Ron Writes
Understanding the importance of our mission is where All Summer Bible Adventure (ASBA) and the new sermon series on Acts come together.
The Gospel of Luke tells of Jesus’ earthly ministry: “the things He began to do and teach.” Acts is the continuation of Jesus’ ministry under the direction of the Holy Spirit through His disciples. Bible students have noted that Acts doesn’t have a conclusion, it just ends abruptly (Acts 28;30-31). The mission described in Acts is unfinished. The work of Jesus didn’t end with those first disciples. His ministry continues even today as He works through us. There is a sense in which the book of Acts is still being written today.
This is a critical time. Jesus ascended into heaven and we’re told he’ll return the same way. Even while we’re watching His ascension we’re reminded that He’s coming again. We live between two comings. When He ascended the clock started ticking. There’s an expiration date for the work we must do. One day Jesus will return and our mission will be over.
It’s a critical message. Jesus is the Christ! “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word, “Messiah” which means the anointed. Jesus is the anointed one. In the OT prophets, priests and kings were anointed. For Jesus to be declared King must mean that there is a kingdom. That kingdom that was at hand (Mt. 3:2). That kingdom that was promised to appear before some of them died (Mk. 9:1). That kingdom that would be established during the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:44). That kingdom that was promised has now come with Jesus as its King! Not a political or geographical kingdom, but one within us (Lk. 17:21). This message is critical because there is no way to the Father except through Jesus (Jn. 14:6). There is no other name given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
We have a critical mission because we live in a critical time with a critical message.
