A Powerful Introduction; Acts 1:1-11

Introduction

I had an eye appointment this week and was asked if I read a lot

I told heather that was a question that was a matter of opinion

what does a lot mean? I recently finished a book of fiction. I like to read that in the evenings. I enjoyed the book so much, that as soon as I finished that book, I got on Amazon and ordered the next. I am about half way through that book now.

I was a little concerned a few chapters in because it felt like it was simply reliving the previous book. Don’t worry, it has picked up and I am now quickly digesting that book as well.

The book of Acts is a sequel, a part 2 to the book of Luke

it has the same author, written to the same person and today we will look at the recap portion of the book

we see that the first 11 verses of the book of acts is the introduction, but also recapping Luke 24.

in fact like any good recap we get a little more detail of the end of the previous book

Acts 1:1–11 (CSB)

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about;

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

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.

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

9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

Pray!

We do not know who Theophilus is

the name means Friend of God

could be somebody with that name, somebody that is seeking more information about Jesus

could be a generic person that Luke is writing to, as in all people who are friends with God

could be just a name that Luke wrote

The author is Luke, a physician, that was a disciple of Jesus and followed Paul for some time as well

Luke writes a historical account of Jesus’ life in the gospel of Luke

now he writes a historical account of the apostles and what they did after Jesus ascended into heaven.

as a historical account, we are looking at what was done in the early church and the spread of the gospel

that does not mean that we are asked or should base ministries off of what we see in this book

one commentary stated, we do not need to start a handkerchief ministry based off of Paul’s healing

do not be fooled by the introduction… there is plenty that we can learn and apply to our lives from this passage

We do not have to wait to obey the command he has given. We have the power now to be his witnesses today.

Exciting Education

I wish I would have taken my education more seriously when I was a kid

I recently told a group of students that I didn’t read a book until my senior year in High School, that was just so I could say I read one

a few of the boys listening did not take that as inspiration to read more, but rather wanted tips on how they could do the same

Acts 1:1–7 (CSB)

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about;

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

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.

40 days of the risen Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God

Jesus had some convincing to do

Luke 24:9–12 (CSB)

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.

10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.

11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

seemed like nonsense to them

many convincing proofs, does not say what those proofs were

we know he ate with them

told Thomas to put your hands here

broke bread with the men after the road to Emmaus

What did they do for forty days

he taught them about the Kingdom of God

what does this mean, or look like

The story of the two on the road to Emmaus

Luke 24:25–27 (CSB)

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

Jesus being alive means we must take seriously what what he commands

if you witnessed the crucifixion and now see him standing before you is there anything that he could ask that you would not do

there are different aspects of the Bible where we think, I could never do that

yet put yourself in this position, if a man you have witnessed die and now was live in front of you, how could we think there is a limit to what we cannot or would not do

they were ready to take on the world

at the very least the most powerful nation know to man, the Romans

is now the time? they believed he could conquer anyone or anything, HE IS ALIVE!

We are not any different, the question of time, when, how long seems to be asked way more often then simply what do you want me to do

right now all he wanted them to do was wait…

there may be things in your life, areas that you are waiting on an answer from the Lord… and his answer is keep waiting

that can be a frustrating place

but in this passage, that is not what you are being asked to do

remember, Acts is a historical book, not everything that we see are we supposed to do

but making disciples is the responsibility of all believers

Celebratory Command

I do not know what went through their minds when they heard Jesus speak verse 8 to them, but I can only imagine that they were excited

why is it that we do not feel the same

Acts 1:8 (CSB)

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

They were ready to take on the world, the most powerful government known to man at the time

what made them think this,

they were listening to a man that took the most evil punishment that government had to offer, died, and now is alive standing there talking to them

who could blame them

and now they hear that they are going to receive power

Somebody that conquered the grave said he was going to give you power!

what does the Holy Spirit promise to empower them to do, to be witnesses

John Piper - “Special power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ.”

this same Holy Spirit is dwelling inside each and every believer

you have been sealed by it if you have believed the gospel according to Eph 1/4 and 2 Cor.

you have the power to be his witnesses wherever you find yourself

You are to verbally tell people about Jesus

we do not have to wait for the spirit to tell us to share the gospel

you have already been given the command to share the gospel

disciples of Jesus make disciples

Awesome Ascension

Heather meeting Don Williams

Acts 1:9–11 (CSB)

9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

Imagine sitting there listening to him speak and suddenly there is a cloud, lifting him up,

how quickly do you jump to your feet, fearful, amazed, scared and excited all at the same time

simply standing in awe of what it is that you are witnessing

does his voice stay strong and loud as if he was standing right there, or did it fade the farther that he went away

does he wave goodbye? or does he ascend to the sky with his hands held out like the photos that have been created to recreate the scene

Suddenly there were two angels with them

it does not that they were afraid when they saw them

to me this shows how much they were in awe of what they were witnessing

so many times in scripture, when angels appear, people are terrified

hear, in this place, they just keep looking up

the angels told them that he would return the same way that he left

I think that needs to be explored, in the simple thought of this, I would still be standing there looking up

shouldn’t we all just go to the Mt. of Olives and just stare at the clouds waiting for his return

D.L. Moody had three ways that Jesus would return based on the Angels words

In the clouds Rev 1:7a

Revelation 1:7 (CSB)

7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen.

he comes in the clouds

this will be an actual event

this is not a fairy tail ending that the apostles made up to encourage people

this is an event that we are told to be ready for

our hearts should be ready

one that we should be looking forward to

Visibly Rev1:7b

Revelation 1:7 (CSB)

7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen.

every eye will see this coming king

When he is seen, they will mourn, but not by us…

we will be with him, 1 Thes 4:13

1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 (CSB)

15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Why would they mourn… the king has come to judge the world

Revelation 19:11–16 (CSB)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war.

12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself.

13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.

14 The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen.

15 A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty.

16 And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Personally

the personal / physically alive / living Son of God has come to bring us home

John 14:3 (CSB)

3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Where are you in this passage

are you standing and watching

are you anxiously awaiting his coming

if you are, your heart is prepared

if you are, you are warning others to be ready as well

are you mourning at his coming

do you know Jesus as Lord

have you submitted your life to him

Exalting Jesus in Acts (Reflect and Discuss)

Reflect and Discuss

1. What are some ways people react to the idea of studying history? How should we study Acts?

2. What do you find most striking about the life of Luke?

3. Of what significance is Theophilus?

4. What were some of Luke’s purposes for writing Acts?

5. Why do you think so many sermons/speeches appear in Acts?

6. How does Jesus’s ministry continue in the church today?

7. How does the ascension of Jesus encourage believers?

8. Who should bear witness to Jesus? Why should they?

9. What does Acts 1:8 suggest about ethnic diversity and the value of people groups around the world?

10. What about Acts 1:8 encourages you most? Why?