January 8 2023 | Heart in God
January 8, 2023

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 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Author: DR. LUKE
1. The Book of Luke was written for a man named Theophilus (Luke 1:3). At the beginning of Acts, the author mentions Theophilus and references a former writing that appears to describe the Book of Luke: “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1).
2. Both books share the same level of detail and precision. In fact, the Greek used in Luke and Acts displays a greater level of sophistication than the other Gospels.
3. Luke and Acts both focus on Jesus’s ministry to the Gentiles.

Theophilus means friend of God or (be)loved by God or loving God
Luke’s phrase “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” gives the impression that Theophilus is probably a Gentile (a non-Jewish person) with whom Luke has studied about Christianity. Luke wants to prove to Theophilus that what he has learned about Jesus is in fact true.

Written: 61-63 A.D.

EXISTENCE OF JESUS CHRIST

Acts 1:1-3
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.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:6-8
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

INSTRUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST

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 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
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.”

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Life Lessons to Learn:
1. IF JESUS WAS FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT… HOW MUCH MORE DO WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT!
2. IF JESUS COMMANDED HIS DISCIPLES TO GET THE HOLY SPIRIT…HOW MUCH MORE DO WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT!
3. GOING TO HEAVEN JESUS LEFT INSTRUCTION CENTRED AROUND GOD! WHAT WILL WE DO WHEN WE ARE DEPARTING EARTH FOR HEAVEN?
4. ARE WE STANDING AROUND OR ARE WE FULFILLING HIS INSTRUCTIONS.
5. JESUS WENT TO HEAVEN… WHERE ARE WE GOING?

APPLICATION:
1. IN 2023 MAKE YOUR TIME COUNT FOR GOD!
WORK HARD; PLAY HARD; PRAY HARD
2. FOLLOW CHRIST’S INSTRUCTION…
STOP WATCHING AND START DOING!
3. FIND A THEOPHILUS IN 2023 TO TELL ABOUT JESUS
4. LET YOUR HEART THROUGH GOD LEAD YOU!

JESUS WANTS TO TOUCH YOU IN 2023 THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT!