Welcome Home everyone
I love the excitement of beginning a new book of the Bible. We are about to embark on a great journey together and so glad to be on this journey with you. Today we have a fair share of teaching there are some things we must know before moving forward. The teaching here in the front half will give us the context to better understand the rest of the book.
Acts was written by Luke as early as 60AD, but no later than 90AD. We believe that Luke was a Physician and a Gentile. His entire work Luke-Acts makes up over 25% of the New Testament. Luke’s 2 correspondence with Theophilus. The first is, of course, The Gospel of Luke. In fact, in the early church, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were considered one complete work. Luke’s greeting and set up explanation for Theophilus. Name means “friend of God”. Also, the name Theophilus or as Luke puts it, “most excellent Theophilus” is structured in a way to indicate a high ranking official within the Roman government. This is a historical document, that those closet believers in the government would know the truth.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:4
About the life, death, resurrection, & return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’s Teaching and instructions before His ascension. Acts itself begins with Jesus preparing the disciples for Pentecost, missions, and to be empowered for daily ministry in the Holy Spirit.
My hope for today is to lay a foundation/context as we enter the book of Acts. That together we would be preparing our hearts to receive all that the Holy Spirit has for us. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter1, verse 1
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”
Acts 1:1-8
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 4 sections or topics. The first up is…
The Resurrection
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3
Convincing proofs, this was a resurrection of a physical body. Jesus was not just an apparition or some sort of a spirit ghost, His physical person was and is alive!
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them…”
Acts 1:4
This particular line is important because it depicts a risen Christ with physical needs for nourishment.
Jesus appears with the Disciples for 40 days and was seen physically by crowds up to 500 men at one time. (meaning a possible 1500 or more men, women, and children). Human History tells us that with every important or significant event there is always someone/group that will deny that it ever happened. Christ’s resurrection was well discussed and well documented. This event was commonly held as both a miracle and as factual. Personally, I believe that this was by design. Because as heresies developed, they will usually attack the deity of Christ by trying to discredit or disprove the bodily resurrection.
For us today, we have taken many of the tenets of Christianity as a matter of faith. And you and I really don’t need an outside source to prove that the word of God is true, we have taken it by faith. With that being said, there is proof, and it has been given to us by God to know. Pastor why is this important, I’m glad you asked.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
I’ll move on to my next topic to address.
Preparing for Pentecost
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 1:4-5
This Baptism in the Spirit is not just a physical sign of God doing a new thing in us, it is about preparing you and me to move to a new level of dependence on the Holy Spirit. It is about a new birth of the church full of individuals that would be submitted to God not just in how we conduct a service or do rituals, but being empowered to continue to do the ministry that Jesus Himself began.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12
How do we mere people breach this spiritual plane to impact the spiritual realm? To be like Jesus, to overcome sin in our lives. To heal the sick. To cast out demons. To Raise the dead.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
I’ll move to the next piece.
Preparing for Christ’s Return
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
Acts 1:6-7
This idea of a restored kingdom is one that continued to distract them the reality of what they were asking boiled down to a self-ruled scenario. Will we/Israel be delivered from Roman control and restored back to a season like they once knew, when they were self-ruled or independent. We know now that God’s plan was a bit more complex. One day Israel would be independent, but the spiritual freedom of the people, Jews and Gentiles alike was more of an acute priority. It was not their time to know the hour or the day.
Just like us today our focus needs to be on the preparation of our hearts for His return. That like the parable of the 10 virgins {Matthew 25} we need to be prepared for His return. Not distracted by worldly concerns or carnal thinking. Focused on Him. Continuing His work in the process. This requires a supernatural empowerment.
Preparing for the Empowerment for Ministry & Missions
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.”
Acts 1:8
The power to become His witness. To testify to what you have seen and heard. Peter and John in temple custody. Threatened, jailed and beaten, under the Holy Spirit had power to be His witnesses.
As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20
God’s desire is for each of us to be empowered for his purpose in some way. Not everyone is called to be a pastor or an evangelist. But that each one of us is called to be pliable to His will and in submission to Him in relationship that he can impart His gifting through you and me. In many ways over the past several months we have identified different ways/opportunities that the Holy Spirit desires our partnership. And this preparation for empowerment is no different.
“…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
This is a distinct missional directive. A geographical element of His instruction to outline the entire book of Acts but also to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. This was a directive to them then in the natural and for us in the spiritual. Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria, to the world. For us today Jerusalem is right here the place where we live. Judea & Samaria is an extension of the outer areas of your physical reach or influence. To the world, for us today is world missions.
You are going to, if you haven already, noticed that you may or may not appear to be in the same place spiritually as others. We are not here to compare with others. The Bible teaches us that comparing ourselves with each other is fruitless and is conforming ourselves to the lies of the enemy. The manifestation of spiritual giftings does not mean that someone is a super Christian. Nor does it mean that another is less of a Christian. It simply indicates that we are all at different places in our walk with God. These gifts belong to the Holy Spirit and He will dictate according to His will. If you must compare something, compare your walk with God now to where you used to be. Because I know that I may not be where I would like to be spiritually, but I know where I used to be. Our Growth in Christ is really only determined by our desire for Him.
You can pray right now that He would prepare you for growth and empowerment. I believe he wants this for you, but please know that he will probably ask yu to surrender something in your life. Its probably something that has been holding you back anyway. Pride or unforgiveness?
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace.
Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today?
Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here.
Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’