The Story Continues Pt. 2
For 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus continued to teach His disciples/apostles about the Kingdom of God. God's intentions were far bigger than the 11 originally imagined. In fact, the task was a "God-sized" task that required God's activity and provision. The assurances of Jesus in this paragraph give us hope.
Study Notes
View printable sermon notes (PDF)
Welcome to Christianity where expectation and responsibility always exceeds human ability and sufficiency.
- The Promise of the Father
- The Holy Spirit
John 14:14-18 "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth."
John 16:7-11
v.7 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." - Question and Answer about the Kingdom
"It is not for you to know..."
Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God..."
However...
- The Holy Spirit
- The Power of the Holy Spirit:
In His power, the Kingdom will be...- Spiritual in Character
- International in Membership
- Gradual in Expansion
Conclusion
Life and "the mission" is always too big for us. BUT, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit has come with power. We partner with Him for our good and the glory of God.
Questions for Small Group, Family and Personal Reflection
- Reflect on your salvation and when you chose to receive the forgiveness of God and place your trust in Him. Are there believers around you that you have yet to hear their salvation story? Ask them to share and listen for how God drew them to Him. Do this in your small group, and/or with a friend over coffee or a meal.
- "If you are a believer, you have the Holy Spirit in and over you; you have the same power and you already are a witness." Does this truth require a change of thinking for you? If so, how does it change your thinking?
- Having been baptized by the Holy Spirit and indwelled by Him, making you a witness, one question remains...How effective is your witness?
- Where are you a witness?
- Are there ways you can be a more effective witness just through your day-to-day living?
- What is God up to, in and around you? Are you intentionally joining Him where He is at work?
Application
The best way to be a part of this global initiative of God is to do what the disciples did...spend time with Jesus and do what He says. Until we become familiar with that kind of life "in our going," we probably shouldn't be going anywhere else in His name.