Book of Acts Blueprint: This Jesus

Vision 2018: Forward Book of Acts Blueprint Psalm 127:1 Introduction: I. The Power of the Message of Jesus A. Many astonishing testimonies are a part of the history of the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles from the early 1900’s. a. One written in a paper by William Seymour: "An editor in Salem, Ore., Rev. M.L. Ryan, writes: "When I finished reading in your letter of what God was doing in Los Angeles, I fell on my knees and agonized Godward a bursting soul of appreciation; a great and blessed conviction seized me, and I rushed out of the office shouting and praising God. The fire had struck my soul. I then read the wonderful works of God in Los Angeles to others and a little crowd gathered around me; they too caught the fire of the spirit in the letter and some shouted and some wept."i b. Such testimonies sound awesomely familiar from the 1st Century Church. This is the Church Jesus is coming back for, so full of Jesus Christ & the fire of the Holy Ghost! B. Hunger for the presence of God. a. History records the Spiritual Awakening highlighted from Azusa Street of worship & preaching continuing often all day & night. Hunger for the presence of God. b. Acts 20 testifies of Paul preaching all night, Eutychus falls out of a window three stories to his death. Paul prays & he is raised from the dead, everyone goes back upstairs & Paul preaches until dawn. Hunger for the presence of God. Acts 17:1-2 (BIBLE) II. This Jesus Acts 1 records the ascension of Jesus & angels appearing telling those who were gazing into the heavens, Acts 1:11“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Today, I say to you This same Jesus who was preached & magnified in the 1st Century Church, working salvation & miracles in the lives of those who heard will do the same works in the 21st Century Church. He will save, deliver, heal, set free & baptize in the Holy Ghost for those who hunger for His presence. Father is seeking for those who desire, This same Jesus. Remember the application: This same Jesus. A. This Jesus, He is Messiah a. Paul used what we know as the Old Testament to explain to his hearers Jesus is Messiah & remember Jews were very familiar with the Prophetic utterances of the old Prophets regarding the coming of Messiah. The record of Apollos who ministered Jesus is Messiah says, Acts 18:28bUsing the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah. NLT Results from sharing This Jesus Acts 18:8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. NLT b. Surely this is scripture they used to teach Jesus is Messiah: Teaching a child to be born of a virgin; Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. As well as Isaiah 9:6   He may have shown them the prediction of the exact location of Messiah's birth; Micah 5:2“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”   Maybe he took them to Zechariah 9:9 of Messiah riding in to Jerusalem on a young donkey & being hailed as King.   Certainly he reminded them of the clear prophecy of the clothing of Jesus being given away by casting lots. Psalm 22:16-18   Most sure he read Isaiah 53 where it speaks of the suffering servant.   Then the prediction of Judas betraying Christ. Psalm 41:9Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. B. This Jesus, Encompassed in Messiah He is Healer - He is Deliverer - Shepherd - Truth - Righteousness - Alpha, Beginning, Counselor, Deity, Eternal, Foundation laid in Zion, God with us, High Priest, Joy in the morning, King of kings, Lamb of God, Mighty God, Noble, Omega, Potentate, Ransom, Savior, True Vine, Very God of Very God, He is all in all. He is the Resurrection & the Life - He is resurrected from the dead to live forevermore! C. This Jesus, He is Baptizer John the Baptist said, Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. a. Acts 19:1-6 Paul asks if these disciples had received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost since they believed. They were Born Again, they were followers of Christ learning about Him adhering to His teaching but had not been baptized in the Holy Ghost. 1. Understand, John's message pointed mankind to Jesus but did not take them there. The 21st Century Church must learn to go in deeper just as Ezekiel saw the stream of water flowing from the altar & began ankle deep but continued to press out until the water was deep, swift & above his natural ability to stand. Ezekiel 47:1-6 Next Page b. "My soul groans out this morning for the Holy Spirit to have perfect control of His temple. We often hinder the blessed wooing and power of His love by cross currents of our human mind and thought."ii III. Jude exhorts, Contend for the Faith A. From the Azusa Street Revival: “It is our privilege to earnestly contend for the power that was in the early apostolic church—that men will be instantaneously healed and will be baptized with the Holy Ghost instantaneously. The power of God is going to fall on men in this city. He wants people that will believe in Him and exercise the faith. Faith moves God, that is one thing that makes God get in a hurry, when he can get the faith.” -The Azusa Papers a. Paul & Silas exhibited faith in Acts 16 & the entire house of the jailer were born again. b. “When are we going to get that perfect faith? The Lord is just preparing His people now for the work He is going to do. We have been a long ways from it. The devil does not like to see us getting back, but God is going to overrule.” -The Azusa Papers B. The reason we can do this is because of the resurrection of Christ. - He asks us to: * Repent * Live by Faith * Be Baptized * Be Filled with His Spirit Conclusion: PRESENT THE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION – EVERY WEEK – AND THE NEED TO COME FORWARD IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST