ACTS
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This morning, instead of picking back up in the Gospel of Mark, I’m excited to say we are starting a new study today.
If you’re new to MCF, it would be good for you to know what we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”. What that means is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible, and then studying them from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to understand what the Bible means in our lives today. And for the last two years, we’ve been doing that through the Gospel of Mark. But as they say, all good things musts come to an end.
So now, with the Gospel of Mark behind us, today we are beginning a new study in the the book of ACTS. So, if you’re new today, then you’ve come at a great time.
I thought and prayed a lot this week about how to begin this study. And to be honest, today’s message contains quite a bit of groundwork. Groundwork that is necessary for us to get a grasp on where this study is going to take us.
And so, to help us get ready for this new study, I have a couple of goals this morning.
And because of that, all week I’ve gone back and forth on how to introduce this study, largely because the book of ACTS, along with the book of Revelation, is probably one of the most misunderstood and possibly feared books in the NT.
First, I want to give you what I’m going to call some “ACTS FACTS”. Information and important details about ACTS that are necessary in understanding the background and purpose of this book.
Second, we are going to do a recap, and I’ll explain more of what I mean by that in a few moments.
So, with those goals in mind, let’s get started as we look at some “ACTS FACTS”.
When it comes to the book of Acts, here’s the fist fact you need to know:
Acts Fact #1 - The book of ACTS was written by the Gospel writer, Luke. This is important because knowing the identity of the author helps us better understand the intent and purpose for the book.
So, a good first question might be, “How do we know Luke was the author?”
We know this based on some detailed information given to us in the beginning verses of and Acts1. Let me show you want I’m talking about. In , the Gospel writer Luke writes:
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.
What I want you to notice is in the beginning of Luke’s Gospel, Luke gives us some key pieces of information concerning the writing of his gospel. First, he tells us why he is writing this Gospel. He says:
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
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.
Apparently, much like the Gospel writer Mark, Luke is writing to confirm the certainty of who Jesus is and what he did.
Second, Luke tells us who he is writing his gospel for. He says:
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,
Apparently Luke is writing this gospel for a man named Theophilus.
So, a good second question might be, “Who is Theophilus?”
To be honest, scholars go back and forth on his identity.
Some say he was a Greek Christian that Luke was discipling.
Others say he was a financial benefactor that was supporting Luke’s research.
But at the end of the day, it’s not imperative we know the exact identity of this man. But for our purposes, what’s noteworthy is his name. Because as we jump over to , we’re going to see it again. Beginning in listen to what the writer says:
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 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.
Notice, what the writer says. He says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach...”
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 writer begins by connecting two of his works together. One he’s written prior to this, and one he is writing now, and what I want you to see is that both are written for who? For a man named Theophilus.
So, do you see the connection? The writer is none other than Luke as he writes once again to his friend Theophilus. All that to say, Luke is our author.
Next question, besides being a Gospel writer, who is Luke? That leads us to the next ACTS FACT.
ACTS FACT #2: Luke was a Greek Christian and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.
Along with being a Gospel writer, Luke was a close associate of the Apostle Paul. We know this because in several parts of the book of ACTS, Luke gives a first hand account of what is happening as he travels with Paul. For example, in , as Paul enters the city of Philippi, Luke’s wording implies he is with Paul. Luke writes:
10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
Notice, Luke uses six “we” statements in this passage. And if we took the time this morning, we would see these same “we” statements scattered throughout Acts in , , , and 28. Why is this important?
It’s important because it further establishes Luke as the writer, and it also tells us we have a first hand account of Paul’s journeys.
In other words, Luke is writing from a first person perspective. What he’s writing isn’t something he heard about second hand. This isn’t hearsay or something he got off the internet or read about on Facebook. The majority of what Luke writes in Acts comes from the first hand witness of Luke himself. This makes what Luke tells us extremely credible and should give us great confidence in this study.
ACTS FACT #3: The book of Acts is the template for accomplishing the Great Commission.
You may recall at the end of Mark’s Gospel, that Jesus gave his disciples a mission. A mission that Luke details in . In Jesus says to his disciples:
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.”
In this passage we have the mission and means for accomplishing the mission.
