A New People - Pt 1 Series

A NEW PEOPLE – Pt 1

Acts 1:3-8

* Do you ever feel like you need something NEW? A deer hunter may need a new bow, a woman may need new clothes, a golfer may need new clubs, or even a person may need a new JOB! To look on the ‘national political’ scene is to understand the need for “NEW.” The new not only has an appeal but an effect. When you look at this culture, you get the feeling that without a new approach to life and living, as a society, we will get more of what we have & it won’t be good.

* This world needs a ‘New type of people’ who sees things differently than the norm. We need a people who will give rather than take, who will be unselfish rather than be uncaring, and those who will love rather than hate.

* Jesus knew if this world would ever be reconciled to the Heavenly Father, then what would be needed was indeed a different, a changed, and a new people. He came to transform lives. Plus His entire life was spent developing His disciples into this new type of person. He taught them to be people of faith, that is, people who lived, walked, talked, and acted on faith.

* Knowing Jesus’ desires, take a peek inside of today’s church and ask yourself this, “Do I see a new type of people inside the church?” Are we (am I) a people who is being used of God to change this culture? The world still needs this ‘New People’ and God has called US to be just what the world needs! Let’s read about Jesus’ last moments on earth & hear Him clearly.

* (READ TEXT) Consider some context of this scripture; after the crucifixion, all the ‘believers’ headed for cover. They were afraid and, in that condition, were not going to change anything! They were on the run!

* After the resurrection they became a little bolder. Now they had seen the living Christ & were their courage was returning. Jesus knew that ‘fraidy-cat followers’ were not going to cut it. Because there was a big job to be done & it was going to take ‘brave’ people to do it. Jesus’ crash course had begun in the upper room and concluded right here.

* Jesus’ message is the same as to us today. The world is on a collision course with God and eternal destruction – and you, my people, new people, are the only hope for the world. It takes a new people with a new outlook, a new inlook, and a new uplook to make a difference in this world. We discern two thoughts from these verses and they connect with each other.

1. God’s Promise – The text says, “Wait for the Father’s promise” and many ask, “What is that?” Turn to John 14-6 (I.E. 14:15-18, 25; 15:26; 16:5-15) Our Lord gave us the promise that, as His children, we would not be left alone. But we are told to wait! We know about waiting (or at least we think we do). Doc Blakely tells about a fellow who walked into a doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” So she took down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat. Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aide came out and asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” So she took down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told him to wait in an examining room. A half-hour later a nurse came in and asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” So she gave him a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, told him to take off all his clothes, and wait for the doctor. An hour later the doctor came in and asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” The doctor said, “Where?” He said, “Outside in the truck. Where do you want ‘em?”

* We are not big on waiting, in fact most of us are impatient and yet, Isaiah tells us, “They that wait on the Lord will be renewed.” Jesus tells them to return home and wait. Why are we told to wait? There are at least 3 reasons; it makes us seek God, walk by faith, & produces perseverance in us. These believers spent 10 days together in the upper room praying and seeking God. Perhaps this is what is lacking in our church, country, and culture today; a group of people who seek God. If you seek Him;

a. He will find you – Jesus says, “This is what you have heard from me, I have promised you the comforter, companion & guide; if you will wait, He will find you & come to you.” The Old Testament confirms this; Jeremiah 29 says, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart.” Isaiah 55 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” Matthew 6 say, “Ask, and it will be given to you, Seek, and you shall find, Knock and the door will be opened.” Psalm 91 says, “When he calls out to me, I will answer Him.” He will find you to save you. He did it with the disciples (“Come, follow Me”), He did it with Paul (“Damascus Road”), and He’ll do it with you. How long has it been since God the Spirit has found you? But He will also find you to fill or refill you.