Following the Ascended Christ | Acts 1:12-26

We have all had times when we felt like we were in over our heads. Perhaps you were overwhelmed at school when you prepared for a big test or had to write an important paper. Maybe you feel overwhelmed at work as the workload increases, deadlines shrink, roles and expectations go uncommunicated, or the environment gets increasingly toxic. It could be that every day is a struggle as you try to hold the house together while keeping the kids alive and fed. There are many reasons why we could feel overwhelmed today, even as followers of Jesus. However, being overwhelmed is nothing new to the Christian. For centuries, God has been calling His people to do great things that are bigger than themselves. Why would He call us to such daunting things? This is the wrong question. What if God calls us to overwhelming tasks, not because we can handle them, but because we can't handle them apart from Him? What if God calls us to do big things, not because we are dependable, but because He is dependable? In Acts 1, the disciples have been given one of the more overwhelming tasks they could imagine..."You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (1:8) These are not well-rehearsed performers or notable scholars. These were "uneducated, common men" (4:13) who had simply been with Jesus. However, Jesus told them that they would not set out on this mission alone; they would do so being filled with power from the Holy Spirit! For the disciples to do this work, they needed to wait for their Helper to come. As they waited for Him to be poured out on them, they rested in the Triune theological truths they just been assured of in Acts 1:6-11: The Father's Authority, The Spirit's Power, and The Return of Christ. They rested in all that the ascension of Jesus means for His followers. Jesus will reign over the mission He has given them to complete. This confidence transformed their priorities and their mindset. Because of the ascension and all that it entails, the disciples embodied lives committed to each other, prayer, and obedience to the Scriptures. Join us this Sunday as we unpack this narrative and see what it means for us! Here is our outline: Theological Context: (vv. 6-11) The disciples will move forward with: Awareness of the Father's Authority (v. 6) Anticipation of the Spirit's Power (v. 8) Assurance of Christ's Return (v. 11) Following the ascended Christ calls for an unwavering commitment to: (Acts 1:12-26) Each Other (vv. 12-15) Prayer (v. 14) Obeying Scripture (vv. 16-26)