The mission is to take the Gospel into all the world. Beginning first with Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.
He then gives them the method for accomplishing this mission. He says you will receive power to do this when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
That begin the case, what the book of Acts will demonstrate is how that mission is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It will begin in chapter 2 as the Holy Spirit baptizes the disciples with power from on high. We’ll get to the details of that in a few weeks.
From that point to the middle of chapter 6, we will watch as the church in Jersualem is born. As nearly 3000 people are saved after Peter preaches one sermon. As day by day people put their faith in Jesus and the church in Jerusalem begins to explode.
From that point to the middle of chapter 6, we will watch as the church in Jersualem is born. As nearly 3000 people are saved after Peter preaches one sermon. As day by day people put their faith in Jesus and the church in Jerusalem begins to explode.
From the middle of chapter 6- to the middle of chapter 9 we’re going to watch as the gospel advances to Judea and Samaria, and eventually to the Gentiles in chapters 9-12.
From the middle of chapter 6- to the middle of chapter 9 we’re going to watch as the gospel advances to Judea and Samaria, and eventually to the Gentiles in chapters 9-12.
From chapters 9-12 we’re going to and finally to the gentiles in chapter 9-12.
From chapter 12-28 we’re going to see the gospel move through Asia, the urban centers in Europe, and finally in the last chapter to Rome, which in the 1st century, was considered the end of the known world.
From there we will watch as from chapter 9-12 as the Gospel is presented to the Gentiles.
From chapter 12-28 we’re going to see the gospel move through Asia, the urban centers in Europe, and finally in the last chapter to Rome, which in the 1st century, was considered the end of the known world.
All that to say, the book of Acts is a template and demonstration of how the Great Commission is accomplished through the power of the Spirit. What that means for us then is:
The book of Acts is God’s template for gospel expansion.
A story full of real people like you and me, who trusted God, stepped out in faith, and turned the world upside down.
The book of Acts is our template for accomplishing the mission God has given us.
This leads us to our final ACTS FACT.
ACTS FACT #4: The book of Acts is often misunderstood and feared.
To be honest, next to the book of Revelation, the book of Acts is probably the one of the most misunderstood and feared books in the NT.
To be honest, next to the book of Revelation, the book of Acts is probably the one of the most misunderstood and feared books in the NT.
It’s misunderstood because in many ways the book of ACTS portrays a church that we’re not familiar with.
A church with power.
A church where supernatural gifts, signs, and wonders take place.
A church where supernatural gifts are at work individually and corporately.
A church where people are empowered for witness as they stand in the face of persecution, and even death itself.
A church where people love
A church that refuses to be politically correct, as people are emboldened to share the gospel, regardless of the consequences.
To be honest, it’s a church that the modern American church struggles to recognize and relate with.
And because it’s misunderstood, it’s often feared. The truth is, for many pastors and churches, it’s safer to avoid the book of ACTS rather than deal with the kind of church ACTS challenges us to be.
And so, because
A church that if we’re honest, scares us a little bit. A church that pushes us out of our spiritual comfort zones. A church that challenges cultural and critical thinking. A church that demonstrates what can happen when we allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, lead us, and guide us.
A church that if we’re honest, scares us a little bit.
A church that pushes us out of our spiritual comfort zones.
A church that challenges our traditions and our religious heritage.
A church that challenges cultural and critical thinking.
A church that demonstrates what can happen when we take our hands off of the wheel, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
And if I’m honest, I’ve struggled with some of those fears myself. Because like many of you, I like to be in control. I don’t like surprises, I like consistency, and I don’t like weird.
But as I’ve prayed about this study, I’ve come to a place where I’d rather face those fears rather than risk missing out on what God wants to do in and through our church. Because the truth is, without the Holy Spirit’s involvement, without His empowerment, without the book of Acts, we’ll never be the church God intends for us to be.
And please hear me, when I say all that, I’m not talking about MCF becoming that weird church out by Taco Bell again. I’m not implying that we become known as the tongues church again. What I’m saying is if we want to do something great for God, then we better be willing to become an empowered church. A church that relies on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the mission God has given us.
