Are You Gazing Or Going? (AM Sermon Notes)
GIST: Don’t just gaze; go.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:6-11
Welcome back to our study in Acts! Today we’re going to pick up where we left off last time. Last Sunday, we talked about how this book is the continuation of Jesus work on earth after the ascension. We focused on the truth that Jesus isn’t done saving people yet, and that through the Holy Spirit we will be equipped to play our parts in that. Today, we’re going to see more about what those “parts” are to be.
"6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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." 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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."
The truths presented in this passage are not complicated, but if we really get them (and I’m including myself in both that “if” and that “we”), then they should completely change everything about our lives. That being said, let’s dive straight into the gist, and it’s not a complicated one: don’t just gaze; go.
I. DON’T JUST GAZE
We’re just recently coming off our study in Mark, so it’s likely still fresh in most of our minds how the disciples often provide us wonderful examples of what not to do! ☺️ They were just as messed up as us, and we see that even here. Remember the setting. Jesus has died and rose again, and has spent the last 40 days revealing Himself to them and teaching them about His kingdom (His plan to save His people). Then, right as He is about to ascend into Heaven in this ultimate display of His divinity→
They Have The Wrong Question. "6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" They are still thinking in earthly terms. They’re still looking for Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom and restore Israel’s political glory. How does Jesus respond? He starts by telling them they’re asking the wrong question. “7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” You’re looking at this the wrong way. God is sovereign. His plan and timing are perfect. But this isn’t about local politics! He then goes on to tell them how they should be spending their time...but we’ll come back to that in a second. First, I want to look at the other “gazing” example...which is actually where I took the word from for this point. So they have the wrong question, and→
They Have The Wrong Reaction? I put a question mark there because they’re not completely wrong in what they do here. They just would have been if they stopped with this reaction. Look at verses 9-11, “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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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." Now, let’s consider two questions here. First and foremost→
What was the ascension about? As I have studied this passage over the past several weeks, it has been pointed out again and again that the ascension is one of the most under-celebrated points in Jesus’ ministry. We have major holidays to remember his birth, death, and resurrection, but the ascension is often overlooked. However, it’s a huge deal. Let’s look at this under three headings:
1. It’s not about space travel! When Jesus ascended into the clouds, it was not implying that Heaven is just up there in the clouds or somewhere in outer space. Heaven is outside this physical world. It does not have a physical resting place somewhere in a “galaxy far, far away”. Instead, what we have here is a picture of what Jesus was doing.
2. It is about ascending to the throne. This wasn’t about His physical “going up”, but rather like we use the word to refer to someone ascending to a position of authority (think kings and queens). His ascension was a sign of His victory and power. It was a picture of Him as God. Even the reference to the cloud points to this. We have talked about this in the past, but cloud imagery was frequently used to refer to God’s presence coming down to earth. Here the cloud is taking Jesus back to Heaven. Jesus, who is God in the flesh---the ultimate display of God’s presence on earth, was now being taken up in the cloud.
Lastly→
3. It points to His return! What did the angels say in verse 11, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." He left this way and will return in the same! Look at what John describes in Revelation 1, "7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen." Jesus left, but HE IS COMING BACK! People might have missed this the first time, but nobody is going to miss it when He returns!
So that’s the first question. The second one that struck me was-->
Why were they told not to gaze? This words means to look intensely with deep interest. And on one hand, this makes perfect sense. They had just seen Jesus lifted up into Heaven with all the signs of God’s glory! There is an understandable amazement here. What they had just witnessed would have been astonishing! However, there is an implied disappointment which we pick up from the angel’s rebuke. Just a few verses before, they had been looking for an earthly kingdom, and now they had just seen the KING leaving earth. So, the angels appeared and said, ‘Don’t just stand there. This isn’t over yet!’
Personal Application? I know this is more of a “takeaway” thing, but in case I’ve lost you by then☺️, I want to make sure to point this out. General excitement and/or misplaced expectations can both result in the same sin: inactivity. If we’re looking for God to move only in a particular way, we’ll either wait for that and do nothing in the meantime, or spend all our energies working toward that...and still accomplish nothing for His kingdom. Likewise, if we’re just excited, but never go beyond that excitement to the actual spreading of God’s Word...our excitement is nothing more than an emotional experience. We shouldn’t just gaze, we need to→
II. GO
Now, This Is Not Just Blind Activity (8). When they asked the wrong question, Jesus didn’t just give them a general admonition to “be busy” or “do something”. Verse 8 is another of the most quoted verses in the New Testament, and Jesus is very specific about what we should be doing. Check it out, “8 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." Let’s just make a few observations here.
First→
We Are to Go Empowered By The Holy Spirit. I love this point. Remember, these are the guys who just got it wrong...again. Still yet, God chose to use them! Man, that should be encouragement to us. We do not have to be super Christians to be used by God; we just need to follow Him, and let Him do the work. The Holy Spirit equips us. It’s never our merits. (I know I say this often, but, man, do I need this reminder!) It is through God that His Word will be proclaimed. We’re just the mouth pieces.
Second→
We Are to Go As Witnesses. What is a witness? It’s someone who tells the truth about something. Think of witnesses in a case. Why are they called? To clarify the truth. We are called to be the ones who go out into the world telling people about Jesus. We are to spread the Gospel, the good news. We are to be the ones who bring this life giving truth to the world: that while we are by nature sinners destined for Hell, Jesus really came and really died and really rose again and really ascended to Heaven...and everyone who gives Him control of their lives will be saved! This is what we’re called to be doing--telling others about Him.
So, while we should be living in a Christ-like way, and we should care about the physical needs of others, our primary purpose is not just humanitarian aid. We can be the world’s nicest people, but if we never share the gospel...we’re not carrying out this mission. And man, that hits me as hard as it does you! It is not our kindness that saves souls, but His Word. Remember, “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."” (Romans 10:17, emphasis added).
I don’t want to be misunderstood here. We should be loving people and demonstrating Christ to them, but we can’t stop there. Christians are more than just nice people; they are witnesses for Jesus Christ. You don’t have to be a preacher to preach. We should all be telling people about Jesus. I love Kevin DeYoung’s quote on this point. I’ve expressed this in the past, as well: “we’re all wonderful evangelist for the things we love the most.” We talk about things that excite us. If we’re not talking about Jesus… Yeah, I don’t need to keep going to make that point.
So, we’re supposed to go empowered by the Holy Spirit as witnesses, and →
We Are to Go… To The World. That’s the implication of “...in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We are to be witnesses here, there, and everywhere. The mission starts at home, but doesn’t end there. It keeps going beyond our comfort zone, and beyond the social groups we feel “should” hear the gospel. Let me make these two quick points.
1. Go where you’re sent. Wherever God has you is where He wants you to be a witness. Witness there. But also, be open to go wherever He wants you. Don’t limit God’s use of you. Don’t be afraid to be sent beyond your comfort zone and don’t wait to be sent some place exciting to begin witnessing. Everywhere you are is precisely where you should be sharing the Gospel now. Land where you sends you...and open your mouths.
2. Support those who go where you’re not. Yet, we should also support those called to go places we’re not called to go. We might not be a physical part of international missions or even other ministries within our borders, but we should be intentional in our prayers for those who are and, where possible, provide our financial support. We’re all called to be a part of the global mission, so should play whatever role we can in that! We’re not called to be witness in Jerusalem, or Judea, or Samaria, or the ends of the earth.
We can’t just gaze; we need to go.
TAKEAWAYS
1. Be amazed by God. Be blown away by Him.
2. But don’t limit Him by your expectations. Don’t put Him into a box of what you think He should be doing, or how you think He should be moving.
3. Instead, focus on being a witness everywhere He sends you...and to everyone however you are able!
4. Because… He’s coming back, and we should want everyone to be ready!
No comments:
Post a Comment