Acts 1:1-8
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Find Your Place in Christ’s Blueprint of His Church & His Mission
Please turn in your pew Bibles. To Acts 29? No chapter 29? Right… that is the story of our congregation, but if we are going to write it properly in your words and deeds, if our elders anddeaons going to lead us into an Acts 29… going to need the story of the founding of Christ NT church!
Exciting and encouraging to dig into your own roots - genealogical …also humbling see wild uncle,orpainful marriage; Excited to find coat ofarmsinhouse I gre up in - D’angermont - Huguenots ! Danger of haigoraphy like this falll - glory to …no glaring blindspots… early church too - our church too… But facts, life, witness to God’s master plan for us…
…; for most Canadaina stories of their beloved country… the body of Christ, DNA of church - descriptoion of fellow citizens of heaven while liiving on earth - … Gospels recount the person and work of Jesus as Saviour who came to save His peopoe from their sins; Acts = how the Holy Spirit came and savingly applied the message of the gospel to multitudes of people across the Roman world. Theophilus, like Luke himself, not Jewish, but god-fearer - Gerntile attendee of the synagogue - one true God - … Luke clarifying and confirming what this one God had done in His Son Jesu Christ, who died,atoned, won vicotry oversin and death and hell, and rose again - with each appearance proof that the end of sin is coming, that te new creation dawning, that those who live in unioin wiht him by faith- they becomelike him a first fruits of the great harvest to come at end of the world! So Jesus appeared to many over perdiod of 40 days to prepare them for The Rest of the Story - what is that? Look at
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
- thru ministry of the apostles and the new born church - redemption accomplished vs. redemption applied! Gospels tells us what the gospel is; Acts dramatic accounting of what the gospel does - ie. game tape… = the history of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church! And when we are confirmed in the teaching of the gospel like those in the early church,interesting 30% of this book is the vital teaching of what Jesus’s death and resurrrection mean, and when we embrace new teaching of the Kingdom of God and confess our dependence on the Holy Spirit - we too with that blueprint will find ourselves being built into a church that goes out with power in world mission and evengelism!
- thru ministry of the apostles and the new born church - redemption accomplished vs. redemption applied! Gospels tells us what the gospel is; Acts dramatic accounting of what the gospel does - ie. game tape… = the history of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church! And when we are confirmed in the teaching of the gospel like those in the early church,interesting 30% of this book is the vital teaching of what Jesus’s death and resurrrection mean, and when we embrace new teaching of the Kingdom of God and confess our dependence on the Holy Spirit - we too with that blueprint will find ourselves being built into a church that goes out with power in world mission and evengelism!
Dear congregation, these ragtag gathering of common people like you and me, were so unsure of their identity, not sure where Christ had gone, confused about what Kingdom ofChrist iin world woud be and do. But armedwith the teaching of X’sdeatha ndresurrection, empoweredby the Holy Spirit - led by those apostles whom Jesus said would continue His teaching to establish His church - find all the prinicples and strategies that church today needs to right a 29th Chapter of Acts.
Key Truth: When you are confirmed in the truth of Christ, depend on His ongoing power and work through His Spirit, you will are built into His Church on Mission!
Key Truth:
Consider first then how you and I must be 1. Get confirmed in the heart of Christianity!
Imagine what this would have been like for Theophilus, not unlike you - heard stories but didn’t see with own eyes!
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
This is essential to see. I have a brother, interested in organizedreligion,sees values, lofty ideas and especially community of church - must be soemthing there - But about Jesus unsure. Aksing about the postiive benefits. whether open to him Of course, but not ideas or values aeven ommunity that’s the core… Find that community is embodiement of a Person not ides or values, tthe ideasand vlaues stem from Living Person. Luke’s gospel saying - what Jesus did is the core:death resurrectionbut that’s just thebeginnign of the story!
Proved Hisemlf alive, and what you seeinthemiraculous growth of the church, thewonder of apostlesministry- that is His onging work - that you must salso come to understandand believe! That Jesus Risen, ascended - reigning - so that nations will know salvation,spiritual powers of darkness will be defeated!
But how do you get confirmed in that truth of what Jesus did and is doing right now?
