THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 20

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Ascension - Getting Ready for God's Power

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Text

Acts 1:6-8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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Memory Verse

John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.​

 

 

Introduction

What makes a Government real?

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Think about it like this: How does a new government actually start? Before it is set up, it is just chaos - everyone doing their own thing. But when a government is real, it has power, and people show they accept it by obeying it.

 

That is what Jesus was setting up with His disciples before He went back to heaven.

 

Objectives

To understand the following:

 

(1) Power is the foundation of any real government.

 

(2) Real change is proof that God’s power is at work.

 

(3) Obedience shows that you actually accept Jesus as King.

 

Presentation

 

1. Every Government Starts with Power

(1) Jesus got all power from the Father. “All power is given to me in heaven and earth.” (Matt. 28:18)

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He is King over everything (Col. 1:15-19).

 

(2) He shares that power with us. Through the Holy Spirit, we get to be on His team. We are seated with Him (Eph. 1:18-22), and He gives us authority (Luke 10:19). Think of it as being in the cabinet with the King.

 

2. Real Power Creates Real Change

The Greek word for power here is ‘dunamis’. It means the ability to change things for the better.

 

(1) It changes the world around you, as with the salt and light in Matt. 5:13-16. You bring flavour and make things better wherever you go.

 

(2) It changes you first. The Spirit gives you the power to repent, to turn away from sin, and to live in a way that fits God’s Kingdom (Eph. 5:5, Matt. 3:2).

 

3. Obedience Shows That You Are On Board

(1) If you really accept Jesus as King, you will obey Him (Luke 6:46, John 14:15).

 

(2) And when you do, you join Him in doing good -  helping people, healing, showing love - just as He did (Acts 10:38, John 17:18).

 

Conclusion

Do not try this in your own strength; you need the Spirit’s power.

 

Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:4-8: “Do not go anywhere yet. Wait for the Spirit’s power.”

 

Why? Because trying to do God’s work in your own strength is like trying to run a computer game on a 1% battery. It will not last. John 6:63 says “the flesh profits nothing”.

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Evaluation Questions & Answers​

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1. What is the difference between transformation by God’s Spirit and transformation by an evil spirit?

   • God’s Spirit brings change that makes you more like Jesus: repentance, love, peace, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). It builds up and sets people free.

   • An evil spirit brings confusion, fear and destruction, and pulls you away from God (John 10:10, 2 Cor. 11:14). It feels good for a ‘season’, but leaves you messed up.

2. Why did God make Jesus King over everything?

   • Because Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly, even to death on the tree. So God exalted Him and gave Him all authority in heaven and earth (Phil. 2:8-11, Matt. 28:18). He is Creator, Redeemer, and Judge (Col. 1:16-19).

3. How does God give us the power to become His children?

   • Through the Holy Spirit. When you receive Jesus and believe in His name, the Spirit gives you new birth (John 1:12, John 3:5-6).

   • That is how you have the right to be called a child of God.

4. What “seed” did Jesus plant in believers that makes them want to be like Him?

   • The word of God and the Holy Spirit living in you (Luke 8:11, 1 Pet. 1:23, 1 John 3:9). That seed is a new nature. It makes you want to follow Jesus and live in a holy manner, even when it is hard.

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​​Prayer

Father, thank You for making me part of Your Kingdom through Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit’s power so that I can actually make a difference, not just talk about making a difference. Help me to repent quickly, obey You fully, and live in a way that shows that You are my King. Keep me from trying to do things in my own strength. In Jesus’s name, Amen.