May 3rd, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
The 29th Chapter of Acts
A vacuum salesman was down in rural Tennessee. With him, he had his vacuum cleaner and all of its tools. He told a lady, "I’ve got the most exciting vacuum cleaner you have ever seen. It will clean your house from top to bottom...you only have to pay so much down."
The lady replied, "It sounds good."
The salesman said, "Do you see that big pile of dirt right there on the floor with all those fur balls and bugs and things. My vacuum cleaner will pick up all those things just like that and if they don’t, I’ll eat it."
"Well,” said the woman, “you might as well get your knife and fork, because we do not have any electricity out here!"
Power is the one thing nations, politicians and businessmen covet. But the power that we need is not an earthly power. God has promised believers Spiritual power.
When Jesus left his disciples to return to his Father, he did not leave them holding the bag. He left them with a mission, but he also promised them the power to accomplish the task. This power he pledged was that of the Holy Spirit. This was not the first time Jesus made this promise. In John 14, 15 & 16 Jesus promised great things that would come from “The Comforter” who would take his place in their lives. He made this promise on the same night that he shared the last super with them and that he would be betrayed and arrested.
The Book of Acts is often labeled “Acts of the Apostles” in the opening title. However, it might best be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through God’s people.” Throughout that letter, the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles and other believers to work miracles and boldly proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ had come to earth in human form, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, was buried and rose again to give us life eternal. This message would change the world forever.
There would be opposition to this message. There would be threats of violence against anyone who proclaimed this message, The followers of Christ would be arrested, beaten and even killed for their devotion to Jesus. This is why they would need the empowerment and strength of God through the presence of the Holy Spirit every day of their lives.
In spite of this dynamic opposition, powerful stories would rise up of thousands upon thousands of people led to Christ by these empowered believers.
The book of Acts is packed with 28 chapters of such amazing work of the Holy Spirit through God’s people. The 28th chapter may be the end of the book, but it is not the end of the story. The church of today is the 29th chapter. All followers of Jesus are promised this presence and power today. The only way such power does not operate is for us to be disconnected by our own pride, indifference or lack of passion for Jesus and his message.
Throughout that book of Acts, the connection of the people to God through prayer was closely tied to the Spirit’s work in their lives. The same is true today. If we commit our lives to prayer, he will do more through us than we ever dreamed he would or could. It is time for us to live the 29th chapter of Acts.
This Sunday we will look at this power in the final message of our series, He Is Risen; What Next? with the sermon, Up Up & Away based on Luke 24:36-53. Join with us in this powerful message from God’s Word.
Joining you in His power,
Jon
The 29th Chapter of Acts
A vacuum salesman was down in rural Tennessee. With him, he had his vacuum cleaner and all of its tools. He told a lady, "I’ve got the most exciting vacuum cleaner you have ever seen. It will clean your house from top to bottom...you only have to pay so much down."
The lady replied, "It sounds good."
The salesman said, "Do you see that big pile of dirt right there on the floor with all those fur balls and bugs and things. My vacuum cleaner will pick up all those things just like that and if they don’t, I’ll eat it."
"Well,” said the woman, “you might as well get your knife and fork, because we do not have any electricity out here!"
Power is the one thing nations, politicians and businessmen covet. But the power that we need is not an earthly power. God has promised believers Spiritual power.
When Jesus left his disciples to return to his Father, he did not leave them holding the bag. He left them with a mission, but he also promised them the power to accomplish the task. This power he pledged was that of the Holy Spirit. This was not the first time Jesus made this promise. In John 14, 15 & 16 Jesus promised great things that would come from “The Comforter” who would take his place in their lives. He made this promise on the same night that he shared the last super with them and that he would be betrayed and arrested.
The Book of Acts is often labeled “Acts of the Apostles” in the opening title. However, it might best be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through God’s people.” Throughout that letter, the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles and other believers to work miracles and boldly proclaim the good news that Jesus Christ had come to earth in human form, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, was buried and rose again to give us life eternal. This message would change the world forever.
There would be opposition to this message. There would be threats of violence against anyone who proclaimed this message, The followers of Christ would be arrested, beaten and even killed for their devotion to Jesus. This is why they would need the empowerment and strength of God through the presence of the Holy Spirit every day of their lives.
In spite of this dynamic opposition, powerful stories would rise up of thousands upon thousands of people led to Christ by these empowered believers.
The book of Acts is packed with 28 chapters of such amazing work of the Holy Spirit through God’s people. The 28th chapter may be the end of the book, but it is not the end of the story. The church of today is the 29th chapter. All followers of Jesus are promised this presence and power today. The only way such power does not operate is for us to be disconnected by our own pride, indifference or lack of passion for Jesus and his message.
Throughout that book of Acts, the connection of the people to God through prayer was closely tied to the Spirit’s work in their lives. The same is true today. If we commit our lives to prayer, he will do more through us than we ever dreamed he would or could. It is time for us to live the 29th chapter of Acts.
This Sunday we will look at this power in the final message of our series, He Is Risen; What Next? with the sermon, Up Up & Away based on Luke 24:36-53. Join with us in this powerful message from God’s Word.
Joining you in His power,
Jon
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