Sermon: Christ’s Work Continues

Encourage you to grab a Bible and turn to the book of Acts chapter one. If you're using one of the Bibles in your pew. It is page 9 0 9. If you're using your own Bible. It comes right after the gospels. Matthew, mark, Luke, and John. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Kevin McKelvy and I work here at the church. I am a pastor who oversees our ministry to students and there is a uh, Bible study, Spartan Christian Fellowship.

The student ministry of this church has a Bible study on campus every Tuesday night during the the fall and spring semesters. And this year we have been working our way through the Book of Acts. This coming week is the last week of classes for Michigan State and so we will finish by looking at chapter 28. Spending the last eight months in this book has been uh, encouraging. Personally I trust it has been fruitful for students

Tonight as we come to the close of this resurrection Sunday, I want to look at the beginning of this book, give you a little taste of what we have been thinking about this school year. I hope and trust that God will speak to us through it tonight. To that end, will you pray with me before we come to God's word?

Father, as your word goes forth tonight, would it not come back empty, but as the waters bring life when they drop on the soil, would your word bring life in our hearts and minds? Would you give us understanding? Would you help us to see wondrous things in your word? And would you encourage us to live in light of who you are and what you have done? Pray these things in the name of your son Christ. Amen.

Tonight we are going to consider the very beginning of the Book of Acts. Acts chapter one verses one through 11 here. Now the word of God

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem

but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, you heard from me for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but you'll receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon

you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And when he had said these things as they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven, he went, oh, sorry. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white robes and said, men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?

This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

So as we come to this book from the very start, we are introduced to the fact that Acts is a sequel. In the first book, O Theophilus, the author is writing to a man named Theophilus. It is pretty clear and widely accepted that the Book of Acts follows on the heels the book of Luke, which opens addressing the same Theophilus, these first few act verses of Acts serve as a bridge between the first book and this one. And as we consider this text tonight, I want us to do

so asking three questions. First in verses one through three and verse nine, looking to the past, what has Jesus done? Second verses four through eight looking to the present, what is Jesus doing? And finally verses nine and 10, looking to the future, what will Jesus do? What has Jesus done? What is he doing and what will he do First, what has Jesus done as we have already seen? Verse one begins by referring back to the book of Luke.

If you've ever watched a TV show, sometimes a new episode will begin by reminding viewers what has come before, previously on so and so, and that is what Luke does here. He gives a little flashback to his gospel account. And how does he summarize his first book? In verses two and three to Jesus suffered, presented himself alive to his chosen apostles, proving he had been raised, appeared to them over 40 days teaching and giving commands

before being taken up into heaven.

I wanna consider a little bit more what he means by some of these things he suffered. Certainly this has particular reference to the passion week, but it is more than that. Theologians will use the categories of humiliation, humbling of himself and exaltation being glorified or lifted up to describe the work of Jesus in the Westminster shorter catechism question answer 27 describes the humiliation of Jesus. Like this Christ humiliation

consisted in him being born and that in a lowly condition made under the law undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God and the cursed death of the cross in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time,

Luke reminds his reader and reminds us of the humiliation, the sufferings of Jesus. He was born of a virgin. He was found in human likeness taking on the very form of a servant. As Paul will write in Philippians two, he was made under the law tempted in every way that we are yet without sin. He underwent the miseries of this life. He faced hunger and thirst. He faced weariness, pain, sorrow, betrayal and loss. And then the immediate events which Luke is likely referring

to, he was crucified, died, and was buried. He was unjustly accused, humbled himself to death, even death on a cross, a criminal's death, a cursed death. And it is the curse nature of the death that is the height of this suffering. The catechism here reminds us that beyond the physical pain and humiliation, he experienced the curse of sin in his body as he bore the just and righteous wrath of God.

He suffered. And yet Luke will say, after his sufferings, he was exalted. The next question in the catechism looks at the exaltation of Jesus and it begins in this way. Christ's exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead. On the third day in ascending up into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God the Father,

He was resurrected and he ascended. And again, Luke points to these realities in these first couple verses, Jesus only continued under the power of death for a time, not forever. On the third day he was raised triumphant and just to make it perfectly clear that he was alive, he appeared to his followers multiple times to prove it. Luke recounts two specific accounts in his gospel and here makes it clear that there were more.

