Ascension
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Where were you three years ago?
Where were you three years ago?
Introduction:
Where were you three years ago?
Trump was sworn into office
The patriots and falcons win the chance to play in the Superbowl
A Malaysian flight goes missing
I was moving from California to Washington
As the book of Acts begins the disciples might be thinking about how this journey they are on all started three years ago. What were they doing?
Fishing
Collecting Taxes
Planning the downfall of Rome
Following John the Baptist
Becoming fishers of men
Just as the Disciples were called to a new life of ministry, the church continues that work of proclaiming the Gospel.
Pray
Read: Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
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.
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;
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
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.”
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.
And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
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 work of Jesus continues
The work of Jesus continues
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
What did Jesus do?
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus came on a mission. That mission included teaching, casting out demons, healing the sick, and securing the way of salvation for all who would believe. About Jesus work on earth, John notes,
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
What did Jesus command?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus revealed after the resurrection!
Jesus revealed after the resurrection!
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.
What were those proofs?
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
What were the results?
The apostles continue Jesus ministry
James, Jesus’ brother, believes
Saul becomes Paul
Promise, Power, and Purpose
Promise, Power, and Purpose
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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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 promise of the Holy Spirit.
We will see this take place in a couple of Sundays. John the baptist prophesied of this,
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The power of the Holy Spirit.
This is another key theme in the book of acts and we will dig deeper as we watch the Holy Spirit at work. An example of the Spirit’s power is to transforms lives as Paul wrote in Galatians,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The purpose of the Church.
You will be my witnesses,
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 necessity of Faith.
The necessity of Faith.
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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”
They expected a kingdom . . .
They got a mission.
They expected Jesus . . .
and they got one another.
They expected action . . .
They were asked to wait.
The beginning of the church
The beginning of the church
Ever felt a little lost?
Ever wondered what was next?
Have you ever question God’s way of doing things?
Then you are a prime candidate to serve in his church.
Ever put your faith in Jesus?
Ever seen a miracle?
Ever walked in the power of the Holy Spirit?
Then you are experiencing what Jesus intended for his church.
He gave us a person to rely on, the power to proclaim the truth, and the purpose of sharing the good news.
As a church we need to learn to wait at times.
As a church we need to trust that he will return.
As a church we need to know the Holy Spirit and live in His power.
Let’s be that kind of church.