of our series Spirit Week, right? And this evening we ask you to wear clothes that clash. I see some of you are obedient, others of you, okay? God doesn't love you because you didn't obey, right? Wait a minute, I didn't say that a minute ago, did I? I said God loves you no matter what, right? Okay, so my, yes, my first statement was correct. But do I clash this evening? not too bad okay yeah stand up if you clash this evening stand up if you clash check out those who clash this evening alright not too bad not too bad alright what do we have up our sleeves next week for spirit week next week is going to be our closing week of our series spirit week alright I'm excited for next week to close this out it's not going to be the end of the Holy Spirit obviously but as far as our glimpse our magnifying glass approach this over a series of weeks we are going to conclude that next week so we have learned who the Holy Spirit is first week with Alex he did a tremendous job of showing us or at least attempting to because that's all it is anytime a man speaks about the Holy Spirit It is an attempt to describe something that is so phenomenal. And did I just say it? I said something. No, someone that is so phenomenal that it is almost impossible to do justice in human vocabulary. And yet, we can know Him. And God wants us to know the Holy Spirit. We learned that the only way that we can know an invisible God is through the Holy Spirit who makes an invisible God relational to us. Last week we learned that the Holy Spirit is our helper and we learned about the different ways that God helps us. And this evening we're going to learn about how the Holy Spirit empowers us. We are empowered Christian people, born-again believers in Jesus, are empowered because of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As the Holy Spirit empowers you, fuses to your soul, He's not going, He's not leaving, He's come and He's dwelling. And whether or not you are filled is another thing. Whether or not the Holy Spirit is operating through you is something completely different than simply having the Holy Spirit. But you have the Holy Spirit in you if you are a Christian. All right? So we know that right out the gate. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the church is no longer simply a place to go. Yet, this evening, what did you tell your friends as you were getting ready? I'm going to church! Right? It's revealed in our vocabulary and the way we talk that we're going to church. But really, the Holy Spirit makes not the church a place to go, but a people to be. All right? And it's a mission to join. The Holy Spirit, the church, the movement is what we're a part of. Big branch youth ministry. And churches all across this country, all across the world are part of a movement. And all movements start small, right? We're not a very big group here, but we are part of a movement. And all movements start small. But movements gain momentum. Are you guys part of that momentum? Do you want to be? Are you seeing that the Holy Spirit will empower you? Acts chapter 2 verses 1 to 4 shows us what happened when the Holy Spirit first came and fused himself with the first Christian people, the followers of Jesus. And we ended up here at Big Branch Youth Ministry as Big Branch Church. We got a couple of other churches just right on this road, right? Churches all across Lawrence County the tri-state have come to existence because 12 people took what Jesus did seriously and it wasn't just a matter of okay I believe that but they were empowered by the Holy Spirit and so are you today Acts chapter 2 verses 1 to 4 I want you to follow with me if you have your Bible if not it's okay to be on the screens but check it out when the day of Pentecost arrived they were all together in one place And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting, and divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them." This is crazy, right? This sounds like something in a movie. It would make an excellent movie. We could not do justice for how amazing this was. A mighty rushing wind. We often read right by that, but it was literally like a tornado took over this room. and tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Now, I'm not going to take time to discuss speaking in tongues. That's a debatable topic among many, but that's not where we're going this evening. We can have those conversations at another time. I'm not against it. But for this evening, we want to go a different direction. Before Jesus came, listen to me for a minute. Before Jesus came, you had to go to Jerusalem to experience God. You had to go to a place. And I just mentioned, the church is no longer a place to go, it's a people to be. And yet it's not incorrect to say you're going to church, so don't misunderstand me, but it's better than going to a place. You are the church. The Holy Spirit now lives in you. You are the house of God as a Christian. And before Jesus, you had to go to Jerusalem to experience God. And in the front of your Bible, when you read about Moses, a man named Moses, he was told that if they touch this mountain, God told him, if they touch this mountain, I will kill them. Tell the people, do not touch this mountain or I will kill them. Did they obey? That's the problem. See, people don't take God seriously. And He is so gracious with us today because of Jesus. Now, the fire of God came and rested on their heads and comes. The fire of God is no longer needed to be feared as it once was because Jesus absorbed all the anger of God. when he died on the cross. So no longer do you have to worry about approaching the mountain of God in fear of being killed because of God's wrath against you, who you are as a sinner. But now Jesus has absorbed all that anger that really is deserved for us, you and me, Jesus absorbed that. And so now you have, you are, how many of you are familiar with Moses and the burning bush? There's a story that happens and you hear, he hears from God and there's a burning bush and I want to tell you guys, every Christian person today is a burning bush. You are a burning bush. You have no need to fear approaching God and we're going to learn about that a little bit as I unpack