Is Jesus Still Active Today? (Acts 1:1-11)

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Welcome:

Episode Overview

In today's episode, we address a fundamental question: What is Jesus doing today? We know from Scripture that during His time on earth, Jesus taught, preached, healed, and performed miracles. But now, having been resurrected and ascended to heaven, what is His role and activity in our world? We'll explore this question through the lens of Acts 1:1-11, which offers insights into Jesus' ongoing work through the Holy Spirit and His followers. This passage breaks down into three main sections:

• The Prologue (Acts 1:1-5):
  • Luke's introduction and reference to his previous book (the Gospel of Luke).
  • Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and instructions to His apostles.
• The Great Commission (Acts 1:6-8):
  • The apostles' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel.
  • Jesus' response, emphasizing the importance of their mission to be His witnesses.
• The Ascension (Acts 1:9-11):
  • Jesus' ascension and the promise of His return.
  • The angels' message to the apostles, redirecting their focus to their present mission.

Key Points Discussed

• Jesus' Continuing Work:
  • Acts is the continuation of Jesus' actions through the Holy Spirit.
  • The importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit:
  • The Holy Spirit as the driving force behind the apostles' witness.
  • The spiritual power available to believers through the Holy Spirit.
• Our Commission:
  • The ongoing mission to witness and spread the Gospel.
  • The necessity of focusing on the present mission rather than past or future speculations.
• Witnessing in Our Lives:
  • Sharing personal experiences and encounters with Jesus.
  • Encouragement to pray for opportunities to witness.
• The Power of Availability:
  • God uses ordinary people who are willing to serve.
  • The importance of being available and open to God's call.

Reflection Questions

• How does understanding Jesus' current role through the Holy Spirit impact your daily life and faith?
• In what ways can you be more available to witness and share the Gospel with those around you?
• How can you cultivate a habit of praying for opportunities to talk about your faith?

Practical Applications

• Pray for Boldness: Ask God to give you courage to share your faith.
• Seek Opportunities: Look for everyday moments where you can talk about Jesus.
• Be a Witness: Remember, being a witness is simply sharing what you have seen and heard in your own life with Christ.

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