This broadcaster has 995 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
August 17, 2021 8:00 am
God has an encouraging word for you and me today. The Bible-based Dr. Don Wilton as we had the book of acts chapter 1.
Open the word together and our phones open open to you and 866-899-WORD 866-899-WORD 9673 or online at tewonline.org, RG, I'm going to invite you this morning to take your Bibles and turn with me to the acts of the apostles, the book of acts in the New Testament the acts of the apostles in chapter 1, we must now ask ourselves the question.
If we understand and know what out this is what is it that God wants us to do what kind of instructions does he have for us. There is no go through than the book of acts. Just think about it we always going back to the New Testament to the time of Jesus Christ to the church but frames if we want to discover what it is that God wants us to do. We need to go back in order to reach forward into the future. You see churches very quickly take on the personality of the character of the people that comprise those churches. Now there's nothing necessarily that, except for one factor. Churches begin to take on the personality of the congregation and that congregation is not a congregation that is living for the Lord Jesus Christ that fosters someone who is not interested in glorifying Jesus Christ then is something wrong with the personality and the character and the purpose of the congregation you take this church. For example, over 160 years of age.
There is a sensing which over all these years we have become the look a lot like First Baptist Church but we don't want to look like First Baptist Church. We want to look like Lord Jesus dry here and I made. I'm not interested in First Baptist Church dialogue First Baptist Church. This is my church. This is where God has placed me this is a great place to be and I'm so glad that we are here today and I want to invite you with everything at my disposal to become part in First Baptist Church, but not to be interested in first church cited the fact that we want First Baptist Church to be God's church and look and behave and act and minister like Lord Jesus.
He's out… Taste. He's our standardbearer. And so it is weekday to go back to the future we going to have a lot of fun. I want to tell you that right now. I cannot wait to dive into this book. There is so much you will deign to discover so many one truth about ourselves and what God has to say about what we been doing and what we look to be doing God is going to show us a lot of things about who we all want an exciting journey and I welcome you today. As we study God's word together someday to begin this morning with a message entitled how to move without the Lord Jesus Christ and you imagine that you imagine the preacher's Baptist Church getting up and even suggested that we got to learn to live without Jesus lame to tell you something folks in the book of acts. In chapter 1. There is a problem is shown on the new early church, Jesus had been with them.
Jesus had with them. Jesus said to them, Jesus had with them and all of a sudden the next chapter 1 Jesus is goodbye.
I'm leaving the son Jesus takes off and leave literally takes off and leaves the side, and these disciples find themselves without the Lord Jesus Christ is something very interesting that happened just before Jesus left them. He turned around and he told them he had given to them in order to help them to live without him. One of the great things that I do with my wife and family as we in the book of acts God is going to show us how to live want you to listen how to move without daddy how to live with visible physical presence of the Lord Jesus Christ not remember that Jesus came to this earth and what he knew when he came to the earth he lived. He grew up he was born in Bethlehem's manger.
He was physically present. He was touchable. People were around him and then all of a sudden he was taken to the cross and he was crucified and then he rose from the grave and then 15 days later he ascended, he went back into heaven. I cannot even begin to imagine how the disciples must've felt where you going Lord doesn't leave us. How can we without daddy.
How can we live without one means so much to us. The one from we greatest strengths and Irishman the one who gives us direct from the one who's there for us when we need him so much. How can we live and it's right that there is a sensing which Jesus is turning to the new testament church to you and to me any sign. Listen, I tell you what I have given you my actual physical presence with you. Bottom line, if we can get to the end of the Jesus is with us. I had a man not too long ago lost his wife say to me pasta. I do see Tim how you doing my brother and he said all I'm so lonely, but I know that God is taking care of me and he said to me pasta.
She's she's always with me, let's read together in acts chapter 1 and I'm going to stop a number of times I want you to know as we read acts chapter 1, you need to follow along with me this morning. Joe Lukes is in my former book and his friend was the was the gospel according to Luke, we know that Luke was a medical doctor and he rode through the inspiration of the spirit of God, the gospel of Luke and so he saying in the Gospel of Luke in my book the office. The office was a Roman official. We believe we don't know much about him. Lukes is I wrote about Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up into heaven all having given instructions through the Holy Spirit. The apostles and the pasta is key and shows. I do want you to know that I'm not here today by accident. I look at verse three is suffering what was the suffering of Jesus that was on the cross often is suffering Jesus showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. I wonder if anyone has ever one what Jesus did all three rose from the dead.I wonder that many times you know most of us believe Jesus rose from the dead and then he ascended immediately to be seated at the right hand of the father. That's not what happened.
You know that the Bible tells us that Jesus spent not one, not Danmark 20 N. 53 days only to his resurrection he wrote was an ascended to be seated at the right hand of the father. We are looking at the moment about what it means that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that he ascended to be seated at the right hand of the father. What does it mean Jesus sat down. Why did he sit down offer he got up to heaven well here. This is before he even sat down. The Bible says here in verse three.
