20-MAR-2016/Acts chapter 29- Who is the author?/Pastor Amit

Acts chapter 29- Who is the author?: Message by Pastor Amit

Who is going to write the 29th chapter?  The Book of Acts ends abruptly, not with a nice happy ending- Paul is imprisoned in Rome.  A story incomplete. Is there anything more to be written?  Who can write the rest of it?  What are the qualifications required to write Acts 29?  What qualified the last 28 chapters?  Who is the most significant character of Acts? Why?  When did the Holy Spirit start working in Acts? The Holy Spirit is the One behind the happenings of the Church and the qualifications behind it. Looking from the life of Paul- SActs 20 – Farewell to Ephesus: Paul was from Tarsus but he started a Church in Ephesus, where He was told to go and preach the Gospel (Acts 9:6 –it was happening here).  RELATIONSHIP: Church at Ephesus – Ministry of 2 years – Acts 19:8-10 - Lead by Holy Spirit – Acts 20:22 - Being an Example – Acts 20:17-19: Paul’s credentials was open to them. He cried out to the Lord for them. He says openly and boldly how he was in a state of humility,in tears and was led by the Holy Spirit. - Being Focused – Acts 20:24: His focus was only one thing – to testify the gospel of God’s grace. He was bruised, dragged, stoned, but still was focused.  RIGOUR: Paul put his best to bring glory to God. - Worked– a tentmaker – Acts 20:34: Paul preached the Gospel first and when He could, he made tents. Today, because of his work we have the Word (letters) today. - Walked – Left the comfort - Acts 20:13: To meet people and preach the gospel. He was punished a lot, but still rigorously worked for the Gospel. - Weary? – Not tired – Acts 20:23: He knew hardships were there to welcome him, in every city. He was warned by the Holy Spirit, still went.  REVERED: - Honored By God: Acts 19:11- God honored him! - By Jews and Greeks: Acts 19:17-19 If you are ready to go out into the streets (as Jesus said- Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… Matt 28: 19), God will honor and work in you. Jesus – He wept:  Luke 19:41- 44 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of Gods coming to you.”  Read it again. Replace Jerusalem with your Church name. We all know that He is coming. But are we ready? Is Jesus happy with us? What should we do to fill up   Acts 29 with us? We do a lot of activities. But when Jesus sees our Church, does he see the Jerusalem   situation of that time or is He not ready to come down to take us? From being INSIGNIFICANT...To be a BLESSING: (Lesson from the colt):  A COLT – Called by name Luke 19:28-31: Those days kings travelled in magnificent horses (but Jesus chose the colt).  A COLT – GENTLE: He’s gentle and has called you for the same work.  UNRIDDEN – Without baggage Luke 19: 30  WILLING – Bring it here. Luke 19:30: Paul was willing to do what was told to him  SUBMISSIVE – Lord needs it. Luke 19:31: Why do things for Him? Because the Lord needs it. Jesus’ Promise: At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and   earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little   children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.” God rejected those learned and ‘wise’, but called those who are willing and it is not a smooth time.         Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ACTS 29 – AUTHOR: NLF HSR?    FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT? Acts 2    ENCOUNTERED WITH JESUS? Acts 9    WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST’S NAME? Acts 21:13 -  Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound,   but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”