The Person, People & Purpose of God Mission(s) Month The Person, People & Purpose of God Introduction It’s good to be with you this AM. Commissioning service at CC and wedding in Nebraska. I’m going to attempt to bridge gap between current series and Mission(s) Month. Going to attempt to cover The Kingdom of God, the Church and the Spirit using the 1st Chapter of Acts in the next 15 mins. Pray Acts 1:1-11

Acts 1:1-11 1In 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.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  Introduction to Acts Acts of the H.S through his empowered people. H.S MAKES the church from the gospel, MOULDS the church with His power and presence and MOVES the church outward into His mission in the world.

Acts 1:1-11 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The Kingdom Manifesto A Mandate to Witness By his chosen and commissioned apostles (1:6-8) Through the Holy Spirit (1:4-5) To the ascended Lord Jesus Christ (1:9-11) 12And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The Kingdom Manifesto 1:1-2--- “Given Commands” (before He left his disciples). 1:6-8--- Jesus gives the mandate to witness (to his chosen and commissioned apostles) 1: 4-5--- Jesus promises the Holy Spirit 1:9-11--- Jesus is taken up to heaven Transition: The Purpose of God advances through the People of God, empowered by the Person of God. Visual: 3 strand cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

The Person of God “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.” (1:4-5) 14 He will glorify me (John 16:14) He is glorifying Jesus in all the earth by gathering for Jesus a people from every nation, language, tribe and tongue. The Person of God Jesus promised to send the H.S to his disciples. Jesus intended the H.S to continue to completion what he had begun. The H.S' commission= John 16:14. H.S is on a mission- He came to fulfill the purpose of God through the people of God. He is calling, filling and directing disciples. He is saving gathering and sending.

The Purpose of God Mission (s) 14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). The Purpose of God (Mission): The extension & establishing of Christ's rule on earth, so that God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Key elements= righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness to the poor and needy. Scope= Habakkuk 2:14.

The People of God Method Called to proclaim and embody the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The People of God (method) Making disciples who find their place in the body of Christ Becoming a disciple means surrender to the rule of Christ and a life of sacrificial service to one another and to the world. We must remember that the PRIMARY purpose of the H.S is not to bless us but empower us to complete Christ's commission. Therefore, we have been called to proclaim and embody the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In February, what are you going to pray & fast for; Personally? Locally? Nationally? Globally?