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The Promise of the Holy Spirit – Acts 1. ACTS 1:1,2 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. . ACTS 1:3,4
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ACTS 1:1,2 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
ACTS 1:3,4 3He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;
ACTS 1:5-7 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
ACTS 1:8,9 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Taking Inventory Task is Overwhelming. No Influence. Hated by the world. Afraid of our own shadows. 4 Pillars of Successful Ministry?
Taking Inventory Today What we see clearly – 4 Pillars What we can’t see - Jesus’ presence Conclusion – We have commands. Jesus is in heaven. So…
Bible becomes a “How-to” Manual • How to be happy in life? • How to overcome habitual sin? • How to fix a relationship? • How to grow a church? • “How-to” questions are not wrong but they tend to promote superficial change and hoop jumping.
“How-To” Christianity leads to: • Despair. I tried. It doesn’t work… • I am the problem – depression. • God is the problem – bitterness. • Pride. I tried. I did it… • Question is not HOW its WHO?
Acts 1:5 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:8 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
ACTS 1:10,11 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
ACTS 1:11,12a 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas…
ACTS 1:12b,14 12Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Luke 11:9-11 9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
Luke 11:12,13 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”