Intermission Pt1. Acts 1:1-3
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Introduce Myself: Never thought I’d be here.
Missionary Career
Burden for American Church.
Just felt that generally speaking we were holding to some wrong views of the church.
How do you view the church? What comes to your mind when you think about church?
An event?— a production you attend?
A busy church?— an institution full of a flurry of activies meeting every apparent need?
A friendly church?— a place you can bust out your seer sucker and matching rompers, pleasantly smile and shake hands with those around you. Just nice people.
A Consumeristic church?— a place that fits my preferences, because after all I am “church shopping”
I mean honest question here: How many of you come to church and leave thinking… there has to be more. You read the Bible, and think… “this doesn’t reflect my life at all.” A deep awareness… “maybe I’m missing something.” A real yearning… “there has to be more.”
I believe these wrong views, and that deep longing reveals our misunderstanding of church, because if we don’t fully understand something we are destined to miss the mark of its intended purpose.
Let me share a quick story of this principle. When we misunderstand, we miss the mark. Becuase from experience it can be deeply cringeworthy, or really embarassing.
Being a missionary Dropped off in a place you don’t understand at all, and constantly missing the mark.
India Kurta
In that case I just made a massive fool of myself. Thank God tik tok wasn’t around then.. I’d for sure be viral.
Humiliating for sure. But to misunderstand the church has much greater stakes at play. For to misunderstand the church, is to misunderstand why you’re alive!
This is why we are starting in Acts. Not because we want to redefine the church. We don’t want to redefine, instead we want to rediscover from the Word of God what the church is, and what our role in it is.
And what we are going to discover in Acts is that Church is less of an event to attend, but a MOVEMENT of people unified around a common conviction.
A movement that began in Jerusalem 2000 years ago and spread like a wildfire to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
A movement propelled by the passionate proclomation of a story. The story. His Story, and although the manuscript of Acts concludes with Paul imprisioned around 62 A.D., what we will discover is that the story has continued.
It still continues. It continued in the 1600s as the gospel made its way to the shores of America.
It continued in 1982 with the planting of CBC Beaufort.
It continued in 2007 with the planting of CBC Savannah.
it continues on August 7th, 2022 with the planting of CBC Richmond HIll!
Alright, that was an introduction to our series, let’s begin in Acts.
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.
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.
What I’m going to call our attention to today the Intermission we find here.
Intermission
Intermission
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
The first thing we notice is that this is Book 2. Acts is the second volume of a 2 Volume Work, with the Gospel of Luke being Volume #1.
History Question: Who wrote most of the NT?
this is your part to interact… come on.
Paul wrote the most “books or letters”, but The Gospel of Luke and Acts makes up 25% of the volume of the NT.
Luke is the author and we can be confident of this for a variety of reasons.
He was a companion of Paul.
Philemon 24, Col 4:14, (doctor) and 2 Tim 4:11.
All thorughout Acts, especially beginning Acts 16 we see the author using the first person plural.
Secondly, he uses a similar introduction in Acts as it is in Luke. and addresses it to the same person.
Luke 1:4 (ESV)
to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
He writes to “Theophilus” in both. Now we don’t know this theolphilus, but with it being a common greek name of the day, we can assume it was an individual.
Luke is our author, and he writes these 2 Volumes so that his reader would “have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
AKA— I’m writing this so that you can KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is TRUE.
So we have to think of Luke and Acts as Volumes. Luke-Acts.
Volume 1— “All that Jesus began to do and teach.” Volume 2— “all that Jesus is continuing to do and teach.”
Volume 1— covers birth to ascension. Volume 2— Ascension to His inevitable return.
Volume 1— what Jesus did physically ON earth. Volume 2— waht Jesus continues to do by His Spirit through His physical representation the Church.
Volume 1— The Son of Man offered His life. Volume 2--- the Son of God offers His power.
Volume 1— We see the original seed of Christianity; Volume 2 we see the continueal growth of that seed in the church.
And before we really jump into Volume 2, today I’m actually going to call our attention to the Intermission of these 2 Volumes.
There was a dramatic between the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, and that change is reflected in the lives of Jesus’ disciples!
Luke concludes with:
bewildered apostles.
fearful apostles.
hiding apostles.
confused apostles.
reluctant and cowardly preachers.
doubting apostles.
So when you finish Volume 1 we are left wondering what the future of these men will be?
But not long into Volume 2 we see a radical transformation! They are no longer cowardly, but in fact they are downright bold.
Preaching in public. (you crucified Him)
Preaching to authorities.
Preaching in Prison.
A dramatic transformation has occurred in this intermission, and it is this intermission that we are concerned with today.
What happened in the intermission that created such a radical transformation in their lives? And how do we get our hands on it for our lives? What occurred between volumes 1 and 2 that turned these seemingly incapable doubters into a movement that would turn the world upside down, and how can that be us?
Like me, you may immediately try and answer that question… “well obviously it was the provision of the holy Spirit.” That’s true, and without a doubt plays the central role in the book Acts, but we won’t see that until Acts 2. And there are actually 2 other things in this intermission that we are going to look at together.
