Acts 1.1-11
I love this chapter. It is one of my favorites. It is church history. Jesus has been raised from the dead and is making appearances to His followers. He is getting ready to go back to heaven. He is preparing the disciples for that time. He is building His church.
In this chapter are the doctrines for World Missions, baptism, discipleship, the Ascension of Jesus, His Return.
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The scripture this morning covers the 40 days He appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection, reflecting back over His ministry here on earth.
He was preparing His followers for the time when He would be taken up back to heaven. We are in that time now. The words Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago are for us today.
We need a move of God's Spirit across America. Franklin Graham is organizing a prayer gathering for each state calling it Decision America Tour. We need an outbreak of prayer today.
Look at what those in the upstairs room were doing:
Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. What an example. In the each chapter of the Book of Acts they were either at a prayer meeting, on their way to a prayer meeting or coming from a prayer meeting!
We see here God's plan for the church before it was born.
1. Jesus Began It vs.1-2a
Matthew- Mark- Luke- John
Outline of Biblical Usage:
to be the first to do (anything)
to be chief, leader, ruler
Jesus came and did wonderful things.
His miracles.
He prayed.
He taught His disciples to pray.
He asked a piercing question about prayer.
We have been seeing the LORD answer prayer and supply all the needs in Haiti. We have been struggling financially as a church the past few months. We need to cry out to God for His church today.
He taught wonderful things.
He taught with authority.
He made the Old Testament easy to understand. The law and the prophets
Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
The Sermon on The Mount
He made it so children could come to Him. In fact He told us that unless we become like them we will not enter in. Childlike faith.
John 14:12 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.
Teaching and ministering to children. I think of the shoeboxes that go out around the world, the schools where God's Word is taught around the world. I think of kids who have hot lunches and all. Amazing works!
I think of the many ways modern technology is getting the Word of God out. Places where we could never get in with the Gospel physically are now receiving it on iPhones, iPads and computers.
The focus of the Gospels is the work and teaching of Jesus. The focus of Acts is the continuing work of Jesus through the apostles by the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit Working Through The Apostles continued it. vs. 4-5
John 14-16 contains the most concentrated teaching on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. I encourage you to read it.
Why this urgency on Jesus's part of them remaining in Jerusalem?
The Feast of Pentecost was about to be fulfilled.
We cannot do it without His power.
A pattern was being set up for the church.
What was not for us to know- the date of His return.
The time of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.
What was for us- the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
3. The World is Hearing It. v.8
John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent Me.
Power to be His Witnesses.
How will the world hear- through us, His followers.
Jesus is saying in v.7 and 8 that is better to be a witness of His than to know the future.
We are not sent into the world to be prophets, in the sense of foretelling.
We are to be in perpetual expectation but as to the day and the hour we cannot know.
Spiritual power to wrestle in prayer. Weep over souls.
Power to tell of what Christ has done.
Power to give His Word.
Power to do greater things because He is going to the Father.
Greater in their extent- all around the world.
4. Christ Is Coming Back. vs.10-11
This wonderful promise has been embraced by each generation.
Mark 13:30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
It is not for you to know the time of Christ's Return.
It is for you to be baptized with His Spirit.
Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Walking in the Spirit, Being filled with His Spirit is the best preparation for His coming.
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