And I think if we’re committed to that, what we’re going to discover is that there’s a big difference between being weird and being empowered. We’re going to discover tongues was never meant to be the focus, but that empowerment for witness needs to be the focus.
I think what we’re going to discover is that if we’re open to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, God is going to use our church to impact our community and this region in a way we never thought possible.
But for that to happen, it has to be something we all embrace. Something we’re all open to. Because I’m going to tell you right now, the book of ACTS is going to challenge your traditional version of church. The book of Acts is going to challenge your ideas and beliefs about what a church should look like and how it should function.
Because in the book of ACTS we’re going to learn:
Because in the book of ACTS, church is more than a Sunday morning event or obligation. Church is more than rituals and tradition. Church is more than having a good kids and youth program. Church is more than having a great worship band. Church is more than hearing a great sermon. The church is more than a great building to meet in.
The church is more than a building.
The church is more than a Sunday morning gathering or obligation.
The church is more than following a set of rituals and traditions.
The church is more than having a good kids and youth program.
The church is more than singing a few songs and having a great worship band.
The church is more than hearing a great sermon and then heading home.
In the book of ACTS, the church is alive, the church is a living organism, the church is a body of believers who have given themselves heart and soul to Jesus.
In the book of ACTS:
The church is a living breathing body of Christ followers.
A group of people who don’t just go to church, but have become the church.
A church of revival and renewal.
A church that functions in the power of the Holy Spirit.
A church where people get healed and delivered.
A church that won’t rest until everybody on planet earth has had an opportunity to know the saving power of Jesus. That’s the church of Acts.
So, if I’m being honest with you, the book of ACTS isn’t a safe and comfortable book. There’s a reason people avoid it. Because at the end of the day it’s a transformational book. It’s God’s blueprint for what he expects his church to be. A church functioning in the power of the Holy Spirit that takes the Gospel from Jersualem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
That’s the kind of church the book of ACTS is going to introduce us too. And if you’re open to it, it’s the church we can become.
So, those are our ACTS FACTS. What we need to know and be open to in order to begin to engage with this book.
To study the book of Acts, you and I have to be willing to embrace God’s blueprint for His church.
So, those are our ACTS FACTS. What we need to know and be open to in order to engage with this book.
That leads us to our second goal this morning as we begin to walk into the text. We’re going to call it “The Recap”. And to explain what I mean by recap, let me set the stage by asking you a question:
But before we get to far into the book, Luke has his own set of facts that he wants us to be aware of before he takes us to far into the book. And he’s going to do it by means of a recap.
So, to help us get on Luke’s page, let me explain what I’m talking about when I say “recap”.
How many of you have ever watched a television series where at the beginning of each episode the show began with a recap, with a voice saying something like, “Previously on....”
For example, I only know this because Pastor Jacob told me, but if you watch the Bachelor, the show begins with someone saying, “Previously, on the Bachelor...” Or if you watch a television series like Blue Bloods, one of my favorites, each episode starts with a voice saying, “Previously on Blue Bloods...” And then from there clips from the previous episode are shown.
You all know what I’m talking about, right? Because more than likely, whatever your favorite television series is, there’s a good chance it always begins with a recap. With a, “Previously on...”
Because whatever your favorite television series is, there’s a good chance it always begins with a “Previously on...”
So, let me ask you this, have you ever wondered why television shows do that? Why they do the “Previously on...” footage?
Let me enlighten you. They do it for three primary reasons:
First, they do it to catch the viewer up and remind them what happened on the last episode. You know, in case you forgot where the show left off from the week before.
In addition to that, it’s also helpful for a new viewer who maybe hasn’t been watching the show. It gives the new viewer a base line to start from so they aren’t totally lost when the episode begins.
Second, recaps are sometimes used to connect the dots from a previous episode or season.
For example, Denise and I were watching one of our favorite television shows the other night, and the episode began with a recap from an episode from the previous season. Why from the previous season? Because what was about to happen on the current episode connected way back to that episode. Had they not shown those clips, we would have had a hard time connecting the dots.
Third, sometimes recaps are used to introduce a new perspective or introduce new content.
For example, I was watching one of my favorite sitcoms the other day, which typically doesn’t show recaps, but in this particular episode they did because it was a part 1 and part 2 episode.
