What’s Next?

Acts 1:6–11 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.” 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”

Introduction

This week, in staff meeting, Jeremy asked us this question:

Why does the church exist?

Can you think about that for just a moment?

We’ve been going through the book of Acts on Wednesday nights in the Youth Group. My hope has been for our teenagers to capture Jesus’ vision for the church and for their lives.

That’s my hope for you all this morning.

Acts 1:6-11 teaches us that Jesus founded, empowered, and commissioned the church to expand.

The early disciples had their own ideas about what needed to happen next in order to start this incredible Jesus revolution. But, Jesus had to show them that their expectations for the future weren’t actually His expectations for the future. The movement to forever change the world was going to come about and continue in a way that was not natural, but is, actually supernatural. Because, for this to work, God Himself would have to make it so.

Outline

What didn’t happen next

What did happen next

What happens next for us

What Didn’t Happen Next

Acts 1:6–7 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

Election time: The disciples and Jews wanted a candidate to “Make Israel Great Again!” “Lord, is it now time for you to realign the world’s political powers back into our theocracy?”

Dominate Rome and all their enemies (Acts 1:6)

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles B. The Commissioning of the Apostles (1:6–8)

Through the witness of Jesus’ apostles, ‘the kingdom’ would be restored to Israel, but not in nationalistic or political terms, nor immediately in the full and final sense outlined in biblical prophecy

Jesus’ Response (Acts 1:7)

Dodges the question -

The New American Commentary: Acts 3. Christ’s Legacy: The Call to Witness (1:6–8)

Neither did Jesus reject the concept of the “restoration of Israel.” Instead, he “depoliticized it” with the call to a worldwide mission

Jesus focuses on The Father’s authority vs. their role in His work. Trust the Father with that, instead focus on what I’m assigning to you.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles B. The Commissioning of the Apostles (1:6–8)

What should preoccupy believers is the mission plan that Jesus goes on to reveal

Application

Sometimes we can be way too occupied with what we hope Jesus will do to alleviate either our suffering or injustices we see in this world. We should be concerned with these things and God does use Christians to be cultural change agents. But, that is not what the Church’s primary concern is to be!

Be cautious to not make things that are byproducts of our mission the main thing. Instead, focus your time and energies on working with Jesus at the main thing. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.

Let’s see what Jesus says is the “main thing” the church should be focused on...

The Expectation Jesus had that he needed to make clear:

Jesus Expected Declaration and Dissemination

Acts 1:8–9 ESV

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.” 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.

A Kingdom marked by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

The Spirit will overwhelm them (Acts 1:8a).

But the Spirit has a specific purpose (Acts 1:8b).

Provide power for Christ’s purposes.

Witnessing to Christ’s work, glory, and mission.

Building up the Church until Christ’s return.

The Spirit was not given for our personal purposes.

Instead of going out to dominate, they will be out declaring and disseminating the great news of Christ.

Jerusalem isn’t big enough.

Jesus deserves to be worshipped by every tribe and tongue

John Piper: “Mission’s exists because worship doesn’t”

The Story of Jesus led to Jerusalem, the story of the church led from Jerusalem.

Jesus leaves them with these last words and then ascends to Heaven! (Acts 1:9)

Famous last words!

Application

The last thing Jesus told us before ascending into heaven was that he wants his disciples to witness to others about who He is, what he has done, and what he expects of us with this information!

To Jesus, Our church’s declaration and the dissemination of His good news is top priority. Jesus didn’t make it hard for us to understand.

The question is: How are we going to prioritize gospel witness as a church?

Door to door

Engaging the community during community events

Posey Parade

Yard Sale

Vacation Bible Schools

Personally inviting people to church

One reason we declare and disseminate the gospel is because our king could come back any day now!

The better expectation Jesus wants us to have:

We Expect The Return of Our King

Acts 1:10–11 ESV

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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 Return of The King (Acts 1:11)

This is what we are waiting for

This is when the Judgement will come.

How do we know he is coming?

Angels said it! (1:10b)

Apostles attested to it!

Revelation 1:7

Revelation 1:7 ESV

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Most of all: Jesus said it!

Matthew 16:27

Matthew 16:27 ESV

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

We must be ready!

1 Peter 1:13

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Application

History has been prewritten by God. We can bank on the fact that Jesus is going to return. Instead of this being something to dread, it is actually something to hope in, encourage us, and motivate us to pursue Christ everyday.

Beloved, Jesus is coming back for you! Let this give you strength, hope, and endurance.

Main Idea

Jesus expects our gospel witness while we expect His imminent return.