Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 6, 2016

“This Same Jesus” Acts 1:1-11 Bible Study 03/06/16

This morning we begin a new study in the book of Acts. This book is the “companion” text of Luke’s gospel and serves as its continuation. Addressed to Theophilus, it records the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering the early church as a witness of the good news of Jesus. Our text this morning essentially revolves around two crucial concepts: instruction and ascension.

I. Considering the context

-repetition of “taken up”
-connection to Luke 24: 44-53

II. Prizing the promise (1-5)

-the “first book”
-resurrection to ascension: 40 days
-proofs: resurrection, prophecy, presence, power
-command: wait in Jerusalem
-Holy Spirit baptism

III. Receiving the instruction (6-8)

-question and correction
-reception of power
-present assignment: witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth
-global scope

IV. Appreciating the ascension (9-11)

-“lifted up” and “cloud”
-gaze of apostles
-addressed by angels
-preview: reign and return
-significance: accomplishment (Heb. 10:11-14), intercession (1 John 2:1), enthronement (1 Pet. 3:22), empowerment (Eph. 1:15-23)

V. So what?

– Because Jesus reigns as Lord, you can be empowered to obey His command to engage the globe with the gospel.
-2.8 billion “unreached” people
-“When someone says he has a passion for the nations, that only qualifies him to be a Christian.” (David Platt)
-Missions Strategy (Romans 15-16 and Acts): biblically-grounded, spiritually-dependent, missionally-urgent and church-driven. (David Platt)
-“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does it successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more. Let every creature rise and bring honors peculiar to our King; angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen!” (Isaac Watts)