Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

Acts 1 - Purpose in the waiting

 

Acts 1 - Purpose in the waiting

Completing all of Paul’s letters, it felt natural to jump into the Book of Acts that journals and tells a lot about Paul. Diving into Acts this morning, grabbing a bit of context was great. This book, written by Luke, is written about the space and time between Jesus ascension into Heaven and Paul landing in a Roman prison. It’s fairly obvious by the title, and this book is about what the Apostles did. Acts = deeds. One commentator I was listening to this morning reminded us that this book is not just a story about the Apostles; this is our story as Christ-followers. So, as we dive into Acts, let's be reminded this is our story, and allow it to move us to action in the name of Jesus. 

Reading this opening chapter, such a powerful and great reminder of our call to mission. A simple reminder of why Jesus ascended alone and left the remaining believers. This is the part that is not just their story, and this is our story. What is our purpose on earth, why are we here? Let’s dive in as Luke was drawing attention to his first book, the Gospel, according to Luke.

“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. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:4-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So many questions about this, I did much research and did not find a clear understanding around a central question I have in v5 in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The future receiving of the Holy Spirit. I won't go into this since I have many more questions than answers, but we clearly see here that the disciples must “wait.” This is something that does jump out to me, some great application I can take away right now. Waiting. The disciples looked a lot like me; they heard wait, and what did they do? They drilled Jesus with questions, trying to figure out why behind them waiting, they wanted to know the plan, they wanted to know the details. Look at verse 6. 

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus' response was awesome. It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. How many times do we find ourselves waiting, a bit confused and unsure why this is happening, we just need to know the plan. Right here, we see a direct encounter and interaction with the disciples and Jesus, and Jesus said nope...it is not for you to know...just wait. But Jesus didn’t just stop at telling them to wait, he when on unpacking the mission and vision of what is to come. 

“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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just before Jesus gas is taken up before their very eyes, he told them about what was coming, and what they were to do; 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. 

Ok, so we have our mission, be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. There it is...if you were not sure what your mission as a Christ-follower is, now you know. This is our story, this is our mission and calling. That mission is really, really broad and encompassing, so it can take so many shapes and sizes. But it is rather clear we are called to be Jesus witnesses everywhere we go. 

But what about the waiting, what needs to happen before we go and witness. I liked what John Piper wrote about this:

Acts 1:8 says that they shall receive power from the Holy Spirit and shall be witnesses. Luke 24:48-49 says that they shall be witnesses and must wait for to be clothed with power from on high. Notice that in Acts 1:8receiving power is what precedes and leads to being witnesses for Christ. And in Luke 24:48-49, they are to be witnesses but power from on high is so crucial they must wait for it in the city before they begin to launch out to the nations from Jerusalem.

So here is the main point that I think Jesus and Luke are teaching us: Special power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ.

So good, a special power is essential for an expanding witness to Christ. And we see that this power is a gift from God that is promised. This is good news, it is promised to us by Jesus, and it’s a free gift from God. But we must wait for it. 

This is what jumped out to me this morning, there is purpose in the waiting, and it is powerful. On the other side of waiting is God’s promise, this free gift, and it is powerful. This power is what will fuel our mission, our calling to reach the ends of the earth! That we can take to the bank, that is a promise—purpose in the waiting. 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch