Looking at the book of Acts Building a church that…

Looking at the book of Acts Building a church that… waits is spirit filled: Pentecost heals is focussed on Jesus serves Father’s Day has integrity is empowered

Acts 1: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the

Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

It was an amazing time for the church

Jesus commissions the disciples – you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth v8 Echo of great commission Matt Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Luke 9 & 10: Heal the sick; cast out demons; preach the gospel. Acts – full of signs and wonders; and the church grew. Paul to the early church: My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. 1 Cor 2:4

Because the story of Jesus is so impressive – God among us! God speaking a language we can understand, God acting in ways that heal and save us – there is a danger that we will be impressed - but only impressed. As the spectacular dimensions of this story dawn on us we can easily become enthusiastic spectators and then let it go at that - become admirers of Jesus – generous with our oohs and aahs - and in our better moments inspired to imitate him. It is Luke’s task to prevent that, to prevent us to becoming mere spectators to Jesus. Eugene Peterson: the message

The disciples were learning to live what they had seen and learnt - into the next generation.

x The future of the church was being entrusted into the disciples’ hands. This had been an amazing few weeks - seeing Jesus; proof he was alive; teaching v3 They were still focussed on the wrong thing! v6 Before leaving Jesus sets their compass straight.

Jesus is very clear. Wait for the gift my father promised… the Holy Spirit. v4; v8 He points them to the Holy Spirit before he leaves them.

We sometimes lose sight of this too. It’s like we put on the wrong glasses. Our world view blinds us. It sounds presumptuous. We have a sense of powerlessness. We have no idea how to do it.

The early church was irresistible because of the power of the holy spirit. We can build a structure without the holy Spirit. But we can’t build the church or God’s kingdom. Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labour in vain. Ps127

What were they waiting for? And us when we say Come Holy Spirit… A gift that was promised A baptism – a drenching A new power Noting can be accomplished for God without this power.

We can easily get distracted from this. We substitute things for his presence. Jesus encourages us to wait - to set aside times to focus on his presence.

Why does Jesus tell them and us to wait? Biblical principle – God is at work in us as we wait. Waiting isn’t just hanging around until we get what we’re hoping for. We wait to become what we’re made for.

Jesus wants us to grow deeper into him. The disciples had seen the risen Lord – a profound experience. But they needed a deepened sense of dependence on God.

Waiting sharpens us. We exist for God, not God for us. We want to build with gold not straw 1 Cor 3:12

Waiting deepens our sense of hope and expectation. Why wait unless there’s something worth waiting for. Not panic driven; not grasping but confident about the future.

Do we have a sense of expectation? That God is on the move in our lives. In our church. In our community. That we are part of something irresistible.

What do those times look like? Times of community v14 &15 …they all joined together with a common purpose.

Times of prayer and worship. Constantly in prayer…v14

Time for personal devotion. Time to pause and be still. Time to wait upon the Lord.

Looking at the book of Acts together Building a church that… Waits Is spirit filled: Pentecost Heals Is focussed on Jesus That serves Father’s Day Has integrity Is empowered