02-08-2026 - THIS SAME JESUS - Acts 1:9-20

MESSAGE BY PASTOR ROB INRIG

FROM BETHANY BAPTIST IN RICHMOND, BC.

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I invite you to pray together: O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servants for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy ( Vicky O, Nancy R, Tere G, Liz N, Stevie A, Socrates D, Sara's mom H, Margarita G,   Rosy Ch, Patricia L. Lina J.  Magda- Laci M.  Gloria F, Miguel A H. Silvia H, Brianda M, Alejandro M, Natalia M, Oscar N. Laci N. Maria Elena C, Miguel C, Richard H.)   Comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the residue of their life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally they may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You can add names from family and friends who need prayer.

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So, where are we as we look into what Luke wants us to consider this morning?  The primary thing we are told is that the appearances of Jesus and the teaching about His kingdom in the 40 days after His resurrection have resulted in what Luke concludes is irrefutable proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Among those proofs that we observed last week, what was witnessed by one who was told to reach out and touch a nail-scarred hand.  Witnessed by two of the discouraged, who, after a long walk home, shared a meal.  Witnessed by several who ate with Him alongside a lake.  Then witnessed by hundreds, the irrefutably dead are now undeniably alive.

Given everything seen and heard, the disciples have every reason to tell everybody what they now know so powerfully.  Surely with the resurrection of Jesus, people would have to believe,   deniers would have to fall away, and doubters would have to believe.  This was everything the prophets foretold about the coming of God’s kingdom.  It was everything people had waited for.

The arrival of God’s Kingdom that will never end, and according to the promise, Israel will be prominent in this Kingdom. We are not forgetting that Christ is not Jesus’ last name, it’s His Messianic title, His throne name.  Jesus, God’s Anointed One, is the promised Davidic King, King of the Jews.     

BUT if the disciples had rushed off with stories about a new kingdom without new Kingdom power, they would quickly have been overcome by the enemies that would come against them.

Knowing that, Jesus commanded his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until what we see in Acts 1:8, You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’.

Simply, your power is NOT in what has been witnessed - no matter how life changing that was; your power is NOT in the evidence gained no matter how convincing you think it to be; your power is NOT in the right environment, the right timing, the right presentation because the battle is not a battle for the mind, it is a battle for the heart and that battle is played out in the heavenlies.  It’s not a battle won by how scholarly we are or by how well-crafted our arguments are.   It’s won only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To correctly re-orient ourselves to what this means, let’s return to what we are told: He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many infallible proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God  :3.

Following His resurrection, Jesus made Himself known, teaching them about His Kingdom and sending His followers on a mission so others would believe in Him.  But those doing that mission are instructed to go nowhere until the power of the Holy Spirit has come upon them.   

As we looked at last week, this waiting for the Spirit to come upon them is a command.  It’s commanded because the mission they are to engage is spiritual.  What that means is the ‘earthly’, you and I, are not equipped to fight the spiritual without God’s strength.  As Paul reminds, We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places  Eph 6:12.

But let’s be honest, we rarely think of ourselves as being impacted by anything other than the here and now and what we see, so we downplay or ignore this ‘principality and power dimension’ and instead, strategize and program in the world we know.  Achieving our mission is determined by programs run, numbers drawn, and positive comments earned, but in truth, what is achieved is nothing more than wood, hay and stubble that will be burned up by fire. But the power of God’s Spirit does what we can’t, going beyond just convincing us of our sin to convict us of our sin that leads to genuine repentance and the forgiveness we are given through Jesus’ saving blood.

The truth is, without Holy Spirit empowerment, people may be attracted by Jesus; they may like the truth He represents; get inspired by the love and compassion He shows, even be convinced by what He’s done, but convinced is not converted. Attracted is not transformed.  Wearing the outer appearance of the new is not the same as being made new in what God calls our inner man.

We are reminded of this in the verses that follow, of Judas, who was with Jesus for 3 years.  He heard what Jesus had to say. No doubt he said amen to His teaching, sang the songs, joined the praise and shouted hallelujahs over demons defeated.  He partook in the ceremonies of remembrance.  He partnered with others in prayer.  He came close to Jesus.  No doubt admiring, no doubt in awe, no doubt believing much of what was heard.

What he didn’t do was come to Jesus as Saviour and Lord.  He is holding back because he wouldn’t let go of the criteria he concluded Jesus had to fulfill before he would repent and believe.   

It’s hard to believe that Judas could have come so close but remain so far away.

I don’t doubt that, being around Jesus, Judas would have been dramatically changed.  His attitudesare different.  His beliefs were radically altered.  In so many ways, people would likely have said of him that he was a far better man for having been with Jesus.  Is it even possible that after so much time with Jesus, this wouldn’t have been the case?

Yet Judas chose to get so close to Jesus and no closer because what hadn’t changed was his will.  He had an environmental relationship with God.  Right externals.  Right appearances.  Right actions.  Probably at first, he was fully in and then cracks appeared in how fully committed he was.  The problem was that he still possessed an unchanged, unconverted heart. He wouldn’t bow because Jesus failed to deliver what he thought He should. Rome still ruled.  Religionists are still oppressed. Taxes are still strangled. In the scheme of things, what did this following of the poor, the lame and the forgotten amount to?