it this evening. The gospel is not just a tri-state thing. The good news about Jesus is not just a tri-state thing. It's not just a U.S. thing. It's not just a mom or a dad thing or a pastor thing. It's an every people group thing. It doesn't matter what your skin color is. It doesn't matter what your age is or your background, your past, your baggage or whatever it is. The person that's closest to you, whoever that is, think about it for just a minute. The person that's closest to you needs the gospel. Think about the person furthest from you. Logistically, furthest from you, and also relationally. That person that you can't stand needs the gospel. And because we have the Holy Spirit now, it's no longer come and see God. You have to come to this place to see God. Now it's a matter of go and tell. You guys no longer say, come and see, you have to come to this place to see God. Now God is living in you, and so you go and tell people that God loves them, and that He died on a cross for them, and He lives. It's not a matter of Jesus was, but it's Jesus is. And so that's the problem. Every single person needs the gospel. So what's the solution? The Holy Spirit is given or sent into you guys, into your lives, into your hearts, into you as a person to empower your moving. Because you're moving, you're going places, you're going to school, you're going to outings, extracurricular activities, going to the movies, going to the mall, you're going to all these different places. You're moving and the Holy Spirit empowers your movement. makes purpose and power to the things that you're doing Acts chapter 1 verse 8 we get an idea of what I'm talking about here Jesus says this but you will receive power and take this as if he's telling it to you because it's just as true for you today you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth you will receive power when when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses." Where? In Jerusalem, in Chesapeake, in all of Judea, in Lawrence County, the tri-state, and to the ends of the earth. Not just the country, but the world. People all over the place naming the name of Jesus. So, every Christian, no matter who you are or how little you think of yourself, you're empowered. you were empowered. And I hope that I can shed light on that to you guys, because you're young, I'm young, and sometimes I feel like I have nothing to offer. And so do you, if you're honest with yourself, and you're searching for that thing that you have to offer, because we all want to contribute, and that thing is not a thing at all, it's a person. It's the Holy Spirit. And so how are we empowered? Well, number one, we'll talk about it for a moment. We'll talk about this more next week. Spiritual gifting. You are empowered by spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are not for bragging, they're not for distracting, but they're for launching the name of Jesus to every corner of the earth. And wherever that is, wherever that is that you are right now, that's your corner of the earth. Whether you're at Sims Valley High School, whether you're at Chesapeake Middle School, whether you're at Huntington Middle, whether you're at, we can go on and on and on, that's your corner of the earth right now. You are spiritually gifted by the Holy Spirit to launch the name of Jesus to others. Regular people, are you regular? In one sense, yes. In one sense, no. You're no superstar. I don't know anybody in here that's got a record deal. I don't know anybody in here that's had huge news coverage or that has a bank account that just, you know, you can't even walk out the door because your wallet is that huge. I don't know anyone in this room that's that way. So regular people are empowered. You have at least one gift. If you say, I'm not gifted. Well, you're calling God a liar. You have at least one gift, and most people have more than that. 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 6 and 7. Let's see what God says about you. If you want to argue with me about having a gift, let's see what God has to say about it. And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each, okay? If I could mold that, to each, to each. Are you each? Yes, each one of you as a Christian. Right? This is only if you are a Christian. To each one of you, his audience he's speaking to is Christian people. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. So don't argue with me. Argue with God if you don't think you're gifted. Because He will show you that you are, if you'll ask Him to reveal that to you. And if you'll work where you are, you put to work your talents, gifts, if you just start doing something with a heart to make a difference, your gifts will come to the surface. So regular people, and I'm telling you, the thing that I'm having a hard time with, I struggle with this all the time, I cannot grow Big Branch Youth Ministry by myself. I have a hard time believing that sometimes, because I feel like I've got to speak persuasively enough. I've got to get your attention. I've got to be dynamic. I've got to be something. It's got to be the biggest, best series. It's got to do something to just start luring people in. But the truth is, I cannot grow Big Branch Youth Ministry on my own, and God doesn't expect me to. That's the amazing thing. The weight is off of my shoulders. That doesn't mean I'm not supposed to put in everything. of which I try my very best, but God has empowered you. Together we can grow a big branch youth ministry. And it's not about BBYM, it's about the kingdom of God forever. And yet you guys get to be a part of it. Are you going to take and realize that God empowers you on this mission? Number two, prophecy. Okay, and this one people kind of cringe a little bit because prophecy is kind of a scary word. Like in the Old Testament when people would prophesy and they would say something's going to happen and it didn't happen, you know what happened to them? They were killed, right? Like, you don't joke. You don't say, God said, unless it happens to back up what you said. And yet today, because the Holy Spirit has empowered us, we can prophesy. And I want to be specific as to what I'm saying and clarify. You can speak