February 1st & 5th
Acts: Pt. 1 Spark
Acts 1:3-14
57 times the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the book of Acts.
The greatest way to spread the gospel is by a life set on fire.
Acts shows us what is normal for the life of every Christian because of the Holy Spirit’s work in us.
I am moved by the resurrection.
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.
—Acts 1:3 (NIV)
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
—John 20:14,15 (NIV)
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
—Luke 24:13-15 (NIV)
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
—Luke 24:30-32 (NIV)
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
—Luke 24:36-39 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
—John 21:12 (NIV)
(1 Corinthians 15:35-38,43-44,46 NLT)
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. 37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. 38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
—1 Corinthians 15:35-38,43-44,46 (NLT)
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!
—1 Corinthians 15:14-18 (NLT)
I am moved by the responsibility.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses (martus/martyr) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
—Acts 1:8 (NIV)
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
—Acts 17:30 (NIV)
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I accept Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. I am willing to wait for an encounter with the Holy Spirit to the point that I am overflowing in power. (15 mins a day)
3. I am asking the Holy Spirit to motivate me.
4. I will read the Acts 1-6 this week and listen to what God is saying to me.