This was the answer to the following question asked by the apostles, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?

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1 P a g e 1 ACTS Luke wrote the book of Acts Acts 1:7 He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by -his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This was the answer to the following question asked by the apostles, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? Those of you with children will know exactly what I m about to say. With our group of youth, we are constantly getting the questions What are we going to do today? Are we going to play a game? Or who is the Speaker for S.O.S.? Who is the Band? What are we going to eat? Are we going to the homeless Shelter or VA Hospital again in Sandusky? Are we going to go the pizza place again with the giant pizzas? Well I think you understand my point.my usual responses to all the questions are, you will find out when everyone else does or don t anticipate, or just trust us. Patients Some days we need to practice this more than others. Don t you agree? Do

2 P a g e 2 you think this was the point God was trying to make with apostles and with us today? During my Walk to Emmaus, I was told on numerous times don t anticipate ; leave yourself open to hear Gods voice. This is what Jesus was telling his disciples that day. God does have a plan for each and every one of us. When he feels we are ready God, will speak to us. Will you be ready to listen? Acts tells the stories of the apostles being baptized with the Holy Spirit and going out spreading the words and teaching of Jesus and growing the Church. What I d to talk about with you is the Holy Spirit speaking with us. Acts 2:1-8 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they

3 P a g e 3 asked: Aren t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Wow!! In Honduras and a couple weeks ago here in during Sunday Service, Pastor Bob spoke about taking time to listening for the soft quiet voice of God. As you heard from the youth earlier and what we challenge them with, are having conversations with God regularly. What has God been talking about? I know that the disciples believed and lived their lives as God told them; however there were still some doubts and some fears especially with the people. Pause. We all come here to our beautiful comfortable Church here in Osceola Indiana, some every Sunday, some a couple times a month or year and some are just visitors here today or the first time coming. I m not judging. I ve been in all the above, myself.but let me tell you this truth God is still trying to have a conversation with each of you! God has been having a conversation with me that I ve been struggling with. I ve been praying a lot and I ve talked to a few of you here about my thoughts.

4 P a g e 4 While I was in Honduras, the latter half of the week I felt the Holy Spirit leading in a direction that I know I would be uncomfortable doing. Since arriving home I ve kept feeling the Holy Spirit/Gods nudge me more and more up to the point of not being able to finish this sermon. I ve talked it through with my wife and some of my fellow youth leaders, but I finally sat down and wrote it out. Believe me I tried all week to write other things to speak to you about. Then, how tie this in with the Book of Acts? It was very simple! My hope is to support Pastors Bobs messages he has spoken throughout this summer and to hopefully reach some of you who are unsure what you ve been feeling or hearing from the Holy Spirit. We have needs, rights here in Osceola and in our Church which we need to address and take care of. (Pause) We have people in this Church that give of their time and talents endlessly and without hesitation but it is small in number. What has been troubling me and weighing heavy on my heart is the fact we have around 70 local elementary youth who were coming to Kids Club, on Weds evening and attended VBS. It is very sad we cannot serve these young people on Wednesday evening any longer. I ve spoken to my middle & high school

5 P a g e 5 youth and fellow leaders; I ve offered to Amy Peck to change the time of Youth Group to be able to offer assistance to anyone who would like to get this Ministry back up and running again. I ve spoken to Lisa about doing a Bus Ministry to get these kids to Kids Club but to also help me in my ministry to bring youth to youth group and to Sunday school. Right now all my leaders have been picking up kids & taking them home, all over the area with our own vehicles, because these youth want to be here with us. Whatever the reason they do not have parents who can or are able to get them to us. If I had not taken such leaps I would not have helped Paul Anderson with Sunday school, I would not have taken my Walk to Emmaus & learned to see and hear God more clearly and make some changes in my life. I definitely would not have heard or felt the Holy Spirit tell me to go to Pastor Bob and ask about being Youth Minister and then most recently make this trip to Honduras. God will provide everything we need. (Hold up plaque I got in Sunday school) Read it. Acts 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Including Osceola/Michiana. You and I do not know what the answers to the questions a head of time. Only God does and through the

6 P a g e 6 Holy Spirit he will put us at the right place and time introduce us to new people. I tell my youth this and we have heard the message many times, we are the hand, feet and sometimes voice of Jesus. We do not always know what the effect just being somewhere or just offering a smile or hello can do for someone. Sometimes just that simple gesture could affect their day and sometimes, someone s life. Be Gods witnesses. Those who have not yet found your nitch or met that person(s) whom you ve connected with in Church yet, let me tell you this. Take a leap of Faith; the Holy Spirit/God will be with you! If you are unsure how to proceed or unsure what God is speaking to you about or too busy to hear him speak to you, come talk with Pastor Bob, Pastor LeRoy or any other staff person. If you have heard the Holy Spirit and have chosen not to listen for one reason or another, Shame on you for wasting the gifts God has given you. There are stories in Acts of such people. Sign up or volunteer for something small, Such as helping with one Notre Dame Football games with us in the concession stand, come sit and hang out a day with Kids Club or with us in Youth Group. Come to a Men s Iron Workers Breakfast, Woman of Faith meeting or Luncheon or help Osceola United Methodist Women with the rummage sale a day, or just come to a movie night or euchre night. We have Church Committees that meet just one night every other month that could use new

7 P a g e 7 thoughts and ideas. Maybe you could just come a drive a bus & help bring kids to and from the Church on Sunday s and Weds evening. We have so many things we do or have going on as a Church I am positive if you speak with Pastor Bob he can help you hear the soft quit voice of God.. So let us go out be Gods witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And even in Osceola.