Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 1-3; Acts 1
Devotional Thought:
The work of redemption is complete, Christ finished the work that His Father had given Him to do (John 17:1-3); however, the ministry of proclamation, a continuing responsibility of the saints is introduced here in Acts 1. During Christ’s earthly ministry, He was the primary preacher and teacher, but now He is turning that responsibility over to the men who he has trained and provides for us a tremendous example of His command to disciple.
Every Christian ought to follow Christ’s example and disciple someone. Discipleship is simply teaching someone else what the Lord has graciously taught you. There are two things that are accomplished in discipleship:
1. You are motivated to continue to grow in grace. The teacher typically learns more than the student.
2. The student is taught something that he is now responsible to pass on to someone else.
Christ had loving and patiently brought these men along. Not only had they failed in their public witness during the traumatic events of the crucifixion, but also failed in their private loyalty. However, Christ did not give up on them, but rather He continued to invest truth, love, and grace.
How are you doing in your attempt to emulate this character trait of Christ?
Acts 1:6-8 are the key verses of this passage:
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
It seems very natural for the disciples to wonder if now was the time for the Lord to set up His earthly kingdom. He had clearly taught about the plan of God as it relates to His millennial reign, and now He was the resurrected Savior. In their minds it made perfect sense to set it up now. However, the Lord tells them it is not for them to know when, but to be content to know the “what” and “who”. Christ (the “who”) will set up the kingdom ( the “what”) in His perfect time according to His authority. By this same authority Christ directed the saints to be witnesses throughout the world. This authority was given to provide them confidence, while the source of their effectiveness and power would come from the Holy Ghost that would dwell within them and fill them. As they yielded control over to the Holy Spirit, God glorified Himself in the fruit that was born, the churches that were established, and the lives that would be transformed. Oh that Christians today would embrace the responsibility to reproduce like these men and embraced this wonderful privilege and honor.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to be faithful with the responsibility to reproduce through discipleship. I want to participate in this wonderful privilege.
• Lord, thank you for designing a plan that allows me to tell people how wonderful my Heavenly Father is to me, and how vast His love is for the whole world.
• Lord, please remind me often that it is your power that changes lives and I am only a servant and instrument in your hands. I love you Lord and I am so grateful for my salvation.