Jay Grant’s sermon on Acts 1

Acts 1:1,2 (Intro)
In my first account, Theophilus, I wrote about all the things which Jesus did and taught, until the day He ascended to heaven, after first instructing His chosen apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Two Accounts of His Instructions to the Apostles
And Jesus said to His disciples, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and rise again the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:44-48)

Jesus showed Himself alive to His apostles, appearing to them for 40 days, eating with them and teaching about God’s kingdom, commanding them not to leave Jerusalem but wait for what the Father promised. “For John baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now. And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the earth.” (Acts 1:3-5,8)

Forty Days of Teaching
What Jesus Emphasized

The Fulfillment of Old Testament Biblical Prophecy (300 references)
Revelation of God’s Word; Understanding the Word of God
Message of Repentance/Forgiveness/Salvation
The Call to be Witnesses; Sharing the Gospel
God’s Kingdom; the Rule and Reign of God on This Earth
The Promise of the Holy Spirit Coming
The Power of the Holy Spirit Given

The Ascension
And after saying this, Jesus was lifted up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they gazed intently into the sky, two men in white garments said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This same Jesus, taken up from you, will return in just the same way as you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

The Ten-Day Wait
Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, three-quarters of a mile away. And when they entered the city, they went up the stairs to an upper room where they were staying – Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. These all with one mind (in full agreement) were continually devoting themselves to prayer, and with them were some women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the brothers of Jesus.” (Acts 1:12-14)

Preparing for Pentecost (3 ways)

They Gathered Together Daily
They Were of One Mind; Unified and in Agreement
They Consecrated Themselves to Prayer

The Prophetic Fulfillment of the Feasts

Passover – every lamb sacrificed pictured Jesus, the Lamb of God
Unleavened Bread – Jesus cleanses us from the leaven of sin
First Fruits – Christ’s Resurrection is the First Fruit of all who believe
Pentecost – The Holy Spirit Comes for a Harvest; The Bride is Born
Trumpets – Christ’s Return Begins with a Trumpet Blast
Day of Atonement – Jesus Atones for Our Sins; Dies for Us
Tabernacles – God Tabernacles in Us, Living in Every Believer