2. Get Confirmed by Embracing Christ’s Gospel Teaching
If what Jesus did and does is primary, you must also see that the method to come to know andbelive to trust in the Living Person of Jesus is through his teaching. Just like the gospel of Luke gave teaching who He is what it meas to believe on Him - Jesus through the Word revealing that, so too, inActs wesee apromise fulfilled about how people who didn’t see Jesus can come to know Him. This is the fulfillment of a promise Jesus made to those apostles!
says Jesus is the one andonly original apostle:
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Sentby Fatheron commission - nowJesussends12- makes themhis popwer of attorney while he will be leaving the earth. He made a promise to them before leaving - Give you another Counsellor/Paraclete - one who goes beside …Listen to the promise -
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
These 40 days before Jesus ascension,mysteriously thereon several Lord’s Day appearances, but then absent fromthem. Training for thattime when Ascends and is gone. Different minsitry for Christ, and different minsitry for the apostles… During this time he gives commands through the Holy Spirit! This is the mthod of our confirmation - very specialHoly Spirit givenwordsfor the new ongoing contiinuing work of jesus -given to these apostles…
This is
This is
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
The disicples werer econfused and clueless about howthis kinngdomwould come, what is the spiritual nature of it, timing - In asnesse Jesus is saying - don’t need to know the timetable needto know thenature and missionof the church. And Ineed to ask whether you too, nowthat you have embraced gospel of what Jesus did and taught;now the oningn mission of Jeuss, the kingdom of God - will you be taught here fromActs for how you and I do churh and mission?
andwiththose words look what is supposed to happen to all of us:
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Many Christians want to sipmly bleive in jesus as Saviour,take cheap grace, without embracing Him as Lord, and receiving the costly grace of being transformed- being changed to be a little Christ- Christian - engagesinthe ongiong work of Christ with His church His Kingdom! As church so easy to become a club that doesour business the way of fallen man, the way of the kingdom of this world, and not God’s way, with God’s means! Story unfolds in Acts - must learn howto do church God’s way. How to serve, pray, preach, give God’s way! Used to think principles of leadership, service, of Christian living not preaching the gospel - but don’t you see how vital the place of Christ’s church is in the making and growing of bleivers in the grace of Christ!
Jesus fuflilled his promise to teach the apostles the message instructing them by the Holy Spirit in between resurrection and ascension! Had no weapons to establish the gospel violently, only Word of God and the big surprise is that the common people sided with the them!
See the authority of the gospel teaching? think all sorts of things will win unbeliever… Satan will throw everything to keep people from the message of salvation; enemy of God’s glory and men’s salvation; BUT what is the glory of God unto salvation? What is our confidence, what was recovered by Reformers, simple confidence since...
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Though men of no authority, apostles not intimidated. Steadfast though weak and inexperienced … accomplish task of proclaiming though every obstacle thrown at them… Why not discouraged …why Reformers weren’t; we don’t have to be : our calling is not to triumph in this world - we must suffer after the example of Christ and his apostles for the sake of the good news… knowing our triumph awaits us in heaven…
Christ will maintain His church where His name is invoked and His gospel expounded! - fulfills promise to send the Holy Spirit!- if not Satan would completely fill this world with His lies… no memory of God’s promises or His gospel!
interesting story of gravside request…little stil born baby - mark his place but no service, no blessing… asked me - even when no faith…inner seed that can’t end this way… more … - BUT god has left us His wrod....
Calvin invaluable treasure in this text = how the church is established by God, and how he maintains it by his power… excellence of the gospel … gospel will reign forever - at foot of cross - taught this and trained for endureance…
Before descended to save us, now ever extends his hand to help us = rose not a temporary event but to govern his church as it suffersin the midst of enemies= showing Jesus is still Saviour, Head, and Guide today!
Jesus continues to do = = continuous revealling of the fullness of the gospel of salvation, now through us!