So as you have Acts opened, go ahead and open your Bibles to Luke 24, but keep a pen or a finger on Acts 1. As we walk through the intermission we are going to be flipping back and forth between volumes 1 and 2.
What happened that led to the transformation?
Most of us will knee jerk and say… “well obviously it was the provision of the Holy Spirit.” yes. without a doubt. But there’s something else. There are 2 other things in this intermission that we overlook, but are necessary for us to see if we want to be a MOVEMENT not an event.
The first are Proofs.
He gave them Proofs (vs3a)
He gave them Proofs (vs3a)
Acts 1:3 (ESV)
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days
He gave them proofs that contributed to the transformation.
Put yourself in their shoes! Picture Volume 1: you’re in Jesus’ entourage, walking next to the donkey as the masses lay palm branches down, proclaiming Hosanna, or Praise to the King. I mean, what a moment that you’ve been waiting for. Finally the King will take His rightful throne.
But instead of a crown of gold, he gets the crown of thorns. And in the process you run away from the danger, and deny even knowing Him.
You watch Him flogged. Watch him nailed. Watch Him die, and with him so does your hope. You don’t know what to do, so you just go back to the only thing that brings some clarity of mind… which hasn’t changed in 2000 years… fishing.
But as they lost their bait for the 6th time…
The women of their party come running and telling them that the tomb was empty and an angel told them he’s alive. (Luke 24:11)
Look with me at 24:11.
but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Then the next day 2 of them were going to Emmaus (vs. 13) (7 miles from Jerusalem), discussing the recent events and a stranger appers and asks them what events their referencing.
They start whining saying, “we had hoped that he was the one to redeem israel...”
Then later that evening, “their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.”
Poof He’s gone. And they didn’t even finish their dinner just sprinted the 10k back to the other disciples.
How could they believe this… Thomas sure didn’t. John records that Thomas said, “unless I see his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will NEVER BELIEVE.”
All of a sudden, He appears. vs. 36 John says he actually came through the locked door.
I love this, he says, “Peace to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. They thought it was a ghost. Freaked out doesn’t begin to describe it.
But look what Jesus says in Luke 24:38-39
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.”
He proceeds to show them his hands and his feet. Actually touch his physical body, and see the scars.
Surely this would convince them! But no… “they still disbelieved (vs. 41).
So Jesus continues to show them proofs… a ghost doesn’t eat.
And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
and he took it and ate it.
Many Proofs. appering to them like this over a period of 40 days.
1 Corinthians 15:5–8 (ESV)
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time...
The Transformation in the Intermission began with Many Proofs. Convincing them of the reality of the resurrection.
Are you convinced of His resurrection? Do you actually believe that Jesus is ALIVE?
Believing, really believing the reality of the resurrection will change you! Because if Jesus conquered death, there is life to be lived after death. Eternal life. Life beyond these pitiful 75-80 years.
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor 15:19).
Being convinced of the resurrection will change you, because you will live with hope. It will fuel your purpose to proclaim His victory “knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” as Paul writes. It’s eternal.
Disciples are transformed when we are convinced by these proofs.
This is why the enemy and the world works so hard to discredit the reality of the resurrection.
Israel with an Imam. Body was moved.
He appeared for 40 days.
To over 500 people.
They touched him.
If this was a great hoax, it would never account for the radical transformation in the lives of his people.
These men were willing to die after the intermission. To cover a lie would never sustain them.
But what if I doubt? What if I’m not convinced?
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
He didn’t berate them. Mock them. Rebuke them.
He met them. Oh the grace of Christ to meet us in our doubts. He spent 40 days with them convincing them.
And he hasn’t changed… He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.
He will meet you in your doubts too. But be honest with him. Be honest with others.
CONCLUSION SLIDE: the repeated and undeniable proofs overpowered their doubt and convinced them with many proofs.
Proofs led to the transformation!
But that’s not all. During these 40 days he also opened their minds.
He Opened their minds (vs3b)
He Opened their minds (vs3b)
Acts 1:3 (ESV)
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.
He opened their minds to understand the Kingdom of God.
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God was the main subject of Jesus’ ministry.
It was his first sermon. Mark 1:15
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Simply defined the Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God. Like the people of Israel it is so easy for us to confuse this. We hear Kingdom and think physical reality, but that itsn’t what the Bible teaches. It isn’t a place with borders, and walls, and sentries. But the Rule and Reign of King Jesus. Wherever Jesus is ruling and reigning, there we have His kingdom.
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
AKA. It’s right here. Right in front of you. Where you have the King, Jesus, there you have the Kingdom of God. He even says, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
The Kingdom of God is Good News: Luke 8:1
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
Where His rule or reign touched, or wherever the message of his rule or reign was accepted we read in Volume 1 that “the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The Kingdom is good news.
Confused about the Kingdom
So during this Intermission, Jesus spends 40 days proving His resurrection and also helping them connect to the Big Picture.
Their thinking was too small. Too nationalistic. They didn’t understand the Kingdom of God. Even during this time they ask, “Lord will you at this time restore the Kingdom of Israel.” (acts 1:6).
