Journey Through Acts (Part 1) Series

The Journey: Following the Spirit through Acts (1)

Scott Bayles, pastor

Scripture: Acts 1:1-10

Blooming Grove Christian Church: 6/25/2017

Six months ago, we set out on a sixteen-week journey that took us through the deserts of Palestine, along the shores of Lake Galilee and the Jordan River, and into the cities of Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem as we followed in the footsteps of Jesus. We witnessed his miracles, listened to his teaching, felt the gentleness in his touch and the compassion in voice. Eventually, Jesus led the way to the cross, where he sacrificed himself to save the world and our journey ended on Easter Sunday at an empty tomb on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

My hope and prayer, for those of you who were here, is that journey enabled you to see Jesus a little more clearly, draw closer to him, and learn to live as he lived. But, you and I weren’t the only ones following Jesus. Each week there were others following Jesus as well. It was just a handful at first, but chapter by chapter Jesus’ popularity grew and his followers multiplied.

Folks like Peter, James, John and others committed their lives to following Jesus and their stories—their journey—continues in the book of Acts. Acts has it all—supernatural intervention, astounding miracles, powerful preaching, breathtaking escapes, harrowing voyages, life-and-death decisions, courtroom dramas, thrilling rescues, action, mystery, and adventure! Acts will grab your attention, trigger your imagination, and tug at your emotions. It’s a terrific story and a great read… and it’s all true.

So I want to invite you to join me for another journey, a ten-week trip through the book of Acts. As we read of the Holy Spirit, the gifts, persecution and power, Paul’s dramatic conversion, and the rapid spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judea to the ends of the earth, I want to encourage you to look for yourself in these stories. Ask God to transform you into the kind of person he can use to change your world and make their journey, your journey.

Are you ready to get started?

If you’ve got a Bible or an app on your phone, open it to Acts 1. Acts picks up right where the gospels leave off. Jesus has conquered death and risen from the grave. He’s preparing to return to his rightful place in heaven at this Father’s side, but before he leaves, he gives his followers some tools and resources to help them continue on their spiritual journey.

First, Jesus gave his followers proof.

• PROOF

Luke, our tour guide on this journey, wrote the book of Acts to Theophilus—a high ranking Roman official and new believer. Earlier, he wrote the Gospel of Luke and addressed it to the same person. So he begins this volume, writing, “In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven…” (Acts 1:1-2 NLT).

He then adds, “During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive.” (Acts 1:3 NLT).

The resurrection of Jesus is the central issue of Christianity and Luke recognized that. If Jesus never really rose from the grave, then Christianity amounts to nothing more than myths and legends. There’s no point in following a murdered Messiah… unless, of course, he rose from the dead. If Jesus really did die and come back to life, it validates everything he ever said or did.

Jesus proved beyond reasonable doubt that really was alive again after his death and burial. First, Jesus appeared to Mary and the other women at the tomb. Then he appeared to the Twelve behind locked doors. Then he appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The following Sunday, he appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch his wounds. He appeared to Peter and John while they were fishing and even cooked breakfast for them. At some point, he appeared to his brother James. And, finally, he appeared to more than 500 people at his ascension.

This proof gave their voices strength, their hearts courage, and their feet wings! The apostles believed not in a dead Savior, but in a living Redeemer. Unfortunately, you and I weren’t at the tomb that first Easter morning. We didn’t walk the road to Emmaus or see the scars on his hands with our own eyes. So, the question for us is—has Jesus given us any proof too? I think the answer is a resounding yes!

But rather than walk you through it myself, I want to play a short video for you that will probably make it stick a little better.

PLAY VIDEO: Apologetics – Jesus’ Resurrection