The Battle Plan
THE BATTLE PLAN
Imagine you’re standing among the ranks of a small band of leaders who are being asked to change the world. Your feet are on a hill. You gaze at the endless landscape teaming with villages, buildings, and cities across the empire. You know that what lies ahead is opposition, enemies, danger, and even violence. What you’re wondering is how are we going to pull this off…
That’s exactly where we find the disciples of Jesus in Acts. Jesus trained them for three years, they witnessed him heal the sick, teach the masses, cast out demons, raise the dead, be opposed and killed, and ultimately they even saw Him conquer death himself. Now they stand together in His final moments on earth looking out across the empire from a Hillside where Jesus gives them their mission. But the question is what is the plan?
In this passage we’ll see Jesus’ battle plan. He gives them orders, he tells them about a coming power, and he demands they stay focused on their assignment.
Book into: part 1
HIS MISSION ISN’T AN OPTION
Acts 1:1–3 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to thee apostles whom he had chosen. [3] He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
“First Book” = Luke
“Began to do” = Jesus is still moving
“O Theophilus” = Wealthy Backer
“Taken up” = Ascension, Jesus is reigning now as King
“Given Commands” = You have marching orders
“The apostles” = Sent ones – They had authority but we too are sent
“Many Proofs” = τεκμήριον indubitable evidence. Undeniable Evidence. 40 days. 500 people at one time. Apologetics Class
“speaking about the kingdom of God” The phrase kingdom of God occurs only six times in Acts (1:3; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 28:23, 31).
Kingdom of God spiritual reign of God that gradually transforms lives and cultures through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The evidence is there, the question is will you share?
Little hoop with kids
Don defend the lion let the lion out
HIS MISSION ISN’T POSSIBLE WITHOUT POWER
Acts 1:4–5 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; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Clothed with power from on high gives me chills.
Luke 3:16–17 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
The one who baptizes you with Holy Spirit and fire is here!
Fire = Tongues of fire. Think about this: the visual depicts tongues that spark a movement that spreads like wildfire. The Gospel Word ignites Rome. We can do that today in America! Oh that we would be filled with the Holy Spirit and be blessed with truth speaking tongues of fire.
“Through the Holy Spirit” = even Jesus operated by the Spirit This is how we operate on mission! By HIS power
The tension in the text: JESUS SAYS WAIT!
I get to vet church planters. But imagine you meet a guys with ALL the credentials to start a church. Masters degree in theology. Worked for effective churches. Got an MBA. Casts vision and people throw money at him. Memorized some of the best books on evangelism. Is a brilliant organizational leader. But I deny him. Give him a fail. Why? He doesn’t trust the Holy Spirit.
In some ways, that’s just what Jesus had in the disciples he personally trained. They learned from Him, were coached by Him, heard every teaching, cast out demons, fed 5,000, prayed with Him in the garden, watched his crucifixion, and even saw the resurrection! They were the most qualified men on earth. But Jesus says, yes but if you don’t have this you are completely incapable!
DON’T HIJACK HIS MISSION
Acts 1:6–8 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will 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 end of the earth.”
“restore the kingdom to Israel?” = Stay on task boys
“Witnesses” μάρτυς legal witness giving testimony
“Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
DISTRACTION IS A > DANGER THAN OPPOSITION
Often, the enemy knows he can’t defeat you so he distract you!
Comfort distracts us from our calling to sacrifice
Drama distracts from unity around the mission (immaturity)
Sin Patterns distracts from obedience (anger, addiction, marital)
Past Hurt, Shame, or Regret distracts from God’s purpose for today
Digital Escapism distracts us from what’s in front of us
[7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will 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 end of the earth.”
Acts 1:9-11 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. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] 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.”
Acts 1:9–12 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...Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
Departure: Acts 1:9–12 — Jesus ascends into heaven from this very mountain.
Return: Zechariah 14:4 prophesies that the Messiah will return and “stand on the Mount of Olives.”
Zechariah 14:3–4 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. [4] On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
Isaiah 49:6 I will make you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
IT’S TIME TO GET TO WORK
[11] 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.”
Give one year of your life.
Follow Jesus today.
Baptize One Person.
Surrender your distraction