Acts 1:1-26 What to Believe & Do until Jesus Returns

Good Morning .. Pause

I welcome you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Out Scripture meditation is from Psalm 90:1-2

English Standard Version (Psalm 90)

90 1 A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth,or ever you had formed the earth and the world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM

*God’s Word of Greeting

*Call to Worship… Psalm 90:17

English Standard Version (Psalm 90)

17  Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

PLEASE RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Praise PSALM 90:1-9 Trinity Psalter

INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.

And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.

We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.

PLEASE BE SEATED

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

Responsive Reading Psalm 90:1-17

English Standard Version (Psalm 90)

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn man back to dust saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning:

6 Though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger; and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;

we finish our years with a moan.

10 The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty if we have the strength

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow; for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11  Who knows the power of your anger, for your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you?

12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent , O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands for us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!

*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance

O Lamb of God, who, both by your example and precept, instructed us to be meek and humble,

give us grace throughout our whole lives, in every thought, and word, and work, to imitate your meekness and humility.

Grant, Almighty God, that inasmuch as we are so disposed and inclined to all kinds of errors,

to so many various forms of superstitions,

and as Satan also does not cease to lay in wait for us,

and spreads before us his many snares—

O grant that we may be so preserved in obedience to you by the teaching of your Word,

that we may never turn either to the right or to the left,

but continue in that pure worship which you have prescribed,

so that we may plainly testify that you are indeed our Father

by continuing under the protection of your only begotten Son,

whom you have given to be our pastor and ruler to the end. Amen.

Deliver our souls from the snare of hell; Whosoever perishes thereby, let their blood be upon their own head,

O giver of every good and perfect gift,

if at any time you please to work by our hands,

teach us to discern what is our own from what is another’s,

and to render unto you the things that are yours.

As all the good that are done on earth are from you,

let us give you all the glory honour and praise, In Christ’s name Amen.

Assurance of Pardon…1 Peter 2:21-25

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

LET US RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Thanksgiving ................Psalm 90:10-17 Trinity Psalter

LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer

Lord, teach us to be resigned to your will; teach us to delight in your law;

teach us to have no will but your will; teach us to be sure that everything you do is good and is the very best that can be done.

Help us to leave our concerns in your divine hands, being persuaded that you have sway even over evil; that out of it you bring good,

till your high purposes shall develop in your own perfect glory,

and in the perfect bliss of all those who put their trust in you.

Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.

YOU MAY BE SEATED

THE LORD FEEDS US FROM HIS WORD

TURN IN YOUR COPY OF GODS WORD TO Luke 24:1-53

New Testament Reading Luke 24:1-53

English Standard Version Chapter 24

The Resurrection

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 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.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 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. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 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.”

The Ascension

50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Let the Lord add his blessing to this reading of His Word

Introduction to the Book of Acts

English Standard Version (Introduction)

Acts picks up where Luke’s Gospel leaves off,

recording the early progress of the gospel as Jesus’ disciples took it from Jerusalem throughout Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the Mediterranean world.

The story begins with Christ’s ascension and the events of Pentecost.

As Gentiles begin responding to the gospel,

the focus shifts to Paul and his missionary journeys.

Acts forms a bridge between the four Gospels and the rest of the New Testament,

showing how the apostles carried on Christ’s work

and providing a historical background for Romans through Revelation.

The Acts of the Apostles is the second of two New Testament books written by Luke.

Like his Gospel, Acts was a letter to Luke’s friend Theophilus, written sometime in A.D. 62–64.

Turn in your copy of Gods Word to Acts 1:1-11

2nd New Testament Reading

Hear now the Very Word of God

Acts 1:1-11

English Standard Version (Chapter 1)

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.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.”The Ascension6 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.” 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.”

The Grass withers and the Flower Fades but the Word of our God shall stand Forever.

HP - What to Believe & Do until Jesus Returns

Point 1 You must believe all Luke wrote down in the Book of Luke that Jesus did and taught.

Isn't that what Luke says regarding the first book he wrote.

I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,

So everything that Jesus taught and did we are to believe.

And some of those things are the miracles of Christ written down in the book of Luke.

And before Jesus was taken up he did many miracles these are some of the things Jesus did.

And they are things we don’t see people doing on a regular bases In our world today.

Hence they are miracles

So what did Jesus do according to Luke?

Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit From a Man in Capernaum

Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law Sick With Fever

Jesus Heals Many Sick and Oppressed at Evening

There is a First Miraculous Catch of Fish on the Lake of Gennesaret

Jesus Cleanses a Man With Leprosy

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Paralyzed Servant in Capernaum

Jesus Heals a Paralytic Who Was Let Down From the Roof

Jesus Heals a Man's Withered Hand on the Sabbath

Jesus Raises a Widow's Son From the Dead in Nain

Jesus Calms a Storm on the Sea

Jesus Casts Demons into a Herd of Pigs

Jesus Heals a Woman in the Crowd With an Issue of Blood

Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter Back to Life

Jesus Feeds 5,000 Plus Women and Children

Jesus Heals a Boy With an Unclean Spirit

Jesus Heals a Blind, Mute Demoniac

Jesus Heals a Woman Who Had Been Crippled for 18 Years

Jesus Heals a Man With Dropsy on the Sabbath

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers on the Way to Jerusalem

Jesus Restores Sight to Bartimaeus in Jericho

Jesus Heals a Servant's Severed Ear While He Is Being Arrested

What should all these miracles that Jesus did tell us about who he is?

That he was not your run a the mil man.

That he was the God Man

And that Jesus cared for the needs of people with true physical and spiritual needs.

And that Jesus had the power of God to heal miraculously.

And that he really died according to the Gospel of Luke and that he was raised from the dead or “TAKEN UP” as luke puts it in verse two of our text today.

Verse two tells us that “HE WAS TAKEN UP”

So we may know that Christ truly did depart from this earth and ascended to the right hand of God the father.

According to verses 2 and 3 Luke says

English Standard Version (Chapter 1)

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.

So Christ after his resurrection is appearing to his disciples and spoke with his apostles,

Like we would converse with each other after a church service or throughout the week.

Christ is telling his disciples of the things specifically about the kingdom of God according to Luke here in, (Acts 1:2–3)

And do you remember how he presented himself alive from our reading in Luke 24:25-31

Luke says

English Standard Version Chapter 24

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

So Luke is recounting to us that Christ told the disciples what Moses and the Prophets purpose was.

And their purpose was to point to Jesus Christ.

To point to the risen Messiah.

To point to his finished work on the cross for the sins of his people.

But the disciples had something else in mind According to verse 6

They were wanting Christ to restore the kingdom of Jerusalem.

All the disciples thought that Jesus was going to come as a conquering king who would restore the Kingdom of Israel.

But this is not Christs purpose which will come back to shortly.

Luke goes on to retell more of what happened in verses 4-5

Remember Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit this in Luke 24:49

English Standard Version Chapter 24

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.”

So now Luke is speaking about what is to come.

The disciples are to be baptized with the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem in which the Father promised them.

And he compares it to the water baptism of John.

So the Holy Spirit is going to desend on the disciples.

But not yet

Another question that should arise is why were they to stay in Jerusalem all together?

probably to process together all that had happened to them and to Christ in the past month.

The teacher you have followed for three years was just killed.

And now he has risen from the dead

And Jesus now informs you why it had to happen.

And Now even more is about to happen to Christ and to his disciples.

And they were commanded by Jesus to stay together,

because they should all have one spirit given them.

Calvin speculates If they had been dispersed, their unity would not have not been so well known.

So they were scattered abroad afterwards in divers places,

because they would bring that which they had from one and the same fountain that being Christ.

there message would have all been the same,

as if they always had had all one mouth.

Also it was expedient that they should begin to preach the gospel at Jerusalem, that the prophecy might be fulfilled according to Isaiah 2:3

Isaiah 2:3

English Standard Version Chapter 2

and many peoples shall come, and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may teach us his ways

and that we may walk in his paths.”

For out of Zion shall go forth the law,

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

So the Word of God is proving it self to be true and trustworthy from History again.

The gospel is going to come out of Jerusalem preached by his disciples.

Another question that should come to mind regarding verse 5

Did the disciples not already have the Holy Spirit?

Lets read verse 5

English Standard Version Chapter 1

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So Did the disciples not already have the Holy Spirit?

Some people in the church might say no they didn’t “Pentecostals”

And to them and Scripture teaches that the disciples and all regenerate people have the Holy Spirit.

Adam had the Holy Spirit

Abraham had the Holy Spirit

David had the Holy Spirit

Ruth had the Holy Spirit

So the disciples had the Holy Spirit

And what does our catechism teach regarding us having the holy spirit.

