Latest / HBCWestminster / 3.15.20 Acts 2:1-13 Pastor Jerry Olarte

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3.15.20 Acts 2:1-13 Pastor Jerry Olarte · HBCWestminster

• 0:00
  Well, good morning, church, and welcome. We're so glad that you were able to join us for worship this morning. If you guys are still out in the lobby making your way in, come on in, find a seat. We're going to get started. If you're new with us, we are so glad that you're here. Welcome. I mean, obviously, this is kind of a crazy weekend. Hallie and I were listening yesterday to that band, and if you're our age, then some of you will undoubtedly remember the band REM.
• 0:28
  We were listening yesterday to their most famous song where they say, and the chorus is, it's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it. But I feel fine. I thought, that is exactly what's going on. You know, it turns out REM was prophets. They didn't even realize. They were talking about 2020. But the reality is, church, it is not the end of the world. It's not. The Lord is still on his throne.
• 0:58
  He is still very much in charge of the goings-on of the peoples of earth. He is still very much in control of what's happening right now. When I told my wife Hallie six years or so ago that the Lord was moving our family to Colorado, you know, if you know our family, you know it hit her hard. That news was hard for her to hear in the moment. I bought her a sign commemorating that day. Here is that sign. And I thought, man, that is...
• 1:29
  Appropriate for today. Not to spoil the ending church, but everything's going to be okay. It really is. God's church will continue. The message of the gospel will continue to go out. 2 Timothy 1 and verse 7 says, For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. We don't have to be afraid. That doesn't mean we should be foolish.
• 1:54
  I saw a text from one of Hallie's friends this week that said, I believe in the power of prayer. I also believe in the power of soap. We're not going to be foolish. Obviously, we're not going to start licking door handles because I'm a Christian and I believe in that. No, but we are not going to cower in fear. The Lord is still on His throne. Listen to Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
• 2:24
  Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way. And that is how it feels. Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Listen to verse 10 of the same Psalm. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. And church, that is what we are here.
• 2:54
  today to declare. I don't know, 99% of the churches across the country have canceled their services today. It's a crazy number. We are one of two that I know of in Westminster that are meeting this morning. And I hope that wasn't a foolish decision by any means. But I also just think, you know what? The Lord is worthy of being worshiped and praised, even in the midst of the storm.
• 3:24
  And so that's what we're going to do. We actually have, this is meant to be a celebratory service today. We are installing a new pastor of Highland Baptist Church today. And we are excited. Pastor Jerry Olarte is going to become our global ministries pastor. And what better day.
• 3:49
  to determine a global ministries pastor than today. If we were ever more aware of our global presence here on earth, it's today, right? We live in a world that is getting smaller and smaller and smaller. And this has made us even more aware of that reality. The Lord is moving people from all over the earth to the United States and not just to the United States, but to Denver and to North Denver, even people from everywhere on the planet.
• 4:16
  And you know that to be true based on the signs that you read and the languages that are being spoken and the restaurants that are opening here in North Denver. I mean, we have more and more and more a global population. And so we wanted to acknowledge that and also allow the Lord to use our church and the ministry to his people by commissioning.
• 4:37
  and licensing a pastor whose job it is specifically to minister to those expatriates and immigrants from all over the world who are coming here to Denver. And so you'll get to hear from Pastor Jerry as he opens God's word with us this morning. Allow me to pray and we'll dedicate our service to the Lord and then sing together. Pray with me. God, I do pray that you would calm our hearts with the knowledge, Lord, that you never change.
• 5:06
  And we therefore need not fear. Father, may we not live as though this world is all that there is. May we not live as though this earth is anything but fleeting. God, nothing has changed today that wasn't true yesterday, that wasn't true a week ago and three months ago. This earth has always been passing away. We live in the light of eternity, in the light...
• 5:35
  of the reality that we have souls which are eternal. Lord, the greatest need of mankind is not a cure for a virus. It is a cure for the sickness of our hearts. And so, Lord, may we as a church and may we as a nation look not to doctors or to medicine or to hand sanitizer, to even the president of our country. Lord, may we look to you, who is the author and perfecter of our faiths.
