Book of Acts Church - An Introduction
The Book of Acts Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Some Historical Background & Context:
Some Historical Background & Context:
Probably written by Luke
Written somewhere around 63-70 A.D.
Gives an account of the Early Church & how they went about fulfilling the Great Command of Jesus to His church.
No formal ending to the book
The Great Commission had not yet been completed
We are still living this book today.
Many times this book is referred to as “The Acts of the Apostles”
The Acts of the Apostles
-Perhaps it should more accurately be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit Through the Apostles and Jesus’ Church”
BUT....that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as smoothly
The Setup & Definitions:
The Setup & Definitions:
The Book of Acts could really be looked at as having its start at the end of the Gospels.
Without Jesus going to the cross & beginning the New Testament with His blood, the Book of Acts would not have been possible.
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
They could not understand the Bible until Jesus opened their understanding.
We need the Word [Jesus] (John 1:1,14) to open the Word to us so we can actually understand it.
Braveheart Image
Wait...UNTIL! NOT INDEFINITELY
NOT INDEFINITELY - As Pastor Mel Mullen said, don’t let the salt stay in the shaker.
- As Pastor Mel Mullen said, don’t let the salt stay in the shaker.
Endued -
1746. ἐνδύω ĕnduō, en-doo´-o; from 1722 and 1416 (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fig.):—
Forever Lazy Image
Being endued is like putting on the “Forever Lazy” of the Holy Spirit & being wrapped in His power and ability.
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Power:
Power:
Power
Dynamite Image
1411. δύναμις dunamis, doo´-nam-is; from 1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):—
1410. δύναμαι dunamai, doo´-nam-ahee; of uncert. affin.; to be able or possible:—
Witness Image
witness = proof-provider
We are meant to provide proof the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the truth of the gospel.
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
As = In the exact same way
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. 15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
1411. δύναμις dunamis, doo´-nam-is; from 1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):—
Jesus was sent with a mission, a possibility, & a miracle itself
We have been sent by Jesus with a mission, a possibility, & a miracle itself.
1410. δύναμαι dunamai, doo´-nam-ahee; of uncert. affin.; to be able or possible:—
Jesus returned with a miracle itself
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
If you are a Christian, you are made to be a bringer of possibility to those who are facing impossibility!
The possibility lives on the inside of you!
Just One Thing:
Just One Thing:
You have been equipped by Heaven, through the Holy Spirit, to be a difference maker.
Go and make a difference this week through the Holy Spirit!
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
What movie, picture, or video always makes you laugh no matter how often you watch it?
What stood out to you most about the message this week? Please share why it impacted you.
Please read and share what this passage means to you & how it might practically impact the way you live your life as a result.
How can you be a bringer of possibility and miracles this week as you engage the world around you?