Vibrant People leads to Vibrant Church: The Preparation
ACTS 1
Author:
So who was Luke ?
He was a companion of Paul , Certain Passages make use of pronoun WE ad he also used They. At these points the Author includes himself as a companion of Paul in his travels (16:10-17;20:5;21:18;27:1;28:16)
Luke, The physician. Although it cannot be proved that the author of Acts was a physician simply from his vocabulary, the words he uses and the traits and education reflected in his writings fit well his role as a Physician
In Colossians 4:14, Paul calls him “the beloved physician.”
Dates:
Two Dates are possible for the writing of this book. AD 63, soon after the last event recorded in the book and AD 70 or even later.
Recipient:
The primary recipient of the book, Theophilus, is the same person addressed in the Book of Luke
Geographically , its story spans the lands between Jerusalem where the church began, and Rome the political center of the empire. Historically it recounts the first 30 years of the Church.
Luke traveled with Paul for years and went with him finally to Rome where Paul died. I find one of Paul’s most moving sentences in his last letter (2 Timothy 4:11) during his final imprisonment in Rome. He says simply, “Luke alone is with me.”
All these years in all these travels, including two years in Palestine, Luke is taking notes about the works and words of Jesus and the progress of the church.
Theophilus is probably some kind of Roman official because of the title “most excellent” which Luke uses only for Roman officials like Felix (Acts 23:26) and Festus (Acts 26:25), the governors of Judea. Theophilus had some knowledge of Jesus and the church, but it was not clear and certain and complete. Luke’s aim was to give him a faithful account of what Jesus did and said and then of the progress of the church in the world.
In the Book of Luke, the same author mentions about the Ascension of Jesus.
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Luke mentions here Ascension, and continues the next book what began after ascension.
The Gospels are about the ministry of Jesus Christ here on earth, but the book of Acts is about the ministry of the Holy Spirit that Jesus sends.
Acts 1:3
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.
In verse 3, it says that Jesus presented the disciples many times
Believe in His Presence
To be a vibrant Church and vibrant people , we need to believe that God’s presence in midst of us. In our homes, in our church , everywhere. We do experience God. And there may be may proofs which God may have shown you and our Church that he is with us.
Can I ask you this morning , Did you experience his presence this entire week? Did he give proofs about he working in our life and church.
When we went to Srilanka we experience God’s presence, Peace , breakthroughs. We were having dinner off a sudden the pastor accompanying us got a call. He got an urgent call and he asked us if we would like to join. We covered ourselves in prayer, covered our families in India in prayer and we went in and saw a breakthrough (explain)
When the Israelites went for war they took the ark in the front , and they were so confident that God’s presence is going ahead of them. And they feared without the Ark.
Psalm 139:7-8
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
That is for us NEW this year , 2023. We need to believe in his presence , his convincing proofs , which will show us that you are not alone, Christ is with us. Believe in his presence.
I want to bring back Isaiah 43:19
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
May be this Morning God is saying this with us, Seek for my presence. Solomon built this huge temple and he knew without God’s presence everything will remain as a structure and he requested for God’s presence.
Believe God’s presence in your life, Seek for Presence. Without his presence in our life we are nothing.
Believe in the Convincing Proof:
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
God does show us in Proof, As simple as sometimes as Favour, miracle or a supernatural. These are all proofs of his presence and power in our lives.
Many times we don’t acknowledge his favour by considering it humanly , miracle by achievements , supernatural by accident.
These disciples believed in God’s presence and they were convinced . This allowed God to work in them and through them in the lives of others.
Believe in the Promise:
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
They were baptized with water and now God promises that they will be baptized with the holy spirit.
Are we filled with the Holy Spirit, are we baptized in Water. If not what are we waiting for? The preparation is set for you and me.
Sometimes we are filled long time ago, or we were filled with the holy spirit but it has become dry. Maybe this morning God is offering you again the Holy Spirit.
Leave it in the Hands of God: Surrender
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
In life we have questions, desires? The disciples asked the former glory of Israel. They thought Jesus died, rose again , its over. Now everything will be set right . Jesus Said leave that to God but you be filled with the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit,what Next?:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Once we are filled with the holy spirit , we will never be same, the disciples were never the same. Their life changed, perceptive changed, goal changed, desires changed.
People who wanted to save their life they were ready to loose/risk their life, they were full of lack of faith , they moved in faith.
We will all become a witness for Jesus Christ. What’s your journey? Did your life change? If not God wants to change today. Allow the holy spirit to be filled / refilled now.
Move On:
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
In the year 2023, I believe God wants us to Move on and be a Witness. Our lives need to change.
God is offering this year , New Mindset , New heart. We need to be a witness. Prioritize God in our lives
In the 1800’s Hudson Taylor was called by God to go to China, where he spent 51 years as a missionary and founded the Inland China Mission, which ended up sending 800 missionaries to China, and the fruit of their ministry is still spreading today, even under Communism, as millions of Chinese have come to Christ. One December Taylor wrote home about what life was like for him in China. He said that it was very cold, that there were no ceilings in their house, and his “bedroom wall” was a sheet they hung up! But he said “We did not come to China because missionary work here was either safe or easy, but because He had called us.”
Being Prayerful:
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Now there was no Judas in the team and they prayed , two of them were shortlisted but did not knew who they have to choose so they Prayed.
They relied on God for their important decisions, both looked good but they wanted God’s will
And this year , being prayerful when we make important decisions .
Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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