The King's Church in Ilford
The following is the text of the talk given on 21st February 2010 by Robin Hawkins
"How it all Started"
- Acts 1:1-11
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 showed himself to these men 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. 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, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they 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. 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."
9 After 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."
We're going back to our roots this morning. How it all began. Why we're here this morning. Why Followers of Jesus meet like this. How did we get to be called Christians? Why was Acts written anyway? We know it was the second of two books written by Luke who was a doctor and travelling companion of Paul. With his careful and analytical mind he was well-qualified to search out the facts and set them down in order. Many times he links events to other historical events like when Felix & Festus were governors of Judea - appointments we've been able to verify from other records outside the Bible.
But actually, after the first 12 chapters, we leave the early church in Jerusalem. From then on the story focuses almost entirely on Paul and his journeys. Decades are crammed into a few chapters. Then from ch.21-28, the focus is entirely on Paul's arrest in Jerusalem, his trials before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, and his journey to Rome. It finishes abruptly as Paul awaits trial in Rome.
This gives us a clue as to why many bible scholars believe Luke's Gospel & the Book of Acts is a defence brief written by Luke in preparation for Paul's trial in Rome. It answers questions like What is this new religion? Who was its founder? What does it teach? Is it a threat to the Roman Empire? I don't think Luke thought for a minute that his account was being inspired by the Holy Spirit, and would be part of a best seller, still being read by millions, 2000 years later!
For us, it provides vital insights as to how the apostles spread the Good News about Jesus, how they discipled new Believers, and how the church organised itself. The Gospels don't do this because they describe events before the cross, and before the Holy Spirit was given. Paul's letters don't do it because whatever initiation process took place for new Believers, it had happened by the time Paul wrote his letters.
Luke starts with a powerful affirmation of the resurrection. We're so familiar with the fact that Jesus rose from the dead that it doesn't impact us now in the way that it would have then. Luke is at pains to stress that this wasn't the imagination of a few distraught followers. He (Jesus) showed himself to his apostles - and Paul tells us many others too - and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. There was something very final about Roman execution. People have survived hanging, firing squads, and even the Electric Chair. But Jesus was beaten half to death before being nailed to that cross. Pilate may have been surprised that Jesus had died so soon, but no-one who had seen the body was in any doubt! But Jesus resurrected makes everything He said true. That's why it's so important. That's why it was a central feature of their preaching in Acts. Maybe it should be more central in our preaching too. Death's the final barrier, but Jesus had overcome it. What can man do to us now? Kill the body? That's not the end.
"Hallelujah, Jesus Is Alive"
It was during one of those appearances Jesus reminded them of His promise to send the Holy Spirit. "Wait here in Jerusalem..." They must have been raring to go, to tell everyone that Jesus is alive. But Jesus warned them not to try it in their own strength. Wait until you've been baptised (immersed) in the Holy Spirit. We're going to be hearing a lot about the Holy Spirit as we go through this book. What we need to ask ourselves is: Are we still thirsty for the Holy Spirit? Back in John's gospel, Jesus cried out one day, "Hey, is anybody thirsty? Come to Me and drink" Are you thirsty for the waters of life. Thirsty for the Holy Spirit - that's what Jesus was talking about. These days, most of us know all about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but are we still thirsty to be filled with Him day by day?
How would we know if we have gone on being filled with the Holy Spirit? It's not just about being able to speak in Tongues. It's about power - God's dynamite - power to be a witness for Jesus. Power to be different to the world. Power that enables us to make a difference in people's lives. We talk a lot about empowerment these days. Power to the people! Well God has empowered us to go out and make a difference for Jesus. The question is: Are we doing so?
That's the main objective He's given us, but we can get side-tracked awfully easily. In between these two sets of verses about the Holy Spirit, we have the disciples already getting side-tracked. "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" To them, the Messiah would restore the Kingdom. So if Jesus was the Messiah, when He was going to do it if not now? It was a crucial question - to them.
It seems to me that there are many people asking the same question today. But I can't help but feel that Jesus would reply now in the same way He replied then. "Don't worry about all that - you've got a job to do. Get on with it!"
And with that mild rebuke, He's out of it! "Beam me up, Father!" And so Jesus is taken up to Heaven - what we call the Ascension - and as they're gazing up into the sky, these two men appear and get their attention back to the present. "What are you staring at? It's OK. He's coming back - this same Jesus - the same way as you've watched Him go."
You know, these few opening verses have got everything in them! Christ's Suffering, Resurrection, Ascension, and Return; and in among them the Promise of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus is coming back, and I for one want to be found doing His work when he does return. When He does, everyone will have to bow the knee to Him whether they want to or not. It would be infinitely better to do it voluntarily now - in fact it would be vital for your eternal destiny. I don't really know how it's all going to happen. I don't know when. I know we're nearer it today than we were yesterday. It could be this afternoon... It could be in a 100 years time. The question is: Are you ready? Dear friends, you really need to get ready now. You can put it and put it off, until one day it's too late. Either this life will be over, or Jesus will have returned.
The way to get ready is to give your life to Jesus now.
Ask His forgiveness for all you know to be wrong in your life;
Accept on trust that He has paid the penalty on the cross for all your wrong doing.
Tell Him you want to follow Him, and be known as His follower.
This is not a quick-fix solution. It is potentially a life-changing moment.
