The Mission: Studies in the Book of Acts
#1: "Meant To Be Sent"
September 13, 200

1. Introduction ...

   An Introduction to the Book of Acts ...

A. A history of the church ... the only book written to be historical in the NT

1. Written by Luke ... a physician who traveled with Paul ... in 60 AD
2. Comparing ACTS 1:1-4 with Luke 1:1-4

B. A history of the mission of the church ... a picture of the church in mission to the world

1. Mission not just a part of the church ... it is who we are ... it is our purpose
2. The call to be "missional" church

C. History of the mission of the church ... as empowered by the Holy Spirit

1. Empowering believers to be witnesses about Jesus

   Acts Actually Begins ... Before The Church Was Born ... Interim ... Resurrection ... Pentecost

A. Time spent in waiting ... and in training ...

   Before We Study How Church Was Sent ... Study Preparation For Being Sent ...

A. v3 ... Jesus presented himself alive ... appeared to them ... demonstrate he had risen ... real

1. All four gospels ... accounts of his appearances ... 1 Corinthians 15 ... 500 at once
2. Why important to the 11 ... and to us ... that Jesus was seen as real?

B. v2 ... Easy to miss ... he chose them ... each one had a purpose

1. Preparation is not just teaching ... it is equipping ... and equipping is not just teaching
2. No one here by accident ... chosen ... or in process of being chosen

C. v2 ... Gave them instructions through the Holy Spirit ... taught them for 40 days

1. Luke 24:44-47 gives us a closer glimpse at what took place

D. v3 ... Spoke to them about the kingdom of God

1. Kingdom of God had now broken in to the kingdom of this world ...
2. Reminding them ... kingdom values ... people they were created to be

3. Commission ...

   On The Last Day With Them ... Jesus Adds A Promise ... Assigns Them Their Mission

A. v5 ... Promised that the Holy Spirit will come to encourage and empower them

1. Told them to gather together as a community and wait for the Spirit ...

B. v6 ... He commissioned them ... gave them their assignment

1. These 11 ... and those that follow them ... are to continue the mission of Jesus to world

   Context For This Commissioning Is A Misunderstanding Of The Nature Of Kingdom Of God

A. Fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' mission ... natural mistake

1. Culture ... coming of the Messiah was for the benefit of Israel
2. Coming of Messiah is for the world

B. Misunderstanding of their own mission ... co-reign ... share in political or economic power

1. Receive Spiritual power ... allow them to witness and be Jesus' mission to the world

   Impossible To Underestimate The Importance Of These Words ... Final Instructions

A. Matthew 28:18-20 ... John 20:21 ... Luke ... Gospel and Acts ... Mark ... late addition

1. Go out and be a light to the world ... go out an continue my mission

   Important To Hear The Challenge Of The Words ... Challenge To Church ... Individuals

A. Didn't say "therefore ... "go to church" ... go and be the church ... church ... go to world

B. Going to be hearing a lot about the "missional church" ... definition ... theme of study

C. Jesus came as a witness to the world of the love of God ... God's desire to redeem us

1. We are to go into the world ... and continue his mission
2. Every believer is a disciple ... every disciple is a missionary ... a witness

4. Ascension ...

   After These Last Words ... His Last Act ...

A. Traditional focus ... physical act of ascending ... did it happen? How could it happen?

1. Alternative focus ... what was the purpose behind the ascension ...