Acts 1:1-11 The Mission of God
Acts- The Mission of God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 16 viewsThe book of Acts reveals the mission of God in the world, through the church, by the authority of the Father, the redeeming work of Christ the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
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The Mission of God
The Mission of God
Acts 1:1-11
Main Idea: The book of Acts reveals the mission of God in the world, through the church, by the authority of the Father, the redeeming work of Christ the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Main Idea: The book of Acts reveals the mission of God in the world, through the church, by the authority of the Father, the redeeming work of Christ the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
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.
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
The book of Acts reveals the mission of the Triune God.
The book of Acts reveals the mission of the Triune God.
Trinity: The one true God eternally exists as three persons who are each fully God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Authority of the Father
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;
God creates by his Word…the Lord said…
Isaiah 55:10–11 “10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Isaiah 46:8–10 “8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”
Where do you clearly see the outworking of the promise and plan of God? …
Redeeming work of Christ the Son
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.
Jesus came as promised…the Word became flesh…He acted according the plan of God and taught of the kingdom of God
(Do I deal with the kingdom of God here?)
Jesus suffered…he died in our place on the Cross bearing the penalty of our sin…the wrath of God in our place.
He died and buried.
Three days later He rose from the grave and presented himself alive…by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days(significant period of time…not one brief encounter)
As Luke makes clear, He not only rose from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of the Father…
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
He is the Lord and Christ…
The ascended Lord is at the right hand of the Father….
Hebrews 1:3–8 “3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”
Hebrews 7:25 “25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 9:24 “24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”
Illus:People make statements…we worship the same God…
Oh…so you believe that Jesus is God and that He died in our place on the Cross, rose from the grave and that He is the King seated on his throne making intercession for His people?
Do you believe these things?
Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in his people?
Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God.
The Holy Spirit is a person not an it. He is to be revered and worshiped.
The Holy Spirit is essential for our salvation.
John 16:8 “8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”
Titus 3:4–7 “4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Ephesians 1:13–14 “13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is essential for execution of the mission 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.”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
The book of Acts reveals the mission of God in the world through the church.
The book of Acts reveals the mission of God in the world through the church.
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
the beginning of Acts parallels the end of Luke…the overlap is establishing continuity…
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 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.
Let’s unpack the interaction recorded in Acts…
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
misguided question…
kingdom of God—rule and reign of the Triune God in the world
heard the kingdom of Israel…land and rule
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
the kingdom is coming
the kingdom has come
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
outline of Acts—not simply a map…ethnic/ gospel unites Jews and Samaritans. Ends of the earth—as far as we can go where people have not heard and the church has not been established.
bring the kingdom of God to bear…praying…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
the church is not the kingdom…expression of the kingdom…kingdom outposts where his ambassadors…live for the kingdom and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom
for this to happen his people must receive power…power of the Holy Spirt
for this to happen Jesus must ascend and take his place at the right hand of the Father
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Stop standing her looking into the sky…do what He ordered them(v. 4) so that they might join him in his mission…
Transition:
Acts 1:1 “1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,”
Acts unfolds what Jesus does and says through his church by the authority of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit.
So What?
So What?
If I am(we are) in Christ, I am(we are) a part of the mission of God.
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The mission of God is our mission.
the church exists to make disciples who glorify God.
Purpose statement—comes from the Bible…comes from Acts
The purpose of Parkwood Baptist Church is to glorify God
no light matter
by laboring together for the growth of all believers
requires all of us according to the gifts God has given us
while going with the gospel to all peoples
neighbors and the nations
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
