DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ascension of Jesus Christ: Unstoppable (Acts 1:1-11) April 2Nd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ascension of Jesus Christ: Unstoppable (Acts 1:1-11) April 2Nd The Ascension of Jesus Christ: Unstoppable (Acts 1:1-11) April 2nd & 3rd, 2016 TEXT: Acts 1:1-11 MAIN IDEA—Christ’s ascension prepared the way for the Holy Spirit’s present ministry through the church and provides hope that he will come again. 1. THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE REALITY OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION (Acts 1:1-3a). Following His resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ made frequent appearances to the Apostles over a forty-day period, Both ministering to them and providing “many convincing proofs” that He was alive. Though they never knew when Jesus would appear or disappear, scripture records their eyewitness accounts to His resurrection. *The spiritual power of the early church and of the Christian church today depends on the reality of the resurrection. Were Jesus still dead, the church would Be speechless. The very message of the Gospel involves the truth of the Resurrection (Romans 10:9; 1 Cor. 15:19). Acts 2:32; 1 Cor. 15:1-8 2. THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE COMING OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM (Acts 1:3b). During these post-resurrection appearances Jesus gave orders to the Apostles and also taught them about the kingdom of God. When Jesus came preaching, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand,” the disciples thought He would kick the Romans out of power through earthly might. This wasn’t the essence of His kingdom. The Kingdom of God is spiritual in its nature, But it affects the lives of men and women for their good and ultimately God’s glory (Rom. 14:17). When Christ reigns in a person's heart there is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 1 John 3:9 Daniel 2:32-35 3. THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:4-8). Jesus repeatedly promised that God would send His Spirit to the disciples (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27). Here in Acts 1:8, Jesus promised that they would soon receive power from the Spirit to Be His witnesses, telling the truth about salvation through Christ alone. 1 Cor. 12:12, 13 *Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father ruling from heaven, But working in His people By the power of the Spirit through the Gospel. 4. THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE ASSURANCE OF CHRIST’S RETURN (Acts 1:9-11). As the Apostles watched Christ ascend up into heaven, two angels appeared gently reBuking them, But at the same time giving them assurance of the Blessed hope that Jesus Christ is coming again. 1 Thess. 4:16-18; Rev. 1:7-8 Matthew Henry (1622-1714)—This same Jesus, who came once in disgrace to be judged, will come again in glory to judge. When we stand gazing and trifling, the consideration of our Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us; and, when we stand gazing and trembling, the consideration of it should comfort and encourage us. The Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: Q49—How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us? Answer—First, he pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of his Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven—a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, his members, to himself in heaven. Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit’s power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Q52—How does Christ’s return “to judge the living and the dead” comfort you? Answer—In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All his enemies and mine he will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all his chosen ones he will take alone with him into the joy and the glory of heaven. CONCLUDING THOUGHT—Place your trust in this Jesus, the living Christ! Pray for Christ’s kingdom to rule in your heart and over your situation. Record your testimony telling how you heard the Gospel and came to Christ with the goal of telling someone in the next week or two. Pray for Christ's return as a part of your daily growth in Christ. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Acts 1:6 and the Eclipse of the Biblical Kingdom
    EQ 66:3 (1994), 197-215 Anthony Buzzard Acts 1:6 and the Eclipse of the Biblical Kingdom Mr Buzzard, who teaches at Atlanta Bible College, Morrow, Georgia, argues that many biblical scholars have not done justice to the future hope of a divine kingdom involving Jerusalem and the land of Israel which he finds expressed in Acts 1:6. Many of the scholars discussed belong to the Reformed tradition, and it is right that we should give attention to the alternative point of view expressed by the writer. The relation of the political and the spiritual elements in the understanding the Kingdom of God is not easy to state, and fresh light on it is greatly to be welcomed. Few passages of Scripture have suffered more at the hands of hostile commentary than Luke's brief and brilliant summary ofJesus' last conversation with his apostles. It is in the nature of 'famous last words' that they communicate something of supreme importance. It is swprising, then, that the disciples' last question to their Master should have been the target of the indignation of so many commentators. The apostles' enquiIy related to Jesus' and Luke's favorite theme, the kingdom of God. They asked: 'Lord, has the time now come for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6.) There has been a common tendency among expositors to treat the Apostles' question as utterly out of tune with their Lord's teaching. Their enquiry is supposed to reveal a tragically inadequate under­ standing of Christianity's central theme. How, it is asked, could these associates ofJesus still cling so stubbornly to the crude notion of a theocratic restoration of the kingdom as the renewal of the Davidic empire on earth, 1ypical of the allegedly false hopes of Judaism? Fortunately, the argument continues, the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost rescued the apostles from their crudely literal understand­ ing of the kingdom of God and banished forever theJewish national hope they were harboring.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 1:1) Reference to Former Writings
    ACTS – CHAPTER 1 Jesus Ascends to Heaven, A New Apostle Chosen A. Prologue. 1. READ VERSES 1-8. (Acts 1:1) Reference to former writings. V1 The former account I made: The Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts was a one, two volume book. Acts is written in the literary style of the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint. Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach: Luke’s Gospel describes only the beginning of Jesus’ work; Acts describes its continuation; and the work of Jesus continues till today. Acts does not give us a full history of the church during this 30 year period. The churches in Galilee and Samaria are barely mentioned (Acts 9:31), and the church in Egypt isn’t mentioned at all. 2. (Acts 1:2-3) The last work of Jesus before His ascension to heaven. V2 Until the day in which He was taken up: Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, instructed the apostles what to do in His absence. He had given commandments to them. The Holy Spirit has a significant work in those who believe. If the glorified, resurrected Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit, so should we. This is a pattern for the rest of the Book of Acts. V3 To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs: Jesus also established the fact of His resurrection during the 40 days after his resurrection but before His ascension. He left no possible doubt that He was resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:6: “He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present.” Most of them were still alive some 25 years later.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ascension of Jesus and the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Patristic Perspective: a Theological Reading Keuy M
    EQ 79.1 (2007),23-33 The ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit in patristic perspective: a theological reading KeUy M. Kapic and Wesley Vander Lugt Kelly Kapic is Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA, and Wesley Vander Lugt is an MDiv. student in the same college. KEY WORDS: Ascension, Pentecost, Christology, Pneumatology, Patristics, Trinity. A woman we know recently recalled a powerful memory from her childhood in the early nineteen seventies. Her parents visited a large church in southern California to see an Easter play, and near the end of the drama this little girl witnessed, with a mixture of fear and delight, how Jesus, who was hooked up to a thinly disguised wire, was pulled up into the ceiling. What was all of this about? Why did Jesus go, and how could that possibly be a good thing? Such questions, however, are not reserved to children growing up in the Jesus move­ ment. Since the New Testament clearly testifies to the ascension of Jesus, theo­ logians throughout the ages have struggled to grasp its significance for those left behind. Scripture is replete with the antithesis of descent and ascent, and these bibli­ cal motifs have been indispensable hermeneutical devices throughout the his­ tory ofthe Christian Church. Following the lead of some early Church Fathers we will attempt to show how they employed the descent-ascent motif as a guiding framework for an exploration of the relationship between the ascension of Jesus and the sending (descent) of the Holy Spirit.
    [Show full text]
  • A= Ascension of Jesus, a New Apostle Chosen Acts 1
    Acts: What Jesus’ followers did as the Spirit worked in their lives A= Ascension of Jesus, A New Apostle Chosen Acts 1 Ascension: 40 days after Jesus arose from the dead, He went up to Heaven. Jesus now sits on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). Witness: person saw what Jesus did and told others. The apostles were witnesses. Sabbath’s Day Walk: the distance Jewish teachers had decided a Jew could walk on the Sabbath. It varies from 3/4 to 7/8 of a mile. Acts 1 review questions: Who wrote Acts?__________________ What other book did he write?_________________ Why did Luke write to Theophilus? _________________________ ______________________________________________________ How many days after Jesus died did he ascend to heaven? ______ How many apostles were there when Jesus ascended? ______ What gift were the apostles to wait for in Jerusalem? __________________________ Who told the apostles to stop gazing into heaven?______ Where else did Luke use the phrase “two men”?________________ How did Judas die? _______________________ Who replaced Judas?______________ ABC’s of Acts is a great way to remember what each book is about. Each letter of the alphabet represents the corresponding chapter number in Acts. There are 28 chapters in Acts so when we are done we will have an AA & a BB. Also, in your noted I have included important key words to make sure we know. Words such as ascension & witness. These are my definitions; Webster will not define them like I do! Luke wrote 2 books; Luke & Acts. Scholars believe he wrote the Gospel of Luke in AD 58, and then Acts in AD 61.
