Pastor Terry A. Smith
Devotional Plan for: Week of May 17 - May 23
This past Sunday at TLCC we celebrated Ascension Sunday, which celebrates when Jesus ascended to heaven. Traditionally, it is celebrated as a feast and it is one of the ecumenical feasts of Christian churches, along with the celebrations of the Passion, Easter, and Pentecost. Our devotions this week focus on the passages in Luke and Acts that account for the time between Jesus's resurrection and his ascension.
Monday - Read Acts 1:1-3
Acts 1:1-3 NIV: "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 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."
As we study the story of the first century church our goal is not simply to learn about our ancestors in the faith. Our goal is to find the power and simplicity of the gospel. We want to find what they had.
The book of Acts was written by Luke. Acts is actually the shortened name of the book. It is actually called the Acts of the Apostles, or the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Some have suggested the book could have been titled "The Continuing Acts of Jesus Christ". Luke was a physician by trade and was known as a careful historian. The details he records in this book have been verified by history and archaeology. He was a companion of the apostle Paul on a couple of his missionary journeys.
What does the Book of Acts proclaim?
1. Acts tells us how the Christian movement came into beginning. Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. It is the historical link that joins the life of Christ with the growth of the Christian church. As such it answers the question many first-century observers would have asked: "Where did this new movement come from?" Luke doesn't tell us everything we might like to know, but he includes every essential detail from the earliest days of the Christian movement. This is apologetics at its best showing the readers the Christian faith is firmly rooted in the facts of history.
2. Acts shows us how the church is to respond when living in a predominately pagan culture. First, with a bold witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, we are speak up and not be silent. Second, with visible love for each other. It was said of the early Christians, "Behold, how they love one another." These two things—bold witness and visible love—have been the hallmark of the church in every age of persecution and hostility. They still hold true today.
3.. Acts teaches us about the worldwide mission of the Christian church. What started in Jerusalem will one day reach to the farthest corners of the globe. That was Jesus' plan from the beginning. He always intended that his followers would take his message and go in every direction with the good news.
Finally in Acts 1:3 Luke says that Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God. As his followers we are to do the same. Our primary goal is not to change the moral focus of our country. Our primary goal is not to build great organizations or to eliminate the pain and suffering in the world. Our primary goal is not to build a greater America. Our primary goal is to tell the world about Jesus. Our job is to tell the world about God's love, forgiveness, and the new life that can be ours through Christ. This message crosses national, political, ethnic, racial, economic, and gender boundaries.
Reflection Question(s):
How can you be a better witness for Jesus at work, school, or in the community?
- Ryan Moore – Pastor of Care
Tuesday - Read Acts 1:4-8
Acts 1:4-8 NIV: "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gif