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
not just his teaching, but familiar with His works as well as His words, - charge to snatch us from eternal death…learn to the teaching of the gospel confirmed by miracles…LUke’s gospel is that resmision of sins is in Jesus Christ, …brought to Creator and receive grace through Jesus … being made perfectly righteou makes us participants in his righteousness so that we will through him be Pleasing to God His Father. Then follow in repentance! = out of true spiritual poverty , yield ourselves to God,
And myaabe yo say that is just way to daunting, I can’t dothat- cheap grace, Jesus as Sagviour is just fine for me. But that would be because you are the 2nd promise Jesus fulfills when He calls us to become part of His ongoing work in this world among the nations!
And myaabe yo say that is just way to daunting, I can’t dothat- cheap grace, Jesus as Sagviour is just fine for me. But that would be because you are the 2nd promise Jesus fulfills when He calls us to become part of His ongoing work in this world among the nations!
3. Get Equipped by Participating in the Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit
The church when Jesus was being crucified was scattered powerless and ineffective. Jesus quoted a prophesy in this regard:
And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
Remarkable that when we are notabiding in the personal presence of Jesus - can’t do our calling. Scattereed justtaking care of ourselves, and love dies in us and fear rules!
But Jesus said, listen sofar I have been with you, Holy Spirit has been with you, but coming a day when Holy Spirit will no longer just be with you, But hHe willb e in you , and when you receive the Spirit like that, I aand my Father will make our dwelling, our tabernacle, our home on earth in your hearts!
Why Jesus promise is
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
That another is the word for not a different,but same kind of Paraklete that Iwas with you. Paracletic minsitry - one of Christperosnally presentwith usencourageing us! Seethis movement in the book of Acts. 120 saredunorganized, commoers, at the beginning of the book - but look how the book ends: Paul is in the Empire’s capital!
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
That is in the 30 years. Just like the disicples strength and motivation came from being with Jesus in his earthly mihsitry. So too now, our strerngth, and motivation will only come as through receive the Spirit and abiding in Him, keeping in Sstep , being filled with the Spirit .. Think of it these impoversished disciples, untrained, showed no sign of organizing a movement, marching on Parliament hill, no sign of bieng church planters and martyrs - that would as Acts later puts it: turn the world upsdie down - answer is the commuion they had with Jesus through the Spirit!
KEY if seems to be contradictedby powerlessness and lifelessness of much of what is called church today- not an arugment for non-existence aand powerlessness of the Spiriti - but of our need of reformation and revival by the Holy pirit and the vigorous proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ!Living presenceo f the Holy Spirit was the heart bear of the Apostolic Age, even if extraordinary gifts ceased with the closing of thecannon and cessation of revelation word gifts, Living presence of the Holy spiit must mark the progress of the gospel church until the Lord comes again - Counselor, Sender/Equipper!
Oh congregation, thank God for 30 odd years - in this town- ministry of Jesus through His Spirit in His church - buillt up - expanded- but will we be faithful in the next 30 - generation of this church - as what Jesus Does and Teaches cherished, expectedprayed…it is as we each in communion with Living Jesus Christ - time in comunioon n- equipped and motivated to act like Him, plan like Hism - stratgeize… see His kingdomcome His way among us...
Oh congregation, thank God for 30 odd years - in this town- ministry of Jesus through His Spirit in His church - buillt up - expanded- but will we be faithful in the next 30 - generation of this church - as what Jesus Does and Teaches cherished, expectedprayed…it is as we each in communion with Living Jesus Christ - time in comunioon n- equipped and motivated to act like Him, plan like Hism - stratgeize… see His kingdomcome His way among us...
And what might the impact of that be - in copperatiing with churches across Barrie, our land, our denominnation … listen to Tertullian in 204 AD
Tertullian:
Consider by 300 AD whole world empire won over … didn’t happen by mere providence, or accident of history… God’s disgin uses these Holy Spirit instructed appointed, and anointed means! Wrongly relied, distoreted great damage to pepoole, church and individual soul - church rot within it - SO many blind spots - such necessity for book of Acts of r church today!
And that brings us to the final point in our text - to what end are we given gospel of Person of Christ, teaching, His spirit -?
