But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Our church has now finished a two-year exposition in the Book of Acts, beginning October 2021. Much has transpired, changed, or grown since then, both in our church corporately as well as in our individual lives. Hopefully, the truths gleaned from this inspired text has helped us all navigate these past two years with the light of God’s word.
This Sunday, we’ll consider an overall summary of the book. Of course, one can find many themes throughout its 28 chapters, but we will focus on the basics, the main subject of the narrative: The Great Commission is empowered by the Holy Spirit as the church proclaims the kingship of the risen Jesus to all the world.
Embodied in that summary statement are 5 major themes: 1) The Great Commission, 2) The Holy Spirit, 3) The Church, 4) Jesus the Risen King, and 5) the Gospel to All Nations.
The Book of Acts is both a success story and an unfinished story. It is a success story because it demonstrates that Christ’s promises will come to pass as he guides his church in her mission. It is an unfinished story as the church today is still expected to continue the mission that Christ gave.
Take courage – the mission is not the only part of the story that continues. The power of the Holy Spirit, the sovereignty of the Risen King, and the essentiality of the church are still active today, and you and I, by virtue of our faith in Christ, have the privilege to be a part of this story, for the glory of God!