Sermon Manuscript

[Video: “Chase the Podium - Bumper” - 0:30]

On Friday about 60,000 people in-person and over 2 Billion on TV watched the opening ceremonies for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.  There were 98 countries this year that competed with nearly 3,000 athletes.  And they competed against each other through 116 events and 16 different sports.  Some of which included favorites like Figure Skating, Alpine Skiing, Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, Ski Jumping, and the Bobsleigh.  But there’s also some pretty crazy sports which are less popular like Nordic Combined, Biathlon, or the “always fun to make fun of” curling!  Seriously, why is this an Olympic Sport?  It’s crazy.

But once again our USA Team is pretty stacked.  We’ve got some heavy favorites:  Nathan Chen and Ashley Wagner in Figure Skating, Chloe Kim and Red Gerard in Snowboarding, Mikaela Shiffrin and Bryce Bennett in Skiing, and a number of other popular athletes.  So it should be an amazing team and one that is a lot of fun to watch!

And this year’s Winter Olympics is special for several reasons.  First of all, it’s the first time in history in which the Winter Olympic games are being hosted in two different locations:  Milan and Cortina, Italy.  Previous Winter Olympics have always taken place in only one city and its surrounding areas.  But this one will take place in two!  And they did this in order to reduce the need for massive construction as well as to spread out the economic impact that will certainly take place.  Some other reasons for why this year’s Olympics are so special is because they will be returning to historic venues because Cortina hosted the Olympics in 1956.  Also there was a sustainability focus this year to lessen the impact on our planet, and there was the introduction of several new sports including Ski Mountaineering where the athletes climb uphill on skis and then ski downhill through alpine terrain.  That sounds grueling!

But there’s another reason for why this year’s Winter Olympics is special (at least for our family) and that’s because as some of you know our oldest son Will is studying this semester in Milan.  So he’s there studying business classes as part of Purdue’s study abroad program.  But what you may not know is that he’s trying to make the Olympic Team because he sent our family this picture?  (Show Picture)  Who knew?  I’m just kidding of course.  He’s not competing but he did go to the Opening Ceremonies with a couple of friends and he sent us a few pictures of what he was wearing (Show Picture).  Apparently their outfits were so popular that many people asked to take pictures with them!  He said they felt like celebrities walking around because everybody just kept staring at them.  And he sent us a few pictures and videos inside the San Siro Stadium as well.  If you saw the Opening Ceremonies you know that it was pretty elaborate and a very high tech show with projection mapping, drones, and immersive storytelling.

It was all pretty crazy but the highlight of any Olympic Games is the Parade of Nations when all of those athletes from all of those countries all around the world walk in.  And when they stand there they know that they represent something special and something greater because they all will compete for their individual nations.  I mean.  Can you imagine what that must feel like?  To stand in that Olympic Stadium not as a spectator in the seats but as an athlete on the floor?  Knowing that soon your entire country will be cheering you on and that you have an opportunity to make history.  To compete in your sport and bring home the gold for your country.  Incredible!

You see they’re all gathered together in that one place for one goal and one purpose.  They are there to Chase the Podium.  They’re there to compete and to win so that they might stand before their competitors, hear their name called, receive that gold medal around their neck, and then listen to their national anthem played.  They are there to chase the podium.  And over the next four weeks we’re going to learn how we can do the same.  Because the truth is that God has called us to represent His Son and compete for His Team so that we can accomplish His goals and His mission while we are here on this earth.  He wants us to chase the podium.

So let’s get started.  If you have your Bibles, turn with me now to the book of Acts chapter 1.  Today we are going to be in verses 1-11.  If you’d like to follow along with us online you can do so by using our app.  It’s called Church Center.  And there’s a couple of features I’d like to let you know about or remind you of this morning.  First of all, if you open it up and click on Sunday Services and then Bulletin you’ll find everything within our bulletin this morning.  Second, if you click on Current Series you will find information about the series we’re starting today and even the passages we’ll be in over the next few weeks.  So I’d encourage you to read them ahead of time because it will help you to get prepared.  And then third there is a link called Message Notes and within it you find today’s passage along with a way to take notes.