What was interesting though is when part 2 started, the recap showed scenes from part 1 that weren’t originally shown in part 1. As a result, new information was added providing a different perspective on the episode. I know, it sounds complicated. But honestly, it’s just good story telling and a way to introduce new perspective or content that helps bring greater understanding to what is happening.
So, sometimes recaps are used to add new or additional information.
All that to say, recaps help the story teller keep people engaged, remind them what has happened, bring new viewers up to speed, and introduce content that will be helpful in moving forward with the story.
S
I bring this up, because in a way, that’s what Luke is doing as he introduces us to the Book of Acts. Luke is going to begin his story by giving us a recap.
He does this, because in a way the Gospel of Luke is episode 1 and the book of Acts is episode 2. So, in order to connect the two books together, Luke is going to insert a “previously on...” recap between Luke and Acts.
Information that is meant to remind us of what has happened so far.
Information that will bring the new reader up to speed.
Information that we need to connect the dots.
And to some degree, new information that wasn’t previously given, but is needed to move forward.
Everybody totally confused at this point?
So, what are these recaps that Luke is going to give us? There are 4. The first two are going to be very familiar. We saw this footage in Mark’s Gospel and we’ll find it in Luke’s as well. The last two however are going to give us some new insight. Information not in the Gospels, but needed to better understand Acts. Insight we need to move forward.
So, let’s jump back in as Luke recaps what has happened in order to prepare us for what is to come. Here’s the first recap:
Recap #1: Jesus isn’t dead, He’s alive!
Luke writes:
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.
Luke begins by reminding us of how his last book ended, and with this one statement summarizes .
Luke 24
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
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.
We’re not going to take the time to read it in its’ entirety, but It’s the same ending that Mark gave us in chapter 16. Here’s a quick recap of what Luke is referring to from Luke 24:
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
Luke 24:
Obviously this is an important piece of information we need moving forward, so Luke reminds us that Jesus is in fact alive. This leads us to Recap #2:
So, as Luke leads us into Acts, he begins by recapping one of the most important details. Jesus isn’t dead, he’s alive, and there has been ample proof of his resurrection.
This leads us to Recap #2:
Recap #2: Jesus gave his disciples specific orders to wait.
Luke writes in Acts 1:4:
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.”
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;
Luke now gives us another recap as he points back to . In he records these words of Jesus:
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.”
Luke reminds us that before the disciples do anything, Jesus gave them specific instructions to wait in Jersualem.
So, why does he tell them to wait? He tells them to wait because prior to this order, he gave them a mission. The mission we talked about at the end of Mark’s Gospel. A mission to spread the Gospel from Jersualem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
But Jesus says, before you go, you’re going to need what it takes to accomplish the mission. Jesus calls it “The Promise of the Father”.
Again, we talked about this promise a couple of weeks ago. The promise is that when Jesus leaves, he’s going to send a helper, a helper known as the Holy Spirit. So, what will this helper do? At least three things:
First, according to Jesus, He will give us power to witness.
A few verses down in Jesus says:
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.”
Jesus says the Holy Spirit is going to give us the power for witness. In other words, the power we’ll need to go into a hostile world. The power we’ll need to overcome demonic forces. The power we’ll need to lead people into a relationship with Jesus.
So, Jesus says, “Listen, don’t go anywhere or try anything until you receive this power. Don’t hold one service, don’t send out a mailer, don’t post anything on Facebook, don’t do anything until you are baptized with the Holy Spirit. You need His power.”
So, first and foremost, the Holy Spirit gives us power for witness.
Second, according to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will be our helper.
In Jesus says this about the Holy Spirit:
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Jesus says in his absence, the Holy Spirit will be our helper.
The word “helper” hear means one who helps by consoling, encouraging, or mediating.
For e
What that means is the Holy Spirit is going to be our spiritual support. The one we’ll draw strength from. The one we’ll find hope in. The one who’ll bring comfort in our time of need. The Holy Spirit will function exactly as Jesus would if He were here in the flesh. He’s our constant support and help in our time of trouble.
I don’t know about you, but I need something like that in my life. I need that when I’m facing discouragement. I need that when I’m facing hopelessness. I need that in the face of financial strain. I need that in the midst of marital challenges. I need that when I feel like the enemy is trying to take me out.
