THE LORD’S PLAN--ACTS 1:1-8

THE LORD’S PLAN

ACTS 1:1-8

Introduction:

During the time the Lord was upon this earth He worked hard to teach His disciples many things. His plan was to enable them to do an even greater work after His departure than was done before.

He had organized His Church and it was functioning well before the Lord returned to Heaven. However, He continued to teach right up to the moment of His departure. Consider these thoughts about His Plan for a greater work through His disciples left here on earth.

I. WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

A. John Truly Baptized With Water, Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

1. John had fulfilled his mission of identifying “the lamb of God,” John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

2. John had baptized in water many converts among whom were those chosen to be Apostles, Matthew 3:11a, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:”

3. John promised another type of baptism administered by Jesus Christ, v. 11b, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

B. Ye Shall Be Baptized WITH the Holy Ghost.

1. This was a new part of God’s plan that Jesus Himself would fulfill, Acts 1:5, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”

2. This was a one-time event that never needed to be repeated again.

3. This was the IMPOWERING of His Church to carry out His will, Acts 1:8a, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:”

4. Here God was equipping His Church to do the work of the future—build churches.

II. WAIT FOR POWER TO BE HIS WITNESSES THEN GO…

A. To Jerusalem, the city.

B. To all Judaea, the State.

C. To Samaria, the adjoining States.

D. “Unto the uttermost part of the earth,” foreign missions, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature

III. WAIT NO MORE—GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES

1. Invite them to come, Luke 14:15-23.

2. The “streets and lanes of the city,” the intercity, v. 21, “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”

3. “Go out into the highways and hedges” This was outside the city to reach every class of people, “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”

4. The more noble had been invited but treated the invitation lightly, Luke 14:18-20.

A. Compel them to come, Luke 14:22-23, “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23-And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

1. There was still room for more, v. 22.

2. Invite them again, “compel them to come in,” v. 23.

a. Here we see a contrast between our culture and that of Palestine. An American is invited by receiving a card and responds accordingly.

b. An Arab or Hebrew would be invited more than once. The first invitation is not expected to be accepted, so another will be forth coming generally by a servant coming to the home and giving the invitation orally. This is “compelling” them to come.

c. The person giving the dinner may make several invitations to the same individual expecting positive results.

C. How many times have you been invited by the Lord to come, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

1. Do not take God’s invitation lightly. Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

2. The Lord does have a limit to His patience, Luke 14:24, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord’s plan continues to work and even though it appears that nothing may be happening close by, they are happening in other places.
It makes me wonder just what we are doing regarding the Lord’s plan. Have we given up and are satisfied to have someone here to preach our funeral or are we still in business for the Lord.

We are still preaching and teaching, but are we going to the highway and byways to reach people. If not we may be already dead and are just waiting for someone to throw dirt in our face.