointing of Messiah. On this day. Was all rooted in terms. Of what had already taken place in their lives. But was fulfilled because of the prophecy that was given. In the Old Testament. If you read what Peter says. On the day of Pentecost. When he quotes Joel chapter 2. Psalms 16. 8 to 11. His whole sermon is based on. The quotation of scripture. You see that's why when you when you. When you think about becoming a preacher. You got to read what the preacher said when they preached.

They preached the Bible. They went back to the Old Testament. To prove that Jesus was the Messiah. All these guys today. You tell all these different stories about this. This they did here. And this they did there. I mean those are all nice. But they don't mean anything. They don't mean. They don't mean anything. What means something is that. Thus saith the Lord. God said it. We believe it. That settles it. Let's obey it. That's all that matters. And that's what Peter did. On the day of Pentecost.

And people said. What do we do to be saved? He says what? What Jesus said in Luke 24. Repent. And that you may receive. The forgiveness of sins. See they did exactly what Jesus said. And you can read all throughout the book of Acts. With Peter. With Stephen. In Acts 7. He rehearsed the whole Old Testament. For these men. That they would know. That Jesus was Messiah. And he was so biblical. So scriptural. That they were incensed with him. They were so angry with him. They took him out. And they stoned him.

But he preached the truth. Paul was the same way. He preached the truth. Every time he opened his mouth. He said. Thus saith the Lord. And when he was in Rome. In Acts chapter 26. He was in Rome. At the end of his ministry. Before he died. Listen to what it says. Verse 23. Acts 28. I'm sorry. Acts 28. Verse number 23. Paul is in Rome. And when they had set a day for him. They came to him at his lodging. In large numbers. And he was explaining to them. By solemnly testifying. About the kingdom of God.

And trying to persuade them. Concerning Jesus. From both the law of Moses. And from the prophets. From morning until evening. How are you going to prove. That Jesus is the son of God. How are you going to prove. That Jesus is the Messiah. How are you going to prove. There was a Jesus. How are you going to prove anything. Only one way. Through the Bible. That's all you need. All you need is the word of God. To prove that Jesus is divine. To prove that Jesus is the son of God. To prove that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel.

To prove that Jesus did exactly what he said he was going to do. And that's what Paul did. All day he did that. And some were being persuaded by the things spoken. But others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another. They began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word. The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet. To your fathers. This is so good. Because he doesn't indict them. Except. Through God. God indicts them. This is what Isaiah said. Go to this people.

And say you will keep on hearing but will not understand. And you will keep on seeing but will not perceive. For the heart of this people has become dull. And with their ears they scarcely hear. And they have closed their eyes. Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears. And they stand with their heart and return. And I should heal them. Let it be known to you therefore.

That this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They will also listen. And when he had spoken these words. The Jews departed having a great dispute. Among themselves. And he stayed two full years. In his own rented quarters. And was welcoming all who came to him. Preaching the kingdom of God. And teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. With all openness unhindered. That's what he did. He taught the truth. About Jesus Christ our Lord. And not everybody will believe. That was evident. So what did Paul do?

He warned them. He warned them about what God said about his own people. The Jewish nation. Which by application applies to all of us today. Who have heard the truth. And refuse to believe the truth. You find yourself in danger. Of God abandoning you. So you never receive the truth. This is so important. But you see. Every one of these disciples. Became absolutely passionate about the truth. They did tremble under the authority of God's word. They did. They would taste it. See that was good. And want others to taste it.

They would treasure it. And they would want others to treasure it. They would tell the truth. They would teach the truth. They would translate the truth. Because everybody knew that these men had been with Jesus. Because they translated the truth out. Every single day. They never tampered with the truth. But they were committed to transferring it. From one generation to the next. And thus we understand. That this is what God has called us to do as well. Once the foundation is given. And the presentation is offered.

We're given a mission. A mission by God. That's a global mission. He's never rescinded. And the only way it can be accomplished. Is through the provision of the spirit of God. Let me pray with you.

Father we thank you for today. The chance to be in your word. A chance to be challenged once again. To adhere to all that is spoken in your word. And our prayer is that we be men and women of the book. Never turning to the left nor to the right. That all of us today would be passionate about the truth. And that you'd increase that passion with each passing day. As we begin to taste and see that the Lord is good. That we would want more of that goodness Lord. And tell others how they can obtain. Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We pray in your name. Amen.