Star Gazers Or Earth Shakers?

STAR GAZERS OR EARTH SHAKERS?

Acts 1:6-11

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

A family had a reunion on a Saturday in California. On Sunday they all went to church. During the opening hymn, an earthquake hit. The building shook, the overhead lights swung back & forth. In true California style, they never missed a beat, even though they had to grab the pews in front to steady themselves. Following the service the Pastor came over and introduced himself to the out-of-state relatives. One shook the pastor’s hand and said with a suppressed smile, “I can honestly say this was the most moving service I’ve ever attended!”

B. TEXT

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-11.

C. THESIS

1. According to verse 9, Christ ascended until He disappeared into a cloud (I’m glad He didn’t vanish). Evidently the disciples continued to stare at the cloud after He had disappeared. The angels were puzzled by their continued staring – Jesus was gone! So why did they continue looking up there?

2. THEY REMEMBERED ALL THE GOOD TIMES WITH JESUS

Many people see their time with Jesus in the past-tense. They always speak of the “glory-days” of the past. For many of them, Jesus was “back there” but not here today. Really? Jesus hasn’t changed! He’s just as much HERE TODAY as He was on the Sea of Galilee. The problem is, we’re trying to relive the past and not get a fresh, new experience with Jesus!

3. POSSIBILITY: THEY WERE THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

a. They’d heard Jesus say, “I am going away,” and also, “I will come again.” They might have continued staring because they thought He would come back at any moment.

b. Studying Bible prophecy is good, but if that’s as far as our Christianity goes, then our application of it is misguided.

c. Which does God care more about? The identity of the 10 toes in Daniel’s vision or the lost souls in your neighborhood?

4. So we’re going to look at 3 reasons the angels said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there gazing up into heaven?”

5. The title of this message is “Star Gazers or Earth Shakers.”

I. WE MUST HAVE HEAVEN’S VISION OF OUR MISSION

A. THE NEED FOR A VISION

1. The angels, with heavenly vision, knew what was truly important in eternity. They knew there was no time to waste for the Early Church. We also need corrected vision today – to know the mission, the goal, the right direction for the church and for our lives.

2. Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” God’s people move when they get a vision. Why are you here? What’s your mission? Why did God leave you here on this earth?

B. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS THE GREAT COMMISSION

1. Five times in his remaining days on earth, Jesus gave some form of the Great Commission (in all 4 Gospels, Acts):

a. Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

b. Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

c. Luke 24:46-47, “And [Jesus] said unto them…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

d. John 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

e. Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me…to the uttermost part of the earth.” He said the same thing 5 DIFFERENT TIMES!

2. I remember going on a trip with Angela, leaving one of our older kids at home. When we pulled out of the driveway, we rolled down the window and gave one more reminder, “Whatever you do, don’t forget…” That’s what the Great Commission is – it’s Jesus’ most important instruction!