Setting The Stage For The Spirit Of God-1 Series

SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE SPIRIT OF GOD—Acts 1:1-3

Luke recorded for Theophilus an account of Jesus earthly acts/ministry.

There is an account of Jesus’ acts which precedes the acts recorded in this account.

How do Jesus’ prior acts prepare us for what the Spirit will do in His absence?

8 ways in which the Stage is Set for the Spirit of God.

1—Setting the stage for the Spirit are

Acts of FRIENDSHIP(:1a)

—Explanation:

:1—“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do & teach,”

“Theophilus”—????????—Friend of God. The person to whom Luke addressed His Gospel & Acts.

—Argumentation:

Jas. 2:23—“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, & it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.”

Jas. 4:4-8—“Adulterers & adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil & he will flee from you. Draw near to God & He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; & purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Rom. 5:1-2—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Php. 4:6-7—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.”

—Illustration:

A friend knows your deepest difficulties—& offers real help

A friend knows you intimately—& shares themself w/ you

A friend knows your faults—& loves unconditionally

—Application:

?Your Stage been Set thru FRIENDSHIP?

?You Set the Stage for the Holy Spirit?

2—Setting the stage for the Spirit are

Acts of INITIATION(:1b)

—Explanation: Beginning

:1—“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do & teach,”

“Began”—???????—To be the first to do anything, to begin; To be chief, leader, ruler; To begin, make a beginning.

“Do”—?????—To make; To do.

“Teach”—???????—To teach.

Jesus began these things...They are continued in the ministry of the Holy Spirit working thru the faithful in christ.

—Argumentation:

Jn. 14:26—“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, & bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

—Illustration:

McDonald’s/Established years ago/Now worldwide/Initiated by few—Continued thru others/ACTS OF INITIATION

—Application:

?Your Stage been Set thru ACTS OF INITIATION?

?You Set the Stage for the Holy Spirit?

3—Setting the stage for the Spirit are

Acts of EXPLANATION(:2a)

—Explanation/Illustration:

:2—“until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,”

—Argumentation:

Jn. 13:33-35—“Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; & as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Rom. 13:8-11—“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” & if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. “Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

—Application:

?Your Stage been Set thru EXPLANATION?

?You Set the Stage for the Holy Spirit?