A.D. Part 2 – You Can Take It to the Bank
Pastor Scott Applegate
Sermon Notes:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:8-11 NLT
Four Things to Remember When You Get Discouraged
- We have an undeniable King
“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 NLT
- Where is our King?
- Jesus is in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father reigning over His kingdom
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Acts 7:55-56 NLT
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25 NIV
- What is He doing?
- He is with believers that have gone before us
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 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
- We have an unmatchable presence
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Acts 1:8a NLT
- A life of passion
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NIV
- A life of purity
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
- A life filled with power
“…be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18 NIV
- A life led by His promptings
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14 NIV
- We have an unfinished task
“…And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8b NLT
- The work of Jesus is finished (John 19:30, Hebrews 1:3)
- The work of the Church is unfinished
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NLT
- We have an unshakable promise
“…someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:11 NLT