Taken up into Heaven

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day seven)

“My first account. . .(was) about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day He was taken up into Heaven, after He had, by the Holy Spirit, given orders to the apostles.”–v 1-2

We call it the ascension.  An amazing end to an amazing life.  (And not actually the end–that’s the point.)  As the disciples watched, Jesus was physically lifted up into Heaven.  (Please see the stained glass window on the East end of the Great Hall)

To meditate on this truth is to expand your mind. Jesus is still alive!  Still a man.  Sitting beside the Father– counselor, Son, Sovereign and intercessor.  As active in the world as ever!

Please notice.  Before leaving, the LORD (He takes this title seriously) gave ORDERS to the Apostles. (Every text repeats this emphasis.  See Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9)  His absence will not mean loss of momentum.  He will act (until He comes) through us!

Waiting, Pt. 3

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day six)

“And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised.”–v 4

Both Pastor Don and Aaron have written about waiting this week. I figured I would have a go too (no need to excuse the pun). Jesus told his disciples they must wait for what the Father had promised, the Holy Spirit. They had to wait because they had no power of their own to fulfill God’s eternal purpose, to be witnesses, to make disciples, or even to teach (Matthew 28:20).

We on the other hand have no need to wait. We can go. We must. Why? Because the Holy Spirit has already come. We don’t even have to guess what God wants us to do. He has told us and he given us His Spirit. Stop waiting. Go.

Can I Get a Witness?

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day five)

The power of the Holy Spirit promised in Acts had a very specific application to the believer- to be a witness for Jesus. “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…” . There is both great comfort and clear direction in Jesus’ words. When the power of the Holy Spirit has influence in us and through us, we become witnesses, not merely advocates. We have the capacity to speak and share with the firsthand experience of someone who has tasted and knows who Jesus really is, and what he has done. So, begin to think how you can share the answers to these questions: “What did Jesus do in me when I became a believer?” “How did I change?” “What is Jesus doing in me now, because I know Him as Lord and Savior?” “How am I being changed?”  We can tell the world from our personal experiences the reality of the Living Christ. The promise is this power and witness will take the message of Christ to the ends of the earth.

 

The Canon

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day four)

As we begin our new study in Acts about the beginning of the early church, let’s put some things in perspective.  One of the biggest differences between today’s church and the early church was the lack of authoritative Scripture.  The Canon of Scripture did not yet exist…the New Testament was just being written.  Most of the Old Testament was available, but was not yet collected and established as God’s Word.  The Church was guided by the Holy Spirit speaking through the leaders and elders of the Church.

Today, we have not only the full Canon of Scripture, but also the understanding that it is God-breathed and Truth.  This ‘new’ tool should only serve to make the modern church more effective in ministry and witness.  We continue to have the Holy Spirit to bring us understanding and direction, but now with the inspired Word of God available to teach us.  What will be the legacy of the modern church?  To whom much is given, much is required! (Luke 12:48)

Rethink

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day three) 

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  Yes, powers will rise and fall, cultures will conquer and get conquered, and nations will go from ruler to ruled.  But Jesus invites the disciples out of obsessing over a geopolitical conundrum and into occupying an eternal kingdom.  This is invitation done perfectly.  It doesn’t squash peoples’ interest in matters at hand and try to sell them a bigger idea.  Jesus’s invitation just says, “Yeah, some questions will work your soul to death.  Or we can use our energy in a way that will make those questions seem too small.  Ready to get to it?”  We can build a workaround for our current circumstances, or we can rethink our future, but we can’t do both.  What if a church put that invitation in front of people?

Waiting

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14 (day two) 

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” – v. 6

Waiting is the worst. When you are ready to move nothing can frustrate like having to wait. Perhaps you are ready to leave for school, work, or church and nobody else in the house is ready. Does this try your patience? Waiting for good things can be difficult too. Sometimes the 9 (+) months of pregnancy seems to feel much longer. Promotions, graduations, vacations, there are many things that we long for and seemingly they never come fast enough.

Jesus says wait before he says go. Wait, pray, prepare these are needed for the task ahead. You may think you are ready, but God surely knows best. If you are in that waiting place, ask God to reveal how to best prepare for the next move.

Those who wait upon the LORD

Re:Verse reading–Acts 1:1-14

“And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised.”–v 4

“Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings as eagles.”–Isaiah 40:30-31

Supernatural strength!  It is what God has promised us.  Power to do what is required.  Faith for holy works.  Peace that passes understanding.  Love that conquers hate.  Courage stronger than fear.  A supernatural wind to lift you higher than your own wings/effort ever could.

To have this great assistance, we must surrender to the will of God and also the timing of God.  No one conjures up the Spirit like a seance, nor controls the calendar of His work.  We must want what He wants.  We must want it when He wants it.

Wait, dear friend.  Trust His plan.  Trust His timing.

Other people’s things

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day seven)

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”–v 4.

When Paul thought about unity,he realized pride is always the problem.

When he thought about pride, he realized SELFishness is the way it usually presents. Proud people aren’t always arrogant, just SELF-centered.

So, Paul taught the Philippians to look after the interests of others.  To care “for their things” (literal translation).  To develop (and practice) the ability to listen to what others are saying.

Like opposing sides in an angry protest, we often shout our opinions without any real attempt to hear what others are saying, feel what they are feeling, value what they are valuing.

“Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request”–Phillip Stanhope.  “Big egos have little ears”–Robert Schuller.

You, my brother?  How are you doing on God’s assignment to look after the things of others?

Active Humility

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day six)

“…he did not count equality with God and thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. -Paul, Philippians 2:7

Jesus emptied himself. There is nothing passive in Christ’s humility. He did not allow the incarnation, He willed it. Jesus said, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:17) This is the kind of humility that Paul declares is ours in Jesus, an active humility. A kind of humility that takes the first move; it doesn’t wait to be asked, or need to be noticed by men to do what is required.

Remember when Jesus told His disciples, “If you really want to be great you must become a servant to all.” Nope, there is nothing passive about that, and I need a lot more of that kind of humility! How about you?

Obedience

Re:Verse reading–Philippians 2:1-11 (day five)

V. 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient

All of Jesus’ choices, decisions, and priorities were grounded in obedience. Jesus would say His greatest desire is, “to do the will of Him who sent me”. (John 4, John 6) “For I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29)

Paul directly connects obedience with humility in this passage. Why?  “Obedience is the best humility, laying yourself at the feet of Jesus, and making your will active only when you know what it is God’s will for you to do. This is to be truly humble.” – Charles Spurgeon

Jesus’ obedience and humility were grounded in His love and devotion to the scriptures as well as His time and faithfulness in prayer. He showed us how to obey God as a man. He not only discovered His purpose, but He lived on mission with joy and courage. Have you found God’s purpose and mission?  Are you living it out with joy and courage?