Acts 1:9-11
David Moffitt, from Saint Mary’s College, opens up for us why Jesus’ ascension is so important in our understanding of how we now relate to God.
Podcast
David Moffitt, from Saint Mary’s College, opens up for us why Jesus’ ascension is so important in our understanding of how we now relate to God.
Kicking off the Acts part of our Joshua & Acts series, Jim explores Jesus' message that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and the mission and commission he gives the disciples in Acts 1
Luke appears to frame Acts as a narrative of conquest after the pattern of Joshua.
Joshua chapter 7 is challenging: God's love for us is immense, but His power and His protection are on His terms, to build His kingdom, His (pure) way, not ours.
Immediately after the Israelites cross the Jordan, they take the time to re-dedicate themselves to God and to remember all that He has done for them. They are then ready to receive the bizarre instructions for the conquest of Jericho which happens, not in their own strength but, with the Presence of God at the heart of it. To get involved in what God is doing we should also take the time to get close to God to be ready to receive His instructions.
As Joshua leads God's people into the Promised Land, they find that the 'fame of God' has gone before them, and that faith in God & the fear of God rise as a result.
We begin a new sermon series, with a short survey of Joshua, and on to the Acts of the Apostles, with a look at the mission and the commission that God gave to Joshua, to Jesus' disciples, and to us.
Jesus' prayer in John 17 commissions his disciples for their work as God's new Temple. We must learn to receive that prayer for ourselves today.
As we faithfully follow God, bringing His kingdom into the world around us, we can expect to meet spiritual opposition.
A reflection on John 16; the work of the Spirit in us and the world.