Acts 1:1-11

Radiant Church, September 1, 2019 Mike Rydman Acts 1:1-11 The Continuing Acts of Jesus Acts 1:1-2 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. The Gospel of Luke is part 1; Acts is part 2 of the same ongoing story What Jesus began to do and teach He is continuing in Acts and beyond Could be titled: “The Acts of the Lord Jesus through the Apostles and the Church by the Power of the Holy Spirit” Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 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, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Theophilus is someone important, high ranking (“most excellent”) Perhaps a person of great influence Luke is a physician, and trafficked in some high social/political circles? Luke got his info primarily from the Apostle Paul, in addition to others Luke wrote so his readers would understand the gospel is for all people, and that they would trust the gospel as it had been taught them Acts 1:3 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. 1 Corinthians 15:5-6 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Validity, credibility for everything that is to follow: the resurrection of Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. Acts 1:4-5 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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Don’t do anything until you are empowered by the Holy Spirit, not self We will see that the Holy Spirit did two primary things: He have them boldness, courage to preach He caused them to magnify Jesus, centering their lives/message on him Acts 1:6-8 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. The disciples were too limited in their understanding. Instead, Jesus tells them they will have to cross not only geographical boundaries, but also cultural boundaries with the gospel message. This already challenges their world view (that Jews are to remain separate) And that salvation is possible for all people (not limited to the Jews) And, that these witnesses will have to take initiative, even travel The Kingdom of God is His rule set up in the lives of his people by the Holy Spirit because of Jesus Or, the rule and reign of God demonstrated and declared in all the world because of the ongoing work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit The Kingdom of God is spiritual in its nature (no boundaries) The Kingdom of God is international in its citizenship (no barriers) The Kingdom of God is gradual in its expansion (no time limits) Implications for us here and now: First, no single church, regardless of how large, represents the sole outpost of God’s Church in any city Second, no one church, regardless of how large, has the bandwidth to reach an entire city Third, all of the churches in a city, regardless of their combined size, cannot impact a city apart from the power of God Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus was all about teaching and doing. His deeds illustrated his words, and his words explained his deeds. He left the Church with the same ministry, intending that we let others see our good deeds that glorify the Father and helping others understand the good news that leads to eternal life. Acts 1:9-11 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 the 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 disciples’ two extremes: Waiting for the restoration of Israel (all here and now) Gazing up into heaven (all there and then) They/We are told how to live in this in between time: on mission Acts will show us that new life in Jesus cannot be separated from the mission of Jesus If you are a Christian, you are a Christian missionary You are a witness to who Jesus is and what He has done