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God still with us – Acts 1:4-11 4 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; 5 for 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, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”
God still with us – Acts 1:4-11 4 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; 5 for 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, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
John 16:5-7 5 “But now I am going away to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Trilogy of the Universe • Pre-Christ phase (God is the main character relating to people); • The life of Christ on the earth (Christ is the main character relating to people); • The Post-Ascension phase (Christ is in heaven; now the Holy Spirit is the main character and gospel advances until the ultimate return of Christ)
The Trilogy of the Universe • 1. Pre-Christ phase (God is the main character relating to people); • 2. The life of Christ on the earth (Christ is the main character relating to people); • 3. The Post-Ascension phase (Christ is in heaven; now the Holy Spirit is the main character and gospel advances until the ultimate return of Christ)
Big Idea: We experience God still with us when we live with a Kingdom centered worldview.
What is aproblem? Acts 5:40-42 40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name. 42 Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
How? • Pray • When you get angry, ask why • Process your life with people • Community • Confession • Discipleship
Our dreams 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6 3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Our dreams 1 Thess. 3:6-10 6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you,10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?
How? • Name your small dreams • Make lists of people around your life • Brainstorm how to pursue them • Make God sized goals • What can you believe God for in 2013?
How we view people Ephesians 6:12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
How? • Pray for people! • Check yourself • Who am I drawn to in a group? Why? Who am I missing? • Be discipled
Kingdom Worldview 2 Cor. 5:16-20 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Action Steps (Problems, Dreams & People) • Let the Kingdom define what are your problems • Talk to people about your reactions to life • Let the Kingdom define your dreams • Dream bigger than your comfort • Name your small dreams and set a God sized goal for 2013 • Let the Kingdome define how you view people • Move toward people in love with the gospel • PRAY, think, PRAY some more • Pray for your own worldview • Pray for people around your life to know Christ
Questions? Comments? Testimonies?