• 6:08
  May we look to you in whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. And it's in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Our president has declared today a national day of prayer, which does not often happen from American presidents. They don't often do that. And so we as the body of Christ and as the Lord's church are going to take that seriously. We are going to pray. I'm just going to start us with Philippians chapter 4. It's a verse that's...
• 6:38
  Probably been quoted in your own households where it says, do nothing out of anxiety, but do everything in prayer. With supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Don't be anxious about anything, God's word says, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.
• 7:08
  Present your requests to God. And so here's what we're going to do just for a moment while the worship team continues to play. We're going to take a moment to pray. And I'm going to ask that you would pray in the groups that you came with. All right. So I'm assuming that you're comfortable with the people you're sitting next to or that you shared a car with. All right. And if you just came by yourself, then just take a moment by yourself to pray. And let's pray that the Lord would be with us. That same text says the Lord is at hand. The Lord is at hand. He is here. He is present.
• 7:36
  And so let's take a few moments just in those small groups. Whoever you happen to be sitting by, your family group, pray together. And then in a few moments, Carla will lead us back into worship. Let's pray. Well, church, just a couple of quick announcements. And then I'll invite Pastor Jerry up to speak. But one is, you guys saw in your bulletins this morning that there is a small yellow invite to Easter.
• 8:26
  And yes, the Lord has still resurrected from the dead. Yes, we are still going to celebrate that. I have been asked, especially in the last 48 hours, what we're going to do. Are we going to amend plans?
• 8:39
  You know, other organizations are thinking kind of months out. And just so you guys know, I am not thinking months out at this point. The news is continuing to change every day. And so it seems a little bit foolish to change plans a month out, not knowing what things will be like a month from now. And so for now, we are planning on celebrating Resurrection Sunday, April 12th.
• 9:02
  We will have three service times, 8, 9.30, and 11 a.m. We're also going to do a Good Friday service at 6.30, where we will celebrate and sing about the Lord's crucifixion, and then that following Sunday, celebrate and sing about His resurrection. On Resurrection Sunday, April 12th, we will be offering baptisms at each of those services. If anybody is interested in being baptized, talk to any one of the pastors. We'd be happy to get you on that list. Also...
• 9:29
  Last week, if you were here, we announced a new church database. And honestly, I wish that we had gotten going two weeks earlier because it'd be so much easier to communicate. But we do have a new church database. And so if you were not here last week, I'm gonna ask you guys, take out your phones real quick, download the Church Center app, Church Center, that's what it's called. It looks like that. It's a little white square, a little blue and green church in the middle of it. You put in there your information and all of that. It uploads it automatically to our church database. This will be...
• 9:57
  what we'll be using to communicate with the church in even the following weeks. In the next several weeks, this is what we're going to use to communicate. But we also have a church Instagram account, which if you guys are on Instagram, if you have not followed the church Instagram, if you don't mind doing that, it's at HBC Westminster, at HBC Westminster. It's the same as our church website. Same thing, hbcwestminster.com. That is our church Instagram account. Follow us.
• 10:25
  that has proven to be a very effective and fast way to communicate with the congregation. And so if there are announcements that we need to make in the coming weeks regarding what's going on in the country and our community, that is a very, very easy way for us to do that. And so if you don't mind, if you have Instagram, I don't actually have it, but my wife keeps me up to date, then at HBC Westminster, follow us on there.
• 10:51
  We'll be able to get word out very, very quickly. I know this is normally the time where we would take our offering. Normally the ushers would come forward now, but honestly, nobody wants to pass buckets hand to hand to hand, okay? We know that. And so what we've done instead, our normal gray offering buckets are at three different stations out there in the lobby. You'll see them as you exit. In addition to that, our ushers will be holding offering buckets.
• 11:13
  that you guys can put your offering in, or if it's easier for you, just on that Church Center app, which a whole bunch of you guys downloaded and registered on last week. Good job. You can give online there as well. It's very easy to get going on that. Well, like I said at the beginning, today is a day of celebration for us. We are installing Pastor Jerry Olarte as our Global Missions Pastor, Global Ministries Pastor, and he is going to open God's Word for us this morning. And so would you guys welcome him as he comes up?
