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The Un-Finished Task
Contributed by Jerry Stepp on Aug 2, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: A Call for ALL the saints of God to Finish the Work the Lord has called us ALL to do, and how to do it.
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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