As he says, he gave them many proofs. He appeared so often and to so many as to remove any shadow of a doubt that he really truly had defeated death and was alive again.

And when he had been with them for 40 days confirming his resurrection, giving them commands and speaking about his kingdom and the Holy Spirit, he was taken up as Lu Luke refers to in verse one and describes in verse nine, the book of Luke ends with the ascension book of Acts, opens with it. Jesus returns to heaven where we are told he sits down at the right hand of God, he reigns with God and he intercedes as an advocate for his people before God.

So what has Jesus done? He was born. He lived a perfect life. He died a substitutionary sacrificial death. He was raised victoriously from the grave and he was taken up into heaven and to the right hand of God the Father. He lived the life that you and I could never live. He died the death that you and I deserve to die. And he rose in triumph never to die again. Through this, he has made provision for the forgiveness of sins, for enemies of God to be reconciled to him

and adopted as sons and daughters for salvation. Hopefully if you are in Christ, you never tire of recounting and being reminded of what Jesus did in his earth. Earthly ministry. There's so much more that we could say we have gathered together extra times this week just to focus on this and yet as remarkable and wonderful as all of this is the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. I wanna look again at what Luke says in verse one.

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with what Jesus began to do and teach began. Luke says that the entirety of the life of Jesus from his birth to his ascension into heaven is only the beginning.

What else could there possibly be? What more could Jesus do? He did it all. He completed his mission, he saved his people from their sins. What comes next?

This was on the mind of the disciples as we go through this passage and it leads us to our second question as we turn our attention now to verses four through eight and consider what Jesus is doing currently. What is Jesus doing now? The apostles ask us very question in verse six. Jesus appears over 40 days, talks to them about his kingdom and his holy Spirit that has been promised. They all come together and they ask, Lord, will you at this time

restore the kingdom to Israel?

John Calvin commenting on this verse is pretty harsh. He says, there are as many errors in this question as there are words, certainly some fairness to this criticism. There were many things that the apostles didn't get right. They misunderstood the nature of the kingdom Jesus had been talking to them about, they misunderstood the timing of what was going to happen, but I want to give them a little credit. Jesus has been raised from the dead for 40 days.

He has been explaining to them what he did and why and they are beginning to get it. They understand the work isn't done. There is something else coming So they reasonably ask what's next and is it going to happen? Now they may have had a false understanding of what Jesus is going to do, but they get that he is going to do something.

Jesus gently corrects them. The Father is the one who is in charge and it is not for you to know the timing of all that he has planned. But let me tell you what is next. The work is not done.

I wanna pause here for a minute and consider what it means That the work of Jesus is not done because in a very real way, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is a completed work. In fact, Jesus in John 19 will even say from the cross before he dies, it is finished.

And yet Paul can write in Colossians 1 24 that he by his sufferings is filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

Rightfully, hopefully many of you recoil a little bit at the thought that something is lacking in the work of Jesus. What does Paul mean?

Didn't plan this. But this morning if you were here, pastor Jason referred to a a sermon that he remembered from John Piper, you're gonna get it twice. 'cause years ago I heard a sermon by John Piper, which was very helpful on this point, commenting on this verse and comparing it with parallel language. In Philippians two 30, he argued that what is lacking in Jesus' sufferings is that there are those for whom he suffered and died who don't know

that he suffered and died for them. There is nothing lacking in the sufficiency or efficacy of Jesus afflictions, but only in the delivery. What is lacking is the presentation of the gospel gift. And this is what Paul is saying in Colossians that he is doing, and this is what happens throughout the book of Acts, The atonement salvation has been completed and yet the reception of it is still to be brought forth. The message of Jesus is brought to those who have not heard.

