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Sermon Introduction

Luke, the writer of the Gospel of According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, narrated that Christ explained to His disciples that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead, which was according to the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He ordered them to be His witnesses, to proclaim what they saw and heard. Moreover, they would also proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:44-49). The disciples would ask about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, but the Lord would admonish them. It was not their place to know what the Father had set. Their place would be to wait on the promise of the Spirit and then to be His witnesses.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Acts 1:6-11

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed 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 and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”.

Notes

Luke, the writer of the Gospel of According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, narrated that Christ explained to His disciples that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead, which was according to the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. He ordered them to be His witnesses, to proclaim what they saw and heard. Moreover, they would also proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:44-49). The disciples would ask about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, but the Lord would admonish them. It was not their place to know what the Father had set. Their place would be to wait on the promise of the Spirit and then to be His witnesses

1. About Israel

   Even though Jesus explained their duty to declare their witness and to proclaim repentance, the disciples were still concerned about the restoration of Israel. But the Lord explained that it was not for them to know the times and seasons the Father had set.

   
   6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority (Acts 1:6-7)

   Application: There are many things that the Father has set by his authority, which include the restoration of Israel, the second coming of the Lord, and the end of the world. However, it is not our place to know them. Our place is to spread the apostles' witness to every nation, even to the farthest point.

   
   

2. Holy Spirit and Witness

   The Lord Jesus promised that the apostles would receive power when the Holy Spirit would come upon them. He expected them to become His witnesses from place to place, starting from Jerusalem to the farthest point they could reach.

   
   8 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).

   Application: The promise of the Spirit has come upon His people; the Spirit resides in every genuine believer. Thus, we should focus on spreading the witness of the apostles, which has also become our witness.

3. Ascension

   After giving His final instructions, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended until the clouds hid Him. Aside from witnessing the resurrection, the apostles witnessed the ascension. But they would not be left alone because of the promise of the Spirit.

   
   9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).

   Application: Therefore, we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended and is seated in the Father's right hand. Moreover, we believe He will return the same way He left. He will come back, but it is not for us to know things the Father has set. His ascension should also give us confidence as we proclaim the gospel.

Highlights of the Chapter

1. The Lord Jesus Christ clarified that it was not our place to know times or seasons about prophesied events. The Father will fulfill all according to His decree, in His way, and in His time.

2. Through the Holy Spirit, every believer must share the witness of the apostles, which was His suffering, death, and resurrection, plus repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His followers must spread the witness from Jerusalem to the farthest point on the earth.

3. The apostles witnessed Christ's ascension to heaven and were assured that He would return someday. His ascension should give us confidence to fulfill our role, knowing He is high above and will return.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the concern of the disciples? How did Jesus respond?

2. What were Jesus' final instructions to His disciples?

3. What did the apostles witness, and what was their assurance?