The good work had only just begun

Introduction

Good morning LaFayette Baptist Family. It is so good to be here with you all today and celebrate this Lord’s day with you all, singing hymns to Him, learning of Him, and reading His Word, and praying together. Our passage today will be from Acts 1, Acts 1:1-5, please go ahead and turn there in your bible’s. In a few moments it will be on the screen for us to read from the screen together as well.

While you are turning there, I want to tell you about a project that I have begun on this week. This would be the addition of a new dishwasher in our kitchen. Now, our kitchen has never had a dishwasher before, I know this because the lady that lived in house for 40 years until her death, her brother we see from time to time and I asked him about that near the end of the week. I should have done that much sooner though. You see, on our electric panel, is a breaker that is quite clearly marked “Dishwasher.” So, naturally I assumed that behind the counter and enclosure, that the remodelers of our house had installed before buying our house, must have been either an outlet or a wire for a dishwasher. Welp… After much drilling and cutting, I can tell you that without doubt… there was never anything like done before… Man. So, what does one do here? Do I just give up? No! We really wanted this appliance, and if you saw the stack of dishes that I never seem to have enough time for, you would agree! Having this appliance is going to be a good thing for us. In fact, Emily and I did the math and figured out that money we save from not eating out so much (a bad habit we have found ourselves in because we can never seem to catch up) in just a year or so would pay off this very nice dishwasher. Well, Jacob is a sucker for saving money anywhere He can. I told myself as I was accepting this truth of no easy power access that The good work that I had started had only just begun (looking like I had many more steps). Later on, I realized that the Apostles must have had the same thought (only this work was much more “good”) after Jesus ascended into heaven, which is where our text picks up from today, and brings us into the book of Acts of the Apostles. For them and for us in our faith and work for God’s glorious kingdom, The good work had only just begun.

Scripture

If you would all please rise for the reading of God’s Word today. The words to the scripture will be on the screen, please read along with me as we are reading. When I am done I will say “this is The Word of The Lord” if you will all please respond with “Thanks be to God.” First, let’s pray. Father God, thank you. Thank for this time together in this place, where we get to learn of you and worship you together. As we begin this new book series together, I ask that you make it one that impacts each and every one of us deeply. Make it reach deep into our hearts, our minds, our psyche and enrich our love, devotion, and affection to You. May these words of yours motivate us into action, in whatever way You lead us. Help us see You over and over again through this journey. Today, and as we do every week, we ask that You would take away every distraction from our mind. Put everything away and let us hear clearly something about You, about ourselves, and what You want us to do/change/think/ and act. We love You Father, and we ask these things in Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious name that we pray. Amen. 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. 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.”

Context

It’s time, we are now starting a new expository (or verse by verse) journey through a book of the bible together! I for one am very excited to start this journey through the book of Acts. I want to forewarn you all, this journey will take quite a bit longer than our previous sermon series (The Epistles of John). As such, over this journey I would encourage you to read and re-read this book a few times while we are going through it. Now granted, from time to time we will take small breaks (for occasions like Christmas and Easter) but by in large this is where we will be for a while. So, if you haven’t done so already, please go ahead and read Acts Chapter 1 in your personal devotional reading and even begin slowly working through the book. This will help your understanding of the sermon and what God is trying to show us in this journey together.

Before we get started though, I wanted to give you some background on this book; and yes, this one of those sermons where the “front porch” will be bigger than the house, meaning that there will be a lot of contexs. Reading and understanding the context is very important when it comes to reading or understanding scripture. You have heard me say this before, but it is worth repeating many times, any time you or start a new book of the bible, it is best to read into the historical context before beginning. Doing this best helps us understand what it is author is intending to communicate and helps us understand the situations that the original audience were in and how that relates or differs from our own personal situations. So, it helps us with application of the timeless message that lies within any text of the bible. To find a good resource, you don’t have to look long or hard. There is a wealth of great resources and commentaries available. However, one of the best and most const efficient resources you can own is a good modern study bible. These will give you explanations and commentary that will supply everything you need to have a really solid grasp on the context and historical situations of any book of the bible.

When reading this book and reading the context. I want you notice something that will help following the timeline of Acts much better. This is that the story lines follows a structure that follows a cycle that get’s repeated over and over again. This pattern is, “1, Christian leaders arise and preach the gospel; 2, listeners are converted and added to the church; 3, opponents (often Jewish but sometimes Gentile) begin to persecute the Christian leaders; and 4, God intervenes to rescue the leaders or otherwise protect the church.”[1] Watch for this pattern.

This book is very unique and unlike any other in the bible. It is in that it is a historical account (or anthologies) of the ministries of the Apostles after Jesus’ death on the cross. So, from start to finish of this book, we see a time period of somewhere around 30-40 years occur. During this time, Christianity would know and experience unprecedent growth and persecution, unlike anything we have ever seen before. This book would have been written between 64-70AD. So, it was compiled/written some 30-40 years after Jesus death. It is widely accepted to be authored by St. Luke the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Luke and many old bibles have the books of Luke and Acts combined. In fact, Luke and Acts were both written from the same person and to the same person, Theophilus. History isn’t 100% sure who Theophilus was, as this was a very common name, however tradition has held that he was one of Luke’s benefactors.

