December 31, 2018

Thank you for being a faithful Jumpstart reader and poster!  Your comments are SUCH an encouragement to other readers and to the staff.  Reading God’s Word every day is such an important thing in the life of every believer.  Join me in making a commitment to do it every day in 2019! What do you think?

Today we begin a journey through the book of Acts – written by Dr. Luke to Theophilus to document the beginning of the church.  No one really knows who Theophilus was. Some believe he was a Roman official of some sort – others a lawyer during Paul’s trial period in Rome.  While other theories exist – no one knows exactly who his is. What we do know is that Luke wanted him to know all about the church and the missionary journeys that flowed from it.

Luke was a writer who was concerned about the accuracy of details.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.  Luke 1:1-4

Verses 6-11 vividly describe the ascension of Jesus to heaven.

After Jesus death and resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days teaching his followers before He ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God.  We read all about it here!

Jesus takes this final opportunity to reiterate His most important instructions.  

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. (v.8)

Jesus’s plan is for us to be His witnesses – to tell everyone about who He is and what He did.  To explain to them how they can have their sins forgiven and be in a relationship with God.  Who has God placed in your life for you to be a witness to? What are your plans to accomplish that this year?

After sharing these words Jesus rose into heaven.  The angels told everyone that watched that He would return in the same way he went.  Jesus is coming soon and everyone needs to know who He is and how He can change them.  Will you tell them?

By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor