Acts 1:1-11

UP TO GLORY

Life of Christ #61 – Last Message in Series!

 

Here are some words of advice from the late columnist, Erma Bombeck:

=Never have more children than you have car windows.

=Never loan your car to someone to whom you have given birth.

=Pick your friends carefully. A “friend” never goes on a diet when you are fat or tells you how lucky you are to have a husband who remembers Mother’s Day--when his gift is a smoke alarm.

=Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.

=Know the difference between success and fame. Success is Mother Teresa. Fame is Madonna.

=Never be in a hurry to terminate a marriage. Remember, you may need this man-woman someday to finish a sentence.

=There are no guarantees in marriage. If that’s what you’re looking for, go live with a Sears battery.

=Never go to a class reunion pregnant. They will think that’s all you have been doing since you graduated. http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=32

 

Many people have given words of advice. I chose  to share something humorous, but there is a wealth of good advice out there.

 

What if you were able to spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ so that you could see Him in His resurrection body?  Of course, He would give you the best advice of all.

 

On and off for almost two years we have been studying the Life of Christ.  This morning is the 61^st and last message in the series. 

 

It is the longest series I have ever preached.  Recently we have been looking at Christ’s post resurrection appearances.  And this morning we find Him giving advice as He climaxes his life with His ascension “Up To Glory”.

 

In the last days physically on earth, the forty days after the resurrection, Jesus did the following things:

 

HE PREPARED HIS MEN FOR MINISTRY – Vss. 1-3

 

Vs. 1 – We do not know who Theophilus was.  But he is the same person to whom the Gospel of Luke was written. The Gospel of Luke is the former treatise referred to here.

 

Isn’t it interesting that Luke says it is what Jesus BEGAN to do and teach?

Jesus began to do when he was here on earth.

Jesus began to teach when he was here on earth.

 

Jesus’ doing and teaching continues today through the work of God the Holy Spirit.  That is why some people call the Book of Acts, “The Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Jesus promised in John 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

 

Power comes today through the Holy Spirit.

Teaching comes today through the Holy Spirit.

 

John 16:13-14 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

 

Vs. 2 – Jesus began to do and teach all the way up to his ascension into Heaven.  Hs disciples were well instructed.

And notice the end of Acts 1:3 …speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

Teaching God’s Word was a priority up until the time Jesus physically left the earth. Then he turned over the teaching to the Holy Spirit of God.   

 

Why did Jesus teach the disciples?  He had a ministry for them to do!  As we’ll see later, they were to take the good news of the Gospel to the world.  They needed to be trained.

 

Has it ever occurred to you that you and I have the same ministry today as the Apostles did, to go to the world and preach the Gospel?  Even if we only go to our family and neighborhood, it is still taking the Gospel to the world.

 

So why do we have so much trouble taking the Gospel to our friends, family, and beyond?  In part, it is because we have not allowed God to train us.  We must learn the Word of God before we can communicate it!

 

We do not allow God the Holy Spirit to teach us when we read the Word of God and have it taught or preached to us.  We have no desire to be taught.  You will not learn the Word of God so that you can communicate the Gospel until you want to learn and ask God to guide you by His Holy Spirit.

 

Many times the Sunday School teacher, Bible Class teacher, preacher or pastor does not have an impact on your life because you have no desire to be taught by God to learn His Word.

 

HE PREPARED HIS MEN FOR MINISTRY – Vss. 1-3

HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION – Vs. 3

 

Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

We have been showing you the “many infallible proofs” that were shown the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead.

 

·       It was empty “At the tomb” and Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and other women.

·       “On the Road” Jesus appeared to two disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

·       “In the Room” Jesus appeared to the disciples and had them examine his wounds.  He even ate some food.

·       “By the Sea” Jesus appeared to seven disciples including Peter.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

 

The disciples, including Thomas saw a risen Savior and believed.  Jesus is alive and we take the testimonies of the Apostles by faith!

 

John 20:29 - Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

 

·       Because Jesus is alive, He is available to help me.

·       Because Jesus is alive, He is a sympathetic friend.

·       Because Jesus is alive, I have the hope of eternal life. God has accepted His payment for sin.

·       Because Jesus is alive with a resurrection body we have the hope of resurrection.

