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Better Together
OUR ASSIGNMENT
Our group assignment has individual ramifications.
(Acts 1:4-8) While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1. God Kept His Promise
(4-5) While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
A. God’s promise was to baptize His church with the Holy Spirit.
B. On Pentecost, God did baptize His church with the Holy Spirit.
C. Individuals who give their lives to Christ are also baptized in the Holy Spirit.
2. Our Question is Pointless
(6) when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
A. The disciples were asking about the timing of the Lord’s return.
(7) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.”
B. “Lord, when are You coming back?” – is simply the wrong question.
C. Jesus wants us to be effective for Him in “this” time.
3. God’s Commission is Priority
(8) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A. Our commission is to be Christ’s witnesses.
B. Witnesses are not evangelists.
C. Witnesses are not all eloquent.
D. Witnesses are expected to be authentic.
4. God’s Condition for Power
(8) “You will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My WITNESSES”
A. We receive a very real power from the indwelling Holy Spirit.
B. We receive power in direct proportion to our availability as witnesses.
Being a genuine follower of Christ is a costly life.
Acts 12:1-17
There is always an element of surprise in the spread of the Gospel.
Acts 10:27-48
God still does miracles – if we are willing to receive them.
Acts 9:32-43
God has given us this goal toward which to strive.
Acts 9:31