Jesus says, the Holy Spirit will provide that kind of help and comfort.
And what we’re going to see in the book of Acts, is the first Christians needed that as well. In fact, if they hadn’t had it, the church would have caved. Without the helper, the dark days they faced would have overwhelmed them. The persecution they faced, would have got the best of them. But in the midst of their challenges, the Helper, the Holy Spirit was there in their time of need. Jesus says, “Don’t go anywhere until you have the helper by your side.”
Third, according to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will be our teacher.
In Jesus says this about the Holy Spirit:
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Jesus says, in his absence, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring to remembrance all that He has said.
In that statement, Jesus tells us the kind of teacher the Holy Spirit will be.
First, he will teach us everything we need to know about our relationship with God. Meaning, He will reveal knowledge, truth, and give us deeper understanding into the things of God. Through the Holy Spirit, our ability to know God will increase exponentially. The Apostle Paul explains it like this in 1 Corinthians 2:
11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1 corinthians 2:
Paul says, the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals a greater understanding of God. The one who teaches us who God is. The one who imparts wisdom to us that comes straight from the mind of God.
Again, I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of wisdom I want in my life. Not a wisdom taught by human understanding, but a wisdom that comes directly from God himself. The Holy Spirit will provide that.
Second, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will help us remember God’s Word.
What Jesus is referring to is spiritual proclamation and recall. In other words, there are going to be moments when humanly speaking, you may not know what to say, but in that moment the Holy Spirit is going to quicken your mind and give you the words you need.
For example, In , as Jesus prepares the disciples for future persecution, listen to what he tells them:
In , as Jesus prepares the disciples for future persecution, listen to what he tells them:
19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:
Jesus says there are going to be moments when you are challenged in your faith, but in those moments, don’t worry, the Holy Spirit will speak through you. The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say.
Another way the Spirit will do this is through scripture recall.
The truth is, most of us are never going to memorize the entire Bible. And that’s ok. The important thing though is that you spend time reading it and absorbing it. Because there will be moments when somebody is going to come to you, and they’re going to have a spiritual question, or they’re going to need spiritual advice, and in that moment, the Holy Spirit is going to help you recall something you didn’t memorize, but something that you read in God’s Word.
To be honest, it happens to me all the time. Somebody will come to me, they have a question or they need counsel, and the Holy Spirit quickens my mind to a passage of scripture.
There have also been times where I was discouraged and the Holy Spirit quickened my mind to a passage of scripture that gave me hope. Something I didn’t memorize, but something I read at some point in God’s Word.
The bottom line is this, there are going to be times when you don’t know what to say and the Holy Spirit is going to give you words or help you recall the truth of God’s Word.
So, Jesus says, until the one who teaches is standing with you, don’t go anywhere and don’t do anything. You need the Holy Spirit’s teaching guidance.
And that’s why Jesus orders them to wait. Without the Holy Spirit empowering them, helping them, and teaching them, there’s no way they’re going to accomplish the mission of taking the Gospel to their own community, let alone the ends of the earth.
So, in this one statement, Luke recaps why they needed to wait. Because if they’re not willing to wait, they can’t accomplish the mission.
This brings us to the next recap:
Recap #3: Jesus gave his disciples a specific focus.
Luke writes:
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.”
Acts 1:6-
In this passage, Luke gives us a recap of new information. Information not recorded in his gospel, or any of the other gospels, and it comes int he form of a question. A question that the disciples apparently asked Jesus before he ascended into heaven. The question was, “Jesus, are you going to set your kingdom up now?”
To be honest, it’s a legitimate question, but it’s also a question that highlights the disciples lack of understanding.
You may recall from our study of Mark’s Gospel, the people of Israel were looking for a certain type of Messiah. A Messiah that would deliver them from Roman oppression. A physical deliverer so to speak. A king who would deliver them from physical bondage. A king who would set up a physical kingdom. A king who would reestablish the kingdom of Israel.
But that’s not the kind of King Jesus came to be. He came to a spiritual deliverer. A king who delivers us from sin and death. And yes, there will be a day He sets up His kingdom. But it won’t be like any earthly kingdom we’ve ever seen.
