The Simple Way: People Who Are Sent to Serve (Acts 1:1-11)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  (Acts 1:1-6 TNIV)

 

The resurrected Jesus speaks for forty days with his followers.  Luke tells us that the subject of these forty days was twofold.  First, Jesus “spoke about the kingdom of God” (vs. 3).  Second, in vs. 4, Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit.  For forty days Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit.

 

Those two topics may mean little to us.  But they meant much to these early followers of Jesus.  They were well versed in Old Testament prophecies which spoke of God restoring the nation—or kingdom—of Israel and of this kingdom experiencing an out-pouring of the Spirit.  They were well versed, for example in Ez. 36:24-27: 24 ” ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land…. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  The prophecy imagines a time when God restores the kingdom of Israel and puts his Spirit in their hearts.  These followers of Jesus knew these prophecies well.

 

It is no wonder, then, that having heard Jesus speaking about “kingdom” and “Spirit,” that they now ask in vs. 6: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  (Acts 1:6 TNIV)  In their ears, Jesus’ words about “kingdom” and “Spirit” have sounded like the prophecies which they believed pointed toward a day when Israel would be restored to its former glory. [1]  Israel would be freed from all its enemies.[2]   They heard in these words that Jesus was ready to reestablish the political kingdom of Israel.[3]  Jesus’ ministry was finally going to result in the creation of a new kingdom or community.  It would be a community which would meet their longest-held hopes about Israel.

 

It is easy to view their concerns as narrow-minded.  How could they not grasp that Jesus came for more than the creation of a political kingdom?  Yet, we have not learned much since the question of vs. 6 was asked.  For example, a survey was conducted a few years ago.  One thousand church attendees were asked “Why does the church exist?”  Jesus’ ministry resulted in this new community we call church.  Why?  What is the purpose for church? Eighty-nine percent answered “to take care of my family’s and my spiritual needs.”[4] 

 

The early followers of Jesus believed Jesus’ ministry was now going to result in a community that would fulfill their needs regarding the political kingdom of Israel.  In the same way, many of us believe Jesus’ ministry resulted in a community, called “church,” that exists to fulfill our needs.  Based on this survey, one of the most commonly held views of the church is this: [PP Common View of Church: a community to which we come to meet our needs.] a community to which we come to meet our needs.  We may not view it as a community that can meet our nationalistic and political needs, the way these early followers did.  But we still view it as a community which exists to meet our needs.

 

But listen to the way Jesus envisions this community: 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8 TNIV).  They are concerned about Israel.  Jesus is concerned about the ends of the earth.[5]  Jesus sees his followers as a community which will be sent to the farthest reaches to bear witness to what they have seen and heard in Jesus.  Jesus sees his followers existing for the good of the world, not for their own good.  The result of Jesus’ ministry is not a community that will meet their nationalistic needs.  The result is a community that will serve the deepest needs of the world.

 

Here is Jesus’ vision of church: a community with which we go to meet the world’s needs.  The church is not merely a community to which we come to meet our needs.  It is a community with which we go to meet the world’s needs.  Jesus commissions us as witnesses sent to meet the deepest needs of even those at the ends of the earth.

 

This video captures the difference between these two views of church: Church is not the community to which we come to meet our needs.  It is the community with which we go to meet the needs of others.

 

This is another “simple way” in which Highland can grow.  Last Sunday Josh Ray took up the “simple way” of Christian fellowship and Reach Groups.  The more deeply we support and serve each other and express care and concern within our Reach Groups, the more we become the kind of community to which outsiders are naturally drawn.  People want to join a caring and loving community.  And, this morning, we point to another of those simple ways by which Highland can grow.  If we view Highland as a community to which we come to meet our needs, we’ll never do what it takes to impact this city and draw people to Jesus.  But by viewing Highland as a community with which we go to meet the needs of others, we can make a tremendous impact on this city and draw many to Jesus.  This morning, we want to share a specific way in which Highland can go and meet the needs of others.    Jim Harbin, the director of MUM, is with us.  He is going to share the details of an exciting new initiative. 

 

JIM HARBIN

 

As the plans to move to Houston Levee have solidified, one of our greatest concerns has been this: how will Highland maintain a connection to the city?  We believe that God has led us to this initiative as an answer to that question.  From here and from our new location at Houston Levee we intend to pour resources, volunteers, and prayers back into this neighborhood downtown.  That neighborhood is where we will plant a flag.  That neighborhood is where we will take a stand.  That neighborhood will become a new mission point, just like Kiev, Ukraine or Papua New Guinea.  And it is our hope that with that neighborhood as a new part of our identity, God will draw people to Highland who can help us take up that mission.  It is our prayer that God will lead people to Highland who are passionate about the city and who want to be part of this initiative.  We don’t have all the details worked out.  But we are deeply convicted that God has called this church to join MUM in transforming that neighborhood, and through that neighborhood, to transform the city.  We are deeply convicted that now, more than at any point in Highland’s history, we must truly be a community with which we all go to meet the world’s needs.      

 

 

 

 

For the Link

Notes:

1.      Common view of church: Church is a community _____ _____ we _____ to meet ______ needs.

2.      Jesus’ view of church: Church is a community _______ ______ we _____ to meet ____ _______ needs.

3.       

·         Questions/comments about this lesson?  Email chris@chrisaltrock.com.

·         (www.highlandcc.org provides sermon audio and manuscripts; www.chrisaltrock.com provides sermon manuscripts and other spiritual resources)

·         (Chris relies on a group of people just like you who share their ideas and experiences regarding upcoming sermon series and who share contemporary stories, videos, and songs related to these series.  To join this electronic community that helps shape future series, email Chris at chris@chrisaltrock.com.