Introduction

Good morning, family. I hope this day finds you well and eager to jump into the word of God. Today, we're going to be exploring a passage from the book of Acts, a passage all about returning, preparing, and fulfilling the mission God has given us. As the great evangelist Billy Graham once said, "We are the Bibles the world is reading; we are the creeds the world is needing; we are the sermons the world is heeding." It's a powerful reminder that we are not just observers of Christ's work, but active participants in it.

Returning

Returning to the upper room, as we see the disciples doing in Acts, is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. The disciples, having witnessed the ascension of Jesus, returned to Jerusalem and gathered in an upper room. This was a place of retreat, a place of unity, and a place of preparation for the mission that lay ahead. Similarly, we too are called to return to our own "upper rooms," to retreat from the world, to unite with fellow believers, and to prepare for the mission God has entrusted to us.

The upper room represents a place of retreat. In the midst of a bustling city, the disciples found a quiet space where they could gather, reflect, and pray. This wasn't a retreat out of fear or a desire to escape the world, but rather a purposeful withdrawal to focus on God and His will. In our own lives, we too need these moments of retreat. The world can be noisy, filled with distractions and demands that pull us away from God. Returning to our upper room means finding that quiet space, whether it's a physical location or a moment in time, where we can shut out the noise and focus solely on God.

The upper room also represents a place of unity. The disciples gathered together, united in their faith and their mission. They were a diverse group, each with their own backgrounds and perspectives, yet they found unity in their shared purpose. This unity was not just about agreement, but about mutual support and encouragement. In our own lives, we too need this sense of unity. We need to gather with fellow believers, to support and encourage each other, to learn from each other, and to grow together in faith. Returning to our upper room means seeking out and nurturing these relationships, recognizing that we are not meant to walk this spiritual journey alone.

Finally, the upper room represents a place of preparation. The disciples didn't retreat to the upper room to stay there indefinitely. They were preparing for the mission that lay ahead, a mission that would take them out into the world to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. They used this time to pray, to seek God's guidance, and to prepare themselves for the challenges they would face. In our own lives, we too need this time of preparation. We need to equip ourselves with the knowledge of God's word, to seek His guidance through prayer, and to prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the mission He has given us. Returning to our upper room means taking the time to prepare ourselves, so that we can step out in faith and fulfill our God-given mission.

Preparing

Prayerful preparation is the act of seeking God's guidance, wisdom, and strength through prayer as we get ready to undertake the tasks He has set before us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO