The Story Isn’t Over

The Story Isn’t Over

Acts is the story of the work of Jesus being continued through the people of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

We're Part of a Larger Story

Acts 1:1

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,

Luke doesn’t see his Gospel and the book of Acts as two unrelated stories. He sees them as one continuing story.

Acts is the story of what the risen and ascended Jesus continues to do through His church by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus isn’t finished

1. Jesus Began The Story

Acts 1:3

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Jesus brings us into relationship with God by His grace.

Ephesians 2:8–9

For by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not a result of works.

2. Jesus Is Still Leading The Story

Jesus Ascended

Acts 1:9

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

John 16:7a

It is to your advantage that I go away.

John 16:7b

If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.

When Jesus ascends, the reach of His ministry is no longer limited to the location of His physical body.

Because Jesus ascended to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit, His presence is now with His people everywhere.

Hebrews 12:2

He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

He is reigning over all things:

Ephesians 1:20–22; 1 Corinthians 15:25

He is interceding for us:

Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

He is pouring out the Holy Spirit:

Acts 2:32–33; John 16:7

He is leading and building His church.

Ephesians 1:22

[God] put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church.

3. Jesus Continues The Story Through His church.

Following Jesus was never designed to be an isolated, individual experience; we are called into a body.

Ephesians 5:25

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.

The Story Of Naaman: 2 Kings 5:1–27

Take a dip and keep dipping.

Jesus is on the throne.

The Holy Spirit is with us.

And the story isn’t over.