Jesus tells his apostles, you wanna know what is next. I have a task for you, this Holy Spirit I have been telling you about. When you receive this promise, he will empower you for something. You are going to be my witnesses. You don't understand now all that this will mean. But what is coming next is that I am going to proclaim the good news of who I am and what I have done and I'm going to do it through you. And this is exactly what happens in the rest

of the Book of Acts. Acts one, eight provides an outline for the rest of the book and Acts two, the promised Holy Spirit does come upon them and the Spirit works in and through them to bear witness to the saving work of Jesus in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. They will bear witness to gathered crowds and to individual people, to lame beggars and to men of high standing to Jews and to Greeks, to those who are receptive

and to those who are hostile in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, Philippi, Ephesus, Berea, Corinth, Athens, and eventually all the way to Rome. In jail cells and Jewish synagogues, traveling chariots and marketplaces and courtrooms, they will bear witness. They will bear witness by teaching and preaching by prayer, by their way of life individually and as a community by suffering and dying and by equipping and training others.

All of this is what Jesus says will happen here in Acts one.

The book of Acts has been referred to in various ways over the centuries, the acts of the apostles, the acts of the Holy Spirit. John Sto and his commentary claims that while both of these are fine, the most accurate though cumbersome title would be something like the continuing words and deeds of Jesus by His spirit through his apostles. He goes on to say that, well it is true that Jesus finished the work of atonement.

He continued his work first through the unique foundation ministry of his chosen apostles and subsequently through the post apostolic church of every period and every place.

So what is Jesus doing? The same thing that he has been doing for over 2000 years. What was promised to the apostles was realized 10 days later at Pentecost they received the Holy Spirit and witness to the truth and to the good news of Jesus like them, we have received the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, working through his people who are empowered by his spirit to bring the message of his salvation to those who do not

yet know him.

His work is ongoing

and yet even as he considers continues to work on earth in this manner. This is not the end of the story. Just as his earthly ministry was temporary, his ministry through the church will not last forever. Quickly. I want to consider what Jesus will do in verses nine and 10.

As the apostles stand looking where Jesus has disappeared, two angels appear. Angels have been present at some of the most significant moments in Jesus' ministry. They announced his birth to Mary Joseph and the shepherds. They announced his resurrection to the women at the empty tomb and they now they confirm his ascension and his coming return. Earlier when I read the catechism and read about Christ's exaltation, I only read the beginning of the answer.

Here is the full version.

Christ's exhalation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day in ascending up into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God the Father. And in coming to judge the world at the last day,

he has been raised and he has ascended, but he won't stay away forever. He is coming back. The disciples misunderstood the timing and the nature of what Jesus was going to do, but they were not wrong. That he was going to finish what he began, he was going to bring about the fullness of his reign. Their impulse was right. A day is coming when Jesus will come back bodily, visibly, publicly to judge justly to make all things right,

to make all things new.

You don't know the time, but you can know without any doubt that he is going to return.

Hopefully you can see what these verses are saying. The earthly ministry of Jesus was only the beginning of his work of redemption, which continues through the witness of his people as they anticipate and await his final return.

In this text, we have the totality of the redemptive work of Jesus. In three movement movements commenced in his earthly ministry of his life, death, resurrection. And as ascension continues in his ministry through the witness of the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit and completed in the final act of his return at the end of the age.

Today, you find yourself in the same place as the apostles. Jesus has begun his work. He will bring it to completion when he returns and Acts one provides a clear description of what Jesus is doing in the meantime in the world today as he continues to work out his plan of salvation for his people and a clear description of what you are called to do and to be. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and he has sent his Holy Spirit to you, his people, so

that you may be his witnesses.

Wanna take a minute to consider a couple ways that the apostles needed to be corrected that may perhaps be helpful for you as we seek to live faithfully in this in between. First, they mistake that the fullness of God's kingdom was going to come here and now perhaps you are tempted to this as well. Jesus, are you going to fix things now? Are you going to establish for yourself a Christian society? Are you going to overthrow our enemies,

whoever you consider your enemies to be? Second, they were staring up in the sky. The angel asked them why they were looking up. This Jesus who was taken up will come back in the same way you saw him leave. Yeah, that's why I'm looking up in the sky watching and waiting for him to come back. But that isn't what they have been told to wait for. They had been told to wait for the Holy Spirit and then to be his witnesses.

