Departure!
Acts 1:1-11 Monte T. Brown
May 20, 2007 Sunday Morning
First Baptist Riverton
Introduction
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach Acts 1:1
Theophilus= A Christian to whom Luke addressed the books of Luke and Acts.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he visited with the Apostles over a period of 40 days.
Now it was time for Him to return to Heaven.
I would like of us to look at the Departure of Jesus Christ from this earth and what we can learn form it by examining the four P’s of His Departure.
1. Promise of the Holy Spirit - Verses 4-5
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." Acts 1:4-5
Jesus Christ promised us that when he departed he would give us the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not a thing, but the third person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is God in spirit, living in our hearts.
Do we understand the power that the church has with the presence of God in the heart of every believer?
Do we understand the awesome responsibility that we have as Christians?
God is the creator of all things.
The creator of all things lives in the hearts of Christians.
The Spirit of God, dwelling in the heart of every believer.
2. Program for the Church Verses 6-8
So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
[7] He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:6-8
Not only did he give us the Promise of the Holy Spirit, but he also gave us a Program for the church.
Yes God has a plan for us.
To be a witness. “Remember if you fail to plan you plan to fail.”
He desires for us to be organized.
Have people that are committed.
He desires for us to have a plan.
Decide where your ministries are going to be now and in the future.
He desires for us to have a vision.
Remember where there is no vision the people perish.
He desires for us to have a mission.
Every church needs a mission statement. One or two lines at the most that let’s the people know why they are there and what the purpose of the church is.
He desires for us to set goals.
Set goals for now and in the future.
He desires for us to have a program for the church.
A Mission Statement let’s the people know the purpose. A Goal enables them to press toward the mark. A program gives them the vehicle to get there.
3. Progression into Heaven Verse 9
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:9
Not only did he give us the Promise of the Holy Spirit and the Program for the church, he also allowed us to see into the future and gave us hope of tomorrow and assurance of our faith.
We have the Progression into Heaven. This is the motivation for the church, knowing that we are Kingdom Builders.
4. Promise of His Return Verses 10-11
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
[11] "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11
Not only did he give us the Promise of the Holy Spirit, the Program for the church, and the Progression into Heaven, but he gave us the Promise of His Return.
We have something to look forward too.
We have a future.
We have something to tell the nations.
We have a reason for being here.
