The Most Urgent Question Of Our Day Series

Introduction

What is the most urgent question of our day?

I decided to ask my artificial intelligence (AI) application that question.

Here is the answer I received: “Determining the most urgent question is subjective, but topics like climate change, healthcare, and social justice often top the list for global concern.”

Some people argue vigorously that the most urgent question of our day has to do with climate change. You hear about it repeatedly in the news. Even King Charles mentioned climate change in his Christmas message.

Others suggest that the most urgent question of our day has to do with healthcare. We have just come through a worldwide pandemic with COVID-19 and there is still no consensus about its origin. We are told that unless we get vaccinated and then boosted we are going to cause massive health issues for others.

Then some believe that social justice in its many variations is the most urgent question of our day. Issues such as critical race theory or border control are just two issues that have significant social justice implications. Some believe that this is the most urgent question of our day.

A growing number of people believe that gender identity is the most urgent question of our day. In less than a decade, we have seen an astonishing transformation in our culture as individuals believe that they can determine their own gender identity.

A handful of people will undoubtedly suggest that who will win the upcoming US Presidential election is the most urgent question of our day.

So, what is the most urgent question of our day?

I want to put before you that the most urgent question of our day is this: “Who is Jesus?”

I say this because Jesus is the only hope for our world today.

I would go further and say that the most urgent question since the birth of Jesus is, “Who is Jesus?”

For the past two thousand years there has never been a more urgent question than “Who is Jesus?”

Every person in every generation must answer that question. The issues that faced every culture for centuries pale in comparison to the issue about the identity of Jesus.

Fortunately, we are not left without an answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?”

Today, I am starting a new series of sermons in the book of Acts.

The author of the Book of Acts is Luke. He actually wrote two books. One is titled, The Gospel According to Luke and the second is usually titled, The Acts of the Apostles.

Today, I want to introduce us to the Book of Acts.

Scripture

Let’s read Acts 1:1-5:

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Lesson

Acts 1:1-5 teaches us that Jesus is the only hope for our world today.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Jesus Is the Only Hope for Our World Today Because His Message Continues (1:1)

2. Jesus Is the Only Hope for Our World Today Because His Ministry Continues (1:2-5)

I. Jesus Is the Only Hope for Our World Today Because His Message Continues (1:1)

First, Jesus is the only hope for our world today because his message continues.

You may be familiar with the opening words of Luke’s Gospel. He wrote in Luke 1:1-4:

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Who was Theophilus?

There has been a lot of discussion about whether Theophilus was a real person. Since Theophilus can be translated as “lover of God” or “loved of God,” some have suggested that Theophilus refers to anyone who is loved of God (Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988], 2052).

However, it is more likely that Theophilus was a real person because Luke referred to him as “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3). That was a common way to address a real person in Luke’s day.