“The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:1-11 NASB
WHERE IS JESUS NOW?
He is ruling and reigning over His kingdom at the right hand of the Father
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:18-22 NASB
WHAT IS HE DOING?
He is building His church
“I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matthew 16:18 NLT
He is preparing a place for us
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2-3 NLT
He is with believers that have gone before us
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV
THREE THINGS JESUS LEFT BEHIND
- An unmatchable presence
“you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” 1:8a
This Brings…
- Passion
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NIV
- Purity
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
- Power
“…be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18 NIV
- Promptings
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14 NIV
2. An unfinished task
“and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” 1:8b
- The work of Jesus is finished (John 19:30, Hebrews 1:3)
- The work of the church is unfinished
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NIV
3. An unshakable promise
“This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” 1:11