On the one hand, they were too focused on the here and the now. On the other hand, they were too focused on the there and the then they were to testify and witness to what he had done and would do. And you are to do the same. You aren't the savior, you aren't the redeemer. There is only one redeemer of God's elect, but you are also not a bystander.

In light of what Jesus has done and what he will do, we joyfully engage in what he is doing by being his witnesses in this world.

Wanna want to take a minute and speak to you? If you are here tonight and you are not a Christian, I wanna let you know that you are then the audience of this witness. What will you do with the testimony of your family members, neighbors, coworkers who testify to the reality of the salvation from sin through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? I want you to know the Christian witness is not primarily a philosophical debate

or an argument that we are seeking to win.

It is a witness to a person what he has done and what he is going to do. And tonight I want to witness to you that this Jesus, he has died and risen again and he is coming back. He saves sinners like you and I.

What will you do with that witness? I encourage you to hear it and to respond to him in faith and trust If you are a Christian here tonight, here is the wonderful reality. God's chosen instrument to take the message of salvation to every corner of the earth is His people

individually as local church bodies and as the church universal, you are part of the great cloud of witnesses through which Jesus has been sending forth his word and calling people to himself. Since Acts chapter two, you have been given the task and the great joy of being his witnesses to those who do not yet know him, to neighbors and family members, coworkers and friends and strangers. To those near and far, you get to go into a world marked by sin

and suffering marked by sickness and sorrow. And you get to bear witness that Jesus has come, died and risen for the forgiveness of sins and that he is coming back to bring justice and to make everything new.

It is like a parent who brings home a special treat and heads it to one of their sons or daughters telling them that they can go and bring it to their siblings. They run off with great joy to share the excitement of what they know with their brothers and sisters. The parent bought the thing, the parent brought the thing, and yet he allows the sibling the joy of sharing that with their brothers and sisters. This is what you and I get to do. Jesus has done the work.

He has made it known to you and told you that he is going to let you be the one to take it to others that they too may know. Salvation is given to be shared, him whom you have received, whom you know you are to testify to as a witness. You get to take the good news of Jesus to a broken world and he equips you to do so by his spirit.

I don't want to be naive. There are challenges as the Book of Acts makes clear. Not everyone will receive this news in the same manner. At times your message will be the aroma of death. Some like James and Steven will witness with their blood For all there will be some cost. But to some you will be the aroma of life. And there are some for whom Jesus died. Who are His whom he is calling and whom you get to be the one to deliver this good news.

What a wonderful privilege. What a delight, what an honor that Jesus would continue his work through his people.

So as we come to the end of a day and a week where we have put special emphasis and set aside extra time to focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus, I want you to remember that good Friday and resurrection Sunday are not the end of the work of Jesus.

They are what he began to do. There will be an end. The day is coming when he will return and bring his work of redemption to completion. But today, his work continues as you empowered by the Holy Spirit bear witness to him in this world, the work that Jesus began. He is continuing as he sends you out as his witnesses. I wanna close here with a couple of questions. What is one way that he may be calling you to be a witness

for him tomorrow or this week? Who is one person that he has put you in position to be a witness to? He has begun the work. He has given you his spirit. He has given you the task. May he grant you boldness and wisdom to be about this work until he returns or calls you home. Would You pray with me please?

Father, we thank you for what you have done through your son Christ. We thank you for what you have accomplished through him in general, but specifically in saving your people, in saving us and bringing us to a knowledge of him. Thank you for those that you sent to be witnesses to us.

And Lord, we eagerly and anxiously await your promised return

when you'll make all things right and there will be no more tears and no more sorrow and no more death when you will reign rightfully and your people will see you as you are and sin will be no more.

And we also praise you, Lord, that you are not silent in between your ascension and your return, but that you are continuing your work, that you are sending forth a witness into this world, that your word may go forth and that there may be others who are in your flock that will hear and receive and rejoice to be called yours. We ask, Lord, that you would give us courage and boldness, that you would give us opportunity

and wisdom, that you would give us the words to say when the moment arises, Lord, that we would be faithful witnesses to you, our God and our king. We praise you and thank you in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.