TEXT : ACTS 1: 1 - 11�

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Theme: Jesus’ work is done, our work continues.

• Introduction
• The work was started by Jesus (v. 1-3)
• The disciples to continue the work (v. 4-5)
• The scope of the work (v. 6,7).
• The objective of the work (v. 8).
• The timing of the work (v.9-11).
• Summary
• Conclusion

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Introduction

Theme: Jesus’ work is done, our work continues

��The work was started by Jesus (v.1 - 3). �

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.

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• The Author - Dr Luke
• Recipient “Theophilus”.
• Individual - Roman official
• Theophilus means lover of God.

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• Acts is a continuation of Luke's gospel (former book).
• The content of Luke’s gospel (former book).
• The work Jesus has been doing.
• Through his ministry, his death and resurrection.
• The forty days he Spent with his disciples after his resurrection.
• The message he teaches – The kingdom of God (not a new message Mrk 1: 15).
• The work was started by Jesus through his earthly ministry.

��The disciples to continue the work (v.4,5) �

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. 5 For John Baptized with water but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”.

• The disciples were with Jesus for about three and half years.
• They involved with Jesus in his ministry.
• They witnessed his death, burial and his resurrection.
• They were commissioned (Matt 28: 18 - 20).

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• The disciples were eager to go and witness.
• However, Jesus commands his disciples ‘Wait”.
• You have all he evidences; you are eye witnesses “but wait”
• In other words, Jesus was saying to his disciples you would not accomplish the task by your own strength, power, or knowledge.
• You need the Holy Spirit - a gift the father (God) promised.
• Jesus has been talking about (Jn 14 – 16).

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��The disciples to continue the work (v.4,5) �

• For John baptize with water (v.5a).
• The ministry of John the Baptist marked the transition between the Old Testament era and the ministry of Jesus.
• John prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance marked by baptism.
• What implied is the disciples were not to do the work under the ministry of John the Baptist.

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• v.5b “...but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”.
• To continue the work, it requires enabling power from the Holy Spirit.
• The disciples were to do the work under the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• It is through the baptism (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit that true transformation and empowerment is experienced in the life of a believing sinner.
• The disciples were to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue with the work.

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���The scope of the work (v. 6 – 7). �

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.

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• Promises of Israels’ restoration are throughout all of the OT ((Micah 4:6 -8, Joel 2: 28 – 32).
• The Israelites were under oppression by the Romans.
• Their longing was overthrowing of the Romans and Restoration of the kingdom of Israel to its former glory.
• Despite spending so much time with Jesus during His ministry, the disciples still struggled to fully grasp the spiritual nature of His kingdom.

• The disciples’ question reveals their earthly focus.
• Matt 20:21 – Mother of James and John requests Jesus to grant that her two sons be seated at his right and left in his kingdom.
• Jesus’ response is profound and timeless (v.7)
• Jesus did not deny the fact about the restoration of the kingdom of Israel but his emphasis was on the timing.
• Jesus reminds them that God’s timing is beyond human comprehension and control.
• Jesus’ response redirects their attention to the higher purposes of God’s kingdom.
• It is not about an earthly kingdom but a heavenly kingdom.

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��The description of the work (v.8) �

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”.

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1. The essence for doing the work
1. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

• The empowerment of the Holy Spirit (illustration)

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b. The definition of the work

• “And you will be my witnesses”.
• A witness is someone who sees an event and reports what happened.
• A witness is someone who testify of the truth and is ready to die for what he testifies of.
• The disciples were to be witnesses and not to do witnessing (illustration).

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The description of the work (v.8) �

c. The Strategy for doing the work.

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• In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria; and to the ends of the earth”.

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• According to Jesus the world is to be divided into manageable fields for mission work.
• A wake-up call to engaged in mission work – Christ witnesses.
• Our Jerusalem – City – (Where the crucifixion and resurrection happened 40 days ago.

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• Our Judea – Province
• Our Samaria – Country (hatred between Jews and the Samaritans.
• Ends of the earth – Rest of the world (women’s ministry – Australia).
• You are saved because someone witness to you about Jesus.

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��The timing of the work (v. 9 – 11).�

• 9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 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”.

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�The timing of the work (v. 9 – 11).�

• Jesus’ ascension serves as a powerful reminder of His divinity.
• Eye witnesses of the ascension – the 120 and Two angels.
• Heaven and earth witnessed the ascension of Jesus.
• The angels’ message – “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”.

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• The implication is what are you waiting for? Now is the time to go and do the work.
• The period between Jesus’ ascension and his return is the time to do the work (witness).
• Now is the day – Tells some one about Jesus.

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��Summary�

• The book of Acts was written by Dr Luke to Theophilus. Acts was Luke’s second book.
• In this section (Acts 1: 5 – 11) the author records Jesus’ final time with his disciples before his departure, in which Jesus instructs this disciples to continue with the work he started. The command was to be His witnesses through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
• For the disciples this period was crucial as it marks the transition of the disciples from followers of Jesus to apostolic witnesses to carry out His mission.
• The event marks the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and his physical presence among the disciples and marks the beginning of the disciple’s role as witnesses to the world of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
• The ascension symbolizes Jesus’ victory over sin and death and His reign over all creation. And some day some day soon Jesus is going to come back.

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�Conclusion�

• The final words of Jesus to the disciples then hold great importance to us today. As followers of Christ our greatest task now is to witness for Jesus. Tell someone about Jesus. Tell someone about what the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus has accomplished for us. That Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. Eternal life is found only in Jesus Christ.
• To do the work we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We will not do the work with our own knowledge and strength but through the anointing of Holy Spirit in our lives. As we surrender our lives daily to the Holy Spirit, he will lead, guide and empower us to continue with the mission work.
• May this be a wake-up call for all of us as a local church and as individual believers to continually engaged in the mission work in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
• Till our savior king Jesus returns tell someone about Him today.

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