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Study Aids Section
    Sunday School Lesson Acts 1:1-11 by Lorin L. Cranford All rights reserved © Beginnings A copy of this lesson is posted in Adobe pdf format at http://cranfordville.com under Bible Studies in the Bible Study Aids section. A note about the blue, underlined material: These are hyperlinks that allow you to click them on and bring up the specified scripture passage automatically while working inside the pdf file connected to the internet. Just use your web browser’s back arrow or the taskbar to return to the lesson material. ************************************************************************** Quick Links to the Study I. Context II. Message a. Historical a. Promise of the Spirit, vv. 1-5 b. Literary b. Ascension, vv. 6-11 *************************************************************************** In this first lesson of the new series, entitled “The church on mission” in the Formations Sunday School lessons, we turn to Acts 1:1-11, which describes the beginning of Christian history by Luke. Acts is the second volume of a two volume set of documents in the New Testament that were written by Luke the physician -- the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Our passage, especially verses one through five, link Acts back to the gospel of Luke. Chapter twenty-four of the gospel helps because it also describes Jesus’ ascension back into Heaven. I. Context The contexts of the passage, as always, play a helpful role in correctly and more deeply understanding the passage. Thus we will give some attention to them, before digging into the study of the verses them- selves. a. Historical The external history of The Acts of the Apostles is closely linked to the Gospel of Luke because of the Prologue of Acts, along with that of the Lucan gospel.
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts: a Survey
    Leaven Volume 5 Issue 2 Luke-Acts Article 4 1-1-1997 The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts: A Survey Barry L. Blackburn Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Blackburn, Barry L. (1997) "The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts: A Survey," Leaven: Vol. 5 : Iss. 2 , Article 4. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol5/iss2/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Blackburn: The Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts: A Survey Luke-Acts 9 Spirit In• Luke-Acts: A Survey By Barry L. Blackburn The eighteenth-century biblical scholar J. A. Bengel Stage One was on to something when he suggested that the Acts of To prepare the way for Jesus' mission, the Spirit works the Apostles would have been more appropriately entitled through several people, especially prophets. Even from his "The Acts of the Holy Spirit,"! "The Holy Spirit" or some mother's womb, John the Baptist will be endowed with similar designation for God's Spirit occurs some fifty-six the Holy Spirit, enabling him to execute his prophetic mis- times in Acts.' But Luke hardly overlooked the work of sion of preparing Israel for the Lord (Luke 1:15, 17).
