240204 Acts 1: The Greater Work
Through the Bible in 3 Years - Year 3 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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John 14:12“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.
John 14:12“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
1:00 Minute(s) INTRODUCTION SLIDE
The minimum required elements:
The repetition of the “work” - 3 times ἔργα mentioned, ἔργα is something that people do or cause to happen
This ἔργα will be done in faith, faith based on Christ’s Work to do what remains of Christ’s work in greater numbers, greater size, greater importance or degree
The Joint Work to be done, between Father, Son, Spirit and Saints to complete His Kingdom
John 14:10–12““Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from Myself, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater X than these he will do because I go to the Father.”
MAINPOINT
MAINPOINT
1:00 Minute(s) MAINPOINT SLIDE
The minimum required elements:
Christian, because of faith in Jesus Christ we have been committed to a greater work than Christ. Ultimately, this work is comprised of sharing the Gospel and living it out - the exact same thing that Christ did except
Whereas the incarnate Son of God could only physically be in one place in time and space we who are many can be in many different places.
John 14:12““Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.”
PRAYER
PRAYER
1:00 Minute(s) BLANK SLIDE
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
1:00 Minute(s) CONTEXT SLIDE
written to or for Theophilus - nothing is known about him so nothing will be mentioned. What will be mentioned is that the Christ has suffered and died, He was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures and He was seen by many witnesses 1 Corinthians 15.1-5.
This is the Gospel and we will see this played out in the narrative before us but also see its impact in the lives of these men and the Gospel’s impact in our life
SERMON
SERMON
1:00 Minute(s) SERMON SLIDE
I. The Gospel Presentation (v1-3)
I. The Gospel Presentation (v1-3)
Acts 1:1–3 | 1 The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over forty days and speaking about the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Minimum requirements
Minimum requirements
v1
All that Christ began to do and teach - inference is that the Church continues to do Christ’s work, empowered by His Spirit and furthers His teaching
v2
apostles - an envoy sent by and directly taught by Christ, cannot be appointed by men, Christ chose these men
v3
Many convincing proofs Luke 1:4 “so that you may know the certainty about the things you have been taught.”
The Gospel presentation: 1 John 1:1-3.
APP: The Gospel’s impact: Romans 6:13 “and do not go on presenting your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:16“Do you not know that when you go on presenting yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:19“I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, leading to further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.”
OBS: All suffering has an expiration date for those who believe, after our suffering like Christ suffered then comes glory 1 Peter 5:10“And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, strengthen, confirm, and ground you.”
Summary: This is a work that Christ began and suffered through, it is a work that He continued through envoys called apostles who explained what Christ taught - the book of Acts chronicles this work. These apostles were granted authority and power by Christ’s Holy Spirit and the message that they proclaimed is the Gospel, they did this fully certain of the truth. The Gospel is the Good News and it says that Christ lived perfectly and He then suffered as a sacrifice so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life receiving the gift of His righteousness by faith. We understand now that even Christ’s suffering had an expiration date, just as every Christian’s suffering must end and then comes glory. But before that, we who believe are to present ourselves like Christ as alive to ever increasing sanctification and not to in slavery to sin - we do this through the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit too
II. The Promised Spirit (v4-5)
II. The Promised Spirit (v4-5)
Acts 1:4–5 | 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Minimum Requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
v4
The promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit,
Christ had told the twelve of the Holy Spirit back before He was crucified in John 16:7, 13.
v5
The believers baptism into the Holy Spirit is not like the Baptism of John which was a momentary cleansing; No, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a plunging or engulfing of the believer into the Holy Spirit that produces an empowered fruitfulness to build up Christ’s Body, the Church and carry out His Commission. If the work is to be done it is only to be done through the power of Christ’s Spirit
We saw what this looked like not only at Pentecost in Acts 2:2-4, but also with Gentiles in Acts 10:37-45 and saw the immediate response of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling upon believing the Gospel
Summary/OBS: We realized that this is a joint work between Father, Son, Spirit and Saints. The Father Sends the Son, The Son Sacrifices Himself, Saving repentant Sinners, The Father and Son send the Spirit and the Spirit empowers the Saints to share the Gospel
III. The Redirected Focus (v6-8)
III. The Redirected Focus (v6-8)
Acts 1:6–8 | 6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to THE END OF THE EARTH.”