• 11:50
  Thank you, Jerry. You know, I'm always scared with the microphone. I always get shocked. Thank you, Pastor Danny. First of all, I just want to greet some of our friends who are here. I cannot name you one by one, but I just want to special mention my friend, Pastor Carlos. I was at their church two Sundays ago and sang before he preached.
• 12:20
  And so I invited him to come also for installation. Pastor Carlos was instrumental when I came to know the Lord in 1972. And we both went to the Bible school, graduated, and became pastors. And praise God for that. The last time I spoke that my kids heard me preaching.
• 12:47
  was about seven years ago here in Thailand when all the people were out there having camp. So some of the members were here to listen to my preaching. And I guess that's it. And before I preach today, I need to pray that the Lord will really use me to share with you the Word of God.
• 13:16
  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to lead us. Father in heaven, I pray that your Holy Spirit would empower me just right now as I share your word with your people. I pray, Lord, that you just put me behind your presence and your name will be glorified. And this is our prayer in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. The topic for today is about diaspora.
• 13:44
  in the heart of God, and I wonder if many of you know what diaspora means. So I have to clarify that, first of all. Very important that we know what diaspora means. A diaspora is a scattered population whose origin lies in separate geographic locale.
• 14:07
  In particular, the word diaspora is used to refer to the involuntary mass dispersion of a population from its indigenous territories. Diaspora is a Greek word referring originally to the Jewish dispersion. As foretold in Leviticus 26, verse 33, where it says, And I will scatter you.
• 14:38
  And I will uncover the sword after you, and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. And in Deuteronomy 28, verse 64, it says, And the Lord will scatter you among all peoples from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone.
• 15:06
  which neither you nor your fathers have known. You know, in 1938, 1,200 Jews were able to escape the Holocaust, and they found the Philippines to be their new home. That's why you will notice some Filipinos having resemblance with Brother Henry there. You know, diaspora is also called people on the move.
• 15:42
  who will cross national borders. In other words, the scattered peoples. Other terms such as migration, emigration, immigration have been used in reference to people on the move. This is according to the topic ministering to scattered peoples presented in 2010 Lausanne Movement by Thomas Tira and One.
• 16:13
  Diaspora also reflects the sovereignty of God. I believe that the sovereign God is moving people so that they may seek Him and know Him. It's for a purpose. We don't know that. Only the Word of God says. Acts 17, verses 26-27 says, He made from one man
• 16:43
  Every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet, He is actually not far from each of us.
• 17:08
  Even when mankind in all the face of the earth are so diverse in color, in languages, in culture, and traditions, in lifestyles and beliefs, God, according to this verse, is not far from each one of us. How about the biblical records? It appears that diaspora is not a new thing.
• 17:38
  to all groups of people in the whole world. Although the dating for the Tower of Babel seems to have been presented differently, in Genesis chapter 11, verses 1 to 9, it says that after the great flood, when people were speaking only one language, they came to the land of Shinar and agreed to build a tower that they thought would reach the heaven.
• 18:08
  Actually, it's not the ability of man to reach heaven that God was concerned about. You see, man was created in the image of God. And man shares with God in his communicable attributes. Man is an intelligent being, very creative. And because of the presence of sin, man misuses his creativity to go against God.
• 18:42
  Even today, men are designed to do or to use his talents or creativity to worship God. But it's not happening. It's the sin and pride that prompted God to confound their speech that they could no longer understand each other. And so they got separated and scattered around the world.
• 19:16
  I have a little demographic study here. I have a brief info about diaspora. Diaspora is a global phenomenon. This is, in fact, one of the undeniable realities of the 21st century, including, of course, my own people, the Filipinos. The weight and sphere of the diaspora phenomenon has increased rapidly in recent years.
• 19:47
  Today, more than 3% of the global population lives in countries in which they were not born. And more than 200 million people now live and work outside their native land. 28% of the immigrants in the United States, or approximately 90 million people of the overall population, are immigrants.
• 20:18
  According to the 2019 Current Population Survey, or CPS, Colorado has a growing community of immigrants, making up nearly 10% of all residents. Immigrants comprise nearly 14% of all business owners, and the number of foreign-born Coloradans went up to 45%.
