PREPARATION POWER AND PURPOSE

Acts 1:1-26 NLT

 

1 “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”   Luke 1:1-4 NLT

 

MAJOR THEMES

• The Holy Spirit empowers believers
• Unity and diversity in the Church
• Growth through miracles and persecution
• Bold witness in the face of opposition
• The Gospel spreads globally

 

1 “In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3 NLT

 

• “In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach…”

• Jesus’ ministry didn’t end with the resurrection.

 

Build your life and mission on this:

• The risen Christ
• The truth of the Gospel
• The power of the Kingdom

 

The Promise of Power

 

4 “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our Kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 NLT

 

• Wait—Let me prepare you

• Receive—Let me empower you

• Be witnesses—Let me give you purpose

 

We want answers. Jesus gives us:

• Power •Purpose •Global Mission

 

The Ascension of Jesus

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:9-11 NLT

 

“There was something fundamentally anomalous about their gazing up into the sky when they had been commissioned to go to the ends of the earth. It was the earth not the sky which was to be their preoccupation. Their calling was to be witnesses, not stargazers. The vision they were to cultivate was not upwards in nostalgia to the heaven which had received Jesus, but outwards in compassion to a lost world which needed him.”                                                 John Stott

 

Heaven, prophecy, end times should not distract us—it should motivate us. It should not paralyze us but propel us.

 

Jesus will return. That should lead us to:

• Urgency   •Faithfulness     •Compassion       •Mission

 

The Posture of the Church

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:12-14 NLT

 

Obedience: They did what Jesus said.

Unity: They were together in one place and with one mind.

Prayer: They prayed constantly.

Diversity: Men and women, leads and family; side by side.

 

• Prayer prepares. •Prayer unites.     •Prayer activates.

 Revival doesn’t start on the stage—it starts on our knees.

 

 If we want to see the power of God move among us, we must be a   

 people of:   Prayer        Obedience        Unity        Diversity

 

 The Preparation for Leadership—Acts 1:15-26 NLT

• Judas’ replacement: Matthias
• Rooted in Scripture
• Chosen through prayer
• Aimed at mission

 

Church leadership should be:

• Prayerfully chosen

• Scripturally grounded

• Mission-focused

 

The early Church was built on:

• The truth of Jesus’ resurrection

• The power of the Holy Spirit

• A posture of obedient prayer

• Commitment to God’s mission

 

Next Steps:

• Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

• Follow faithfully and obediently.

• Pray for the Church and leaders.

• Be about the mission.