Bill Acton :: Acts 1:1-11 - Authorial Intent

Sermon Outline for Acts 1:1-11

Authorial Intent

1. The Outline – Act 1:1-11
   1. The author’s preface – Act 1:1-5
   2. The great commission – Act 1:6-8
   3. The ascension – Act 1:9
   4. The promise of Christ’s return – Act 1:10-11
2. The Text
   1. The author’s preface – Act 1:1-5
      1. “The former treatise” – the Gospel of Luke
      2. Theophilus
         1. Living in Rome
         2. Gentile convert
      3. The treatise
         1. The former - all that Jesus began to do and to teach
         2. The present - the continuing work of the risen and ascended Lord
      4. The risen Lord and the apostles
         1. The resurrection appearances – 1Co 15:1-8
            1. Resurrection - the “cornerstone” of Christianity
            2. Resurrection - the supreme message
            3. The “proofs”
               1. He appeared to them “showed Himself alive”
               2. He spoke to them
               3. He ate with them
         2. The chosen apostles
            1. The commandment to wait in Jerusalem – Luk 24:49; Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2
            2. Given through the Holy Spirit
            3. The promise of the Holy Spirit - the baptism of the Spirit – Gal 3:13-14; Jhn 14:16-17; Jhn 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; John 7:37-39
               1. The baptism of John - repentance
               2. The baptism of the Holy Spirit - placed into the body of Christ – 1Co 12:13
               3. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit – Luk 4:14; Act 10:38
            4. The question about the Kingdom - “Is it now?”
            5. The answer about the Kingdom - “The Father knows”
   2. The Great Commission – Act 1:6-8
      1. The Gospels – Mat 28:18-20
      2. The Acts – Act 1:8
         1. Witnesses “unto me” - the message proclaimed
         2. “My witnesses” - the relationship stated – Act 10:40-42
      3. The witnessing
         1. The source
         2. The force
            1. The need for spiritual power which comes “from above”
            2. The necessity of being “led of the Spirit”
         3. The course
            1. Jerusalem
            2. Judea and Samaria
            3. The world
   3. The glorious ascension – Act 1:9
      1. The literal event – Psa 104:3
      2. The meaning
         1. Sin has been atoned
         2. Satan has been destroyed
         3. Death has been defeated
         4. The Law has been kept
         5. The Son is glorified – Jhn 17:3; 20:17
         6. The Head of the Church – Eph 1:20-21; Rev 7:17; Rev 6:16-17
         7. He will be unseen but present by His Spirit
   4. The promise of His return – Act 1:10-11
      1. The angelic messengers
      2. The message
         1. Do not mourn
         2. Do not gaze into heaven
         3. Live with hope
            1. “This same Jesus”
               1. The same body
               2. The same power
               3. The same compassion
            2. “Shall come again”
3. The Great Historical Events That Determine Our Destiny and Our Lifestyle
   1. The birth of Christ
   2. The death of Christ
   3. The resurrection of Christ
   4. The ascension of Christ
   5. The return of Christ