• 20:49
  With so many people from so many origins moving in so many directions and landing in so many destinations, planned or unplanned, it would be easier for us to say that we are fast becoming a borderless world. The term borderless world can be attributed to an economist, Kenichi Omei, who wrote The Borderless World in 1991.
• 21:20
  In 2014, the United States received a record 75 million international visitors, and this number is expected to have grown already in the past five years, and more so in the upcoming years. Some of these internationals come as students or visiting scholars. Some come as diplomats or businessmen.
• 21:49
  are seeking for economic opportunities or looking for a new start in a literally new country. So we now have the idea of what diaspora is. Let's go to the Word of God. Acts 2, verses 1 to 13. In verse 1, it says, When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
• 22:21
  Let's highlight the phrase Day of Pentecost. Although the occasion was commonly known Day of Pentecost because it is the 50th day after the Passover. 50th is Pentecostes in Greek. It is actually the Jewish feast of the harvest. A festival marking the wheat harvest or Shavuot.
• 22:57
  Shavuot commemorates the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai to the Jewish people. A few days before the day of Pentecost, Jesus was telling his disciples to remain in Jerusalem. In Luke chapter 24, from verse 45 to 49, it narrates, Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written,
• 23:28
  that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from the city of Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things, and behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city.
• 24:00
  Until you are clothed with power from on high. In obedience to Christ's command, the disciples were all together in one place in the city of Jerusalem. The second point would give us clarity on this. The descent of power. In verse 2 it says, And suddenly there came from heaven a sound.
• 24:33
  like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Adam Clark says in his commentary that there is a good deal of similarity between this account and that of the appearance of God to Elijah in 1 Kings chapter 19, where it says, And he said, Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by,
• 25:03
  And a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not there, was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper.
• 25:35
  Strong wind and fire, as also in the case of Acts chapter 2, although natural agents, were supernaturally employed in preparing the apostles to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Verses 3 and 4, And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
• 26:07
  And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. A question is raised whenever people will claim that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and are able to speak in other tongues. And this is the reason why. Why do they speak in other tongues? Because in the context,
• 26:38
  The reason is very clear. Let's first of all examine what these other tongues are. Oxford defines glossary as a list of terms or words relating to a specific subject, text, or dialect with supporting explanations. It is also described as a brief dictionary. Glossary is from Latin glossarium.
• 27:08
  which is derived from ancient Greek glosa or glosa, which means tongue. But these are not just other tongues. These are not just other languages. These are known languages. Because I don't want us to be misled that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can just speak whatever you want to speak and claim that it is from the Holy Spirit. You know?
• 27:44
  I was invited to speak in one church in the Philippines, and as soon as I started reading the scripture, they started speaking in other languages, and I asked for an interpreter. And Apostle Paul was very clear here that whenever someone speaks in other tongues, there must be an interpreter. But these are known languages, not just...
• 28:15
  Other tongues. Verses 5 and 6 says, Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. It is further explained that the word language is also derived from the Latin lingua and from the same Greek word glose that is also translated as tongue.
• 28:46
  It's interesting, the word lingua is also Spanish. The Philippines was occupied by Spain for 333 years, and we have a Filipino dish that is so Spanish-sounding, and also one of Elisa's favorite delicacies, especially when prepared by her dad. It's called lengua estofado, literally ox tongue stew.
• 29:18
  So the word language is also rooted from the Spanish language, lenguaje, from the word lengua or tongue. The last is the different perceptions which will include each and every one of us here. What is our perception of this incident? Let's go back a little bit to verses 5 and 6. This passage mentions, Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews.
• 29:49
  And of course, these are Jews in general. Devout men. Devout men who are Jews or proselyte Jews from every nation. Now, this includes perhaps the non-Jews who were converted to Judaism from other parts of the world. And we, you know, the Filipinos are not mentioned here. Chinese or any other nationalities are not mentioned here.
• 30:19
  But let's remember that during the first dispersion, some people were scattered all over the face of the earth. Now, they were all there together in verses 7 and 8. You know, earlier in the Old Testament, there was dispersion. But earlier in the New Testament, these dispersed people came together. And when they heard people speaking in their own languages, a very important message.
• 30:54
  The result was convergence. Now you will notice that the focus on the first amazement and bewilderment was the apostles' ability to speak in other tongues. Out of amazement. And the question come to mind, it's not the why anymore. It's the how. How could they do that?
