Captured By the Vision of the Church
Sermon Notes
1. The church is captivated by Jesus – not to be sidetracked with lesser things (v. 7 - “times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority”)
2. The church is empowered by His Spirit to be His witnesses – it starts where you are, it continues with a heart for the extended community, and it finds ultimate fulfillment with a heart for the world.
3. The church is expectant and prayerful (“they stuck to praying” – v.14)
4. The church is made of imperfect people like us – just like the original 120
Questions for thought and application:
1. Do we major on the minors? What preoccupies our minds?
2. Are we empowered by the Holy Spirit in all of life? While we do have all of the Holy Spirit, does the Holy Spirit have all of us? Is Jesus’ mandate compelling for us?
3. Do we wait with prayerful expectation? Do we continue with prayerful dependence and expectation?
BACKGROUND INFO FOR ACTS
1. The title:
"The Acts of the Apostles: Peter & Paul"
or
"Certain Acts of Certain Apostles (Peter & Paul)"
Luke selects his material very carefully. The great apostle John is only mentioned in passing in the earliest chapters.
2. The purpose of the book.
a. It is not to present the outworking of the Great Commission. There is too much material that does not fit this purpose (long sermons, three accounts of Paul's conversion, emphasis on legal trials, etc.)
b. It is not to present an apologetic for the Christian faith - to secure civil recognition for Christianity.
The purpose of the book is to explain, with the gospel of Luke, the orderly, divinely, and sovereignly directed progress of the kingdom message
3. The importance of the book.
a. It forms a conclusion to the gospels
b. It forms a backdrop for the Pauline epistles
c. It provides basic information and insights into the early church
d. It presents a stimulating challenge to Christians today –
“Captured By a Vision of the Church”
e. It sets a pattern as to Christ's headship and leadership of His church through the Holy Spirit
5. The date of Acts.
before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD)
before Paul's death (no mention of it)
before Neronian persecution (64 AD)
6. The outline of the book (Acts 1.8).
Witness in Jerusalem (1.1-6.7)
Witness in Judea/Samaria (6.8-9.31)
Witness to the Earth (9.32-28.31)