4/11/2021 - The Final Words of the Resurrected Jesus - Acts 1:1-11

Have you ever wondered how Christianity spread from just a handful to many millions? Or what about this movement called the church? What’s the purpose of that? We have answers. There’s a “Part 2” in the Jesus story and it picks up immediately following the empty tomb. The events are investigated by a physician named Luke and written in the book of Acts. 

It may surprise some to know Jesus’ final words were not spoken while hanging on the cross. They were said during a span of 40 days when he made “convincing proof” of his resurrection. He then left the earth so he could leave another - the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells his disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes to empower them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. "Witnessing” is something more than a spiritual discipline. It is the very essence of who we are as Christians. But what does that mean? And how exactly are we to speak about Jesus? 

A few verses later Luke gives us one of the keys in telling others about Jesus. Not only do we talk about all that He said and did, but we must focus on the resurrection. In other words, we don’t speak merely of a God who is loving, a Christ who forgives sins, or a salvation that provides second chances. These gospel messages truncate the full gospel and miss the power of Christ’s Lordship. Jesus is not a forgiver who happens to be Lord; he is the Lord who died to secure forgiveness through his death and resurrection. The book of Acts puts emphasis on his resurrection and we should too. The Holy Spirit provides the power, the resurrection is the proof, and your personal testimony makes it real.