But the the disciples are still thinking earthly. Even though Jesus has risen from the dead, the disciple’s are still viewing Jesus through earthly terms. They want to know, when Jesus is going to put on the crown. When he’s going to overthrow Rome. When Israel will finally break free from foreign occupation.
So, Jesus answers them. Listen again to his reply:
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.”
Acts 1:
Jesus says, “Boys, when how and when I set up my kingdom up is none of your business. That’s not to be your focus. You’re focus is the mission I’ve given you. You’re focus is to take the message of the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the rest of the earth. That’s what your focus needs to be.”
You see, what Jesus is saying here is, “Your job isn’t to sit around and try and figure out what I’m doing or when I’m going to do it. Your job is to do what I’ve asked you to do.”
And to be honest, that’s the challenge even for the church today, and it plays out in a couple of different ways.
First, for some Christians and churches, it plays out as they focus on building an earthly kingdom rather than expanding the kingdom of God.
Christians who instead of doing what Jesus asked them to do, spend the majority of their life building their own version of heaven on earth. And I would say that’s especially true of American Christians. Christians who are more focused on the material possessions of this life rather than the heavenly mandate God has given us.
You see, the disciples were focused on building an earthly kingdom. But Jesus said, I’m not asking you to build an earthly kingdom. What I’m asking you to do is spread the gospel. What I’m asking you to do is make sure every man, woman, and child hears about the good news of salvation. Focus on that. Make that your life long mission. Jesus wants our focus to be gospel expansion.
And that’s part of the problem with New Apostolic Reformation movement. Churches like Bethel in Redding, CA who are focused on building the kingdom of God on earth. Listen, Jesus never asked us to build the kingdom of God for him. What he asked us to do was tell people about it. To tell them about Jesus. To tell them about a savior who loves them and died for them. That’s our job, that’s it.
So, that’s one place it plays out. But I’ve also seen it play out in some churches and ministries that spend more time trying to figure out when Jesus is coming back rather than leading people to Jesus.
Well, I hope he comes back soon too, and we need to be ready for that, but here’s what we need to understand, if Jesus comes back right now, there are still millions upon millions of people who don’t know him. Millions of people who will suffer eternal damnation.
To be honest, this is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to people who focus on End-Time prophecy. And please hear me, I don’t have a problem with studying End-time prophecy. We have a class starting next Sunday on the book of Revelation. And we need to study that book.
My problem though is with Christians and churches who make this their sole focus. Yes, we need to be aware that Jesus could come back anytime. Yes, we need to be aware of the signs of the time. But that can’t be where all our attention is focused. Jesus gave us a job to do. There are still billions of people who don’t know him. If he comes back today, tomorrow, or next week, there’s a lot of people who are going to miss the boat. So instead of spending all our time trying to assess when he’s coming back, maybe we should spend more time preparing people for when he does come.
This leads us to our final recap:
The reason this recap is so important, is because if our focus is off, then we’re not going to accomplish the mission. So Luke reminds us of what the focus is supposed to be. This leads us to our final recap:
Recap #4: Jesus will be back when the mission is complete
Luke writes:
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.”
Acts 1:9-11
Again, Luke gives us some information we didn’t have before. Yes, both Mark and Luke’s Gospel record the ascension of Jesus, but what they don’t do is give are the details. Because apparently, as Jesus ascends into heaven, some angels have a final message for the disciples. And the message is, "He’ll be back!” You thought Arnold Schwarzenegger coined that phrase. “I’ll be back!”
Why is this information important? It’s important because it’s part of the motivation for accomplishing the mission. Because what the angels are implying here is, when the mission is complete, when the Gospel has been taken to the rest of the world, that’s when we can expect his return.
In fact, this is what largely motivated the Apostle Paul in his ministry. Because what we’re going to learn in the book of Acts is that Paul had one goal. To take the gospel to the ends of the earth. And in his day, the end of the known world was Rome. And he will spend the entirety of his Christian life trying to get there.
