Acts is the exciting story of the beginning of the church, and the greatest movement in the history of the world. It is filled with adventure, miracles, dynamic events, struggles, joys, aha moments, and crises to overcome: dissensions within and persecutions without: struggles with political and religious authorities, relationship dynamics and wrestling with issues of leadership, finance, ethnic divisions, theology, and ethics. Actually, it could sound a lot like the church of today and the problems we face as well. That makes acts more than just a history book, because we become the participants in the ongoing and unwritten chapters of Acts. As the early church faced issues for the first time, we too face the same questions today, namely: “What would you have us do, Lord Jesus?”
The big Idea: It’s all about Jesus
The ongoing Acts of Jesus
The next big event is going to be the graduation from training to empowerment!
Get the foundation right. Start again at baptism! Remember what happened? Luke 3:15-17;21,22
It is more than repentance, it is new life – the prophecy of John will be fulfilled
They must wait upon the Lord expectantly – they have seen, heard, and now something new is about to happen
The Activity of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of Jesus
This is not a political program, or program at all, it is life to be shared, power to overcome, joy to be experienced and peace in the midst of chaos. The real nature of God is about to permeate those who believe. What are they to expect? They don’t know because it has never happened before! But when it does, it will transcend present experience and will launch a change in the world.
Our Inclusion in the ongoing Acts of Jesus
Makes this book more than a history book. It includes us, and what we learn from those who go before us is helpful for us to know how God moves with his people. The ends of the earth is not just geographical, ethnical, or time sensitive, but it continues to each generation through the church. We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus!
Are you repentant?
Are you living a new life?
Do you wait expectantly for Jesus to do his work both in you, and through you?
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
Isaiah55:6-7NASB