Bible Study - Unstoppable (1) - Unstoppable Mission - Acts 1:4-8, 12-14 - October 16, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (1) – Unstoppable Mission – October 16, 2016

This is lesson one (1) in our new series of study entitled “Unstoppable Missions.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 1:4-8, 12-14.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel.

We begin a new series of study for the next six weeks. Our scripture will be taken from the book of Acts. For the past six weeks we have studied the foundation of the Christian faith. In this next six weeks, we will study the application of what we have learned foundationally, as Christians, as the Holy Spirit gives us the opportunity to share the Good News of JESUS and salvation to others.

Satan will do all he can to discourage us from sharing our faith in JESUS. Just know that greater is HE (JESUS) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world as we read in First John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.

The Holy Spirit indwells every born-again Christian as written in Romans 8:14-17:

14 All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. (And daughters)

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,

17 and if children, also heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

When Christians commit their lives to GOD to obediently serve HIM, expect opposition. Each Christian comes into contact with those in need of salvation, prayer, encouragement and so much more each day. We, who know the truth, are to let our light shine in this world of darkness. GOD will use you in a mighty way as you go through the day to minister to others. Look for those opportunities and the Holy Spirit will reveal them to you.

Let’s read Acts 1:1-3: (Introduction – Doctor Luke wrote the book of Acts. He also wrote the book of Luke. The book of Acts gives an account of the workings of the Holy Spirit in the lives of JESUS’ Apostles and other Christians after JESUS ascended into Heaven. Let’s explore!

Prologue

1 I wrote the first narrative (The Book of Luke), Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen.

3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15: (The Apostle Paul was giving an account regarding those who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection of JESUS before HIS ascension into Heaven. This was before the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.

Then Paul (Known at that time as Saul, his Hebrew name) included his personal encounter with JESUS after HIS ascension into Heaven as he traveled on the road to Damascus. Keep in mind that Paul met with various Apostles after his conversion. Also, keep in mind that Paul was a Pharisee and knew the scriptures, as we see reflected in what he wrote in these verses. Paul had fact checked JESUS against the scriptures and eyewitness accounts. Thoroughly convinced that his experience was genuine, the rest of Paul’s walk with JESUS is history. Do you believe that JESUS is real and that HE died just for you? 

Accept JESUS as your Savior and allow HIM to lead and direct your life.)

3 For I (The Apostle Paul) passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

5 and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the Twelve.

6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by God's grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God's grace that was with me.

The Apostle Paul was documenting the time of JESUS during the 40 days after HIS resurrection from the dead, after HIS ascension into Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. During the days leading up to Saul’s/Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul/Paul thought he was obediently serving GOD by rounding up all Christians and either killing them or throwing them into prison. Paul believed that this Christian movement called “The Way” must be stopped. Then JESUS revealed Himself to Paul and Paul’s life changed in an instant.

Now, back to our focus scripture. 

Let’s read Acts 1:4-5:

The Holy Spirit Promised

4 While He (JESUS) 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."

Obedience is critical. If they had disobeyed, they would have missed a mighty blessing. However, we read that those who heard the instructions from JESUS responded accordingly. That is still true today. When the Holy Spirit instructs us, as Christians, we are to be obedient.

Why do you think that JESUS did not tell them specifically when the Holy Spirit would arrive? Was it to test their trust in HIS Word? Was it for them to prepare their hearts to receive the promised Holy Spirit? Or both or was there something else?

JESUS stated that John the Baptist, baptized with water which was a sign of repentance and dedication to follow GOD.  But JESUS told them that they would not be baptized with the physical but baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. In a few days but JESUS did not give a specific day.

JESUS spoke of the complete indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit, the third part of the Trinity, would indwell them for the purpose of empowering, equipping, enlightening, comforting, assuring, walking with them, encourage, dispel fear, instruct and teaching them. The same is true for those who place their faith in Jesus today.

Let’s read Acts 1:6-8:

6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

The followers of JESUS were still looking for an earthly ruler. It would take the filling of the Holy Spirit for them to understand the mystery of GOD regarding the establishing of HIS Kingdom being established in each person’s heart until it was established after the second coming of JESUS.

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.