    [Show full text]
  • Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1 Overview
    Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1 Overview: Luke writes to Theophilus (“Lover of God”) a sequel of what Jesus continues to do thorough his disciples (1:1-5). He will relate Jesus’ Ascension into heaven (1:6-12). The Apostles return to Jerusalem to pray with Mary and other women (1:12-14). Ascension of Jesus: 1:6 – 12 • Kingdom of David: Political kingdom of Israel (David’s sons on throne); defunct – 6th century o 2 Sam. 7:16: Your house, kingdom, throne shall be firmly established forever o Amos 9:11: I will raise up the fallen hut of David; rebuild as in the days of old o God’s Kingdom: Where Jesus Himself is present; God’s will is loved and obeyed; it will be restored not by military/political conquest, but by witness (Kurz, 31). • Not to know: God’s timetable is mysterious; invitation to trust through daily acts of faith o Key: We want to know the details (for control/security), but only given in heaven • Power: (Gk: dunamis) Sounds like dynamite; receive explosive power via the Holy Spirit o Note: Jesus received the Holy Spirit at baptism; disciples will receive at Pentecost o Note: Resurrection is like lightening, while Pentecost is like thunder (power) o Key: You receive this power in Baptism (ignited) and in confirmation (gasoline) • Witnesses: Major theme in Acts of the Apostles; witness in word (24 speeches) and deeds o Key: Disciples will boldly claim what seen and heard; today, what God has done Jerusalem Acts 2 – 7 Judea and Samaria Acts 8 – 12 Ends of the Earth Peter to Gentiles (Acts 10 – 11) and Paul (Acts 13 – 28) Jesus’ Ascension: 1:9 – 11 • Lifted up: Recalls Elijah’s being taken up into heaven in a flaming chariot (2 Kgs.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-3) Commentary: Week One
    Introduction to the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-3) Commentary: Week One **Scripture divisions used in our series and various commentaries differ from each other. This is the reason for the occasional discrepancy between the verse range listed in our series and the commentary notes provided in our Scripture Studies. New American Commentary1 I. The Spirit Empowers The Church for Witness The first two chapters of Acts revolve around the miracle of Pentecost. Everything in chap. 1 is related to that event. The risen Jesus instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit (1:4–5). Immediately prior to his ascension, he commissioned them for a worldwide mission and promised that they would be empowered for this by the Holy Spirit (1:8). Following the ascension, the apostles returned to Jerusalem to the upper room and engaged in fervent prayer, awaiting the promised Spirit (1:12–14). But it was necessary that the apostolic circle of witnesses be complete so that all might experience the gift of the Spirit, and Matthias was chosen to replace Judas (1:15–26). Then the Spirit came with great power (2:1–5). The Spirit-filled apostles began to witness to a large crowd, which represented “every nation under heaven”; and all in the crowd heard this in their own native languages (2:6–13). As spokesman for the apostles, Peter seized the opportunity to deliver his first sermon in Acts (2:14–40), and 3,000 were convicted and baptized (2:41). The newborn “church” consolidated by developing a close community of learning, worshiping, and sharing; and the Spirit of the Lord continued to bless their witness by adding to their numbers daily (2:47).
    [Show full text]
  • Waiting for Pentecost Acts 1:9-26 Last Week, We Examined the Wonderful Truth That Christ Has Ascended Into Heaven
    Waiting for Pentecost Acts 1:9-26 Last week, we examined the wonderful truth that Christ has ascended into Heaven. Because of this, we rejoiced that Christ has all authority, not only in Heaven, but on the Earth as well. And just before His ascension, we read in Acts chapter 1 that He told His disciples to bear witness to Him to the very ends of the Earth. But before they were to go charging off to tell the world about Him, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the power to carry out their ministry, to wait until they had been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Now, it turns out that their first inclination was to do just that – to wait. In verse 10, we learn that they kept on gazing upward, even after the clouds blocked Jesus from their view. Could it be that they thought He would only be gone a moment, and that He would return immediately to set up His Kingdom on Earth? Whatever the reason, it took a couple of angels to break their reverie, to send them on their way back to Jerusalem. And we would like to stay on that hilltop too, wouldn’t we? We Presbyterians love to hear about the absolute power of Christ, how He holds all authority in Heaven and on Earth. And so it’s easy for us to stand with the disciples, gazing up into Heaven, waiting for Jesus to come back and do everything Himself, neglecting the work He has called us to do.