In fact, some scholars believe that Paul thought if he could get the Gospel to Rome, that before he died the Lord would return. Listen to what Paul says about the return of Jesus in his letter to the church at Thessalonica:
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
In this passage Paul tells the church what they can expect when Jesus returns. He says in that moment those who have already died will rise again and they will meet Jesus in the air. And then he says something interesting. He says, “Then we who are still alive, will be caught up as well.”
What I want you to notice is that Paul talked as if this would happen in his lifetime. He’s part of the “we”. So, what does that tell us? What it tells us is Paul’s life goal was to accomplish the mission and his desire was to see the Lord return in his life time.
Paul’s life goal as to accomplish the mission. Paul’s desire was to see the Lord return in his lifetime.
Now, we all know today that Rome wasn’t the end of the world,
Now, the truth is, we know Jesus didn’t come back in Paul’s life time. The truth is, we know Rome wasn’t the end of the world. But guess what, we know where it ends now.
But we do
So, what does that mean for us? What it means is like Paul, and maybe even more so, we should be driven by this same motivation. That like Paul, our goal should be to accomplish the mission in our lifetime. That our hope should be that Jesus would return in our lifetime. That we should live with that kind of anticipation.
Let me ask you this. What do you think would happen if every Christian on the planet lived with that kind of drive? What if, we all decided, that our number one focus was to take the gospel to every living human being on the planet. If our goal, by the power of the Spirit, was to reach the nearly 2 billion people who have never heard about Jesus. If our focus was to accomplish the mission so that we might be the generation in which Jesus returns.
You see, one of the most common misunderstandings about Jesus’s return is that Jesus is only going to return when it gets really bad. I hear Christians say it all the time. They say things like, “I wonder how much worse it’s going to have to get before Jesus returns.”
But the Bible doesn’t say that. What the Bible says is, when the Gospel is taken to the ends of the earth, that’s when you can start expecting his return. Until then, probably not going to happen.
I don’t know about you church, I want Jesus to return, and I’d love for it to happen in my lifetime. But the fact of the matter is, we currently have 2 billion people on planet earth who haven’t heard of Jesus, and another 3 billion who don’t believe in Him. And some of them live in this community, in this county, in this region. So, if we want Jesus to come back the way he went up, then we have some work to do. And that work starts right here, in our own community, county, and region. It begins in our study of this book, the book of Acts.
You see, what Luke is trying to do from the beginning is get us all on the same page. To remind us of what has happened and to prepare us for what is to come. To realize what is at stake. to understand that if we want to be the church, we have to embrace the church Jesus has called us to be.
And so, beginning next week, we’re going to begin to learn what that church looks like, and what it will take for you and I to become that church. A church that actually has the ability to accomplish the mission.
So, as we close this morning, here’s what I’m going to ask you to do as we prepare for this study:
First,
First, I’m going to ask that you have an open heart and mind to what the book of Acts has to say. That you not let your tradition, your heritage, or what somebody told you detour you from what God’s Word says.
Second, I’m going to ask that you be open to the Holy Spirit. That you’d be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes. That like the disciples, you’d be willing to wait for God to empower you. Because I believe if you’re willing to do that, in the coming weeks, God is going to empower you in a way you’ve never been empowered for Him. But you have to be open to that. You have to be open to the Holy Spirit.
Third, I’m going to ask that you start praying for this study and for our church. The truth his, the enemy doesn’t like the book of Acts. The enemy knows what this book says and what can happen when a church embraces it. He knows if we actually tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to the degree that the early church did, then he’s lost the battle here in Marysville and Marshal county.
I don’t know about you, but I want to win this entire area for Jesus. And I don’t want to give the enemy any ability to stop what God is doing.
So, we need to pray. We need to pray for our church, our leaders, for our attendees, for our families, for our kids, for our marriages, for every and any part of our life that the enemy might try to attack and discourage. In all seriousness, I’m asking you to pray that God would protect our church. Because the enemy doesn’t like where we are going.
Finally, I’m going to ask that you pray for me. That you pray God would give me wisdom and help me as I guide us through this book. That theHoly Spirit would lead me and lead us to where he is taken us.
Church, I believe the best and most impactful days of our church lie ahead. And I believe the book of Acts is going to lead us there. I believe the Holy Spirit is going to empower us to do all that God has called us to do. Amen!
Let’s Pray