Getting Unstuck

Title: Don’t Get Stuck

Theme:

Text: Acts 1:1 - 11

Opening Scripture

Act 1:1-11 The former account I made, O Theophilus (the same person Luke wrote to. Luke and Acts are companion books. There was unfinished business at the end of Luke and so Acts steps in. That is why we call this book the Acts of the Apostles or the Acts of the Church or the Acts of Jesus followers), of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (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, (3) to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The Bible is clear that Jesus appeared to many after the resurrection.

1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene as a gardener (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18)

2. He appeared to the other two women who were with Mary Magdalene—Salome and Mary the mother of James (Matthew 28:9-10).

3. He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34).

4. He appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

5. He appeared to the apostles, except for Thomas (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25).

6. He appeared to the apostles with Thomas (John 20:26-29)

7. He appeared to seven of His disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).

8. He appeared to the apostles on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18).

9. He appeared to over 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6)

10. He appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

11. He appeared to the apostles and ate a meal with them (Acts 1:3-8; Luke 245:44-49).

12. His ascension (Acts 1:9-12; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53).

It is a verifiable fact by many that Jesus had risen from the dead. There was no possible way that so many could have “missed it”.

(4) And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; (5) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Jesus had prepared them for many things that would come.

Jesus instructing His disciples before the Ascension

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (17) When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority (This is what Satan was trying to give him in the Temptation of Jesus found in Luke 4, yet Jesus knew that true authority only comes from God) has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Mark is a little more descriptive: Mar 16:15-20 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (19) So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Next Question:

6) Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

Revolution of the Heart – from the Inside Out

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

This was so much bigger than a worldly kingdom.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.