Acts 1:6-11
“So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’
7″He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
9″After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10″They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’
The scriptural teaching concerning the return of Christ has a twofold purpose: 1) comfort, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, and 2) challenge, Romans 13:11-12.
An Expectant Faith Is Needed: Titus 2:11-13
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hopethe glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,”
1. Don’t be deceived . 2 John 7-8
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”
2. Don’t be careless . 2 John 9
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
3. Don’t be fearful . John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
An Honest Assessment Is Required: 2 Peter 3:11
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives”
1. A life of holiness . 1 John 3:3
“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”
2. A life of harmony . 2 Peter 3:14
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
3. A life of happiness . Philippians 4:4-5
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
An Empowerment to Witness Is Granted: Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1. The challenge of fruitfulness . Psalm 126:5-6
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
2. The challenge of rewards . 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
