Empowered for Mission

                                                                      Sermon Text: Acts 1:6-11

                                                                      By Donald E. Williams

     How is it possible that a small Jewish religious movement of the first century A.D., whose leader was crucified by the Roman authorities, still exist 2000 years later, continues to change the world and bring hope to the masses?

     In Sweden during the mid 18th century, around the time the winds of civil war were blowing in the United States, Swiss chemist Albert Nobel was producing his patent on a powerful product that would change the world. Created as an alternative to the use of black power, dynamite, an explosivemade of nitroglycerin, sorbents(such as powdered shells or clay) became the preferred method of powerful explosives for mining and construction and even warfare. Today dynamite is primarily used in industries such as quarrying, demolition and construction.

     In our text today from the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we discover an encouraged group of disciples who are strengthened by the miraculous résurrectionof their crucified Messiah. The Book of Acts tells us that the resurrected Christ appeared to many people over the period of 40 days after hisrésurrection. Interestingly, in the Jewish tradition, the number 40 is emblematic of transition or change, the concept of renewal, new beginnings. Yahweh, the God of Israel is on the move, doing something dynamic and powerful.

     The narrative lets us know that the disciples are anticipating that their resurrected leader will conquerthe Roman government and finally restore the kingdom to Israel. However, they only see one aspect of the ushering in of the kingdom of God. The Messiah plans to equip his followers with dynamic power and strength for the mission ahead. Thus, he asserts:

                         But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

                         and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and

                          to the ends of the earth." ⁹

The Greek word in this passage for power is dunamin. It refers to miraculous power, might and strength to accomplish a work. It's where we get our English word dynamite. Dunamis can also be translated mighty works and wonderful works. But why does the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune Godhead provide the disciples with dynamite power? To be witness of Christ in Jerusalem, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. How is it possible that a small Jewish religious movement of the first century A.D., whose leader was crucified by the Roman authorities, still exist 2000 years later, continues to change the world and bring hope to the masses? Because the church is a church of mission, empowered by a greater power that even Albert Nobel could imagine-the power of the living God to given to His followers to bear witness to the love and atoning work of Christ in the world.

     Before Jesus' death and resurrection, he promised His disciples that he would not leave them alone. He asserted that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Comforter to be with us. He promised the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth, bring to our remembrance his words and convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and the judgement. And so it is that we need the Holy Spirit to come upon us, empowering us with supernatural, dynamic power and strength for missions.

     When I was a young Christian I read an influential book that stirred in me a longing to be baptized by the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts. I prayed for a Pentecost experience that would empower and change me forever. During my prayer, lying down in bed, I felt the earth shake beneath me, like a mild trimmer. I never spoke in foreign tongues, or the tonguesof angels. However, I was empowered with an assurance that left my heart strangely warmed like that of John Wesley. I never again doubted the existence of God or the eternalpromises and hope of the gospel. I was empowered for service.

     Some of you listening to my message are longing for the power of God in your lives. You long for the power of God to vanquish all your doubts and unbelief about the Divine. Be encouraged-the Holy Spirit will empower you. Some of you are discouraged by life's trials and disappointments. You feel weak and afraid of the future. Be encouraged, the Holy Spirit will comfort and aid you. Therefore James, the brother of Jesus asserted "Cast all your cares upon Christ, for He cares for you."

     It was three hundred years of internal debate within the church before the Patristic fathers finally settled the doctrineof the Trinity. Thanks to these faithful disciples, we understand some of the holy mystery of the nature of the God we serve. We acknowledge that the co-eternal and co-equal natureof the three persons, who exist in perfect harmony. And yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit who gives us dynamic, miraculous power and ability to be witnesses, ambassadors of the God who created all things ex-nihilo, out of nothing! He is the same God who clothed himself in human flesh through the incarnation to dwell among men and show us the way to the Father. He is the same God who by kissinghuman flesh transforms the corruptible into the incorruptible. Jesus is the vine in whom living, we will never die.

      How is it possible that a small Jewish religious movement of the first century A.D., whose leader was crucified by the Roman authorities, still exist 2000 years later, continue to change the world and bring hope to the masses? Because we are loved by the God of the universe and miraculously empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in the world. It is a dynamic power that far exceeds even the wildest imaginings of Albert Nobel.