As you turn there this morning and get prepared I also want to quickly remind you about our yearlong theme.  It’s called Be My Witnesses and last week we discovered how Jesus’ works were a witness to who He was and we said that our works are a witness to who we are as well.  So the question is, “What does it mean to be a witness for Jesus?” and “How can we become better witnesses for Him?”  Well, that’s going to be the focus of this year.  And to get answers we’re going to examine the book of Acts.  Because the book of Acts is the story about how the early church became witnesses for Jesus.  It’s about what they said and what they did.  And it will teach us how we can do the same.  So throughout this year we’re going to focus upon it.  

Here’s how this book opens up.  We read this in chapter 1, verse 1.  It says:

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Alright.  So stop here for just a moment.  Before we go any further let’s press pause and make sure we understand what’s happening here.  Verse 1 says that “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all Jesus began to do and teach.”  So what’s going on here?  Well, the author of the book of Acts is a Greek man named Luke who was both a doctor and a historian.  He was also a traveling companion to the Apostle Paul.  And he wrote two books in the New Testament.  The first was the Gospel of Luke and the second was the book of Acts.  Both were written to the same man.  A man named Theophilus whose name means “God lover”.  And as a doctor Luke loved the details and the miracles of Jesus.  But as a historian he also loved seeing what God did through the early church.  And so he wrote the Gospel of Luke to explain everything that Jesus began to do and teach.  Everything within the life of Jesus and finishes with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.  But here within the book of Acts he’s going to pick up the story there.  Because after Jesus presented himself alive over a period of forty days that he told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came.  Specifically he says in verse 4, “Wait for the promise of the Father which you heard from Me.”  

So what promise is Jesus referring to?  And when did He give that promise before?  Well, to get an answer we only need to go to the end of the book of Luke.  Because in chapter 24, verse 49, Jesus says this.  We read:

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Same statement.  Same promise.  Jesus says, “Wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit which will come upon you not many days from now”.  Luke ends his Gospel and begins the book of Acts in the same way.  However, in Luke Jesus says that you will be “clothed with power on high” and in Acts it’s more specific.  Because in Acts Jesus says “you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  So the phrase to be “clothed with power from on high” means that you will be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  And Jesus makes it clear that this is a different form of baptism from the one by John the Baptist.  Because He says that John baptized with water for the forgiveness of sins but Jesus’ baptism will be better.  It will be for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  And that’s huge.  It’s so huge that Jesus will have to repeat this point over and over again.  Because here’s what happens next in Acts chapter 1, verse 6.  It says:

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But 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.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Alright.  So after being told that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit what do the disciples do?  They’re like, “OK.  That’s great.  Sounds fantastic Jesus.  But here’s what we really want to know.  Here’s what we really need to hear.  Here’s what’s most important to us.  “When are You going to restore the kingdom of Israel?”  When are you going to destroy those wicked and evil Romans?  And become our King and rule in Jerusalem?  So that we can be free and show the world how great we are?  When does that happen Jesus?”  They’re like little kids watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics when all of the athletes walk in who say, “Hey, when are the fireworks and the explosions and the laser light show?  When do we get to see more of those drones?”  And Jesus is like, “No, no, no!  You’re missing the point!  This is the good stuff!  You guys don’t get it!  You’re focused upon the wrong things!  You don’t need to know when I’m coming back.  What you need to know is that you’re going to receive the power of God!  You’re going to be given the gift of the Holy Spirit!  You’re going to be given the power you will need to perform the tasks and the duties and assignments and the mission that I have for you!  Because 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’re going to receive what you need to do what I’ve called you to do!  Stay focused on that!!!”

And as Jesus said those words to His disciples on that day He was lifted up and taken by God into a cloud.  He ascended back into heaven right before their very eyes.  And while they stood there staring up two men stood by them dressed in white robes.  Angels.  And they said, “Men, why are you still here staring up into heaven?  This same Jesus who was taken up into heaven will come back in the very same way you saw Him go.”  In other words, “You saw Him being taken away on the clouds and you will see Him come back on the clouds.  You get going.  Go back to Jerusalem.  Do what He told you to do.  And wait for the Holy Spirit to come.”

