Witness: Prepares #1 Series

We begin with a conversation about the deepest question of all: why are we here? what’s the meaning of our lives?

Nothing enduringly great has ever been achieved without asking that question. For us, as Christians, we have answered the question through the lenses of ONE indisputable Truth – God became man in the form of Jesus Christ to save us from a meaningless existence of the pursuit of our desires and needs to join with Him in the Missio Dei (The mission of God) The mission of God is to redeem all of creation from its own self destruction. From this point, we must then ask ourselves a second question: what role are we willing to play in the drama being acted out before us? Because its a cosmic drama of good versus evil with all of mankind standing in the middle waiting, wondering and trying to make a choice to between two teams. I’m not talking about the Bears or the Packers. I’m referring to a greater battle for your soul and the souls of everyone we know. It’s at this point in the conversation many people express a sense of doubt about themselves and their faith. To which, I suggest they pick up the bible and read the book of Acts or as I jokingly refer to it as: Luke Part Two. Its an incredible history lesson of the early church but it's also a reminder of how God uses the simple and the sinner to spark a revolution.

If you have a bible, I’d ask that you open it to Acts 1 verse one. As you do and before I go a little old school with you, let me give you the background of the book we will be walking through over the next few weeks. The book of Acts was originally called the Acts of the Apostles because of all the amazing sign acts which took place in the early church. The book was written by a doctor who was also a great story teller by the name of Luke. The same Luke who wrote the gospel which bears his name. The book itself is dated between 63-70 AD. It explains the amazing growth of the church and the issues that developed but didn’t destroy It. The book is a history lesson of colliding relationships (the new Christians, the Jews and the Gentiles) which would challenge the new movement of God. Let's begin.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven,

v.1 – 2a Luke is letting us know, he is writing this book because Theophilus funded the writing of this account. The name itself means “ Friend of God.” He is probably an important and wealthy Roman official who became a believer who wanted the world to know all that had transpired. He had the means, understood God had provided those means and wanted to make sure the story never disappeared.

after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

2b – 3 The first 40 days of the church must have been absolutely wild. Jesus kept popping into situations and people’s lives as proof of what was being spread about him. He was systematically making sure the disciples all knew the truth. God had indeed come to earth and was returning to heaven. He would console, teach and guide them for those first few days. They had no idea when he would appear but when he did he would stress the “kingdom of God” as primary. A message which continues to be a core of who we are supposed to be today. We have no idea when he will come again but we must be ready.

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

4 – 5 The words seem so harmless to us today. Yet, verse 4 talks of his humanity and his divinity. He was God because he predicted his death and resurrection a number of times and then proved it. He was a man because he ate with them after the resurrection. Jesus was not some Spirit but a living and breathing human who had risen from the dead. He was with them physically and was instructing them on what to do next. Jesus once again tells them what is about to come. He doesn’t mince his words. He tells them where to go and what will happen. He now had some street credibility so while they couldn't fathom what was about to happen . They did trust Him. I think this a key point for us today. We have been brought here. To this church for a time such as this. We’re all being prepared to be witnesses through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a term used to describe an anointing by the Holy Spirit on ones life. It’s an undeniable sign of spiritual change within a person, a group of people and even a community. It’s the only way the church will grow and it will bring monumental change. A change that can be frightening for some. Let's go back to the text