Today we start our new preaching and study series in the Book of Acts. I do hope that you are greatly encouraged as we go back to the very first church and see God at work in expanding this first church that met in the Temple Courts in Jerusalem. The companion study book to this preaching series is titled ‘Mission Unstoppable’ and will be studied by our congregation in the many Grace Groups that meet during the week. For you to gain the most out of the preaching and study series it is imperative that you join one of our Grace Groups! It is also vital that you purchase the study guide ‘Mission Unstoppable’ from your leader and then be disciplined to do the study throughout the week in preparation! This is a great way to grow spiritually! So if you have not signed up to be in a Grace Group do so today.
So much happens in these first two chapters of Luke’s account of events after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. He provides us with a very clear understanding of what is important to God and how this longing will be achieved. We really witness God’s heart! He longs for the nations of the world to know Him and remarkably we see His strategy unfold before our very eyes. We see how this will be achieved in Acts 1: 8 when Jesus declares to the 120 believers in Jerusalem, “….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.”
The Book of Acts teaches that God chooses people like us to be His messengers. As we will learn, He gives us everything we need to fulfill His desire – power, ability, the message to share and even the people we are to share it with! Remarkably He will do the transforming in the recipients heart! How amazing! All He requires is for His people – you and I – to be obedient, willing and faithful!
We also learn in these two chapters the centrality of Jesus in all things and we witness the key foundations of the very first church where they met together for teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. There is so much for us to learn from these very first days of Christ’s church! I hope you are inspired, encouraged and excited at the part you are to play in being part of this unstoppable mission of God! It truly is ‘mission unstoppable’ as people from all over the world are coming to Him through Jesus!