Throughout Volume I they were constantly confused, and dull headed as it regarded the Kingdom of God, even though HE SPOKE SO CLEARLY AND DIRECTLY ABOUT IT.
“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.
But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
And we sit here today, scratching our heads going: HOW COULD ANYONE BE SO DENSE? whoa now. Before you cast the first stone, we have to see that this was a
gap of expectations.
They expected a physical, nationalistic Kingdom wrought by a Savior on a White Horse. A restoration of Israel’s Golden Age likened to the times of King David and King Solomon. At peace with its neighbors, not oppressed by foreign governments like Rome, and overflowing with wealth and prosperity.
They so expected this physical Kingdom that Peter was willing to cut off a soldier’s ear. Because this physical Kingdom must be purcahsed by warfare. So expected this physical Kingdom that Peter actually joined forces with SATAN and told Jesus that he CANNOT die. Because that’s not what a Savior King does. He wins the war. Not loses. That’s what they expected.
And Volume 1 concludes with their expectations totally obliterated! This would be King, dead, hanged on a criminal’s cross. Talk about hope deferred. These discples at the end of Volume 1 are just despairing, because they didn’t understand the Big Picture. They didn’t understand the Kingdom of God.
but just like their doubts, the resurrected King didn’t condemn, mock, or scorn their misunderstandings. Although he gave a little rebuke, he didn’t leave. He didn’t give up and start over somewhere else. But stayed with them 40 days and taught them. And what did he teach? Let’s go back to our Intermission.
go back to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Read Luke 24:25-27
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
He opened their minds. He righted their expectations.
He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures
The next day when he showed up and did his magic trick with Thomas, ate his fish, etc. He said.
Read Luke 24:44-45
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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
What was once a false expectation, during the Intermission was being corrected. It started sinking in. They started connecting the dots.
All the laws, prophets, the writings they pointed to the FACT that this would happen. That the Kingdom of God would not be nationalistic, but spiritual. Wrought not by a King on a white horse, but a King humbled on a donkey, and hanging on a cross.
Corrected Expectation:
He showed them that there is no part of Scripture that does not bear witness to Jesus.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
yes even that confusing, boring book of Leviticus or Numbers. Every year you try and read through the Bible in a year, and every year you stall out in February during those books. But even they bear witness to Jesus!
He helped them see that teaching about, and dying for the salvation of all nations was the plan from the beginning. From GENESIS. Not just the last 3 years they were able to walk together, but what He has been about before the foundations of the world. titus 1 and ephesians 1.
He opened their minds. Could you imagine signing up for that Bible study! I can hear it now… a few disciples saying… I’m currently in a new Precept study and its amazing. Beth Moore is such a great teacher. Then someone says, oh yea… well my mind has just been opened and we covered the whole OT.” What? Who’s the teacher…” oh just the guy who wrote the Bible. and the subject of the bible. Mic drop.
Consider 8 of the 300 prophecies of the OT that He directly fulfilled:
1 THE TIME OF HIS BIRTH (SEE THE DANIEL 8 & 9 TIMELINE)
2 HE WOULD BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM. (MICAH 5:2)
3 HE WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN. (ISAIAH 7:14)
4 HE WOULD BE BETRAYED FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER. (ZECHARIAH 11:12)
5 He’d ride into Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zech 9)
6 HE WOULD BE MOCKED. (PSALM 22:7,8)
7 HE WOULD BE CRUCIFIED. (JOHN 3:14)
8 HE WOULD BE PIERCED. (PSALMS 22:16)
But also consider the typologies from the OT:
He is the greater Adam… who was tempted yet without Sin.
He is the greater sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, not Isaac.
He is the greater Moses, who delivered His people from the slavery of sin.
He instituted a greater passover, not by the blood of lambs but by sheeding His own and covering you with it!
He is the greater serpent lifted up on a cross for the healing of all peoples.
He is the bread of heaven, not manna.
He is the living water, not that which runs out.
He is the King of Kings, that never wanes.
He is the greater David.
He is the 4th in the fire, rescuing his people.
He is the greater Kinsman redeemer, not Boaz.
And like Jonah who was in the belly of the fish for 3 days, He was the one who choose to enter the belly of the earth for 3 days yet rise again for the repentance of the nations.
And on and on I could go…
Is your heart burning yet? Is your mind opening!? Has this reality so captured you that you’ve gone through a transformation like the disiples. Becaues THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. It changes how we read Scripture, how we pray, and how we live our lives as part of the church! Once we grasp this, we won’t attend an event. We’ll become a movement.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Volume 1 was all Jesus began to do and teach. Volume 2 is what he continued to do through His people. But his people needed to change. Needed to be transformed, and we see part of that transformation occuring in the intermission.
They believed in the reality of the resurrection, and they had their minds opened to Salvation History. Do you? Have you?
Let me close by reading the close of Volume 1
Read Luke 24:50-51
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
Read Luke 24:52-53
And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Title Slide (Conclusion)
When you are convinced by faith in the reality of the resurrection… when you’re minds are opened to understand the Scriptures… your heart will burn, and you are well on your way to rightly understanding church and your role in it.
Let’s pray.