God's Word. with authority. In the Old Testament, in the front of your Bible, in the front half, there were only a few people sprinkled throughout who could stand and speak for God and say, thus saith the Lord. Right? Or in modern translation, God said this. There was only a few people, a few women, not very many women, mostly men, and they wore strange clothes and they had names like Ezekiel and Jeremiah and some names that we have a, you know, people are starting to bring back, right, because they're cool, kind of like Asher or Judah, you know. Bible names, all right, I'm cool. I'm not. But the thing is, is Every single one of you is empowered to speak God's Word. The most backward person in this room, raise your hand if that's you. I'm kidding, you don't have to. You wouldn't raise your hand because you'd be afraid. The most backward person on the planet, the person in this room that has the smallest amount of Bible knowledge of anyone in here. When you became a Christian, you were filled with God. in the Holy Spirit to speak His Word. Before, people did not speak God's truth. People did not have the authority. And now we all can carry a copy of the Bible. We can all carry the only book that is alive. And so what excuses do we have? If we are empowered with the spiritual gift, more than one most likely, at least one, if we have the power to prophesy, if we have the ability to speak the gospel, with power because the Holy Spirit carries that message through us. What excuses do we have? It's awkward, right? It's awkward. Isn't it worth that? Like the message that changes eternity, isn't it not worth a little bit of awkward? Like if that's the big obstacle, let's get over it, right? It's a little bit awkward to bring up Jesus. I understand I've hidden behind that one for the longest time. I still do. And I've got to repent of that. I've got to say, God help me. It doesn't matter if I'm awkward. Eternity is at stake. I'm busy. Really, I'm busy. I can't. Well, we just debunked that one because God said that He's given you the power. He's given you the gift. He's given you everything you need, His presence. I can't. We use that one all the time. How about this one that we use and we kind of just justify. I'm speaking the gospel with my lifestyle. I'm living it, right? Let me tell you something. Your life, the point is not that you have a good life. The point is that you are a wreck and you need Jesus. So if you're trying to live this perfect life in front of people and saying, they'll ask me about Jesus because my life is so good. No it's not, you're a hypocrite. And I am too. And so if the point is, check me out how good my life is and how great I am. The gospel, Jesus Christ is not being seen. You're either a missionary or you're the mission field, simply put. You're either a missionary or you are the mission field. What is a missionary? A messenger. Commanded and designed by God, equipped by God, commanded to spread the news. There's young people that are your age, younger than you, older than you, that have no idea that the name of Jesus matters. You realize that? There are people your age, your peers, you know that, I'm not telling you something you don't know. In America, where we have more access to Jesus, probably than anywhere, there are people, they know the name, but they have no idea that He is the answer. He's the answer, you can stop searching, you can stop longing. So have you spoken the word of Jesus to someone today? Don't feel guilty if you haven't. There's a new beginning. You can turn to him right now and say, God, I failed. I probably will again, but please use me despite my failure. And he'll say, absolutely. Absolutely. I was waiting for you to own it. Okay, I was waiting. Quit faking it. Quit acting like you have it together. Quit acting like you're doing all the right things when in fact you're not. Begin your day with that prayer. I started beginning my day with that prayer. Help me share Jesus today with somebody. And when I pray that prayer, I'm looking. And you will, too, if you focus your day. God, help me to share your love with somebody. You'll be looking. He'll help you to look. He'll help you to see those people. That's what counts. If you're following Jesus, and I said this Sunday, this past Sunday, if you're following Jesus, you're following him to people. If you're following Jesus, you're following him to people. And if you say, I'm following Jesus, but you're not going to people, You're sitting, you're not up and moving because He's on the move and the Holy Spirit is the one leading. So, I'm going to wrap this up and we're going to get into our small groups and we're going to discuss this. If you're unsure if you've ever met Jesus, I want to clear this up before we wrap up the series next week. The Holy Spirit is going to speak to you about that, your salvation, before He speaks to you about anything else. He starts with your salvation. He will not let up on your salvation and move on to something else. It starts by trusting Him. And if you have not done that, this is a... It doesn't have to be this place, but this is an amazing place and amazing time, because you don't know how much time you have left. He always starts with salvation. Let's pray. Father, I ask that as we break into our groups, Lord, that the Holy Spirit that I'm trying to describe, God, that hopefully you are using me to bring and shed light on who you are because that's exactly what you are about, shedding light on who Jesus is, being a spotlight on Jesus, not being selfish about yourself. And we want to be the same. I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead our groups and as we talk, as we ask questions, God, that you would be the focus, that we wouldn't be too distracted, not that we can't enjoy ourselves, but God, that we would really truly be hungry for you. And if anyone's unsaved, that they would ask, they would ask you to save them, they would call on the name of Jesus, and they would tell someone this evening about that. And if they're reserved and they still have questions, that they would not let fear be the obstacle. and just confront what's the most important decision they'll ever make. In Jesus' name, amen.