“WHY ARE YOU STANDING HERE…?” (Outline)
May 16, 2010 -
Easter 7 -
ACTS 1:8-14
INTRO: At different times in our lives we are faced with various senses of duty. In college we have a sense of duty to our studies. In marriage we have a sense of duty for our family. In our calling in life we have a certain sense of duty to our employer. As believers we are privileged to know that our lives have a sense of duty to share God’s gospel with the world. Sometimes we may forget the urgency for this task. "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 CORINTHIANS 5:14,15). The angels remind us of our mission.
“WHY ARE YOU STANDING HERE…?”
I. Share God’s kingdom of grace. II. Watch for his kingdom of glory.
I. SHARE GOD’S KINGDOM OF GRACE.
A. The disciples had been with Jesus during miracles, teachings, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
1. In verse 6 before our text the disciples want to know if Jesus will restore the kingdom to Israel.
2. Jesus’ disciples are still thinking of Jesus as an earthly king to drive out the Romans.
3. Verse 8. The disciples will receive power. They will be the ones to extend God’s kingdom.
a. God’s kingdom was (is) spiritual. b. God’s kingdom will extend to all nations.
B. Verse 9. Jesus rises into the sky. A cloud conceals Jesus from them. They wonder, “What next?”
C. Verse 10. God sends his angels to bring the disciples back to their senses. The disciples see and hear.
1. Angels marked the importance of this event. They did not come very often during Jesus’ life.
a. Birth b. Wilderness temptation c. Garden of Gethsemane d. Resurrection e. Ascension
2. Verse 11a. The disciples have much more to do than just looking into the empty sky.
D. Even though Jesus’ disciples had close contact with Jesus for three years they still focused on an earthly kingdom rather than spiritual. So it is the same with all too many today. Some feel that by believing they deserve a better life than others. Others preach that faith will result in great material blessings. Our heavenly Father is concerned about our earthly life. But God is far more concerned about his kingdom of grace. Jesus warned against false prophets who would preach God’s kingdom only for the here and now. "’The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,’ or `There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you’"(LUKE 17:20b, 21). Faith by grace.
E. God’s word is still the truth. The Bible is the only truth that reveals the gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. In our day and age truth is relative. This means that each person can determine his or her own truth for himself or herself. Absolute truth is thought to be impossible. When we tell others that Scripture is God’s truth they counter with the thought that that is your truth, not mine. Rejoice that God has revealed his truth to you. Celebrate that we do not sit in darkness as many in this world. "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 PETER 1:16). By God’s grace we have seen the wonders of the majesty of God as clearly revealed to us in his word of truth. We can share God’s truth.
F. Sharing the truth of God is not always easy. We are born into this world as God’s enemies, not God’s messengers. Like the disciples we stand in wonder and awe that God has called us, has chosen us, and now sends us out to the very ends of the earth. Our world is searching for answers. The times are evil and the hearts of many are growing colder and colder and darker and darker. We have the answer. God gives us the solution to solve man’s deepest needs. "For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch" (ISAIAH 62:1). We share God’s grace for God’s glory (not our glory). Why stand/sit here!
“WHY ARE YOU STANDING HERE…?”
Share God’s kingdom of grace with those still in the dark.
II. WATCH FOR HIS KINGDOM OF GLORY.
A. The disciples had much to think about. Jesus told them they would receive power (Pentecost).
1. Jesus told them they would go to the ends of the earth, to all nations, even Gentiles.
2. Verse 11. Now the angels bring them back to their senses. They still had work to do.
3. The disciples did not know when Jesus would return. But he would return in the same way.
B. Verse 12. The disciples go back to Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives was ¾ of a mile from the city.
1. From the Mount they could see the East Gate, the city of Jerusalem, and the Temple.
2. Verse 13. They go back to familiar surroundings among friends. The disciples are listed.
3. God knows the names of all his believers. Judas Iscariot has gone to “his own place”.
C. Verse 14. How to understand all these things? They prayed. The women were also included.
D. Certainly the disciples still had many, many questions about all of these recent events. It is only 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. Once again, Jesus has left them. When will he return? They did not know when. We do not know when the Lord Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead. How do we solve all of those things we wonder about? Is the Lord coming soon? Maybe. Will things get better? We do not know. Like Jesus and his disciples we pray. "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better" (EPHESIANS 1:17). To know Christ better is our highest calling in this life. Only in knowing Christ better do we begin to understand God’s great love for us and for all of humanity.
E. Thankfully and joyfully the Lord God Almighty does not leave us on our own to figure out every-thing for ourselves. Instead the Lord God Almighty gives us his holy word. In Scriptures are the promises of God. In a world of self-reliance and independence every believer is blessed to be able to rely on God and depend on God. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (1 CORINTHINAS 1:8,9). Our Lord is faithful even when we are not. God keeps us strong.
F. How soon the Lord will return is always, only speculation. We simply do not know. We do know that the Lord will return in the same way that he was taken up into heaven. (Nowhere does the Bible mention that Jesus will stand upon the earth again.) Jesus will come back on his throne of glory in the clouds. Once again, the angels will also be there. In most of the parables concerning Judgment Day the message is the same. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (MATT. 24:42,44). Since we do not know when Jesus will return we are to be watching: diligently and always.
CONC: Sometimes God has to wake us up just like the angels did for the disciples. Why are you standing or we might say sitting here? Thoughtless thousands and many millions still sit in darkness. To be comfortable in sharing God’s kingdom of grace takes work. Even the early prophets were not always so willing to go out in the name of the Lord. They knew that God’s calling could not be taken lightly. They learned that God’s call was compelling. "But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot" (JEREMIAH 20:9). “WHY ARE YOU STANDING HERE…?” The Lord God Almighty calls each of us into his kingdom of grace so that we might share his gospel with others. We never give up as we constantly watch for the return of Jesus and his kingdom of glory. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 7 rdgs:
ACTS 16:6-10;
REVELATION 22:12-17,20;
JOHN 17:20-26;
(PSALM 8)
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