Why does GOD not give us a specific time when this will take place? Simply, what would each generation do if they knew it would not happen during their lifetime? You got it, nothing. But GOD’S plan, for those who know the truth, is to share the truth because people in each generation need to make a decision whether or not to accept CHRIST as their Savior. Christians are the light and the salt. We must reveal truth to those in our generation. People in every generation will die and go into eternity either having received the gift of eternal life through faith in JESUS or keeping their sentence of eternal death by rejecting JESUS. Which do you choose?

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

In the absence of the Holy Spirit such an assignment is overwhelming and impossible but the Holy Spirit provided the power to Christians to do the will of our Father, GOD. For us to be obedient first, we are to reach those with the Gospel where we live. GOD had promised that the Messiah would come first to the Jews. Jerusalem was the focal point for the Jews seeking a relationship with GOD. Then the next place where the Jews lived was Judea and then the most despised were the half-breeds, Jews who intermarried, Samaria; then to all others regardless of their nationality. The Gospel is for all. But first to those who had a base to build upon. The Jews had the scriptures and were taught the scriptures that revealed the coming of the Messiah. However, preconceived notions regarding the promised Messiah prevented many religious Jews from seeing the real truth as revealed in JESUS.

Christians, we have the truth and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Are we hiding the truth from others? Truth for the cure of eternal death must be shared. Let your light of CHRIST shine in this world of darkness. Those around you are eager for the light from above. Know that Satan will oppose you but keep in mind that “Greater is HE (JESUS) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world.”

Let’s read Acts 1:9-11:

The Ascension

9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud received 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."

Once we have witnessed the miraculous, it is time for us to take action upon what we have been instructed to do. All who have asked JESUS to come into our hearts have the indwelling Holy Spirit and know the truth. We must share the Good News of salvation through faith in JESUS with others as GOD gives us opportunity.

Let’s read Acts 1:12-14:

United in Prayer

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olive Grove, which is near Jerusalem-a Sabbath day's journey away.

A Sabbath day’s journey is about three-fourths of a mile.

13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

These are the disciples of JESUS absent Judas.

14 All these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

Notice that JESUS’ brothers or HIS half-brothers were present. The crucifixion of JESUS and HIS resurrection was a life-changing event in the lives of JESUS’ brothers (half-brothers).

Let’s read John 7:1-5: (JESUS’ brothers do not believe in HIM before HIS crucifixion, death and resurrection but after HIS passion were their hearts changed?)

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.

JESUS time had not come. GOD’S timing is precise. 

2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,

3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.

4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”

5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Before the passion of JESUS, JESUS’ brothers were chiding HIM because they did not believe that HE was the promised Messiah.

But notice those present in the upper room waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. This was after the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of JESUS! It was none other than HIS brothers who chided HIM before HIS passion. The death of JESUS was one thing but HIS resurrection changed their hearts from unbelief to belief.

As Christians, we serve a risen Savior. GOD’S proof that JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin and that HE conquered eternal death is the resurrection of JESUS from the dead the third day. The person placing his or her faith in JESUS is Spiritually born into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter with all the rights and privileges of being a child of GOD.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:18-21:

18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things,

20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

21 He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

Christians are in the process of being transformed by the renewing of their minds as written by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2:

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

The indwelling Holy Spirit renews our minds once we have placed our faith in JESUS through the process of sanctification. It is the process of those in CHRIST to embrace their new birth by taking off their old clothes or humanness and putting on their new clothes of righteousness as written by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:20-24:

20 But that is not how you learned about the Messiah,

21 assuming you heard Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus:

22 you took off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires;

23 you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds;

24 you put on the new man, the one created according to God's [likeness] in righteousness and purity of the truth.

As a Christian have you have taken off your old way of life and put on your new way of life. If not, now is that time. Place your life into the hands of JESUS and become all that HE desires for you to be as HIS brother or sister through the miracle of rebirth.

We are upon earth at this very time for a purpose. Let’s read Acts 13:36:

36 For David (King David), after serving his own generation in God's plan, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed.

Each person is born physically upon earth at just the right time to obediently serve GOD according to HIS plan and purpose. We, as humans, have freewill to choose to accept JESUS as our Savior and obediently serve HIM or to reject HIM. Each person is not upon earth by accident but by design. Do you realize the astronomical odds of you being born as a human? Life is a gift from GOD. Choose JESUS and receive eternal life. That is GOD’S original intent for you!

Notice in verse 14, they were in one accord, unity and harmony with each other and their numbers grew to 120. Blessings!!!