Intro: Thus far we have examined the burden of the cross, the breakthrough of the resurrection, now we come to the blessing of the ascension. How can it be that I would say that Jesus, the embodiment of God leaving this planet would be a blessing?
Because the bodily incarnation of God cannot live within us all! Jesus is the incarnation, the clear revelation of God, God in the flesh. Jesus went back to heaven to intercede for us (Romans 8.34) and the Holy Spirit came down to dwell within us! You cannot live the life of God without the presence of the third person of the God head known as the Holy Spirit.
The book of acts is really Luke part two. Look in 1.1 the former account I composed. The first account showed us the life of Christ in His physical body. The second account shows us the life of Christ in His mystical body the church. The first teaches the principles and the second the pattern. The burden and the breakthrough were all part of God’s forward momentum to the blessing. We are shown the pattern by none other than Luke. He is the only gentile, or non-Jew writer in whole of the Bible. Luke was a Dr. He uses terms in His gospel, and history of the church that only a physician would use. What an encouragement we don’t have to check our brains at the door just our pride and preconceived notions. Luke is a doctor but also according to scholars a historian of the highest level. So we have an intelligent man with accuracy in his historical reporting sharing with us the pattern for a powerful, kingdom oriented church. If this is the pattern for the Church of Jesus Christ the we need to acquire and apply these truths.
I. Recognize Jesus’ presence in you (Acts 1.1-3)
We are all here for various reasons. Some are here because the church has been good to you. Some of you are here because of what you can get from the church. Some of you are here because you’ve found the truths of the Bible are real and work when applied. Some of you are here because you really like or love a person or group of persons here. Some of you are here subconsciously wishing to win a place in heaven. Some are here because they get paid. Some are here because they have positions. Some are here because they have nothing better to do. I am here this morning because of what Jesus did for me and is doing in me!
Look in verse one, all that Jesus began to do and teach. How is it that Jesus went to heaven and He is still active?
The book of Acts in many old translations or old published translations carries the title the Acts of the Apostles. It cannot be called the acts of the apostles because as Paul said it is not I who live but Christ who lives in me. Christ was acting through Stephen when He was stoned to death, He was acting through of Paul in all three ship wrecks, stoning, beatings, it was Christ in Him to will and to do what God wanted.
Realize this today, Jesus doesn’t want you to do anything for Him!! He wants to do something through you.
You will find when you truly encounter the risen Jesus the music is never too loud and the message is never too long and the ministry is never too hard!
Acts is the on- going activity of Jesus Christ in you and the church as a whole.
If you are crucified with Christ you are dead. There is nothing I can do, there is nothing James can do, there is nothing anyone can do to live the life of a Christian.
Jesus is the only person to ever live the Christian life. Jesus is alive and will live through you if you will only become available.
Adrian Rogers said something very wise. “The only ability God needs from you is your availability. Bringing the world to Christ is not your responsibility. It is your response to His ability.”
A preacher in Kentucky used to keep an old leather glove on his desk. Before he would go preach he would put the old glove on and flex it several times. Someone asked him why do you do that? “To remind me of this vital lesson, that the glove is absolutely impotent and powerless until my hand slipped into it.”
Is Jesus presence in you? I pray you realize that without Him you are completely powerless.
We need the Holy Spirit because Christianity without the Holy Spirit is a hollow religion. With the Holy Spirit it is a vital relationship that will shape our lives into the image of God. The Holy Spirit comes to live in you as a person to make the work and word of Jesus come alive in your life!! Jesus is still working and teaching through His body the church.
So we need to receive the promise to us
II. Receive Jesus’ promise to you (1.4-8) (wait for the promise of the Father)
You can receive the Promise of the Father. It is the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit. No longer do we have to wait. The baptism of the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. The letters to the churches after the coming of the promise of the Holy Spirit are not called to be baptized with the Holy Spirit but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It literally means to be moved, controlled and full of the Holy Spirit.
Never forget that the Holy Spirit is not a force, an emanation but a person. Why do we need to obey because the Holy Spirit can be said to be Christ in us. The Holy Spirit is the Holy one of Israel living in me. Why did Jesus have to leave? He left in order to send us the comforter.
