ACTS Lesson 1: What do we do now?

Open to Acts 1

This morning I want to do something new for me and I want us to go through a dedicated study

and Im going to be studying through this book because there is so much that we can learn here from the book of Acts

Acts which is written by Luke and actually at one time the Gospel of Luke and Acts were once one combined book

And really with Luke we do not know alot about Him from scripture

Other than that he was a doctor, He was a gentle man because of the name he is given, and that he was a close companion to Paul.

This morning we are going to be opening our study right from the beginning and I dont know how long its going to take us to get through this book but we are going to work our way through it

So in chapter 1 of acts we are going to look this morning at just the first 11 verses to really set the stage and gain an understanding of where the narrative starts

We find here in Acts chapter 1 we find Luke recounting some of the events right at the end of Jesus life and some instructions given here at the end but we can find great application here this morning for you and I

So today I want to teach a lesson entitled What do we do now?

Pray

1: Wait on the Lord (1-5)

Here we find Luke recounting what happend near the end of Jesus’ time here on earth of how he first appeared unto them and showed them several proofs that he was alive

We find here with the apostle's the ones which Jesus appointed he gives them an important instruction

He tells them to not leave Jerusalem and to wait for the promise of the Father

This is speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit which will soon indwell them and empower them

A great defenition given about the Holy Spirit given by the Bible knowledge Commentary says that:

“the Third Member of the Holy Trinity – is the aspect of God that lives and empowers and inspires man. The Holy Spirit has a work among those who are not yet believers, but also a great and significant work in those who believe”.

He tells them to wait because the spirit would soon be sent and come to baptize or indwell the belivers.

And it amazing thing when you study the waiting on the Lord because its really a fourfold thing

· To wait means that it was worth waiting for.

· To wait means that they had a promise it would come.

· To wait means they must receive it; they couldn’t create it themselves.

· To wait means that they would be tested by waiting, at least a little.

Truly when God has us in a waiting period there is something worth the wait

Truly God will keep his promises

And that God will be the one to deliver we can deliver or create the out come on our own

And that we will be tested by waiting

But the out come from waiting on God is so fulfilling is it not?

The coming blessing that the Holy Spirit will soon be to these aposltes will be astounding

And same goes for us when we wait on God and when He finally brings that soon awaited promise itll be much sweeter by and by

2: Spread the Gospel before its too late (Vs 6-8)

Here we find them asking Jesus hey when are you going to restore the kingdom like you said you would

And Jesus responds beautifully He says look its not for you to know when that will happen but there is something I want you to do before that happens

In verse 8 Luke accounts here that we are to be a witness and because of Jesus you and I here this morning are witnesses for Christ

And we must be out there today spreading the good news of Jesus Christ

Because guess what no man knows the day or the hour

and it could be today

We must go to all parts of the world even here in america today

WE must be spreading the good news of Jesus Christ

3: Dont stand idly by (VS 9-11)

we find here right after Jesus told them to go out and spread the gospel he ascends back into heaven

And we see that the apostles are standing by looking intently into heaven and a Angel tells them that were here

Why do you stand and gaze Jesus that went in this manner will return in like manner

And so for you and I the application here this morning is simply this dont just stand around idly looking and waiting for Jesus return

We must now strap our boots on and we must get bust for the cause of Christ

There are still people out there who need to hear and we must go and tell all nations the good news of Christ

We must not get lazy or complacent but be a raging inferno for the Lord

I pray that us here this morning would be these beacons of light for Christ in a world full of darkness

Pray