Focus passage: Acts 1-8 April 3, 2016
Easter is over – Now What? Acts 1:6 The disciples followed Jesus for forty days after Easter. It was like old times. He taught them and he did miracles before them. Yet, it was different. He walked through walls, he didn’t need to sleep. Before Easter, they thought that they knew what the ministry was about. Now they were not sure. Curious, they asked him what came next. Is this the time that you are going to restore the Messianic Kingdom? What do you want us to do in this new kingdom? They didn’t realize the wave that was about to come. The early chapters of the book of Acts are a call to arms and a pattern for the church to get on fire.
A. Power: Getting ready for God’s commission Acts 1:8 What was to come next was to be witnesses to Easter. Jesus had opened the door to heaven and established a relationship with God, but if no one knew about it, it would have little effect. To accomplish that, they would be given power from the Holy Spirit. He would come on them mightily on Pentecost. In preparation for that day, the people would pray constantly for ten days. They would open themselves up to the Spirit’s power for they knew that something big was happening. Prayer shows the vitality of a church. A church that prays had great power.
A. Power: Getting ready for God’s commission Acts 1:8 What was to come next was to be witnesses to Easter. Jesus had opened the door to heaven and established a relationship with God, but if no one knew about it, it would have little effect. To accomplish that, they would be given power from the Holy Spirit. He would come on them mightily on Pentecost. In preparation for that day, the people would pray constantly for ten days. They would open themselves up to the Spirit’s power for they knew that something big was happening. Prayer shows the vitality of a church. A church that prays had great power.
B. Witness: Telling what you have seen Acts 2:32 It was the dawning of a new day. The tongues of fire showed the gift of the spirit. Jesus whom many of the people in the crowd had seen crucified was alive. Having received power from God, the disciples simply told what they had seen and heard. The Holy Spirit worked upon the hearts of those who were present for the festival of Pentecost. 3000 people came to faith that day because Peter spoke what finally made sense to him. Let the Spirit explode though us so that this city might hear what Jesus has done for them. If they can reach 3000, can we reach 30?
C. Power: Constant recharging with Bible study, prayer and fellowship Acts 2:42 Prayer was not a onetime event, it was ongoing in the church. Like rechargeable batteries, they had to recharge the power if they were going to witness in touch times. They devoted themselves to Bible study and prayer letting the power of the Lord fill their lives. Here is a model for the church. It is to be a people connected with the Lord. Life doesn’t go well when you have no energy. How long will you survive without food? How long do you think people survive without spiritual food?
D. Witness: Overcoming resistance by being witnesses Acts 4:19-20 Thousands had become Christians and the Jewish leaders were worried so they arrested Peter and John and told them to stop preaching about Jesus. Having just healed a crippled beggar, Peter declared that it was by the power of Jesus that this man could walk. When the power comes on God’s people, they don’t just do witnessing, they become witnesses. Their whole life is about the wonder of the cross. They talk about it. They live it by showing kindness to others like the disciples did. Everyone knows who they belong to and where they stand.
Easter is over – Now What? First, you have to recharge your spiritual batteries. You are worthless to yourself and to others if you have no Godly power in you. You will have little ability to protect yourself from Satan’s temptations and no power to be a witness to others. Commit yourself to daily time in prayer and Bible study. It is something that you see again and again in the book of Acts. And as you are being fed, let your light shine. Not every one of us is a natural evangelist, but we all should have the light. Live in such a way that people see your good works and give glory to God in heaven. Live in such a way that people know you are a Christian and ask you to pray for them. Easter is over - Now what? The answer is simple. Live in the light of Easter as you power up through bible study and prayer so that your life doesn’t have to be ruled by the darkness. Then let your light shine so that Easter can dispel the darkness that has taken over the world.
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