Acts 1 DEVO: Witnesses for Jesus

Chapter 1:
How cool would it be to have a name hat means “lover of God?!” Luke addresses this letter to just that man – Theophilus. Interestingly, Luke says that his first book was about all what Jesus “began” to do. Wait – is Jesus not done? The work of Jesus is both finished and unfinished. Redemption is finished – Jesus paid it all. Letting others know (the Holy Spirit’s work through believers) is unfinished!
The disciples/apostles needed the power of God to do the work of God and here Jesus promises to send that “gift.” Jesus reminds them again of their calling: “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." And off to heaven Jesus went…..leaving them watching, at least until two angels show up to remind them He’d be back!
The remainder of the chapter focuses on the disciples replacing Judas. This section gives us some great principles in regards to decision making. They devoted it to prayer (12-14), went to the Bible (15-20), laid out the qualifications (21-22), again sought guidance from God (23-25) and then made a choice (26). Ok…..casting lots was their version of our rock-paper-scissors. Regardless, they trusted God with the decision!
SO WHAT?!
*I what way are you & I involved in God’s “unfinished work?” Wednesday night at ELEVATE I challenged all of us to talk to someone about Jesus within the next 48 hours. Lets keep asking God to give us that opportunity and then the boldness to take advantage of it! Be a Peter and “stand up among the believers.”
*Got any tough decisions to make? Try out the steps above that the disciples made!
*Lord, please make us “Theophilus’!” May it be said of us that we are lovers of YOU!