Acts,The Promise of New Life - Acts 1:1-12

The Promise of New life, session 1 Acts 1:1-12.IntroductionA. Luke is author of the Gospel of Luke and his sequel: the books of acts.1. His goal: to proclaim the work of Jesus through the Holy Spiritthrough his body the church.2. V.1-3: The Father's plan is to reveal his heart for a suffering andlost world through his church.3. What is "kingdom?"a. It is rule or reign over an area or peopleb. It is not physical, but spiritual with physical impact.c. Jesus' kingdom came with:Himself-he embodied the kingdomWith his word or teachingili.With his signs and wonders4. V. 4-5. The promise of the Holy Spirita. Made by the Father: this is the fruit of Jesus' paschal mystery.b. The Holy Spirit dwells in us to make us like Jesus.c. Jesus told them to "wait". This implies prayer.5. V. 6-7. The disciples are operating on the level of material orearthly strategy. "When will the kingdom of Israel be restored?"a. There is a certain sense that they still didn't get it.b. They looked at things from political lensActs 1:8 -key passage to understand the book of Acts.A. Power: the word for "dynamite"1. Power for transformation2. Power for intimacy with the Lord3. Power to do signs and wondersB. Witness- martyr.1. Expectation is to be sold out to Jesus and his missionie. Mt. 16:24-28.2. Mission is local and global. "Jerusalem, Judea, etc."