What an amazing moment!  What an amazing sight to see!  But more importantly what an amazing message Jesus gave to His disciples before He left!  Because Jesus told them that they would receive the power that they would need to be His witnesses.  And that’s the key.  Because witnessing for Jesus is not something that can be done in your power, your own strength, or your own abilities.  And yet Jesus has called all of us to be witnesses for Him.  So He gives to you and to me His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to empower us to accomplish the mission He’s set before us.  And what He told His followers on that day is a message for you and me on this day:  We need the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Jesus.  You do.  And so do I.

The question is, “What do we need to do to receive the Holy Spirit?” and “Once we receive the Holy Spirit how do we use Him (Because He is the third Person of the Trinity) to accomplish the mission Jesus has given to us?”  So let’s think about those questions and explore this further.  Just as Olympic athletes need the power to perform we do too.  So here’s four steps we can take in order to find the power we need to perform as athletes for Jesus within our lives.

And the first step is to recognize your need for the Holy Spirit.  This was something the disciples didn’t understand either.  So Jesus had to repeat this truth to them over and over again.  They struggled with it because they didn’t understand how the gift of the Holy Spirit is the very power of God.  The power to do things only God can do.  After the Day of Pentecost many of the apostles and disciples would be empowered to speak boldly, act boldly, and even at times perform miracles!  I mean.  Imagine having the ability to touch a person and instantly heal them!  Or speak a word and see a miracle take place!  God doesn’t promise us that all followers of Jesus will do these things but when we have the Holy Spirit living within us and He tells us to do something in His name anything is possible!  Because His power lives within us.  Just stop and think about that for a moment.  How amazing is that?  But the disciples couldn’t understand that.  They couldn’t fathom that.  They couldn’t comprehend that.  And sadly many people today still can’t understand that.  They do not understand what the Holy Spirit can do within their lives.  Because they haven’t recognized the need.  So recognize your need for the Holy Spirit today!

Second, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told His disciples that they would be clothed with “power from on high” and that they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  So when does a person receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?  They receive the Holy Spirit when they turn their lives over to Jesus and are baptized into His name.  Remember.  Jesus had told them that the difference between John’s baptism and His baptism was the gift of the Holy Spirit.  And later on the Day of Pentecost when Peter preaches and people ask how they can be saved Peter will say in Acts 2:30, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  John’s baptism was for forgiveness of sins too but the difference was the Holy Spirit.  And you and I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we give our lives to Him and are baptized.

So let me be very clear.  If you are here this morning and you have not made a decision to be baptized you need to.  Today.  And if not today as soon as possible.  Because every day you wait is another day that you do not have access to the power of God that you will need if you want to be a witness for Him.  Simply put.  You cannot witness for Him until you have made that decision and received that power.  So if you’ve been thinking about it and putting it off for any reason, make a decision.  If you have questions, I’ll love to talk to you.  So would any leader in this church.  Elder.  Ministry leader.  Staff member.  And any follower of Jesus whom you know from here who has made that decision.  Get the answers.  Make the decision.  Receive the power you need.  Be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.

Third, approve changes made by the Holy Spirit.  What the disciples didn’t know at this time and some of us don’t know as well but those who have been baptized do know is that when you give your life to Jesus and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit you are asking God’s Spirit to come into your life and to make changes.  Kind of like a spring cleaning that might take place from time to time in your home or a complete remodel that might take place as well.  Doesn’t matter.  Because it’s now up to the Holy Spirit.  So the Holy Spirit comes into your life and mine and says, “Here’s an area we need to work on.  We need to fix a few things.  Or we need to completely change a few things.”  Either way He’s not going to do that until you give Him permission.  He’s not going to act against your will.  That will be true throughout the rest of your life.  So whether you just made a decision last week, last year, or fifty years ago when the Holy Spirit begins to change you He will keep going until it is perfect for Jesus.  Which means it will be an ongoing process throughout the rest of your life.  But as the Holy Spirit works He’s going to ask you if He can change you and you’re going to have to give Him permission.  Can I work on your personal relationship with your spouse?  Can I work on your family?  Can I work on your finances?  Can I work on your understanding of God’s Word?  He will want to make changes but you will need to give Him permission to do so.  So approve changes by the Holy Spirit.

