Acts 2
Introduction
:
This is week 3 of series leading to Pentecost Sunday.
Week One
-Scattered. Primarily we spoke about the disciples and what they did or didn’t do when the shepherd was struck…This week I want to look at not only. What did they do? The gathered.
Week Two
– Gathered – what the disciples did, but a whole community of believers who were missing their shepherded
Week Three
today…. released.
Transition:
At Pentecost they are empowered and come out of the upper room with the authority, boldness, ‘anointing’ to do a few things they were incapable of on their own strength, ability or merit.
I. ‘Receive Power’ to
Witness’
What is contained in Acts 1:3-13 is the narrative of the preparation of individuals (church as whole) to continue the Ministry that Jesus began.
It’s what is called ‘The Apostolic Succession’ – The person and ministry of a(n) apostle is literally one who is sent.
Acts 1:8, ‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me
1
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ (NKJ)
Power
=
dynamis
– which denotes ‘a robust force’ at work in demonstrative ways for all to see and feel.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Demonstration
=
apodeixis
{ap-od’-ike-sis}
Meaning:
1) a making manifest, showing forth 2) a demonstration, proof
To Be Witnesses
=
martus
{mar’-toos}
Meaning:
1) a witness 1a) in a legal sense 1b) an historical sense 1b1) one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest 1c) in an ethical sense 1c1)
Question
: Are you or have you been ‘witness’ to something special concerning Jesus and the Gospel?
Witnessing vs. Evangelism
– R. C. Sproul – Ligonier Ministries
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/witnessing-vs-evangelism/
Transition
: The second element of our empowerment for service is to make disciples.
II. Make Disciples
– Matthew 28:18-20
4 Greek Words that make up / constitute what it is / means to be a disciple.
Conclusion
: So after we’ve gathered and been empowered we move toward our mission to witness and to make disciples.
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