What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

Question 36 WSC The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’ s love, peace of conscience, (Rom. 5:1–2,5) joy in the Holy Ghost, (Rom. 14:17) increase of grace, (Prov. 4:18) and perseverance therein to the end. (1 John 5:13, 1 Pet. 1:5)

What does Romans teach us regarding the spirit.

Romans 14:17 (ESV): For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Point 2 verses 6-8 We don’t have all knowledge and we are to spread the Gospel to the whole World until Christ Returns.

Verses 6-8 through 8 read

Acts 1:6–11 (ESV): 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.”

The disciples had in their minds something quite different than Jesus regarding the Kingdom and him returning.

They had in their minds that Christ was still going to be this conquering king

who was going to set back up the kingdom of Israel’s.

But what does Jesus say its not for you to know when I will return.

YOu are going to receive the Holy Spirit

The power of the spirit is sufficient.

And you are going to witness not to only the Kingdom of Israel

Rather your going to witness to Jerusalem Judaea, Samaria and the ends of the Earth

Christ has something larger in mind than the disciples

And its the entire world.

Christ also says you are not going to know when I am going to return.

Whey do you think that is?

Well for one reason its becasue its the will of God that we not know everything.

That is why we only have 66 books of the Bible and not 67

Because we are only allowed to know Christ‘s revealed will.

His hidden will is his alone.

He is the creator and we are the creatures.

But Christ does call his disciples to do something.

They will be hi witnesses.

Witnesses of who Christ was

Witnesses of what he has accomplished for his people from all corners of the earth.

So we are to be content with the knowledge we have of Christ.

And continue to be witnesses for his kingdom until he returns

To the whole world.

And for us that means Wichita Falls.

We are to be witnesses to the work he has done in us to our commmunity.

To those around us who don’t know him.

And Christ will be with us through his spirit.

Verses 9-11 We have everything we need with His Word and Spirit

Verses 9-11 read

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.”

The Lord ascended.

The Lord was taken up by a cloud that takes him out of sight.

The disciples can no longer see him.

But they keep on gazing into heaven.

Do you think they would already be missing there Lord

They had been with him for three years.

And then he was crucified and taken from them.

And now they have had him on and off for 40 days.

An snow he is leaving them again.

But Christ body need to be at the right hand of God the Father

Because it is there he is making intercession for us his people.

So the two men in white robes say why do you disciples keep staring into heaven.

Christ has to be here

His mission is accomplished.

But he will one day return

the same way he departed.

Except when he returns will be to judge the world and take his elect to the new heavens and the new earth.

Lets look at what are confession says on this

God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ,

to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.

In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,

but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ,

to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

The end of God’s appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of His mercy,

in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the damnation of the reprobate,

who are wicked and disobedient.

For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life,

and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing,

which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked,

who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.

So what have we learned What to Believe & Do until Jesus Returns?

We have learned that we are to Believe all that he has written down in his Word

We are to believe that he accomplished miraculous things only God could do.

That his word is to be trusted and is fulfilled in time and in our own history

We have learned what his ascension looked like

How was Christ exalted in his ascension?

Christ was exalted in his ascension,

in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,

(Acts 1:2–3) and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations,

(Matt. 28:19–20) forty days after his resurrection,

he, in our nature, and as our head, (Heb. 6:20) triumphing over enemies,

(Eph. 4:8) visibly went up into the highest heavens,

there to receive gifts for men, (Acts 1:9–11, Eph. 4:10, Ps. 68:18) to raise up our affections thither, (Col. 3:1–2) and to prepare a place for us,

(John 14:3) where he himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world. (Acts 3:21)

And we have learned what we are to do until he returns be his witnesses here on the earth to the whole world.

Amen

CLOSING PRAYER

Father I pray that today your people have heard you speaking to them this morning.

Help us to apply this in our walk with you and with our brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Help us to show the Love of Christ to others in sharing your Word and Gospel Call to Salvation with this lost and this dying world.

Help us to have comfort in the knowledge that we will live forever with you.

And help us to look forward to that day when you will say well done you good and faithful servant enter into the rest of your Lord.

And we pray in Jesus Christ name.

Amen

LET US RISE

*Hymn of Response… TPH #110B The Lord has Spoken to my Lord

WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

Let us Pray

Father in heaven be with and keep this your people throughout the week.

Father in heaven encourage these your people to discuss with their families the sermon and how they can apply this to the people who they run into through the week.

And father help them through your spirit to have a stronger walk with you and to make this word preached effectual in their lives.

In Christ name

Amen

Closing Psalm:

TPH Psalm TPH #150C Sing Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! (insert)