4. Step Forward into the Witnessing Enterprise of Christ’s Church
a. Heart of Christianity = X, began to do and teach = Person work… only beginning…applied, significance, ie. James asking about positive benefits… anything wrong coming for that - find out embodied presence of a PERSON not ideas...
b. Two promises fulfilled at the heart of true church = Spirit as other Counsellor, disciples as witnesses = 40 days with apostles, = present alive = about kingdom of God = continuing work of Jesus as Saviour through his church by Spirit…no Christianity if no risen X...
continuing work of Jesus as Saviour through his church by Spirit…no Christianity if no risen X… Get with the program. What is it? Look at the vision:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Going to see pracital work of Spirit in oragnizing and establishing thechurch - rebuke ecclessiaticalbeaucariesonbothsidesofReformation, ,notfree tostudy bestpractices… simple flexible yetworkable structure Godendowsthechurch with for all time.... Works in expanding circlesof your life and mine!
c. vision with equipping & programme
30 years - acts to acts 28 wow! 300 years even more wow - wholeromanempireofficially Christain - what about us 30 years, stand back presenceo fJesus His onoing ministry - lament … need for reformation,and revival…
But somuch to rejioice i and press on … blind sports yes… but…
…; for most Canadaina stories of their beloved country… the body of Christ, DNA of church - descriptoion of fellow citizens of heaven while liiving on earth - … Gospels recont the person and work of Jesus as Saviour whocame to save His peopoe from their sins; Acts = how the Holy Spirit came and savingly applied the message of the gospel to multitudes of people across the Roman world - thru ministry of the apostles and the new born church - redemption accomplished vs. redemption applied! Gospels tells us what the gospel is; Acts dramatic accounting of what the gospel does - ie. game tape… = the history of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church!
Key to meaning of Acts are in two events, snaps shots at end of the gospel: Piror to death on cross, promise of Another Counsellor; who would lead the disicples into “all truth” ,
B) The promise of the Great Commission - preach the gospel to the whole world with the assurance that he would be with them always”to the very end of the age.”
Two great promises come together in Acts = first 30 years of the Christian church. - 36 years of church here at Covenant - how are we doing… what acts of the Holy Spiriit ought to expect pray for, particpate in … as Jesus was present with His disicpes in his 30 years, so too Hooly Spirit in the church’s 30yeras,,,,not all miracles and roses… growth… often long periods of struggle - Miraculous growth and establishment of Ntchurch inexplicalbe without these TWO TRUTHS AND PROMISES… foundational truths of receiving Hoy Spirit and being sent are normative conditions of every true church - enjoying poured-out presence of the Holly Spiriti in work of ministry- in the heart of every believer!!!
KEY if seems to be contradictedby powerlessness and lifelessness of much of what is called church today- not an arugment for non-existence aand powerlessness of the Spiriti - but of our need of reformation and revival by the Holy pirit and the vigorous proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ!Living presenceo f the Holy Spirit was the heart bear of the Apostolic Age, even if extraordinary gifts ceased with the closing of thecannon and cessation of revelation word gifts, Living presence of the Holy spiit must mark the progress of the gospel church until the Lord comes again - Counselor, Sender/Equipper!
Going to see pracital work of Spirit in oragnizing and establishing thechurch - rebuke ecclessiaticalbeaucariesonbothsidesofReformation, ,notfree tostudy bestpractices… simple flexible yetworkable structure Godendowsthechurch with for all time....
Result - regain the enthusiams of ancient church not for church, but for Jesus! Open-faced, unashamed and self-sacrificial love for Jesus and for lost and suffering men and women by every church member. A readiness to engage the spritiual enmy over the etenral destiny of a lost humanity.
Message of day like Eric Liddell “Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ.” Only do it if see those promises realize here!
Now / not yet… Christians belong to both kingdom s having become citizens of God’s kingdom by faith in Christ. Calvin: The beginning of the kingdom is regeneration, the end and fulfillment of it is blessed immortality! Grasp vision - stupid but obvious question … restore now … looked backwards, national, temporal, local manifestation of divine lordship .. true restoration more than than turning back clocks to even the best past - universal manifestation of the age to come in the present age! = heaven on earth in the hearts, lives, lavours, and societies o fmen, as these become transformed by the power of the gospel = VISION! gives a PROGRAMME for the churche … poohpooh effortso f Billy Graham … but vision not given to argue about or fine tune…put on signs and tag lines… vision to be about witnessing!
