Pentecost A Spoiler Alert

Everything Jesus taught and did has lead to this moment

Acts 1:1-2

Acts 1:1–2 NIV84

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Luke’s the writer of Acts states that the Gospel was the forerunner of what is yet to come.

NOW, HE is giving final instructions, using the Spirit, which would now come to abide, train, strengthen and motivate them/us to carry on HIS work til the day he returns.

That important Number 40.

Acts 1:3

Acts 1:3 NIV84

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Think of 40s as the ultimate Biblical Spoiler Alert.(What are some Biblical 40s you can think of?)

When we look at this one, we find that for 40 days Jesus appeared and re-educated HIS chosen in many varied ways.(What were some?)

The Gospels gave us Jesus first disclosures of things to come.

Acts 1:4

Acts 1:4 NIV84

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

See Luke 24:49, John 14:16,26; 16:7,13

Luke 24:49 NIV84

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

A Baptism like never given before

Acts 1:5

Acts 1:5 NIV84

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Past, Present and Future come together(See Matthew 3:11 and Acts 2:3)

Matthew 3:11 NIV84

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Acts 2:3 NIV84

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

The outcome is not for us to know, for the CHOSEN, waiting, watching and preparing is our jobs.

Acts 1:6-7

Acts 1:6–7 NIV84

So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Matthew 24:36, ““No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:42 ““Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

What instruction does that give to us?

Witnessing, then, now, today

Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV84

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What is your Jerusalem, your Judea, your Samaria, the ends of the Earth?

Another Spoiler Alert rising from the first one.

Acts 1:9-11

Acts 1:9–11 NIV84

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Where does everyone go from here?

Where do you go from here?