What Happens After Easter?
Acts 1:4 What is the church going
to do after Easter? We find there is a time for waiting, wondering
and working! 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[a] water, but in
a few days you will be baptized with[b] the
Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and 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.
As believers, our main job is to be looking
for the lost. Have you found any? Are you really looking?)
As we study this text notice what Jesus is
saying to us. First,
There is a time for WAITING (4-5) “Do not leave
Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised
Jesus tells his disciples
to wait until the Promised One from God, the
Holy Spirit, comes. The Holy Spirit glorifies the work the Son has accomplished
that we may have a relationship with the Father through a regenerated spirit.
The Holy Spirit does four things for us. First, He comes to ENLIGHTEN them. He
does this by bringing to mind their memories. It was the memories of their time
with Jesus. They were to remember the miracles He performed and the message he
proclaimed. He also revealed the movements and moments of life-changing events.
Second, we discover that He comes to ENERGIZE them. The disciples had gone through
some tough times and were going to go through some more difficult days. But the
Holy Spirit would provide them the grace, strength and energy they needed.
There is a time for WONDERING (6-7) Then they
gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom
to Israel? “It is not for you to know the times or
dates the Father has set by his own authority
We are good at asking
questions! Why are you doing this, where are we going and what can I expect
along the way? are some typical
questions. The disciples also had questions. They were anticipating a
revelation of God’s kingdom to come. When would it happen?
So, Jesus answered their questions in an
unusual way. We find that He exceeds their EXPECTATIONS. They were wondering
about an earthly kingdom. What they were proclaiming was an eternal, heavenly
kingdom. We find that He also provides their ENDURANCE. The Christian journey
is a marathon and not a sprint. The way is arduous and dangerous. Our
sustenance comes from Him. We draw our reserves in Him.
There is a time for WORKING
(8) 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.”
It is not enough to just wait and wonder! Too
often many Christians wait without ever working! Sharing the Gospel of Christ
is not optional! It’s our MANDATE to obey! He doesn’t suggest we do it; He
demands and expects us to do it. it’s our MINISTRY to engage! Every believer
has been given a spiritual gift to use. This means you have a ministry to get
involved in. Start one! God has equipped you through the Holy Spirit to
hear His voice and see the heartaches of those around you! Get involved! Do
your ministry! provided redemption to those who trust in Christ alone! There is
no other message! If we fail at this we have no other options. How are you
doing in spreading the gospel? How is your spiritual walk with the Lord?