See the authority of the gospel? think all sorts of things will win unbeliever… Satan will throw everything to keep people from the message of salvation; enemy of God’s glory and men’s salvation; BUT what is the glory of God unto salvation? What is our confidence, what was recovered by Reformers, simple confidence since...
See the authority of the gospel? think all sorts of things will win unbeliever… Satan will throw everything to keep people from the message of salvation; enemy of God’s glory and men’s salvation; BUT what is the glory of God unto salvation? What is our confidence, what was recovered by Reformers, simple confidence since...
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Though men of no authority, apostles not intimidated. Steadfast though weak and inexperienced … accomplish task of proclaiming though every obstacle thrown at them… Why not discouraged …why Reformers weren’t; we don’t have to be : our calling is not to triumph in this world - we must suffer after the example of Christ and his apostles for the sake of the good news… knowing our triumph awaits us in heaven…
Though men of no authority, apostles not intimidated. Steadfast though weak and inexperienced … accomplish task of proclaiming though every obstacle thrown at them… Why not discouraged …why Reformers weren’t; we don’t have to be : our calling is not to triumph in this world - we must suffer after the example of Christ and his apostles for the sake of the good news… knowing our triumph awaits us in heaven…
Christ will maintain His church where His name is invoked and His gospel expounded! - fulfills promise to send the Holy Spirit!- if not Satan would completely fill this world with His lies… no memory of God’s promises or His gospel!
Christ will maintain His church where His name is invoked and His gospel expounded! - fulfills promise to send the Holy Spirit!- if not Satan would completely fill this world with His lies… no memory of God’s promises or His gospel!
interesting story of gravside request…little stil born baby - mark his place but no service, no blessing… asked me - even when no faith…inner seed that can’t end this way… more … - BUT god has left us His wrod....
interesting story of gravside request…little stil born baby - mark his place but no service, no blessing… asked me - even when no faith…inner seed that can’t end this way… more … - BUT god has left us His wrod....
Angels message don’t be star gazing now… get giong . stop dreaming and get on with the job…
Calvin invaluable treasure in this text = how the church is established by God, and how he maintains it by his power… excellence of the gospel … gospel will reign forever - at foot of cross - taught this and trained for endureance…
Calvin invaluable treasure in this text = how the church is established by God, and how he maintains it by his power… excellence of the gospel … gospel will reign forever - at foot of cross - taught this and trained for endureance…
Before descended to save us, now ever extends his hand to help us = rose not a temporary event but to govern his church as it suffersin the midst of enemies= showing Jesus is still Saviour, Head, and Guide today!
Jesus continues to do = = continuous revealling of the fullness of the gospel of salvation, now through us!
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
not just his teaching, but familiar with His works as well as His words, - charge to snatch us from eternal death…learn to the teaching of the gospel confirmed by miracles…LUke’s gospel is that resmision of sins is in Jesus Christ, …brought to Creator and receive grace through Jesus … being made perfectly righteou makes us participants in his righteousness so that we will through him be Pleasing to God His Father. Then follow in repentance! = out of true spiritual poverty , yield ourselves to God,
speaking about the kingdom of God v. 3 = simply rule of God, Bruce “the world to come invaded this present life, at his seond coming the age to come will have all together superseded this present age.” Now / not yet… Christians belong to both kingdom s having become citizens of God’s kingdom by faith in Christ. Calvin: The beginning of the kingdom is regeneration, the end and fulfillment of it is blessed immortality! Grasp vision - stupid but obvious question … restorenow … looked backwards, national, temporal, local manifestation of divine lordship .. true restoration more than than turning back clocks to even the best past - universsal manifestation of the age to come in the present age! = heaven on earth in the hearts, lives, lavours, and societies o fmen, as these become transformed by the power of the gospel = VISION! gives a PROGRAMME for the churche … poohpooh effortso f Billy Graham … but vision not given to argue about or fine tune…put on signs and tag lines… vision to be about witnessing! Angels message don’t be star gazing now… get giong . stop dreaming and get on with the job…
http://nathanielstamper.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/3.png?w=300&h=106
We are all sinners, gospel teaches us what to say to other sinners, to draw them away from their sin, and show them prefect obedience of oour Rdeemer - trust in him - cruficied for us, us raised with him to new life....