And then fourth and finally resolve to live boldly in the Holy Spirit.  Resolve to live boldly with the Holy Spirit and in the Holy Spirit.  God wants to partner with you and His Spirit wants to partner with you.  He wants to work in you and through you and with you to accomplish God’s mission in this world.  And He will need to work within you in order to become the witness that Jesus wants you to be.  But you need to resolve to partner with Him.  So that each and every day you make yourself available.  And say, “God, I am here.  Jesus, I am ready.  Holy Spirit, I need you to give me opportunities to be a bold witness for Jesus and I need for you to help me when that happens.  Help me to know what to do and say.  Help me to even know how to do what You ask me to do and how to say what You want me to say.  I need you at each and every point and within each and every moment of this day.”  I promise you.  If you speak to God in this way and resolve to live boldly for Him that God will answer that prayer and He will use you like never before.  But you’ve got to want it.  Really want it.  And you’ve got to be committed.  Really resolved to live boldly and confidently in order to become the witness God wants you to be.

So let’s be honest with each other at this moment.  Is that what you want for your life?  Do you really want to become the witness Jesus has called you to be?  Is that important for you or are you more interested in doing what you want when you want and not to “ruffle any feathers” with the people around you?  Just be honest.  Because if you’re not ready God can’t use you yet.  You’ve not reached a place where you recognize your need for the Holy Spirit.  But when you do and when you receive the Holy Spirit through baptism and approve of the changes He wants to make and resolve to live boldly for Jesus then God will use you like never before.  Jesus will use you like never before.  And you will become the witness for Jesus that He wants you to be.  But you will need the Holy Spirit.  You will need the power to perform.

Like Lindsey Vonn.  Lindsey Vonn is one of the best female skiers of all-time.  She’s won 84 World Cup victories making her one of the best alpine skiers in history.  She’s also competing in her fifth Olympic games.  But if you saw the news you know that just a week ago she tore her ACL in a race in Switzerland and actually had to be airlifted off the course.  Despite the injury she came out and said that she would still be competing in Cortina in this week’s Olympic games.  And today she will go for gold in the Women’s Downhill and may also possibly compete later this week in the Super-G.  And in an interview about how she felt coming into the Olympics with that type of injury she said, “I’ve been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position than in years past.  I know what my chances were before the crash and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today.  But I know there’s still a chance and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”  And try she did.  

She competed earlier this morning.  But the results were not good.  In fact, early into her race she crashed once again.  And this time had to be airlifted once again off the course.  For what will likely be her last professional race.  Heartbreaking.  But her desire to compete against all odds and her willingness to push herself to the limits is truly inspiring.  Because she tried.

Wow.  Amazing.  What is it that drives professional athletes to go further and push harder when everything seems against them?  What is it inside of them that makes them different from all of the others?  Where do they get their courage and determination?  Their power to perform?  It comes from something deep down inside of them.  It comes from a will to win no matter what.

And I believe God wants us to have the same for Him.  I believe that He wants you and me to have that same type of drive, that same type of courage, that same type of determination that says, “I’m willing to go anywhere and do anything for Jesus.  As long as there’s a chance of reaching someone for Jesus, I’m going to try.”  

But in order to have that same power to perform we’re going to need help.  Fortunately, God has given to you what you need.  Jesus has given to you the power to perform in the Holy Spirit.  So the question is not, “Do you have what you need?”  If you’ve given your life to Jesus and been baptized you have who you need.  Because you have the Holy Spirit.  And when you recognize your need for Him, receive His power, allow Him to work in your life, and resolve to live boldly for Jesus He will enable you to do what could not otherwise do.  Like competing in an Olympic downhill event with a torn ACL.  You will be given the power you need to compete.  Because…

The power you need to perform is found in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray.

[Prayer:  For God to help us to be witnesses for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.]

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