Waiting on the Promise
Teach us The Way • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsCan you imagine the weight on the Apostle's shoulders as they watched Jesus ascend into heaven? How would they accomplish the mission? Where would they get the insight, knowledge, and strength to share this good news? The mission hinged on the coming of the Holy Spirit. He would be all they need to succeed.
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Introduction
The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, an educated follower, and loyal Companion to Paul on his missionary journeys. While many deserted the work Luke was by Paul’s side to the end.
Both the gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostels were written around A.D. 60-65.
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.
The first book mentioned is the Gospel of Luke.
Theophilus is a Greek name meaning “Godly Brother” signifying his audience of Greek believers.
This second book of the Acts of the Apostles is meant to pick up where his gospel ended.
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
The Promise of Power
The Promise of Power
The Acts of the Apostles is the story of ordinary men given and extraordinary task of sharing the gospel message of hope and redemption with the world. But they are not to do this on their own or in their own power.
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.”
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.”
They were waiting on the power of the Holy Spirit.
They were waiting on the power of the Holy Spirit.
It’s one thing for the Spirit to be in you but another for Him to be on you.
Jesus had already breathed into them the gift of the Spirit.
Jesus had already breathed into them the gift of the Spirit.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Every born again believer has received the gift of the Spirit.
Every born again believer has received the gift of the Spirit.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
They were not looking for the indwelling but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
They were not looking for the indwelling but the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Power of Proclamation
The Power of Proclamation
The Holy Spirit’s power broadens your scope.
The Holy Spirit’s power broadens your scope.
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.
Their kingdom vision was limited to themselves.
Their kingdom vision was limited to themselves.
God’s vision is not limited by your understanding.
God’s vision is not limited by your understanding.
The Holy Spirit’s power broadens your influence.
The Holy Spirit’s power broadens your influence.
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.”
The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus Christ.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Spirit on you makes you a witness for Christ.
The Holy Spirit on you makes you a witness for Christ.
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.”
The Power of Absence
The Power of Absence
Jesus left them standing on the hillside.
Jesus left them standing on the hillside.
It was better that He go away.
It was better that He go away.
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Turn Christ absence into empowerment.
Turn Christ absence into empowerment.
Jesus is coming again.
Jesus is coming again.
We work in expectation of His return.
We work in expectation of His return.
We work in the Spirit while we wait on the Lord.
We work in the Spirit while we wait on the Lord.
What actions do we need to take to wait on the Holy Spirit?
What actions do we need to take to wait on the Holy Spirit?
Pray for a wisdom as you join God in what he is doing.
Pray for the overshadowing of the Spirit in your life.
Pray with expectation that a movement of God is coming.
Be ready to move when the Spirit moves.