·       Because Jesus is alive we can take to the world the blessed Gospel of forgiveness and eternal life:

G – God loves you

O – Only Begotten Son

S – Sin which all have

P – Precious blood of Christ shed for our sins

E – Ever living Savior

L – Let Him In (Child Evangelism Fellowship taught me this acrostic.)

 

HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION – Vs. 3

HE PROMISED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Vss. 4-5

 

Vs. 4-5 – The church was in transition.  Things were done a little differently in the Book of Acts until the promise of the Holy Spirit was given.

 

The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity.  He is just as much God as God the Father and God the Son.  It is His job now to indwell each and every believer.  This would begin at the Day of Pentecost.

 

The Holy Spirit had been promised.

 

Mark 1:8 - I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

 

John 14:16-18 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

 

Vs. 5 – The superior baptism that John referred to would take place about 10 days after his ascension, on the Day of Pentecost.   

 

So what about us now? Do we need to tarry in order to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?

 

The answer is no!

 

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

Romans 8:8-9 - So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

 

Today, if you are truly saved, if you have truly believed the Gospel, you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you.   

 

But, we are told to allow the Spirit of God to control us. That is when we will truly have power.

It is called being “filled with the Spirit.”

There is only one baptism. There are many fillings

 

Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 

Galatians 5:22-24 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

 

The secret to being filled with the Spirit is summed up in two words: Death and Dependence.

 

Death – I am crucified with Christ   

Dependence – Christ liveth in me (He does that through the power of the Holy Spirit.)

 

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live the victorious Christian Life.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us victory over sinful habits.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to pray.

It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to witness.

 

HE PROMISED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Vss. 4-5

HE PRONOUNCED THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL – Vss. 6-8

 

Vs. 6 – This was not a bad question.

 

The disciples then understood that Jesus had to die for sin and rise again before He established His Kingdom. It was logical that it could have been immediately.

 

Vs. 7 – It was not for the disciples or us to know when Jesus is coming. It is our job to be ready when He comes.

 

Luke 12:40 - Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

 

In the meanwhile, we have a job today.

 

Vs. 8 – Jesus sent the disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit to reach the world.

 

They were to be witnesses. A witness attests that what he has seen is true.  By faith we have seen Jesus alive and well in our lives.  By faith we know that the only way to eternal life is through faith in Christ. We are to be witnesses.

 

Our witness is to begin where we are – Jerusalem

Our witness is to expand a little beyond our immediate area – All Judea

Our witness is to progress to where we might not even be liked – Samaria

Our witness is to reach the whole world.

 

How can our witness be a world wide witness?

·       First, be willing to go wherever God sends you.  And when you go, take the Gospel with you. This could be as close as next door or as far away as India.

·       Second, be investing in the world wide spreading of the Gospel by giving to missions.

·       Third, pray that God would send laborers into His harvest.

Luke 10:2 - Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

·       Fourth ask God to save souls.

1 Tim. 2:1-4 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

The young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented,

 

“I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The manager replied,

 

“Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty.”

 

So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel.

November-December 1985, Preaching. http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=500

 

Who are you making thirsty for the Gospel?

Are others drawn to Christ because of your love for Him and your words for Him?   

 

HE PRONOUNCED THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL – Vss. 6-8

HE PROCEEDED TO HEAVEN – Vs. 9

   

Vs. 9 – How do we know that Jesus went to Heaven?   

 

Acts 7:55-56 - But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

 

Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged

our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

What is Jesus doing in Heaven?   

·       He is waiting.

Psalm 110:1 - The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

·       He is listening.

Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

·       He is interceding.

1 John 2:1-2 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

HE PROCEEDED TO HEAVEN – Vs. 9

ANGELS PREDICTED HIS RETURN – Vss. 10-11

   

Vss. 10-11 – It was not time to stare into Heaven.  It was time to be ready for the ministry.  And yet, they were to be ready for His coming at any time.

 

Jesus will return.

 

Zechariah 14:3-4 - Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. [4] And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a

very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

Jesus will return.

In the meanwhile, it is our job to take the Gospel to the World.

What are you doing to accomplish this?   

 

HE PREPARED HIS MEN FOR MINISTRY

HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION

HE PROMISED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

HE PRONOUNCED THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL

HE PROCEEDED TO HEAVEN

ANGELS PREDICTED HIS RETURN