Empowerment is mandatory Acts 1:1-11

Empowerment is Mandatory Introduction History and evidence. Mission unclear.

1. God’s Promise is fulfilled Jesus is the Saviour (v 1-3) Lived, died for our sins and came back alive. Witnessed by the apostles.

2. Jesus’ promise reaffirmed Holy Spirit reaffirmed (v1:4-5) “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,  and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Lk.24:45-49)

2. Jesus' final instruction Kingdom restoration now? (v6) Shaped by Jewish eschatology Coming of the Messiah changes everything Jesus’ response (v7) Not their concern God’s secret plan (Mt. 24:36-42)

2. Jesus’ final instructions. Bigger picture “The Old Testament had called Israel to be God’s witnesses to the world (Isa. 43.10; 44:8); the task, which Israel as a nation had not fulfilled was taken up by Jesus, as the perfect Servant of the Lord and was passed on by Him to His disciples” F.F Bruce, Commentary on the Book of Acts, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1954), 39.

2. Jesus’ final instructions Bigger picture “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(Act 1.1:8). Jesus is King of all kingdoms Disciples and the church are His representatives Refocus

3. Holy Spirit Old Testament God’s Presence is equated with God’s Spirit – Gordon Fee Activity of God’s Spirit in Genesis. God promised Abraham (Genesis 12).

3. Holy Spirit Old Testament God’s Presence - Mount Sinai (Exodus 3; 6;19 -31; 33- 40). God’s Presence - Tabernacle (Exodus 40:35).

3. Holy Spirit God’s Presence fills the temple (1 Kings 8:11). God’s Presence leaves the temple (Ezekiel 10:18). God’s Presence will return (Ezekiel 37:27; 40- 48) “…. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple….” Malachi 3:1

3. Holy Spirit Old Testament Jesus’ time Restored temple includes gentiles (Eze. Cpt.40 – 48; Isa. 2:2- 3; Mich 4:1-2; Zech. 14:16-19). Second temple not the final one (Haggai 2:3;6-7) Jesus’ time Present with righteous people; Simeon (Lk. 2:25).

4. Empowerment Holy Spirit’s role: Counsellor (Jn.14:16). Helper (Jn.15:26). Guide (Jn. 16:13). Glorifies Jesus (Jn.16:14). Convicts people regarding sin (Jn. 16:7-11) Giver of gifts (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Cor. 12:27-31). Help believers to bear fruit (Gal:5:22-23).

4. Empowerment Mandatory: To accomplish God’s mission. Jesus needed the empowerment to teach, preach, perform miracles. He raised from death by the power of the Spirit. “I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also” George Mueller

4. Empowerment Mandatory: To be in covenant relationship with God. Love is pour into our hearts – Abba Father (Rom. 8:26) Father and Jesus comes to resides in us (Jn. 14:23) To be spiritually formed and transformed. “The Spirit is the agent of God’s activity" Gordon Fee, Paul, the Spirit and the People of God, 26-27  

4. Empowerment Mandatory: Devotion: worship, prayer, fasting and intercession (Acts 2:42;Rom 8:27). To remain united – gathered or Diaspora community. To receive instructions. Note: we cannot control the Person and works of the Holy Spirit. He is God with us.

4. Empowerment Mandatory: To participate in God’s ministry. Gifts to serve God and to build up His people - the Church (Eph. 4:11- 13; 1 Cor. 12:27-31). Becoming a loving and a sharing community. (Acts 2) To be God’s and Christ’s witnesses. Acts 1:8 – Great commission (Luke’s version) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…1 Pet. 3:15.

4. Empowerment Mandatory: To be God’s and Christ’s witnesses. “The disciples are to receive the enablement that God will give in the Spirit and be His witnesses to carry out the Great commission from Jerusalem to the remotest parts of the earth”. Darrell L. Bock, ACTS, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 63

4. Empowerment Mandatory: In Jesus’ physical absence, the Holy Spirit represents Jesus. Mission is very, very, very important ! King Jesus’ instructions are “commands” not suggestions. Ascension witnessed and return assured.

5. Reflection “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference… If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference” – A.W. Tozer. God’s will must be done in God’s way.

5.Reflection Mandatory: Holy Spirit’s coming – inauguration of the new temple. “ but the temple He – Jesus has spoken of was His Body”. (Jn. 2:21)!. We - the church is Christ Body and Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Baptized in one communion with the Lord by His Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

5. Conclusion Listen and obey Jesus. Faithful discipleship means Holy Spirit empowered mission. King Jesus will return – be ready to give accounts!