Required minimum elements
Required minimum elements
v6-7
Deuteronomy 29:29 ““The secret things belong to Yahweh our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
v8
You will receive power: Christ’s Power - a promise, Matthew 28:18“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:19–20““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” - we might say, “mark, I know this,” but are we actually going, are we teaching, are we discipling, have we been baptized, no? Why not, is it because we don’t believe that we have power from God to accomplish what He has commanded? PROMISES IMPACT ACTIONS WHEN WE BELIEVE THEM
OBS: Non-compliance is not neutral, failing to further the kingdom through evangelism and increasing holiness only assists the domain of darkness. Spurgeon said, if we are idle in Christ’s work we are active in the devil’s
Romans 10:14–15“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!””
Acts 13:47““For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”” SUGGESTS THAT WE ARE THE MEANS BY WHICH THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH
IV. The Ascension Hope (v9-11)
IV. The Ascension Hope (v9-11)
Acts 1:9–11 | 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Required minimum elements
Required minimum elements
What is Christ doing now? intercession, unable to be corrupted, incarnation continuing, creating a place for us
promise of His return - same way
Notes
Notes
v10-11 CT3/GPT Eternal destiny of believers is to be with Christ forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
v11 CT3/GPT A bodily return is expected, His arrival will be just as personal as His departure. This is a definite event with a definite time set by the Father - PROFOUND Eschatology impacts today’s ministry Acts 3:19–21““Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.”
v11 Coming of Christ
WSC Christ’s Exaltation consists in coming to judge the world at the last day
Spurgeon’s catechism “what is meant by the words, “until He comes,” which are used by the apostle Paul in reference to the Lord’s Supper? - they plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; which is the joy and hope of all believers
v9-11 WLC Christ received gifts for Men Question 53 How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, (Acts 1:2–3) and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, (Matt. 28:19–20) forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, (Heb. 6:20) triumphing over enemies, (Eph. 4:8) visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, (Acts 1:9–11, Eph. 4:10, Ps. 68:18) to raise up our affections thither, (Col. 3:1–2) and to prepare a place for us, (John 14:3) where he himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world. (Acts 3:21)
Questions
Questions
Cross References
Cross References
Hebrews 7:25–27 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
Hebrews 9:24“For Christ did not enter holy places made with hands, mere copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;”
v10-11 1 Corinthians 15:22–23“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
v9-11 John 14:3““And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
v11 1 Peter 3:22“who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”
Application
Application
Hebrews 4:14“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession.”
WARNING
WARNING
1:00 Minute(s) WARNING SLIDE
John 16:33““These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
1:00 Minute(s) SUMMARY SLIDE
You say to me, “mark, I know all these things but I still struggle to carry out my commission, I don’t go to anyone, I don’t disciple, I don’t teach anyone, I haven’t been baptized… why?” We may intellectually agree that promises have been made by Christ but promises only impact our actions when we believe them. If we believe in Christ’s promise that His Spirit is with us we will go, not in our strength but His. If Christ’s Spirit is in us we will open God’s word to share with others what it says. If Christ’s Spirit is encouraging us we will want to obey Him in all things - including baptism.
