Acts: Summary Verse

 Acts 1:8 - Summary of whole book of Acts.   

3 points from this verse:

#1)   We are weak.  - don't go without God's power.  Acts 1:8 - to go when they had power.  Were to wait.
         Luke 24:49 - wait.
    Is exhausting to try to do God's work without His power. 
Make preparation.  Acts 1:13-14 - prayer meeting while waiting for the promise.  Good place to start when setting out to do what God called to do.
Is hard to talk to people about God when not talking to God yourself.

Note:  at just the right time, (Pentecost) God showed up and delivered on His promise.

#2.  We are weak, but He is strong. 
Acts = acts of  God working through the Apostles.

Acts 1:8 - receive power when ....   Word for power = physical power, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning. 
The definition of power here = usage = miraculous power, might, strength

The Acts recorded were ALL of GOD!!

Remember Peter?  - sinking when walking on water?  get behind me Satan?  denied Christ 3 times? 

But, the Holy Spirit shows up, and God uses Peter - he stands up and delivers a message, explains prophecy and 3000 people were saved.

Apostles = country boys from the backwoods, aka - Galilee.  Unassuming.
John 1:46- "can anything good come out of Nazareth??  Matt. 26:73 - different accent

Took some Galilean boys and changed the world.  

Isn't that God?  examples:  David and Goliath, Gideon, and now the apostles - Acts. 4:13

1 Cor. 1: 26-31 - God does His work through us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

John 14:16-17 - helper = paraklete - (come to one's aid)
Usage = advocate, intercessor, counselor, comforter, helper

In the Old Testament, Holy Spirit showed up for a time for a specific purpose - ie:  Samson & jawbone.
But now He resides in a believer permanently!!  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit when we are born again.
1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19-20 - body is temple of the Holy Spirit

For what purpose?  Answer:  to be HIS witnesses!  Because:

#3.  God Loves the World  - John 3:16-17, Matt. 28:18-20, Psm. 2:8, Acts 1:8 -
He wants to redeem the world. 

He is on a mission and He chooses to use us in it.  For our good and for His glory.

Jesus - Lamb of God - John 1:29 , Passover to Pentecost = 50 days when God sends His Holy Spirit.
 
From first Passover when first lamb was slain to Feast of Weeks when Moses given the Commandments at Mt. Sinai - 50 days after Passover.

Exodus 19:5-6 --> 1 Pet. 2:9-10

Holy Spirit fills us and makes us a holy people.  Gospel is to be preached to the whole earth.

God is on a mission to redeem the world!
How about you?  Are you on the bench?  missing out on doing your part - scared, don't think you can?
Do you have the Spirit?
Are you NOT connecting with God?