    [Show full text]
  • Family Devotions Schedule Spring 2021
    Week Story Page Bible Reference Truth to Know Let's Talk About It 14-Mar Jesus Loves Zacchaeus 403 Luke 19:1-10 God Wants Everyone 1)Why didn't people like Zacchaeus? to Be Part of His 2)What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus? Family 3)Was it easy for Zacchaeus to give his things away? 4)Who can come to know Jesus? Palm Sunday 409 Matt. 21:1-11, 15-16 Jesus is King 1)What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? Mark 11:1-10 2)What did people put on the road for Jesus? Why? Luke 19:28-38 3)If I was there would I have put my coat down for Jesus? 4)What can I do to celebrate that Jesus is King? 21-Mar The Poor Woman's Gift 415 Mark 12:41-44 We Can Show 1)Who was Jesus watching near the doors of the temple? Luke 21:1-4 God We Love Him 2)What kind of noise did a lot of money make? 3)What kind of noise did a little bit of money make? 4)What did Jesus say about the woman who gave just a little? 5) What does God look for in our hearts? Jesus' Last Supper 419 Matthew 26:17-30 Jesus Wants Us To 1)What special celebration was happening in Jerusalem? Mark 14:12-26 Serve Just Like 2)What did Jesus do for His friends? Luke 22:7-20 He Did 3) Why did Jesus do that? John 13:1-17 4)How can we serve and help others? Who can we help? 28-Mar Jesus in Gethsemane 422 Matt 26:36-50 Jesus Trusted 1)What happened after their special Passover meal? Mark 14:32-46 God 2)What did Jesus do by Himself? Who did He talk to? Luke 22:39-48 3)What sad thing happened to Jesus? John 18:1-9 4)Who did Jesus trust? Jesus Dies and 425 Matt 26:58-68, 27:11-28:10 Jesus is the 1) How
    [Show full text]
  • Acts, 1, Study Guide
    LESSON 12 PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (PART 1) BARNABAS AND SAUL SELECTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (13:1–3) The return of Barnabas and Saul (12:25) sets the stage for the beginning of chapter 13. Acts 13:1–3 is the watershed of the Book of Acts. Before this passage, the key figure is Peter, the key city is Jerusalem, and the key recipients of the gospel are Jews. After 13:1–3, the key figure is Paul, the key city is Antioch in Syria, and the key recipients of the gospel are Gentiles. Another significance of chapter 13 is that in this chapter we reach stage three in Jesus’ plan of evangelization. In 1:8 Jesus had said, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (emphasis added). 1. What role did fasting play in the Book of Acts? 2. When did God call Barnabas and Saul? FROM ANTIOCH IN SYRIA TO CYPRUS (13:4) By the phrase “sent out by the Holy Spirit,” Luke showed clearly that the first missionary journey was the result of God’s direction, not a decision of the Antioch “mission committee.” 3. Where was Cyprus and what was it famous for? ON CYPRUS: AT SALAMIS AND PAPHOS (13:5–12) The group landed at Salamis, the metropolitan port on the eastern end of Cyprus and the commercial center of the island. Preaching first in the syna- gogue would be the pattern followed in the missionary journeys.
    [Show full text]
  • Mary, a Model of Ecclesia Orans, in Acts 1:14
    Marian Studies Volume 35 Proceedings of the Thirty-Fifth National Convention of The Mariological Article 12 Society of America held in Washington, D.C. 1984 Mary, A Model of Ecclesia Orans, in Acts 1:14 Bertrand Buby University of Dayton Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/marian_studies Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Buby, Bertrand (1984) "Mary, A Model of Ecclesia Orans, in Acts 1:14," Marian Studies: Vol. 35, Article 12. Available at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/marian_studies/vol35/iss1/12 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Marian Library Publications at eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Marian Studies by an authorized editor of eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Buby: Mary, A Model of Ecclesia-Orans MARY, A MODEL OF ECCLESIA-ORANS, IN ACTS 1:14 I. ACTS 1:14: A Redactional Study of the Text with Marian Implications In studying the image and concept of Mary and Church in the Acts of the Apostles, the theology of Luke the evangelist and historian-writer1 forms part of the background and context for understanding the meaning of the one text in which Mary the Mother of Jesus is mentioned, in the Acts 1: 14. The fact that Luke-Acts2 is the work of one writer gives us a fabric of texts which can be compared from the first volume (the Gospel) and the second (the Acts). The image of Mary and the image of Church in the Acts cannot be separated from what we know about her and the community of disciples in the Gospels.
    [Show full text]