• 31:25
  Verses 7 and 8 says, And they were amazed and astonished, saying, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how? Again, how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? The first focus was on the apostles' ability to speak in other languages. The second focus was their regional identity.
• 31:57
  There's some kind of discrimination in this part. Are they not Galileans? You know, perhaps you're watching America's Got Talent and a very short girl would just stand before you. And you are one of Simon's company there and watching. So where are you from? I am from the Philippines. Okay. All right.
• 32:30
  What are you going to do now? I am going to sing. And when she sings, surprisingly, she sings powerfully. And Simon stood up out of amazement. How could this short, brown, little girl sing like that? You know, just like this. Can they speak in other tongues, these Galileans?
• 33:03
  It is unfortunate that oftentimes how is only asked by mere spectators, unbelieving, skeptics, and perhaps by devout religious people who are there just to compare their abilities with the apostles' extraordinary acts. These were the people who have set their minds and hearts to mock and ridicule others.
• 33:29
  And what's the language used here? Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? What's wrong with being a Galilean? The term Galileans is used as a stereotype here. Being rude and polished and learned. The multitudes, however, were astonished because these so-called Galileans were able to speak in their own languages. Again, another use of mockery.
• 33:59
  or false accusation here is found in verse 13. They declare they are filled with new wine. They're just drunk. Of course, it is obvious that they are being sarcastic here. In verse 15, in defense against people's mockery, Peter stood up and said that no one should think that they are drunk because it's only 9 o'clock in the morning.
• 34:32
  And Sabbath is a solemn feast and nobody gets drunk that early hour of the day. Since how is not the question that needed to be answered expediently, although the hot apologist Peter still gave them satisfactory answer, let's go to the reason why these astonishing things were happening. Why is this happening?
• 35:05
  It says in verse 11, but in the last days when they spoke in languages that each one could intelligibly understand, they heard the followers of Jesus telling in their own tongues the mighty works of God. And of course, the Lord Jesus Christ is included in this particular phrase, the mighty works.
• 35:32
  Romans 1, verses 19 and 20. For what can be known about God is plain to them, for His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that they have been made. So they are without excuse. For other nations who don't have the Bible or even the Torah or...
• 36:01
  or Tanakh, or however you call the Old Testament scriptures, you know, that lead people to God. They have the nature that clearly speaks to them, the nature of God. Psalm 19, verses 1 and 2, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech.
• 36:30
  And night to night reveals knowledge. Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 to 3. Long ago, at many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days, including our days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.
• 37:03
  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. You look for God the Father, there is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the exact imprint of God's nature. And He upholds the universe by the word of His power, referring to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• 37:33
  after making purification for sins. And we all know how the Lord Jesus Christ purified us of our sins. Jesus Christ clothes himself with human nature. He suffered and he was crucified on the cross, shed his blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Of course, our sins, meaning we are sinners.
• 38:08
  God still speaks to us today through the Lord Jesus Christ in yours and my own languages. This is because God loves the world, the diaspora, the immigrants so much. John 3, verse 16. Many of us know this. God loves us. Romans 5, verse 8. God loves us. He demonstrated to us in that while we were yet sinners,
• 38:41
  Christ died for us. Perhaps by now you already have the same question in mind that had been asked by the diaspora people in this context. They asked in verse 37, Brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins.
• 39:13
  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Now watch this. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all the people far off. Everyone whom the Lord our God calls for himself. Just to encourage you today to give your life to God in the name of Jesus Christ. Let me give you a preview.
• 39:45
  Of what is yet to take place. In the last book of the Bible. The book of Revelations chapter 7 verses 9 and 10. Listen to this. After this I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number. From every nation from all tribes and peoples and languages. Standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
• 40:13
  Clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And crying out with a loud voice. Salvation belongs to our God. Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. Who is this Lamb? John chapter 1 verse 29 says. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him. John the Baptist. And said behold the Lamb of God.
• 40:44
  Who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ takes away our sins. For those of you who have already expressed your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Instantly upon your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Your sins have been forgiven. The great multitude that no one could count. From every nation.