Well taught if understand that Christ came into the world to bring us the ambassadorship of God his Father!
ML Jones: Emmau8s - Scriptures all speak of Christ, Person! Salvation! How can this message be made known? The answer is this: Jesus. In effect He said to the disciples, “I’m going to send you out to preach, and I want you to tell people that repentance and remission of sins is only possible in My name. Preach it among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. I do not care what color, class, or creed people are. The human race is one; humanity is one in sin, one under the wrath of God, one in its destiny in hell. And there is only one Savior. Tell them about Me, and be witnesses to Me.”
“That is what Christianity is all about,” said Luke to Theophilus in effect. “That is what I told you in my former treatise. But now I want to tell you a little bit more. ‘The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.’ This is the vital emphasis—‘all that Jesus began.’ ” This means He has not finished! He is going on with it.
Well taught if understand that Christ came into the world to bring us the ambassadorship of God his Father!
two parts: i. renounce ourselves; ii. then put that learning (of majesty supernatural miracle working Christ) into action!
Jesus didn’t appear on earth briefly, and then suddenly disappear, but He provided for his teaching to last forever and, to that end, appointed his apostles, who are likewise to perform miracles = Jesus just wasn’t a Redeemer back then, but now entrusted with treasure of His Gospel/ teaching, as well as the authority and responsibility to do all the things he had done! … Luke shows apostles carrying out their commission and fulfilled their duty!
Jesus didn’t appear on earth briefly, and then suddenly disappear, but He provided for his teaching to last forever and, to that end, appointed his apostles, who are likewise to perform miracles = Jesus just wasn’t a Redeemer back then, but now is left us with this teaching, as well as the authroity and responsibilty to do all the things he had done! … Luke shows apostles carrying out their commission and fulfilled their duty!
Jesus didn’t appear on earth briefly, and then suddenly disappear, but He provided for his teaching to last forever and, to that end, appointed his apostles, who are likewise to perform miracles = Jesus just wasn’t a Redeemer back then, but now is left us with this teaching, as well as the authroity and responsibilty to do all the things he had done! … Luke shows apostles carrying out their commission and fulfilled their duty!
Consider charge Holy Spirit and X gave apostles…bear his word and busy with this task! not preach their imaginations but declare what they have received from God!
Consider charge Holy Spirit and X gave apostles…bear his word and busy with this task! not preach their imaginations but declare what they have received from God!
Consider if Jesus had not risen from the dead - like other 1st century movements appoint next in line follower…fade into oblivion; but not what happened: Risen Saviour appeared overperiod ofofrtydays,gently ministeredto them intheir confusion and discouragement ; re-kindled their spiritual lives; and welded them into an effective team for the preaching of the gospel message -
Bear a reconciliiation that God makes with us and declare we are companions to angels =, but now that in heaven, entrusted it to them by the Son of God.... some put to sleep by it, others neither reverence it , nor receive it as it is…do well to heed more than ordinary words:
Jesus Christ, not turn reins over to apostles to teach whatever they want, fancies…miracles of apsotles are authroizations by the Spirit, so too teaching authroized by the Spiriit.
When Jesus was our brother on earth - didn’t entrust the gsopel to the apostles like now, but now that in heaven, entrusted it to them by the Son of God.... some put to sleep by it, others neither reverence it , nor receive it as it is…do well to heed more than ordinary words:
When Jesus was our brother on earth - didn’t entrust the gsopel to the apostles like now, but now that in heaven, entrusted it to them by the Son of God.... some put to sleep by it, others neither reverence it , nor receive it as it is…do well to heed more than ordinary words:
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
= proper respect for the gospel and yield yoruself to it, so belong to him, and our lives bear witness to it!
I can tell you I was excited to learn that I have Hugeunot blood running in my veins. But congregation as we dig into the book of Acts, do you see something deeper and thikcer than blood we have in common - Spirit oof the Son ofGod, and excitement that we have same mission, must learn the same principles as seek to fulfill that mission in presence of Living Christ together!