God's Kingdom: Sending King
- Author
- The Rev'd Adam Lowe
- Published
- Sun 18 Apr 2021
- Episode Link
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/ee4996d3
Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the final sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Sending King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: Acts 1:1-11
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “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.”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: What could help you see Jesus more clearly and continually worship him as Lord of all?
WARM-UP
What is the connection between the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts?
Have you ever considered the ascension of Jesus to be critical? Why or why not?
READ Acts 1:1-11
Why does Luke both finish Luke and commence Acts with the ascension account? If the ascension didn’t happen, what are the implications?
What further evidence does Luke supply at the beginning of Acts to support the claim that Jesus had risen? What are the implications of Jesus being alive?
What do you most love about being able to know Jesus? What most helps you in this relationship?
If one of your friends knew quite a lot about Jesus, how would you encourage them to actually know Jesus personally? How could you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus?
READ Luke 24:45-53
What is the significance of the disciples worshipping Jesus immediately after the ascension? How could you grow in wonder of Jesus as your exalted King?
What is different about Jesus’ assumption into heaven compared to Enoch’s or Elijah’s?
What does it look like to recognise Jesus as Lord on all of your frontlines and of every aspect of your life, identity, and activity?
According to Jesus, who is the Good News for? What does this mean for us and our proclamation?
What was now at the heart of the mission of the disciples? How are they empowered for mission?
How do we in some way share in this same mission? How are we empowered for mission?
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus living between his ascension and his return? What do you find most challenging about waiting for Jesus’ return?
How should Jesus’ return motivate us to go into the world as witnesses of Jesus?
What are the most important details about God’s Kingdom that you have learnt or been reminded of during this series? What has stood out for you the most?
APPLY: What is one way this week that you can demonstrate that Jesus has sent you?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have enjoined us in your mission to the world as part of your church and empowered by your Spirit. Please embolden us to live in the reality of Jesus’ Lordship and every frontline, proclaiming the Good News that he is the risen, exalted, and returning King. Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Next Series Resources (1 Corinthians):
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
https://bit.ly/39w5GgkFOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
WITH CHILDREN
Grow as Families
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Ch...