• 41:14
  from all tribes and peoples and languages are seen in heaven because their sins have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. You know, if they did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will not be part of that scene. Repent from your sins. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And you too will be saved.
• 41:48
  and become a part of this great multitude from the diaspora that no one could count. Yes, God has never been far from you and me. He's just waiting for you to listen to His voice and yield to His call. Believe in Him as your Savior and Lord. When you accept Jesus Christ in your heart,
• 42:23
  You don't literally put a graphic thinking that our heart really has a literal door, and you are inviting Jesus to come in. You know, the context of John 1, verse 12, is that people have a choice. It's either the world or the Lord. And in John 1, verse 12, it says, but as many as received him.
• 43:00
  Not literally, how did you do? Oh, I accepted Jesus. How do you feel now? Oh, it's a little bit weighty. Believe. Just believe. You can just declare it. Lord Jesus, I believe that you have saved me. I believe that upon dying on the cross of Calvary, you have forgiven me of my sins. And I'm declaring it today. I believe in you.
• 43:35
  That's it. That's what accepting the Lord Jesus Christ means. Believe. Believe. And this can happen to you right now, wherever you are seated. For those of you who have already declared your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are excused here. You are already part of that scene we're waiting for in heaven. But for those of you who are not sure yet, I just want to give you...
• 44:08
  an opportunity today. Just pray to Jesus in faith this prayer. Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and when I die, I don't know for sure where I'm going. Thank you for shedding your blood on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins and for a sure hope in heaven awaiting those who believe and trust in you. I believe in you and I trust you as my Savior and Lord.
• 44:37
  Thank you for showing me a preview of heaven and where I will be one of the great multitude there that no one could number. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen. If that expresses the desire of your heart, the Lord is omniscient. He knows already that you have agreed with me and you believe in Jesus Christ.
• 45:09
  as your Savior and Lord. Let us pray. Father in heaven, thank you so much for being with us today. For two or three who are gathered in your name, you are in the midst of them. Thank you for being with us today. Thank you, Lord, for those in their hearts and minds have already expressed their desire to believe in you as Lord and Savior of their lives.
• 45:41
  For there is no other name under heaven where we can be saved but only the name of Jesus. And in his name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Jerry.
• 46:02
  As I said, we are installing him as a pastor this morning. And so normally we would be laying hands on Jerry and praying, but considering what's going on, nobody wants a dozen hands touching them today. But I am going to invite the elder board up and the staff elders up. We're just going to extend a hand. Chris Lawrence, who is our chairman of our elders, is going to be praying for Jerry. And honestly, Jerry, we are so excited to have you on the staff of Highland Baptist Church.
• 46:32
  We're excited to call you a co-worker in the gospel. And so if you would, brothers, just extend a hand toward Jerry. We will trust that the Holy Spirit will make the jump, and we'll pray for you. Go ahead, Chris. Thank you. All right. Heavenly Father, we come before you this day with our hearts open and thoughts bent to you and your will. We thank you, Father, for your benevolence and accept your will and your gift of truth. As we lay our hands on Jerry or...
• 47:03
  hands toward Jerry, and commission him to the earthly office of Global Ministries, pastor of Highland Baptist Church. We also ask that you guide him in your truth and help him in keeping his love for you and his belief in your promises for a better home. Satisfy him all his days with your unfailing love. At the same time, besides the earthly office, we praise and honor you for the heavenly office that is so far away for some.
• 47:33
  and yet so near for everyone who believes. For Jerry, we ask you, Father, for a spirit not of timidity, for you and your precepts are known to us, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline. We ask for him to have your strength in reaching out to all the nationalities on the north side of Denver and around the world, to the Philippines and beyond. We ask that he experience what you describe as success in his guidance of them and the deepening
• 48:04
  love and joy for Jesus that we pray and hope for them, attaining this love and faith and hope that you promise. Please bring them the same love and hope for the future in the name of the Lord Jesus. For the congregants of this church, your church, Lord, let us not cease in our prayers for Jerry in this new church outreach, lifting him up to you. We ask that we would come alongside him in running this race to the finish, your finish, Lord.
• 48:35
  And as we run, all that we say and all that we do is for the furthering of your name and glory to all the corners of this world. We ask for these things in your kingdom, your power, and your everlasting glory. Amen.