Roger's Postings

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Acts 1:1-11. Gone; to be with us all! 4/5/08

{1) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. {3} After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. {4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. {5} For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." {6} So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" {7} He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. {8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." {9} After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. {10} They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus could be physically present with us as we go about our lives every day? It would be great if we could consult with him on many issues; receive his help, strengthening and even miracles; as he physically goes with us every moment of our lives. To have our own personal Jesus walk with us throughout our life would surely help us; wouldn’t it? If only Jesus hadn’t ascended, and he could be with us always, then we would be OK.

But there is a problem with that: If Jesus was with me; then what about you; or the people in Sydney, or across the other side of the world? My own personal Jesus, walking with me, could not then be with you and everyone else at the same time, also. When I need him, [which is all the time]; he can not be with those on the other side of the world or where ever.

Whilst Jesus walked this earth as a human being he could only be in one place at any one time. Could you imagine the mayhem that would abound if Jesus went about performing miracles, preaching or whatever? There is no way that he could individually and corporately deal with all the issues that need to be dealt with. He had another way: Another far better plan.

That is why then, after he had completed that important work that he had come to do: that is to be the sacrifice which takes away the sin of the world; he ascended to heaven. From there he could then establish this special thing that would ensure that every human being could get that same personal attention that they needed, just as if he were with them.

So after his death and resurrection, he for a short time, appeared to his disciples giving them many convincing proofs that he was truly alive; and speaking further to them about the kingdom of God: But, also telling them, of that which would enable them, and every Christian around the world, to have this thing that would enable us to have the special attention that we need.

There would be a baptism which would ensure that God’s Holy Spirit was to come on us so that we could have all that Jesus was able to do while he was physically here on earth, at work in our lives. This was to be the Father’s gift which would enable us to not only receive what we need for our strengthening, but also to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

So to all who are baptised, God has promised that his Holy Spirit would be at work in them: This Spirit, being with each one of you, each and every moment of every day, to guide and help you. Just as if Jesus was there walking along side of you, there the Holy Spirit is guaranteed to be. You can be sure that he will do in your life what Jesus himself would want done. That must surely be an encouragement for us.
This Holy Spirit then will do in our lives what Jesus himself would do. Therefore he to will constantly be seeking to point us to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He will be reminding us of all that Jesus had said and done for us and for our salvation. He will be holding up Jesus’ death on the cross as absolutely central to our wellbeing and life. He will be reminding us that not only did Jesus die but that he also rose again, so that we can be sure, that he is who he says he is.

That same Spirit will continually be leading us into God’s Word, the Bible, reminding us again and again that here is all that we need to know for our lives as God’s people. Here we have the Truth given to us, so that we are able to discern right from wrong and good from bad. We don’t have to look elsewhere for our answers; taking on board every wind of doctrine that shifts the focus from God and what he has and is doing for us, to us and what we think and do. The Holy Spirit does not give us anything that is not in accord with what we find in the pages of the Bible.

Here remember that many people of Jesus’ day, refused to listen and believe in him who was present in their midst. So also today many do want to listen to or understand who he is or what he has to say: Even we ourselves to often don’t give the Spirit much of chance to do his work in and through us. All too often we want to do and listen only to ourselves and the world around us. In doing so we are quenching the Spirit and not giving him much of a go. Nevertheless he is there taking every opportunity possible to give us the help that we need.

Here let us recognise that this Spirit also is responsible for miracle after miracle, even today. Not just the spectacular healings and showy rubbish that is so often focussed on by many, who are looking for something more and different. But most importantly every time we have a little baby or an adult up here for baptism. This is the greatest miracle that God could ever perform. The Holy Spirit is the one who creates faith in each and every person. He is the one who thereby gives life to that which is dead and destined for Hell. There is the miracle that I long to see more and more.
However we recognise that he is also responsible for many other great acts across our lives as well. There are healings today [many of them]; there are miraculous escapes from accidents; there are great leadings and guidings; there is the carry of us across the threshold of death, into eternal life with our great God and Saviour. The Holy Spirit is at work throughout, again and again.

But again, most importantly, every time you and I are lead to recognise that we are sinful and unclean there the Spirit is at work leading us to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Every time we think of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, there God is at work. Every time we are moved to reach out to others in need, there the Spirit is at work. Every time we share and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ to others around us, there the Spirit continues to do in us what our Lord would have us doing.

So we can see, that Jesus and his work has far from ceased with his ascension into heaven. He has physically removed himself so that his Spirit can be at work across the lengths and breadths of the earth. He and his work continues on, so that all may now know the Good News of his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, that he has won for us. He is at work in and through you and me, in order that all may come to know of what he has done for us so that we may share his presence in eternity.

So let us go forward with full assurance and confidence; that God himself is with us and at work in and through our lives, as we live them out day by day. Yes, Jesus has ascended and is physically removed from our midst; but he is ever present in and through his Spirit. He is here to bring glory to our great God as we witness to this Good News throughout our lives. So again, to him be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

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