Book of Acts Sermon Starters: Week 1

Acts Background

Jesus dominated the four Gospel accounts, but the Holy Spirit dominates the book of Acts. Luke's second book (Acts) begins with Jesus' reminder of his pre-Resurrection promise to send his followers the Holy Spirit. This is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Acts 1:4b-5)

In John's gospel, Jesus spoke extensively about the coming promised Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples:

I will not leave you orphaned. (John 14:18a)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (14:26) When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. (15:26) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth… (16:13a).

In Acts, Jesus again reminds his followers that the promised Holy Spirit is coming:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

In light of the above passages, it is not surprising that some say the book of Acts could be called, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit."

Notes for Acts 1:1-11*

The Book of Acts is often seen as a continuation of Luke's Gospel report. The gospel bearing Luke's name focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus. Acts begins where the Gospel of Luke ended and continues the story of what happened to Jesus' followers and the movement that became Christianity. It begins, as Luke began, by addressing a man known as Theophilus.
Verse 3 speaks of convincing proofs over a period of forty days. In this, Luke refers to the post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ (i.e., Matthew 28:8; Mark 16:10-14; Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 26). The period of forty days was significant in Scripture and thought of as a period of testing or proving -- see Deuteronomy 9:9, 18 (Moses); 1 Kings 19:8 (Elijah); or Matthew 4:2 (Jesus).
The Promise of the Father in verse 4 is a reference to the coming of the Holy Spirit described in John, chapters 14-16.
The reference to the Holy Spirit's baptism is an echo of Matthew 3:11.
Verses 6-7 betray the fact that the disciples still did not understand the nature of the kingdom of God. Their political aspirations were not Jesus' primary agenda.
Acts 1:8 is a retelling of the Great Commission found also in Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; and John 20:21.
Jesus did not see death. After the Resurrection, he did not die again; he was taken to heaven in a cloud, as were Elijah (2 Kings 2:1) and -- possibly -- Enoch (Genesis 5:24).
The two men in white robes were presumed to be angels. See also Luke 24:4 or John 20:12. They served as heavenly interpreters of the event that those present had just witnessed. Their description of his return is in agreement with the Christian doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ. See other Scriptures regarding the Second Coming: Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27; John 14:3 or Revelation 1:7.
Visit www.textweek.com for a wealth of additional online resources for this text.

Sermon Notes*

For the Rest of Us. The Ascension holds a lasting message for those of us who remain. Christianity is more than fire insurance, it is more involved than our work to set the wrongs of the world aright. Christians are witnesses. We witness to the Resurrection of Christ with our own resurrected lives. We are ambassadors of the good news of reconciliation with God and with each other. We are reminders that death is not the final word– nor are evil and disorder. The God who created all things good comes to restore broken humanity and will eventually restore all things created.

Promise with Power. Before the Ascension, Jesus told his disciples several interesting things:

It is not for you to know when the political power of Israel will be restored (Acts 1:6-7)
But you will receive power to be my witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)
Therefore wait here in the city (Jerusalem) until you have been "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

For us, this raises several important issues.

For what ends is the church called to exert its power and influence?
How far does the ministry of individual Christians or local churches extend?
What about this power from on high? Is it still necessary for our work?

The Holy Spirit: Key Teaching Points

The Bible treats the Holy Spirit as a distinct person. Note the Bible's depiction of who the Spirit is and what the Spirit does:
1. Makes intercession for the saints according to God's will (Romans 8:27)
2. Searches all things (I Corinthians 2:10)
3. Has emotions and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10)
4. Distributes gifts (I Corinthians 12:11)
5. Guides the early church and directs key missionary movements in specific and personal ways (Acts 13:2; 16:6)
6. Convinces the world of the realities of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11)
Common terms refer to the Holy Spirit:
1. Comforter
2. Helper
3. Advocate
4. Teacher
5. Guide
6. Power
Empowers believers for service and reconciliation:
1. Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Three Groups
  1. For the establishment of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
  2. For the edification of the local body through individual members (I Corinthians 12)
  3. For service and outreach (I Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12)
2. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Questions to Wrestle With

What kind of power does the Holy Spirit provide? (Read: Mark 13:11, John 14:26.)
How were the early disciples changed by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?
What ministry can you and your local church offer only with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?
Bible study, prayer, or other spiritual exercises: Do you allow them to become substitutes for your mission as a Christian rather than allowing them to become the power sources for that mission?
How is the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit being taught in your local congregation?

Suggested Resources

Print

Interpretation Bible Commentary: Acts

New Interpreter's Bible Volume X

Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Acts

Classics

The Helper (written from a layperson's perspective) by Catherine Marshall

The Breaking of the Outward Man by Watchman Nee

The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee

Basic Bible Study

What's in the Bible About the Holy Spirit? By Alexander Joyner

*Notes and Sermon Notes taken from May 13, 2010, Preaching Helps by Safiyah Fosua