Empowered to Go

Introduction

The Battle of the Beetles - Eating my flowers. Used Seven’s Dust - thought they killed me - but I struck back and won. My near death was not the end of the story. I was more powerful.

The most glorious story in human history is the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is not the end of the story. Rather, it’s just the beginning of a story that continues on even today.

Acts of the Apostles? The story of what happened after the death and resurrection of Jesus. In your Bible, probably titled, “Acts of the Apostles,” but not accurate. Other than Peter and Paul, the apostles aren’t really highlighted in the Book, but Jesus is. This is His story as He works through His people to expand His Kingdom.

History book? In part, Acts is a history book - the story of the birth of the church, and the church’s victories and struggles in her infancy. However, we don’t read Acts like historians who just want to know the facts about the early church because Acts is more than a history book. Acts is a battle plan given to us by our King who desires to fill the whole world with His glory. We read Acts like soldiers who want to know our marching orders. In Acts we see how our King is at work and how He uses His people to accomplish His mission.

At the center of the Book is the Spirit of God who is at work in and through His people empowering us to Go in the Power of the Word to a world that needs the hope of Christ.

Acts - a critical book for us because we want to live empowered. We want to live on mission. We want to live for our King, this book helps us to know how to live effectively for the mission, and we’re going to focus in on two simple truths that help us live an empowered life.

Jesus Gives the Orders and the Power to obey His Orders.

Acts = the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. Theophilus - maybe a codename for a wealthy businessman who funded Luke’s research. Luke careful to give an accurate account of Jesus’ life and now His work after His ascension. Luke actually one of Paul’s travel companions - so we have an eyewitness to Paul’s ministry.

Imagine the excitement after the resurrection. Jesus alive! He appeared to many. Once he appeared to about 500 people at one time! () Jesus was doing the same thing after the resurrection that He was doing before: miracles and teaching about the Kingdom.

However, now it was making more sense. Before resurrection, disciples didn’t really understand the mission of Jesus. Thought He was a political Savior who came to defeat Rome, and when Jesus was defeated at the cross - the despair! They had been so wrong. He wasn’t the Messiah! Messiah’s don’t die on a cross! But, then He rose! Perspective changed quickly. If He had the power to rise from the dead, then surely He was the Messiah!

As Jesus’ time on earth coming to a close, gathered disciples together, “Do not leave Jerusalem.” Renewed sense of hope and mission for the disciples. Their master was alive! They wanted to go back to Galilee to tell their family and friends - to prove that they had not wasted three years of their lives following Jesus.

(1:4) - Wait? Why? Jesus had a mission for the disciples that they could not accomplish without Him. “Wait for the Promise of the Father.” Jesus told disciples they would do greater works (), but those greater works would be result of indwelling Spirit.

That time was coming - baptized with the Holy Spirit. ( - John the Baptist had promised this!) They had been immersed in water - now they would be immersed in the Spirit of God. (Baptism of Jesus vs. Baptism in the Spirit) Wait for the Spirit - don’t try to leave Jerusalem and do my work without the Spirit.

vs. 6 - Excitement of disciples - can’t contain themselves - This must be it! Finally, Israel restored to the great super power - all nations will see the glory of Israel.

Jesus: “Don’t focus on times and dates. Focus on the mission. You will receive power and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth.” (A much greater agenda than making Israel a great nation - Rather, a Kingdom that expands throughout the whole world for all time. is outline for rest of book. The greater works!)

There on the Mt. of Olives - the most important job in the world - take the Good News to the ends of the earth - was given to the most unlikely people: fishermen, carpenters, and tax collectors who had never traveled more than 50 miles outside of their hometown! BUT - power was coming!

Ascension - Imagine the scene - Maybe Peter - “Wait Jesus - The whole world? Do you know how big it is?” Jesus: “Yes, I can see it from up here.”

Acts = Jesus’ people going to the whole world - 1-7 = Jerusalem, 8-12 = Judea and Samaria, 13-28 = the ends of the earth. (These are the greater works promised in John 14:12!)

The ascension? A bit of overkill? Did Jesus really need to be beamed up? Another reminder of who Jesus is: the exalted King. () At the right hand of God not limited by time and space, but over all, seeing all, reigning and ruling. (Church of the Ascension picture?)

