1. The Kingdom of Christ

What this episode covers

Everyone longs for lasting change in this world. But who is able to bring it about? A sermon on Acts 1:1-11 Sermon Outline: I. The kingdom of Christ is the answer- The kingdom of Christ is the answer to every human misery , and problem and desire that has ever been The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important fact for the church and even human history The Kingdom of Christ is of great interest to all of humanity.But especially the church II. The kingdom of Christ is not of this world– The kingdom of Christ will not come through military power or politics or any other human effort other than by being witnesses to the historical fact of Christ’s resurrection III. The kingdom of Christ is built by his church– We are not even to look for the return of christ to solve our problems , but instead to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to his gospel The church will be led by the apostles through the power of the holy spirit Quotes: If the Scriptures are credible, should not I believe most readily in these Acts, which have the strongest testimony in their support, and which have had the advantage of becoming generally known, and of being handed down and of being publicly taught along with the gospel itself, which contains the promise of the Holy Spirit, which also we believe? On reading, then, these Acts of the Apostles stand, as regards authority, on a level with the gospel. -St. Augustine, 5th c. Nothing is more frigid than a teacher who shows his philosophy only in words: this is to act the part not of a teacher, but of a hypocrite. Therefore the Apostles first taught by their conduct, and then by their words; nay rather they had no need of words, when their deeds spoke so loud. Nor is it wrong to speak of Christ’s Passion as action, for in suffering all He performed that great and wonderful act, by which He destroyed death, and effected all else that He did for us. -St. John Chrysostom, 4th c. They ask him as concerning a kingdom; but they dream of an earthly kingdom, which should flow with riches, with dainties, with external peace, and with such like good things; and while they assign the present time to the restoring of the same, they desire to triumph before the battle; for before such time as they begin to work they will have their wages. -John Calvin, 16th c. Christ’s kingdom, while not incompatible with patriotism, tolerates no narrow nationalisms. -John Stott, 20th c. Scripture text: Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Sermon Transcript Liturgy Bulletin “The Kingdom of Christ” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, June