Reading Plan:
Acts 1

Our Thoughts:
One of my favorite books of the Bible is the Book of Acts. Written by Luke, Acts documents the actions of the very first church. These first-century Christians paved the way for what we now know as the Church today! In Matthew, Jesus told Peter that he was going to "build his church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it." He did! Here we are some 2000 years after the very first church was formed, and the Church is alive and well. As individual Christians and partners of Venture Church, we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves and our local church. What an awesome (and humbling) thought.
As we read the book of Acts, we find moments of great victory such as times when first-century Christians acted in great faith. We also find times when they missed the mark, got it wrong, and were forced to learn from their mistakes. The good news is that God used all of it - both the victories and mistakes for his glory and the good of people.
Early on (as in Acts chapter 1), we see one of those learning moments. Jesus had just told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. While they were together one day, the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
This question reveals the focus of the disciples at that time. It reflected the assumption of most in the crowd before the resurrection. Many people thought Jesus was going to be a political or military leader who would finally put Rome in its place.
Even after all the miracles they had experienced with Jesus, their perspective of Jesus' mission was small. They were only thinking of what Jesus and the resurrection meant for them and for their people (the nation of Israel), but Jesus' mission was for the world.
I love Jesus' response. He first reminds them that some things are absolutely outside of their control and beyond their comprehension. In verse 7 he says, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
He then shifts their focus to their mission, something they could control - something on which they had an immense impact. He says, "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." Jesus essentially says, "Hey, this is what you need to be worried about. This is your mission!"
And what is that mission? Jesus says we are to be his "witnesses." Matthew records the mission this way, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." The disciples' mission was to tell the good news of Jesus. That's it!
This quick exchange between Jesus and the disciples was important to the success of the first century Church. Jesus pushed them back toward the mission. He knew that if they lost sight of the mission, if they became distracted or pursued other agendas, the Church's impact would be minimized.
This wouldn't be the last time that Christians lost sight of the mission God gave to his Church. We have a history of getting distracted and pushing our own agendas. It's our natural tendency! As Christians on mission for God, we have to work to keep the main thing the main thing.
At Venture, we sum up the mission laid out in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 in this way, "to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus."
As part of the Church and as partners of the local church (Venture Church) we have been entrusted with something incredible! We are called to make disciples, to be His witnesses, to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus.
As we wrap up today, spend some time thinking about how you can live out the mission God has given us.

More Questions:
Why is our natural tendency to drift from the mission?
As an individual, what distracts you from the mission given to us? Knowing this, how can you work to keep the main thing, the main thing?
How can you live out the mission Jesus gave us today - in your family, at work, in our community?

Prayer:
Father, reveal to me things that distract me from your mission. Reveal to me times that I have drifted from your mission. Create in me a passion to share the good news of Jesus with those around me. Show me those who need to hear the Gospel and give me the courage to share the Gospel with them.

Author: Gray Strickland