This is not something we achieve perfection in until the end but the same God who initiated the work will complete it in us in Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
1:00 Minute(s) CONCLUSION SLIDE
It is time to work
1 Corinthians 15:50–58 “Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the corruptible inherit the incorruptible. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on the incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible puts on the incorruptible, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the word that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
PRAYER
PRAYER
1 Timothy 3:16“And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”
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16:30Hrs Total Time
0:05Hrs Destination/Conclusion
0:05Hrs Various research and confirm text to be studied
0:05Hrs Reset Manuscript with notes outline etc
0:45Hrs Daily Reading of Text
0:45Hrs Daily Prayer regarding the text and its penetration
0:40Hrs Hand write text for comprehension
0:15Hrs Read Passages in LSB/NIV/NKJV/LXX/BHS/UBS
0:05Hrs Copy passages in the sermon template in italics
0:05Hrs Draft title/main point/antithesis that connects the passages
0:20Hrs Make notes
4:10Hrs Write Sermon Outline via powerpoint
0:05Hrs Check Biblemaps.com
1:00Hrs Review all Cross References to see what I have missed
0:00Hrs Context BEB
2:15Hrs Read theology CT3/CICR/ST/ST:BH/WSW
1:05 Hrs Read Book commentary NAC/K&D/WAL/EBB/TSK/OTT/UBSH/BTB/Exegetical Summary
5:00Hrs Write Sermon
0:00Hrs Write Introduction/prayer
0:00Hrs Practice
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I. The Gospel Presented (v1-3)
Acts 1:1–3 | 1 The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over forty days and speaking about the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Paraphrase/Retranslation
Minimum requirements
the Gospel presentation - 1 Corinthians 15:3–5“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”
v1 the Assurance/It was many convincing proofs/not a vision, something that could be represented but seen by many witnesses - that was the beginning but not the end of the revelation of Christ. The Holy Spirit continues this work through guidance via His word until the Eschaton. The Apostles were empowered to continue this work as the human agents until its completion
Jesus caused the Holy Spirit to command them - not suggestions
Notes
v1: CT3/GPT - ALL THAT CHRIST BEGAN TO DO AND TEACH Christ is the Ultimate Revealer of Divine Truth. As the Revealer His prophetic ministry is different because of His eternal existence and communion with the Father. His revelatory work which began during His earthly ministry continues via the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the church through His word and will culminate in the eschaton
v1 ST/GPT: The Holy Spirit was to bring his teachings to remembrance, and to guide into all the truth (16:13), and the apostles were to continue the work of teaching which he had begun (Acts 1:1).
Questions
Why does this matter?
WE CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK THAT THE MANY CONVINCING PROOFS WERE AND ARE SUFFICIENT, FORTY DAYS IS PLENTY
SUFFERING HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE
Cross References
v3 Jesus presenting himself alive, Speaking of the kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 15:4–8“and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
1 Corinthians 15:42–53“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a corruptible body, it is raised an incorruptible body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the corruptible inherit the incorruptible. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, …”
1 Corinthians 15:24–25“Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign UNTIL HE HAS PUT ALL HIS ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET.”
Application
***v3 we are to present ourselves like Christ - as ones alive from the dead Romans 6:13“and do not go on presenting your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:16“Do you not know that when you go on presenting yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” Romans 6:19“I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, leading to further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.”
II. The Promised Spirit (v4-5)
Acts 1:4–5 | 4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Paraphrase/Retranslation
Minimum Requirements: promised baptism of the Holy Spirit
Notes
v4-5 CT3/GPT The instruction given by Christ was to stay and wait for the promise, which was to be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s role is to empower believers to do works greater than Jesus, including illumination truth and interceding for believers. He sanctifies, enables the producing of fruit and bestows gifts for the edification of the church.
Cross References
Acts 2:2–4“And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”
Acts 10:44–45 “While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the word. And all the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”
John 16:7““But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
Observations:
Work is going to be done together Acts 1:4 “And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;” Acts 1:6“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?””
Food for thought
restated: Non-compliance is not neutral, failing to further the kingdom through evangelism and increasing holiness only assists the domain of darkness
III. The Redirected Focus (v6-8)
Acts 1:6–8 | 6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to THE END OF THE EARTH.”
Paraphrase/Retranslation
required minimum elements
back to your commission, here is your marching orders do this with My power
Notes
v6 CT3/GPT: Pretribulationism: a unique future period significant for Israel’s destiny. Pretribs, believe that the rapture takes place before the tribulation, 1 Thess 4.17, in the Rapture believers are caught up to meet Christ in the air, absent from tribulations hardships. This belief emphasizes the imminence of Christ’s return, aligning with Christ’s exhortations to be watchful, as His coming could happen unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, with no preceding signs to be fulfilled
v6 Lord relates to “You who command us”
v6-11 CT3/GPT: Having witnessed the ascension, symbolizing (?) Christ’s transition from earthly limitations to His exalted state at the Father’s right hand, as seen in the referenced texts. This ascension involves not just a physical but also a spiritual change, marking the end of Jesus’ earthly sufferings and the resumption of His heavenly authority and praise. The ascension is necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers from within, enabling them to perform greater works that Christ (John 14.12) and ensuring His abiding presence as mentioned in (Matt 28.20)
v7 CT3/GPT: This unknowable aspect underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness for His return, as the disciples are instructed to focus on being witnesses rather than speculating about times or dates, which are under the Father's sole authority. The passage reinforces the call to faithfulness and readiness without preoccupation with the end times' schedule.
v8 CT3/GPT: Evangelism is central to the church’s function - we are to go to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. This evangelism is to be empowered by Christ’s Spirit. The scope extends from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria (enemies) and all the ends of the earth - this is an inclusive global scale work. PROFOUND Evangelism is not optional but integral to our everyday walk with Christ. Christ’s Spirit imparts life to the church collectively and individually. There is a tension also in v8 that universal atonement is extended to all but not intended for all must be accepted to be effective. God is transcendent and immanent, everywhere and nowhere - but He would be with the disciples Matt 28.19-20. PROFOUND, theology must be universal in application
Questions
Cross References
v6 Luke 17:20“Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed,”
Matthew 28:19–20““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Isaiah 49:6“He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to cause the preserved ones of Israel to return; I will also give You as a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.””
v7 Deuteronomy 29:29““The secret things belong to Yahweh our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
v8-9 1 Corinthians 15:5–7“and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles,”
v8 Charge to be witnesses to the ends of the earth
1 Corinthians 15:1–11“Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed as good news to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I proclaimed to you as good news, unless you believed for nothing. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I l…”
Acts 13:47““For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’””
Observations:
Use of the word Martyr - this happened but in seminary we learned not to revert to a different meaning - it is meant one who gives personal testimony
v8 this is not a lonely work, it is a work done with Christ’s Spirit and with the body
Matthew 28:19–20““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
Application
v7 must be ever vigilant and faithful because the time is unknown when Christ will return
v8 Which one did the will of his father
Matthew 21:28–31““But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ “And he answered and said, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. “And the man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.”
John 14:31“but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.”
Acts 13:47““For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”” SUGGESTS THAT WE ARE THE MEANS BY WHICH THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH
IV. The Ascension Hope (v9-11)
Acts 1:9–11 | 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Paraphrase/Retranslation
required minimum elements - what is Christ doing now?
intercession, unable to be corrupted, incarnation continuing, creating a place for us
promise of His return - same way
Notes
v10-11 CT3/GPT Eternal destiny of believers is to be with Christ forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
v11 CT3/GPT A bodily return is expected, His arrival will be just as personal as His departure. This is a definite event with a definite time set by the Father - PROFOUND Eschatology impacts today’s ministry Acts 3:19–21““Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.”
v11 Coming of Christ
WSC Christ’s Exaltation consists in coming to judge the world at the last day
Spurgeon’s catechism “what is meant by the words, “until He comes,” which are used by the apostle Paul in reference to the Lord’s Supper? - they plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; which is the joy and hope of all believers
v9-11 WLC Christ received gifts for Men Question 53 How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, (Acts 1:2–3) and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, (Matt. 28:19–20) forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, (Heb. 6:20) triumphing over enemies, (Eph. 4:8) visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, (Acts 1:9–11, Eph. 4:10, Ps. 68:18) to raise up our affections thither, (Col. 3:1–2) and to prepare a place for us, (John 14:3) where he himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world. (Acts 3:21)
Questions
Cross References
Hebrews 7:25–27 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
Hebrews 9:24“For Christ did not enter holy places made with hands, mere copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;”
v10-11 1 Corinthians 15:22–23“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
v9-11 John 14:3““And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
v11 1 Peter 3:22“who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”
Application
Hebrews 4:14“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession.”
OBSERVATION
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WARNING
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John 16:33““These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
APPLICATION
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SUMMARY
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You say to me, “mark, I know all these things but I still struggle to carry out my commission, I don’t go to anyone, I don’t disciple, I don’t teach anyone, I haven’t been baptized… why?” We may intellectually agree that promises have been made by Christ but promises only impact our actions when we believe them. If we believe in Christ’s promise that His Spirit is with us we will go, not in our strength but His. If Christ’s Spirit is in us we will open God’s word to share with others what it says. If Christ’s Spirit is encouraging us we will want to obey Him in all things - including baptism.
CONCLUSION
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It is time to work
1 Corinthians 15:50–58 “Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the corruptible inherit the incorruptible. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on the incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible puts on the incorruptible, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the word that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
PRAYER
1 Timothy 3:16“And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”