Jesus is God in the flesh, God con-carne. God in the flesh cannot indwell our flesh. So he went away according to Roman 8.34 to intercede for us. He talks to the Father on our behalf according to Paul he is our go between. Jesus intercedes in the flesh, the Holy Spirit indwells our flesh. This promise of God dwelling in us gives us God living through us.
Why do we need the power of the Holy Spirit?
A) We need the Holy Spirit to enlighten us
I need for God to open His word and His will for me. John 16.13 tells us that He will tell us what is yet to come. He opens His word and His will to us. Why? Because I don’t know where to go, I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to say, but He does. Don’t miss this man can guide us to a truth. Only the Holy Spirit can guide us into a truth. Maybe the reason you have not moved into the truth is because the Spirit is not in you. The Holy Spirit makes truth alive in us.
B) We need the Holy Spirit to empower us
It is not enough to know the will of God. We need to be empowered to do the will of God. That is Christ in us. That is a vital relationship where Jesus is alive in me living out the will of our Heavenly Father. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. The person of Christ dwells in me by the Power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
C) We need the Holy Spirit to encourage us
The word that is translated Holy Spirit can literally be translated encourager, strengthener, emboldener. He comforts us. When we are afraid He reminds us of the truth that we are a child of the king. When our pride flares up He reminds us that our righteousness is as filthy rags. When the devil reminds us of our past the Holy Spirit reminds us of our future. When we trials he reminds us that trial are not forever. When we are depressed He reminds us that we have hope, and joy, and peace, and everything in Christ.
Whatever you face the Holy Spirit comes along side to encourage you. We cannot live the life of a Christ follower, or a Christian we need the Holy Spirit. He is available.
Luke 11:13 How can I receive this promise? If you ask God to forgive you of your sins and confess you trust in the finished work of Jesus. God will give you the gift of His Holy Spirit.
Now the question is will you be continually controlled by God’s Spirit.
III. Respond to God’s purpose through you
Why do we receive power? Jesus was clear you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you to be witnesses to Me. The very purpose of the power of the Holy Spirit is to be a walking testimony of what Jesus has done and taught.
Bro Bill I thought you said He was going to do it. Yes but He is going to do it through you!
Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses." The verb is in the imperative mood. It is a command. There is no choice. Jesus did not say, "Please witness," or "try to witness," or "if you feel like it witness," or "when you finally feel competent then witness." There is no witness protection program with God. Jesus was implying that you and I would be his witnesses, period.
You say I can’t do it. I can’t argue with anyone or convince them. Jesus never called you to argue anyone into faith. He called you to be a witness in the court of life!! A witness tells what they have seen and heard. Has Jesus been active in your life? Is there anything of the Life of God in your life? Have you heard from Jesus lately? Remember we say what the Holy Spirit reveals. We do what the Holy Spirit directs. We tell what we have seen and heard of Jesus.
If you can’t witness then does that mean that Christ is not in you? According to Acts 4 Peter told the ruling body of the Jews that they could not obey men and they couldn’t help but tell what Jesus was doing and that there was no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
The word witness is really the word martyr. If the facts are true more people have died for Christ in the last 30 years than in the years from Pentecost to 30 years ago. You may never have the honor of dying for Jesus in this life.
You do have the opportunity to die to the control of sin. You have the honor of dying to you pride and prejudices that keep you from loving God and loving people and being one of the undeniable proofs of the resurrection.
Tell someone about the continuing activity of Christ in your life! The disciples wanted to talk about prophecy when things would happen. Jesus wanted to talk about
Conclusion: What are the results of the blessing of the ascension, the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?
Obedience to the commands of the king, three words emphasize the authority of Jesus in this passage, 1.3 orders, 1.4 commands, 1.7 His own authority.
Abandonment to the cause of the king – The kingdom of God is the concern of Jesus. The kingdom of God first comes within you. Is there and overwhelming drive and desire for your friends, family and city to bow their knee to King Jesus?
