Today we begin a new message series called “Following Jesus.” In this series, we’ll be studying the Gospel of Luke, the longest book in the New Testament. Gospel of Luke is part one of Luke’s writing. Part two is the book of Acts, a continuation of Luke’s Gospel about the life of Jesus.
Acts 1:1 (ESV) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
The first book that Luke is referring to here is the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s Gospel is about all that Jesus began to do and teach. Let’s focus on the word “began” here. The Gospel of Luke ends with Jesus ascending into heaven. One might be tempted to think that after Jesus ascended into heaven, His doing and teaching would have been over. However, Luke informs us that the book of Acts is a continuation of Jesus’ doing and teaching ministry through His followers. As we study the book of Luke, we’re going to learn what Jesus did and taught.
What is the purpose of a study of the life of Jesus? The purpose according to Luke is so that we can do and teach the same things as Jesus did and taught. That’s really what it means to follow Jesus. To learn from His example how we can bring healing into our world by word and action. Many people think that we can’t do the same things as Jesus did, but that’s not true.
John 14:12 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
What are the works of Jesus referred to here? They are the supernatural miracles that Jesus did to bring healing into people’s lives. If we have faith, according to Jesus words, we will be able to do the same miracles and even greater ones. How could that happen? Jesus did all His miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus ascended into heaven, He began to pour out the power of the Spirit through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Through this series, my prayer is that we all will grow in our faith to believe Jesus to do miracles in and through us by the Spirit.
Today’s message is entitled “How to Get Close to God.” Do you sometimes feel distant from God? You can’t seem to hear God speak to you? God desires for you to be close to Him. Close to God is where the blessing is, close to God is where healing is, close to God is where the power to do what Jesus did is. So what is the secret to getting close to God? Today, we’re going to learn the surprising solution to getting close to God. The first step is to …