POWER ENCOUNTERS

Passing on the Story

Luke is writing to Theophilus about Volume 1 (Gospel of Luke) and passing on the story. Acts is often referred to as Volume 2 of Luke.

There was time that had passed between Luke and Acts so, the author is letting us know the two books are connected by addressing them both to Theophilus.

Saying Good-bye

Luke specifically mentions the day that Jesus said good-bye to the apostles who were chosen through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit leading them.

Jesus knew the importance of saying good-bye.

He was leaving them in physical form so saying good-bye put a bookend on that particular season of relationship with him.

Jesus did not have one foot in and one foot out. How could he expect the apostles to carry out the mission he gave them if he was still here taking charge of things.

Jesus knew the importance of choosing leaders based upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit and then getting out of the way for the new leaders to lead - THEIR WAY.

Reminds me of Moses dying before Joshua could lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Sometimes, part of the stages of grief is to realize that it is time to step down and let go so that others are empowered to lead in a new way.

Awakenings

Throughout the 40 days after the resurrection of Jesus, people all over had “awakenings” to who Jesus was all along; now able to see, hear and understand what Jesus taught in person about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus appeared to many people after the resurrection to provide them with “demonstrative evidence and proof” that he was alive.

REFLECTION: What convinces you that Jesus is still alive today and the power of the Holy Spirit continues to guide and intervene in humanity?

During this 40 days between the resurrection and the ascension, Jesus continued to teach the disciples, preparing them to lead the early church.

In order for the disciples to lead they first had to be convinced that death had turned to life through their awakening to the reality of the resurrection.

These awakenings were a result of the resurrection and the Spirit being present in the world.

Wait for the Holy Spirit

Jesus was specific in His instruction to the disciples about waiting for the movement of the Holy Spirit before beginning something new. To hurry up and WAIT.

Jesus would turn the reins of responsibility over to the apostles and other believers. Jesus’ life on earth was finished, but his work had only begun; the disciples now assumed the responsibility to carry on Jesus’ work.

The transition from Jesus being physically present to the presence of the Holy Spirit among us marks the movement from one season to another.

The first command was to wait. They were not to engage in ministry until they had been empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit that was given by God.

The gift is not just the gospel in general, but the specific coming of the Holy Spirit.

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire” is a reference to the unique, unrepeatable event at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in a visible form like fire (2:3).

John’s was a baptism of repentance, and the church would continue to use the outward form of his water baptism as a confession of the name of Jesus on entry into the community of believers (2:38a).

Unlike John’s baptism, the new converts would also receive the presence and power of the Holy Spirit (2:38b). Throughout Acts new converts experienced repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit.

We will examine this more on Pentecost Sunday, but for now - we are waiting for the Holy Spirit to come reveal God’s power and presence in our lives.

Farming Analogy

No instant gratification when it comes to the promises of God; like farming, there are seasons marked by planting your faith, watering it with the Scriptures, applying weedkillers to the out-of-control areas of your soul, waiting, praying, and more waiting; then Harvest Time is here.

Season of Jubilee…many seeds of faith, hope, courage, and risk were sown here over the last 150+ years and it is time for Harvest to come. How can we prepare for the Harvest?

Did you realize that the coming growth in the church is from online engagement? Currently, we receive between 350-750 unique clicks through our online worship service during the week.

Reflection: How do we reimagine what active membership looks like? How do we better serve those that actively engage with us online, but will never come here in person? How do we serve them more effectively?

Are you a part of this church for how it serves you or how we together can reach out to serve our community and our world through God’s mission?

Could the Holy Spirit be working among us in a new and creative way today just like the disciples encounter when the transition came from Jesus walking alongside them to sending the Holy Spirit to live within them?

Jesus Ascended

Jesus ascended and the angels told them to stop sitting around looking for Jesus because He is gone and is sending the Holy Spirit in His place.

The apostles wondered if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus reminds the apostles that God is the source of all sovereignty and authority. The apostles still longing in their hearts to be part of the sovereign political power structure for which they had hoped Jesus was here to establish.

From here on, the spotlight of Acts is fully focused on the followers of Jesus. They will seek to incarnate his life, message, and mission in their new community until his return.

Jesus is no longer physically present. Nevertheless, his followers, then and now, are assured of God’s promise that Jesus will return.

In the meantime, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers, then and now, are commissioned to be “witnesses to the ends of the earth.”

Back to Jerusalem

Disciples head back to Jerusalem to get busy waiting for the Holy Spirit to initiate this new season of miracles, signs and wonders that will produce the greatest Harvest of all time.

The disciples know to not initiate anything until the coming of the Holy Spirit. They understand that they are powerless on their own to accomplish God’s mission, but with the power of the Spirit, they and now us can accomplish all things given to us to do by the Spirit of God.

Unity in Prayer

They gathered in the Upper Room and in unity, prayed together – and they even let the women be included – watch out!!!

And so we continue to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit and the fire to come baptize us each a new so that we may go out and bring in the great harvest of this season of Jubilee.