Often Jesus suffering, he showed himself to these main many convincing proofs that he was alive as he appeared to them over a period of 14 days and spoke to them about the kingdom of God doctrines. I want to tell you something the Lord's prayer. How does the Lord's prayer go. Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name by kingdom do want, thy will be done on you see the connection. Listen to what God is doing it's time to Jesus as the resurrected Christ as saying to be seated at the right hand of the father which is in heaven. And it is at this point, then God in the same speak was on the Jesus upon the cross is going kingdom of God in heaven with God and that is why Jesus Christ said it is absolute imperative, which is in heaven that is carried out upon this earth to be everything that God is in heaven want to be that person on the watchlist with me. Stick with me. This is very important this morning.
I don't want you to miss this folks, this is very very important Jesus.
He appeared to them over a period of 40 days anyone ever since you how many days was Jesus on this property rose from the great 40 days there. It is right. They want to be speak about. He spoke to them about building the kingdom of God. That's what the churches, the church is instituted on earth that God's kingdom.
Maybe boot and their influence on one occasion while he was eating with them just by the way many of you ever wondered whether we going to eat after we die Everett is not listen to me listen listen to me folks. What is first Corinthians 15 Telus first Corinthians 15 tells us that if we want to know what we going to look black when we going to sound like and what we going to do after we die we need to look resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.
Why was Jesus on the 40 days because he wanted to teach them. All these truths, but I believe my friends.
Fundamentally, that he was upon the earth after his resurrection, because Jesus Christ wanted us to know we going to be absolute black.
Often we die in our resurrected bodies and you know what relief I got to know that we are going to eat. Often we tell you that if you bottle of heaven before try. I can just see those chocolate cakes made by any right on my character like from land and forget now listen to what happened. On one occasion, they just want occasion here while he was eating with them them this command. Do not leave Jerusalem. Can we just hold on a minute. Can you imagine how nervous these disciples were not only had they been confronted.
Remember how Peter was confronted and he denied Jesus three times arming the Romans were off to the but not only had Jesus Christ been crucified, not only did they allow his body to be buried in the body is from the folks I can just imagine that the members of the Sanhedrin must've been meeting time without number & we got to get those boys school in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
They are trying to show they are deigned to bring down the whole character of the Roman Empire here in Palestine we cannot tolerate it. I should imagine these disciples. They wanted to get out of there in a hurry. I mean they wanted God to the northern regions they want to them they didn't want to be in around Jerusalem and has Jesus about to leave and he says bluntly wait for the gift my father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized but with little but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
He was not talking about a post conversion experience. He was not saying you already come to know me and talk to you know me you are going to be baptized with the Holy Spirit he was not saying that he was pointing to Pentecost which is going to be given. Acts chapter 2 he was Sinai want you to know that even though you know me as your Savior and you been by motion as I demonstrated to you I want you to know that when I leave you are going to be rendered powerless and my spirit is me is going to come down upon you, and it's kind of dumb head with everything and that's what he was saying what we find out about that in next chapter 2: the day of Pentecost welders six so when they met together, they Austin Lord on you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel. They just didn't get.
They just didn't get but I had walked with him and talk with him. They'd seen him be crucified, watched them rise from the dead by now had met with him repeatedly over 40 years and Jesus talks about the kingdom of God and these disciples in the human foolishness recoil into the sanctum of the human limitations in sight of God. What is this all about.
Are you going to restore your kingdom to Israel. Verse seven and so he said to him, it is not for you to know the times of the dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Listen to that you will receive power off to the Holy Spirit comes on you.
This is not a post conversion experience. This is the coming of the Spirit of God.
In acts chapter 2 and as a result of that, you will be empowered to be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth and after he said this was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight on why do I want to be gone from my family while not willing to give up a Sunday to go to Israel. I'm going to tell you why my friends.
I don't believe that you can experience anything more wonderful than standing on the Mount of Ascension on the Mount of olives at the very place where Jesus this morning. Time ascended to be seated at the right hand of the father, the very place where he's going to come back again the very place where you look at the Golden gate which is sealed to this day the very place that Jesus said the ultimate prophecy is going to take place, and I wanted to write you and stand across the place when Jesus frames listen to me it's right at this point that Jesus abandoned his disciples and then told them that he wasn't abandoning them at all. Off to this, he was taken up before their very eyes in the cloud hid him from their side. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood before them. Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking up into the sky. This same Jesus was being taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you've seen him go into heaven. Exciting. Think about that and the joy of knowing that we have hope in Jesus perhaps you are feeling hopeless right now I would like to pray with one of our team.
We would love to encourage you.
Our phone number is 8668986689673 we have a resource right now on our website@gwonline.org. It's a combination of talents between our own Pastor Dr. Don Wilton and his good friend Dr. Charles Stanley discoverable on our website at tewonline.org G for powerful resource to encourage you. Now back to today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton written about A.D. 63.
This book sees a volume of history. It is a cold church covering about three decades from the printing cost on the coming of the spirit from the ascension of Jesus Christ hallway to the imprisonment of the apostle. What's so important about the book of acts.
Number one, it's the word of God. Number two.
It helps us to understand the history of the early church.