Since He is the exalted King, He gives the orders, and He has given His power to fulfill His orders. Do we live in the power of the One who lives in us? If so:

No calling the shots of your own life. () Disciples didn’t say, “We have a better idea.” Life is not about your goals and dreams, but His ambition for your life. Don’t treat Jesus like an accessory to your life. He is your life. (Ill. -bags under eyes. Seeing myself for who I am changes how I see myself - but not as much as seeing Jesus for who He is.)

No excuses. (power, you will be… Everything Jesus promise had come true, why wouldn’t this?) What excuse are you giving for not living on mission? No time? Don’t know how to live for Jesus? You have everything you need.

No big head. It’s never look at what we did or what I did. Instead, look at what God has done through us. It’s His story, not yours.

No despair. It’s Jesus work, not ours. We carry out the orders and leave the results to Him. Good news when you are praying for your loved one. You can’t save your loved one! Simply be faithful to invest.

The power of Christ is for you to live out His orders. Are you living in His power?

We willingly follow His orders in the Power of the Spirit.

Disciples in awe, overwhelmed, confused. Seen a dead man come back to life and then ascend into heaven? A lot to take in over the last 40 days. Imagine the moments after Jesus ascended - when left without Him. Now what?

Wait. Why? Because Jesus said so. He gives the orders, we follow.

They had just been given the most important assignment in the world. Perhaps enthusiasm. “Let’s go! People are dying and need this message! Let’s put together a strategy, write some books, do a leadership conference!” That wasn’t the order. The order was to wait.

Jesus calls the shots. Acts is the extraordinary story of people following the Spirit. When He says wait, you wait. When He says go, you go. The Spirit leads, His people yield. How do you willingly follow?

Wait - Going to wait on His voice and follow. How do we get ahead of God? Some of us led by everything BUT the Spirit. Doing without becoming. What would the disciples learn during those days of waiting as they prayed in the Upper Room? How would God form them? God wants to do a work in you as He is doing a work through you. We’re all asking the question, “What do I do?” Doing makes us feel good, but you can do and be stuck in spiritual immaturity. How many of us are asking, “Who do I become?” The discipleship question. What are you doing to become more like Christ? D-Group?

Wait - How do we get ahead of God? Doing without becoming. What would the disciples learn during those days of waiting as they prayed in the Upper Room? How would God form them? God wants to do a work in you as He is doing a work through you. We’re all asking the question, “What do I do?” Doing makes us feel good, but you can do and be stuck in spiritual immaturity. How many of us are asking, “Who do I become?” The discipleship question. What are you doing to become more like Christ? D-Group?

Yield - I’m waiting and becoming, and I’m going as you send me. We do without becoming or we become without doing. We become so we can go. Jesus was forming His disciples for this mission. He spent three years preparing them to send them out. He is forming you not to simply make you a better Christian who knows the Bible more and prays more. He is forming you to send you out on His mission. Are you going? Are you yielding to His will? What are you doing to live on mission? After all, this is your mission. How are you engaged in the mission?

Own Jesus’ story as your story. Jesus’ story is a story of redemptive mission. A story full of highs and lows. Crowds that followed and crowds that rejected. Ultimately, rejection that led in death before the ultimate high: resurrection and victory! Acts is the continuation of Jesus’ story through His followers. His story becomes their story - it’s highs and lows. Great victories and seeming defeats as they face persecution and rejection. Jesus’ story is your story. The life of a Christ follower - full of highs. Great victories, but also great sacrifices, losses, conflict, and heartache. But, you know how your story ends. In ultimate victory! Don’t be surprised when life is hard. Don’t be surprised when God calls you to sacrifice for the mission. Don’t be surprised that being a part of the church is a commitment of time, resources, and energy. Own Jesus’ story as your story. Be willing to suffer and rejoice that you share in the victory.

This morning, is Jesus’ story your story? He is the One who lived, died, and rose again for you. Have you turned from your sins and given your life to Him? Make His story your story and find life.

Believer - are you willingly following His orders? Or, have you been ignoring His orders? Disobeying His orders? He is the ascended King who is worthy of your obedience. What could happen if each of us live empowered by the Spirit