Acts 1:1. In the book of Acts, Luke continues the story he began in his gospel, covering the 30 years after Jesus was taken up into Heaven. During that short time the church was established, and the gospel of salvation was spread throughout the world, even to the capitol of the Roman empire. Those preaching the gospel, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the good news all over the world. In the book of Acts we learn about the nature of the church and how we, like these early believers, can turn our world upside down.
Act 1: 3. Luke says that the disciples were eyewitnesses to all that had happen to Jesus Christ, his life before his crucifixion, and the 40 years after his resurrection as he taught them more about the Kingdom of God. Today people still doubt Jesus’ resurrection. But Jesus appeared to the disciples on many occasions after his resurrection, proving that he was alive. Consider the change the resurrection made in the disciples lives. At Jesus’ death, they had scattered , were disillusioned, and feared for their lives. After seeing the resurrected Christ, they became fearless and risked everything to spread the Good News about him around the world. They faced imprisonment, beatings, rejection, yet they never compromised their mission. They knew Jesus was alive, and the early church was fired with their enthusiasm to tell others. Twenty centuries later we can still be confident that our Faith is based on fact.
Acts 1: 4,5. The Trinity is the description of the unique relationship of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If Jesus would have stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the Gospel, because physically he could only be only in one place at a time. After Christ was taken up into Heaven, he would be spiritually present everywhere through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God would be with and within his followers after Christ returned to Heaven.
Acts 1:6. During the years of Jesus’ ministry on earth, the disciples continually wondered about his Kingdom. When would it come? What would be their role? In the traditional view, the Messiah would be an earthly conqueror who would free Israel from Rome. But the Kingdom Jesus spoke about was, first of all a spiritual kingdom established in the hearts and lives of believers. God’s presence and power dwell in believers in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8. Jesus had instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him ,but they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit. God has important work for you to do for him, but you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often like to get along with he job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God’s plan. Are you waiting and listening on God’s complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans. We need God’s timing and power to be truly effective. God’s gospel has not reached it’s final destination if someone in your family, your workplace , your school, or your community hasn’t heard the Good news about Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:13,14. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a baffling dilemma, don’t rush into the work and just hope it comes out the way it should. Instead, make your first step prayer for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance.
Waiting for God to work does not mean sitting around doing nothing. We must do what we can, while we can, as long as we don’t run ahead of God.
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