Acts 1:1-11

Introduction (1-2)

We like to preach through the books of the Bible. Last year we spent most of the year preaching through the gospel of Luke. This year we will take the next 4 months going through the sequel to Luke’s writing; the book of Acts. The Gospel of Luke is the History of Jesus the Book of Acts is the History of Jesus’ people, the first Christians.

This is the history of the First Christians. Have you ever taken a church history course. It is likely that you started right here in Acts chapter 1. But let me be clear; the next five months is be more than historical full of dry informational fact, but is is intended to be motivational: learning from a text book how to be on mission together. So sure, it’s a witness to what God has done, but is also what God still wants to do, through us, here, now.

The book of Acts marks a pivotal turning point in redemptive history. “Three crucial decades in world history. That is all it took. From the years between AD 33-64 a new movement was born. It had an indelible impact on civilization, on culture, on education, on medicine, on freedom, and of course the lives of all those listening to my voice right now.” Michael Green. And it all happened in 30 short years. That is all it took for a group of believers to have a huge impact on the world. Just ONE generation. God has assembled all of us here together to be on His great mission with Him. Because we are all commissioned to be sent out on mission to the world.

Luke writes again to a man named most honorable Theophilus. This is the same recipient that he addressed in the gospel of Luke. Who lived in the most remarkable era which included the rise of the Christian faith. A man of means and inquisitive mind who had lots of questions. His faith needed more footing. He used his means, but benefactor to Luke to get to the bottom of the things that bothered him most. He demanded field work, personal accounts and transcriptions of real time people. Two riveting volumes of Luke Acts. These are the questions that Theophalis wanted answered and Luke through painstaking effort tried to answer.

Jesus (vs. 2)

10 out of the 11 verses that start the book of Acts reference the name and the person and work of Jesus Christ. Why? Because there is not Christianity without Christ.

We learned all that Jesus began to do and teach. What did he do? What was his character? He is trustworthy, he is generous, he forgives sins and did miracles. He died on the cross and rose from the grave. He appeared for 40 days where he was full alive teaching and appearing and eating and showing his scars to doubters. He was establishing his witness so there would be eyewitness. Then ascended to heaven where he is now alive.

And that was Luke’s job. To write down the teaching and actions of Jesus. Luke was educated, and articulate. He knew Greek and was a doctor. He was highly intelligent and formally trained. He was an evangelist and historian. He asked questions from eye witnesses who gave him the oral tradition.

He wrote 1/5 of the New Testament with both Luke and Acts being the longest books of the New testament and has more words written all of Paul’s books combined. Why? Because Christianity can’t be reduced to a simple set of doctrines or philosophy. It is rooted and founded in history and this historical events of the person and work of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ didn’t exist, Christianity would not exist. We exist because of the living, ruling, reigning, resurrected King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

Power of the Holy Spirit (vss. 2, 5, 8)

There are real implications to his resurrection and the living proof of Jesus Christ. And that is both the continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ but also the shift in the power center. Jesus simply says, you will receive Power when the Holy Spirit comes. It’s a subtle shift but its significance, YOU will receive the power. It will rest on YOU.

Luke is preparing the listener to see how Jesus’ ministry continues through the church.

Because the mission of Jesus isn’t just something that needs to be admired but also participated in and experienced. We are not just to look at Jesus and see him historically but instead participate in his power and his life and through the Holy Spirit.

What do we do now they asked? You wait. Wait? But I want to do ministry? No, you must wait because the Christian life can not believed apart from the power of the resurrected Christ living in you.

And that is because the ministry of Jesus was equally outlined by movement of the Holy Spirit.

His baptism had the Holy Spirit descend down on him like a dove. This was not for his understanding but for ours. That the public ministry of Jesus is endorsed by the Holy Spirit.

He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Meaning the Holy Spirit led and directed Jesus ministry. The Holy Spirit was used to cast out demons.

He taught in the power of the Holy Spirit forcing others to consider how to crave and glorify and worship and enjoy God. In fact, the first public reading of Scripture Jesus did in a synagogue was Isaiah 61:1–2“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.” The Holy Spirit is upon ME.

Mission

Christianity is not about becoming a better person but being on mission together. It not about showing the world your brilliance and your glory but to be on mission together.

We know there were 120 people here for this moment. Not a big deal at all (1 Corinthians 15 tells us that more than 500 people saw Jesus after he rose from the dead).

Michael Green’s introduction to his book, the 30 years that changed the World.

Tom Holland’s realization that he was not Roman and the influence of Christianity on the world.

You will be my witness meaning on mission to the world. So much so that these disciples get a rebuke, why are you standing there. Go! Obey what Jesus asked of you.

The Ascension of Jesus teaches us that the Mission we are on:

Is under his sovereign rule. He ascends to the right hand of the father.

His Kingdom is expansive. Teach through the 3 multiplies in chapters 6, 9, and 12 that use the word multiply that corresponds to the prophesy of Acts 1:8.

All nations. Grab a globe and spit it. Yep, there too.

This is the Ministry of Exaltation (Read Psalm 24:7–10“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah”

The RISEN KING’s MINISTRY CONTINUES because the KING is not DEAD.

Some of you know that we are a part of a network of church planting churches called Acts 29. Now, if you have your Bibles, turn to Acts 29. It’s a trick question, why? Because there are only 28 chapters. As the name implies, we are still on mission together! And what is that mission? To see the Word of God expanded, moved, taught, and obeyed on every square inch of planet earth.

We will be his witnesses.

This book is highly evangelistic. Some 20 sermons grace it’s pages which covers 1/4 the book. The centrality of this book is the proclimation of the gospel and intent on global evangelism.

One Mark of the Spirit’s work within the disciples: BOLDNESS. Let’s read the last verse in Acts. Boldness.

Application Question: How does Jesus’ ministry continue in the church today?

How does the ascension of Jesus encourage believers today?

What does Acts 1:8 say about ethnic diversity and people groups throughout the world?

David Helm

This is a passage on questions. Questions at the beginning and questions at the end.