Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-11 Luke 24:50-53 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Acts 1:1-111 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Sermon: Carrying on Jesus’ Mission. – Rev. Rosa Lee There is a story that I began with. It's a story about a group of kids gathered at a corner lot for a game of baseball. Imagine the excitement in the air as they chose teams and were ready to start the game. But as they took stock of their equipment, they discovered a crucial element missing - the baseball itself. Several kids had brought baseball bats, and nearly everyone had brought a glove, but no one had brought a baseball. Faced with this dilemma, one boy suggested forgetting about the ball and getting on with the game. However, as we all know, baseball is essential to a baseball game. As this story illustrates, the Holy Spirit is essential to working with God to share who Christ is with us. As we gather today to delve into the rich truths of Acts 1:1-11, I invite you to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with God. This passage presents us with profound questions that prompt us to consider our faith, hopes, and actions in light of God's Word. This passage forms a bridge between the gospel of Luke and the record of the Spirit's work through the early believers. It recounts the ascension of Jesus and sets the stage for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This passage is not only for an important moment in the early church's history but also holds important implications for us as children of God today. Before we go into the full story, this is the story about how Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of forty days after His resurrection. During this time, Jesus spoke to them about the kindom of God. Just as forty days held significance in various instances throughout the Bible, this period marked a time of preparation and instruction for the disciples. First of all, this scripture begins with the name "Theophilus," meaning lover of God. While traditionally understood as a specific individual, it's also possible that Theophilus represents a broader audience of believers who are lovers of God. This shows us that the message of Acts is meant to encourage and inspire all who seek to follow God faithfully. This book is the message to you as beloved ones. One thing that I want to remind you here is. Acts 1:9 mentions Jesus ascending into heaven on a cloud. This imagery is echoed in Luke 24:50-53, where Jesus speaks of His return on the clouds of heaven. These references highlight His majesty and authority as He establishes His kingdom and then He comes back to us. So, people say from time to time, Jesus said he will be back to judge. I always remind people that It is Jesus, not you or us, who will be back to judge others. It is not my or our business to judge others. What we need to focus on is that we are lovers of God, so we need to focus on how we live as lovers of God in this world. Secondly, Jesus then gave them a command with the gift of the Holy Spirit: As Jesus commanded his disciples, they also received the gift promised by God - the Holy Spirit. This gift would empower them for the mission ahead, just as Jesus had promised earlier in His ministry. However, again, the disciples, still focused on earthly matters, asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel at that time. But Jesus redirected their focus, emphasizing that the timing and details of God's plan were not for them to know. Instead, He urged them to focus on the mission He had given them - to be witnesses of His gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, starting from Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth. This passage reminds us that just as baseball is indispensable to a baseball game, the Holy Spirit is essential to the mission of the church. Without the empowering presence of the Spirit, our efforts to spread the gospel would be in vain. It is the Spirit who enables us to bear witness to Jesus, to speak with power and authority, and to demonstrate God's kingdom in our midst. Lastly, let us remember what we need to focus on as children of God. Just as Jesus commissioned His disciples to carry on His mission, so too are we called to continue His work in the world today. We are called to be His witnesses, spreading the good news of salvation to all people, starting from our own communities and reaching out to the ends of the earth. Like the disciples, we may sometimes be tempted to stand looking up toward heaven, waiting for Jesus to return and set all things right. But just as the two men in white robes reminded the disciples, we are not called to stand idle. We are called to be active participants in God's kingdom work here on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in the lives of those around us. So let us not be content to gaze up toward heaven, waiting for Jesus to come again. Instead, let us be filled with the same joy and excitement that filled the hearts of the disciples as they returned to Jerusalem, knowing that they had been entrusted with the greatest mission of all - to carry on the work of Jesus in the world. In conclusion, I want to remind you again the important role of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the mission of the church. And as lovers of God., we are urged to actively engage in spreading what Jesus taught us to do, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to focus on living as lovers of God while awaiting Jesus' return as lovers of God.