Number three provides essential principles for us. We've got to have three in particular, it helps us to disciple believers. What do we need to do about being a disciple making church. How do we do this. Number two. It helps us to build the New Testament church. We are called to be together of God's church. The New Testament church and number three. It helps us to know how to evangelize the world. But there's 1/4 reason. It puts the focus on the main thing you going to find right throughout studying the book of acts we going to keep coming back.
God is going to keep saying to us. Listen, I know you busy. I know you got things to do. I know there's a lot going on but keep the main thing the main thing. Whatever you do don't ever take Jesus keep on focusing on the main thing and there's a fit thing teaches us about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. I love that the Bible is going to show us that outside of the work of the Holy Spirit. You and I rendered powerless. We believe today that the Pentecostals and the charismatic sagrada corner on on the Holy Spirit. Folks, it's not. Most people today theologically believe you belong to one of two camps. You either belong to the happy copies of the frozen chosen and there is nothing in between. That's not what the Bible teaches. The Bible says that the spirit of God is made available to everyone who is trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. So what did Jesus say about being without him. Can you imagine the sense of abandonment of bewilderment of frustration five things Jesus gave to the disciples which he gave to the New Testament church. He said listen, I know that I'm leaving, but in verse one.
I've given you a ministry to have given you a ministry to do what is that ministry is all that Jesus began to do and teach, and when I leave you want to know how to live without me ministry that I've taught you to do. Number two I have given you a demonstration to remember. That's what Jesus said. He said I know that I'm leaving but I'm going to give you a demonstration. You'll never get over.
That's why verse two and three is about coffee before he was taken up to heaven to the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples. Can you imagine a demonstration like that.
I don't know anything that could throw my heart more today. Apart from talking about Jesus you listening. Can you imagine Jesus died on the cross he wrote focus.
I mean, the disciples saw this and then Jesus gave them a demonstration nightmare ever forget that what he said I'm going to give you number three.
He gave them a come on to obey that Jesus gives to the New Testament church. In verses four and five on one occasion while he was eating with them he gave them Kaman do not believe Jerusalem, but rather wait for the gift my father promised, which you have be heard me speak about.
I want you to know that I'm going to give you a Kaman it's not a suggestion that Kaman is that you write because you going to be in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is medias my comforter. He is the one who's going to draw alongside of you fleet creatures guided down from the heavens itself just himself within your heart and in within your lot. He gave them a Kaman. He said listen you going to be rendered useless without me here if you don't obey my Kaman number four.
He gave them a destination to follow.
He said I want to tell you something.
I'm not only going to give you a ministry to do. I'm already going to give you a demonstration. Remember, I'm not only going to give you a Kaman to obey, but I'm going to give you a destination to follow on that attenuated cyclists and he said I want you to begin right there in the streets of Spartanburg but also want you to go to George. I want you to go to Florida. I want you to go to Hawaii. I want you to go to Alaska. I want you to go to Canada. I want you to go to England.
I want you to go to mold. I want you to go to Russia to go to Brazil to go to India to the use of the because that's the destination that I'm giving you my message I'm instructing number five.
He gave them a motivation to hold on to a motivation. I love that right there in verses nine through 11 as he was taken up from before them in the very presence. The angel said to them, man of God disciples New Testament church. I'm going to give you the greatest motivation in the womb I want you to know that the same Jesus who is gone from before you was going to come back again. I want you to know that no matter what you go through the trials and tribulations in the circumstances, the ups and the downs the challenges the greatest motivation in your heart, is that the same Jesus is going to come back again. I love watching bowl games.
My sons were involved love to go all these different mind multiplying I tell you many times I've been to a bowl game, the team is not doing so well and they going to the locker room on anything but maybe I wouldn't I just be interested to know what the coach said you know why is many times I've seen bowl teams, the locker room at halftime and they were different playing the same game. That's motivation. You know what Jesus is saying to us, he signed. Listen, I'm going to give you the will and I'm going to give you the arena.
I'm going to give you the equipment I'm going to give you the giftedness I'm going to provide for you, your every need. Bottom line is when you get down in the dumps are with you on top of a mountain. I'm going to give you the greatest motivation for anything you do and it is simply this, that I am going to come back and I'm going to receive you unto myself where I am the may be also.
That promise is something we embrace.
As followers of Jesus Christ with such joy in such excitement. Do you know Jesus during the last few minutes you been listening to Dr. Don Wilton as he's been preaching and teaching from the pulpit but now he stepped in the studio to share his heart.
Next are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now they are gone. I know that Arneson and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross today, I repent of my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart. In Jesus name, my friend. I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting news. If you just gave your life to Christ, you dedicate your life. We have wonderful free resources for you. It 866-899-WORD pick up the phone. Give us a call. That's 866-899-WORD 9673 email us at online@tewonline.org.
That's also the place to find great resources like this The Encouraging Word prices will start dollars dollars online online analyzing the store located at the top of the pains appreciate your support to grab those resources both on our website at this number 866-899-WORD but it's not just for resources. It's for prayer 866-899-WORD 9673 24