Jesus said, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We have three things to talk about tonight; first, some things which are not for us; secondly, some things for us to receive; and thirdly, something for us to be.
I. First, let us consider SOME THINGS WHICH ARE NOT FOR US
It is not for us to know the times or dates, and seek to make a map of the future. There are some great events of the future that are clearly revealed. The prophecy is not at all unclear about the facts that will occur; but as to when they will occur, we have no information. Some think that they know when the future events will occur, but our Lord says that we do not know the times and the dates, and that it is not for us to know them.
II. And now, secondly, there is SOMETHING FOR US TO RECEIVE—The Power of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus said to the eleven apostles, that they were to wait at Jerusalem, until they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. This is what we want; this is what we need—the Holy Spirit. We often speak about this; but, in truth, it is indescribable, the power of the Holy Spirit, is mysterious and divine.
III. Now we pass on to the third point, which is a very important practical one, SOMETHING FOR US TO BE
If you are a disciple of Christ, you are not to look into the times and the dates which the Father has put in his own power; you are to receive the Spirit of God, and then there is something for you to be. Did you expect me to say that there is something for you to do? Well, there is a great deal for you to do; but the text says, "You will be witnesses”; not "You will act like witnesses” only, but "You will be witnesses.”
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