The Un-Finished Task
Acts 1:1-11 KJV
Introduction:
The key to this thought is found in verse 8...
“ye shall be witnesses unto me”
This verse is the Un-Finished task.
~There are family members that need to hear this witness
~There are friends
~There are co-workers
~There are people in the store
~There are people everywhere
Where and who are we to take this message to? The Text gives the answer in verse 8
1. The JEWS, who adhered to the law of Moses, and the prophetic writings, worshipping the true God only, and keeping up the temple service, as prescribed in their law.
2. The SAMARITANS, a mongrel people, who worshipped the God of Israel in connection with other gods, (2Ki 17:5), and who had no kind of religious connection with the Jews.
3. The GENTILES, the heathens through all other parts of the world, who were addicted to idolatry alone, and had no knowledge of the true God
Adam Clarks Commentary 1-3
Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary puts it like this:
For this purpose they were appointed; and for this design they had been with him for more than three years. They had seen his manner of life, his miracles, his meekness, his sufferings; they had listened to his instructions, had conversed and eaten with him as a friend; they had seen him after he was risen, and were about to see him ascend to heaven; and they were qualified to bear witness to all these things in all parts of the earth.
We too have been a part of all this. We know of His Miracles, His Meekness, his Sufferings, His Instructions, His Friendship, we know He has Risen, we know that He has ascended to heaven. Knowing this, we too are qualified to tell the blessed ole story.
What will we say may be your question, I’m glad you asked, I have 3 points that we can use to tell of the work and accomplishment of Jesus Christ.
1. TELL OF THE UN-LIMITED POWER VS.8
In order for us to become these witnesses something needs to happen to us.
A. The Power must come down.
This power enables you to speak with convicting, convincing, authority of the person, Jesus Christ.
B. Tell of His Power to:
1. Heal
Hosea 6:1 says…
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Isaiah 61:1-3 says…
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
2. Overcome
I John 2:13-14 says…
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
3. Save
I Timothy 1:15 says…
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
James 5:19-20 says…
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Hebrews 7:25 says…
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Church we need to tell of the wonder working Power of God.
2. TELL OF THE UN-FAILING PROMISE VS.4
We can see in the text of Acts 1 the Lord gave the disciples direction, direction to wait for the promise of the Father.
We can see in Acts 2:1-4 we find these same disciples in ‘one accord’ and they were filled with that Promise from the Father. They received the answer of the that promise
~If you call, He will answer…Promise
~Ask, and it shall be given…Promise
~If you seek, you will find…Promise
~If you knock, it will be opened…Promise Matt.7:7
~If He goes away, He will come again…Promise Vs.9-11
I Kings 8:56 says…
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
Romans 4:21 says…
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Hebrews 10:23 says…
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
James 1:12 says…
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
I John 2:25 says…
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
Promise:
Hebrews 13:5 says…
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Church we need to tell of the never changing Promises of God.
3. TELL OF THE UN-CHANGING PROCLAMATION VS.9-11
Proclaim the Unchanging message.
The Blood or Hell?
Heaven or Hell?
Grace and Pardon or Eternal Damnation?
Preach Jesus Christ and nothing else.
Preach His Death, Burial, and Resurrection.
Preach Grace.
Preach of His Sacrifice.
Preach Love.
Sing the same ole song, Amazing Grace, Jesus Saves, This Little Light of Mine, Power in the Blood, I’m Redeemed, Oh What a Saviour, and Victory in Jesus.
Tell of His Goodness, His Mercy, His Favor, His Longsuffering, His Provisions, and His Forgiveness.
Closing:
Church, Proclaim the Message, Proclaim the Promises, and Proclaim the Power that is in Jesus Christ and He alone.
Rev. Jerry Stepp
8/2/09