To end our context section, Some of the key themes through the book would be: believers empowered by the Holy spirit witnessing about Jesus Christ, the establishment of The Church, the trueness of Christ, and the fulfillment and extension of God’s promises.[2] Also, let me read for you where Luke left off in The Gospel of Luke, in the last few verses of Luke 24, starting in verse 44, 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 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[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 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.”50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. So, with that in mind, let’s jump into this week’s text.

Message

Our first point, Jesus’ Message Continued

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.

We begin our first set of verses and first point with a clear tie in with the Gospel of Luke, of which the last few verses we just went through. So, the author, Luke, is clearly addressing the person he was writing to, Theophilus, and restates that the first book/account that he had written Him (our Gospel of Luke) dealt with all that Jesus had began to do and teach until he was taken up (meaning He ascended into heaven). This ascension of course happened after he had made it clear to the apostles that they were to wait. Not wait forever but wait until the Holy Spirit had come upon them, this was Jesus’ command for them for the time being.

So, what does this mean? For here Longenecker says of verse 1 that, “it serves to highlight Luke’s intent to show in Acts what Jesus continued to do and to teach through his church, just as in his gospel he had previously presented.”[3] So, now that Jesus is gone, that doesn’t mean that his message is just dead and gone. It means that it continues through the ministry of The Church and the Ministry of Holy Spirit. These two are to work in tandem with one another and certainly, The Church (the bride of Christ) is nothing without the Holy Spirit. In fact, I would go so far as to say that a church body that does not have Him (The Holy Spirit) in their midst is no longer church, but then just some sort of social club. But lets not dwell to much on that today, instead lets dwell on something more profound.

So, what is the ministry of the Church and the Holy Spirit? Well it is, has always been and will always be this, to point others towards Jesus! Why do we do this? Not only because Jesus commands us to do so (Yes that is one reason), but also (and more importantly) because our love of God runs so deep and so strong that we can’t help but do otherwise! The Church is to continue to share Jesus’ message, that even though we sin and even though we separate ourselves from God because of our own rebellious hearts and skin, we can and do find forgiveness and perfect sacrifice through repentance and turning towards Jesus (God). So, Church family, do this always and always continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

A second point, Jesus is Alive

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.

Who is “He?” He is of course Jesus Christ, who is whom the whole bible is about. Know this too, if ever you are reading a passage of the bible, remember that the main Character is always God (and it could be any part or all of the Holy Trinity). It may seem like it’s not (for example in the prophets it may seem like the Prophet is the main character or in Job that Job is), but anytime you do devotional reading, pay close attention to God and what He is doing.

So, now that is established; let me share with you how well established it was that Jesus came back after His death. If you read the last chapter of any of the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will find overwhelming evidence. You will find Himself even proving to His followers that it was indeed Him and not a vision or apparition or Ghost. He ate a meal with these people. He comforted their tears. He gave them new lessons and lectures, even a new command, (not just to wait for the Holy Spirit but the great commission as well, to go and make disciples of all the nations), he told them He would be with them, He even showed them his nail scars in His hands and showed them His spear wound in His side. He even let one doubter, Thomas, touch His wounds.

Now you may be thinking, this may be well and good for believers, what about doubters of Jesus or people who just don’t believe. Well, history has shown and Paul asserts 1st Cor 15:6 that Jesus was seen by as many as 500 eye witnesses. In a court, this evidence would be overwhelming and undoubtable. Let me read this scripture passage for you, Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Even greater proof still is the fact that church has grown and has continued for thousands of years afterwards. Is that not proof enough? Would people really follow some random carpenter who was executed two thousand years later if He wasn’t God? No, they would not. I would not, but I have read the text with an open mind, I have had the Holy Spirit work on and teach me, and I am fully convinced. I hope you are as well.

So, one thing is clear. This is that even though Jesus was now gone, ascended into Heaven, His story, His work, His message was not yet done. It was active and living for them, and it remains active and living for us. Yes, Jesus is alive. Jesus is God and He is very much alive today, He just is no longer with us as a flesh and blood being as He was in the Gospel of Luke. As God, Jesus is alive and eternal. He is steady and consistent. He is Faithful and Just. He is the light of mankind. He is the redeemer of the world. So go, go and tell people everything that God has done for you and put aside anything that keeps you from doing or wanting to do so!

The next point, Jesus Says wait

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;

Now, this section, is a particular command for a particular group of people. So, Jesus is not telling us to wait and not depart Jerusalem yet. This section was clearly given to the apostles and believers of the time, and what He had told them to wait for has already come. I do want to make one thing clear though, sometimes God does tell us individually to wait about particular things. Why would He do this though? Why would He ever tell us to wait? Well, often times it is because He has something much better in store for us than we could have imagined or perceived that was coming our way. Other times it is because we are not ready for that just yet. For the disciples and apostles here, it was a little bit of both.

Hear these words from the Apostle Paul, 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. These are the famous words, probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, and from the book of Romans found in chapter 8 verse 28. Know this Christian, no matter what is going on in your life. It doesn’t matter how hard or harsh or confusing or unbearable your situation is, there is a good end coming towards it all. In all likelihood, it’s better than the end you had in mind or would have expected. All of it all the trial and tribulations and tears are little pieces in great big joy puzzle, so hold on, stay strong. God loves you very much and has not forgotten you, He is telling you “Wait, I’ve got something really good in mind here.”

Yes, I know waiting is hard, we all want things on our own timelines, we are all like our forefathers Adam and Eve, who desired to be like God and have it all. We can’t though, we are finite beings with limited capability to understand even the most explainable of things. Just think about driving. When you drive, you know that the pedal on the right makes you go or speed up and the one on the left (or middle if you drive a clutch) makes you stop or slow down. But do you really think, ok I need to move my foot half a degree down which should cause me to slow down by 5mphs over 50 yards which has 150 feet which will cause me to not hit the person in front of me who is driving a 2016 Nissan Rouge that has 4 people in it and that Rogue has 5000 parts that…. And on and on. No, you do not, instead we simplify and think “I need to slow down and stop so that I don’t hit the person in front of me.” God though, can and does have all those deep thoughts about everything at all times because He is infinitely infinite and sees everything for all it’s worth. Trust Him, trust Him with your life and your everything. Don’t listen to anything that tells you that you can’t, these are a deceptions from the enemy who is only known for lies. Believe in the Lord Jesus, Trust in Him, and turn from whatever holds you back.

Another point, Jesus tells why

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

We then continue that sentence and thought in verse 5, that something new was coming and happening. John (the Baptist) did baptize, yes, but there is a new and different Baptism that was coming. Hamilton and Brian comment on this that, “John (the Baptist) said that his baptism was for preparation, to ready people for what was coming, a baptism “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). In Luke’s Gospel, John declares that it is Jesus himself who will baptize with the Spirit. Thus the “baptism” of the Spirit refers to the gift of the Spirit from the risen and ascended Lord, not to a special second blessing or second gift of the Spirit to people who have received him previously.”[4] So, this new Baptism wasn’t just with water. It was and is with the Holy Spirit. When we become new believers, we are Baptized with the Holy Spirit, meaning He comes in us and lives with us. Yes, God the Holy Spirit comes and lives within us and makes us new beings, unlike what we were before.

Before, we were slaves to bonds of sin and death. Afterwards, you are made free from the slavery of Satan and sin, death holds no more sting or fear for you; because You are now a child of God. Yes, our bodies do cease to live, but did you know that we can experience two deaths? One is of our bodies, which we will all have, but the other (spoken of by the Apostle John in Revelations 20) is much worse and much painful and is for our souls. This one has pain and punishment that is eternal, and worse yet this death; This is death to sin, the worse thing about it is that it means eternal separation from God, no God whatsoever, aside from the hard side of His Justice. Hear the words of James, the half brother of Jesus in his letter. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Let me break that down for you. Temptation happens, this can lead us to desire whatever it is, then when we finally do it (whatever the rebellion is) it becomes sin which brings forth death. God though, doesn’t desire that for us. God wants to impart goodness and righteousness on us. This is through our faith in Jesus Christ to atone, or pay for our sins, when we do this, we become clean and new and forgiven which means that you inherit everlasting life, no painful second death, but rather and eternity in delight and pleasure with God. This is true life. Everything on this Earth pails in comparison to joy that you will experience here. So, if you haven’t, turn to Jesus. If you have, let Him help You turn from anything that wants to put you off mission.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, are you living your life in this way? In way that shows Jesus’ Message Continued, that it’s the most important thing in your life? Do you really know and accept that Jesus is Alive and nothing else matters? Are you ready for the times when Jesus Says wait and are you ready to listen to Jesus when he tells us why? I hope so, and if not, what is lacking? Write it down. Pray about, seek help with it. Because in us and with Jesus gospel message, just like for the Apostles, The good work had only just begun.

To the unsure, or the unbeliever in the audience. Let me share with you friend. There is no time like today. God created the heavens and the earth good, but through our own rebellion against Him, which we call sin, we separated ourselves from Him. The separation though, can be ended through accepting the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. This is free and is done by faith. God is calling you to accept that you have sin, sin that can be atoned for by turning towards the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. So, what are you going to do about it?

Let’s conclude. Brothers and sisters, I love you all. Let’s pray. Father, thank you for this new year and new series together. Let it enrichen us and move us to understand more about our faiths and more about You. May your glorious message of forgiveness fill our hearts and minds and move us as we go out to share it with others. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1]ESV Study bible page 2077 [2]ESV Study Bible Page 2074 [3]Longenecker, Richard N. “Acts.” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition), edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 10, Zondervan, 2007, p. 714. [4]Hamilton, James M., Jr., and Brian J. Vickers. John–Acts. Edited by Iain M. Duguid et al., vol. IX, Crossway, 2019, p. 335.