I wonder, is it possible that the same thing might be said of some here this morning?  Where in our demands, in our preconceptions of what we think God should do, how we think God should act, do we miss God?  We come close as we understand that, as living the best life, doing the good things, but missing the only thing that really matters - having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship that is only possible when we have bowed before Him, confessed our sin and acknowledged Him as our Saviour?  The Bible tells us that when we do this, we are immediately transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s glorious light.  It’s a kingdom of now and not yet - a change of citizenship but not yet fully entering into what that citizenship will bring.  It’s this news of new Kingdom life that Jesus is anchoring His disciples in during the 40 days following His resurrection.

When our focus is here, it’s exciting to think how glorious God’s Kingdom will be, how the beauty and joy we celebrate now is nothing compared to what will be; how everything wrong will be made right, how sacrifices made will be forgotten when the treasures gained are seen BUT we dare not forget, this Kingdom is exclusionary.  That is, only those who know Jesus as Saviour will enter His Kingdom.  Jesus’ words for all others, Depart from Me, I never knew you  Mtt 7:23. Those words are horrific in what that conveys.  If it could be worse, is that this will be spoken to those who’ve done the ‘right’ religious but never entered the right relationship - didn’t we speak in your name, pray in your name, do miracles in your name?

But Jesus says more than ‘depart’ to those who are refused entrance, He says, Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age.  The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers and throw them into the fiery furnace.  In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  Mtt 13:40-43.

It is this reality of the Kingdom we hear less these days because we don’t like to think about the eternal destiny that awaits those who refuse Jesus’ offer of forgiveness.  Despite what a few may want to tell us, that destiny is hell, everlasting punishment, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth Mtt 25:46.  The Bible’s description is anything but a celebration of ‘party hard’ rebels and those wanting to live uproariously ‘on the edge’.  As Hebrews tells us, It is appointed for men once to die, after this the judgment  Heb 9:27.  Judgment - the destiny for people we care about, people we love.  People we are told will not escape God’s judgment when Jesus returns.  It’s why when Jesus talks of the kingdom, He also warns of the severity of hell, talking about it as much, if not more than He does about heaven. I wish I could tell you differently - that God will give a pass for those we see as admirable and good, but the Bible makes no special allowance for those we think are good.  His judgment is certain, and His justice is fair.

Understand - this is the spiritual world in which we are engaged, and that world involves battle.  It’s a battle of kingdoms - the enemy wants to enslave.  God’s heart is reaching out to set free.  Is it any wonder Jesus tells us that we need His Holy Spirit to guide us, protect us, and empower us?  That we deceive ourselves if we think we have the skill, the willpower, the strength to combat what the enemy wants to bring upon us.  Before moving on, let me be clear: this is not a battle between equals. Anything but. God tells us that when He determines it is time, He will destroy the enemy with the glory of His coming and the mere breath of His mouth  2 Thess 2:8

With this context and Jesus’ promise of the Spirit, Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”  :9-11.

If any of Jesus' followers were still having doubts about heavenly kingdoms, that doubt was fully removed when they saw Jesus taken up into heaven. Those watching in awe. How could they not be - the overwhelming astounding of the heavenly - undeniably, dramatically, emphatically true.  True in a way beyond anything thought possible.  Heads still looking heavenward.  Christ’s power and majesty are undeniable.

The next thing we see is the appearance of angels.  Any other time, an angelic encounter would have overwhelmed. Hadn’t the shepherds been terrified when an angel announced Jesus’ birth Lk 2:9,10; didn’t Daniel fall face down, drained of strength, feeling corrupt in his angelic encounter Dan 10:7-9; the priest Zacharias gripped with fear Lk 1:11-13 and Gideon, thinking he would die  Jud 6:23.

Not this time, having watched the glory of Jesus.  This time, no fear; instead, the answer to every fear they will ever have, these angels give reassurance that THIS same Jesus, Mighty God, ruler over heaven and earth, with power over sin and death, will return.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.   :12-13.

Though we aren’t told what they are praying, it’s easy to guess.  Their first prayers were filled with praise from overflowing hearts because of what they had just seen.  Jesus is worthy of all the praise. God’s heaven sent, now heaven returning Jesus, undeniably God.  God Almighty. God of all creation.  God, the author of life.  God, who not only conquers death but is the Redeemer who gives eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Notice they are of one accord - full knowledge, full commitment, devoted hearts.  From that place, I believe they are praying for what Jesus has promised, the outpouring of God’s Spirit.  Praying for what He promised that they will have His power, enabling them to be His witnesses.  The faith in what they pray, just as CeCe Winans sings, He said it, I believe it.  They are praying and praising, knowing God is true to His Word.  The promises of God ignite their prayers.

Wanting to ignite our prayers as well as they did long ago for evangelist George Müller, a mighty man of prayer.  Convicted by seeing so many orphaned children living on the streets of England, he stepped out in faith, opening orphanages where, over time, he served 10,000 children.  One morning, the orphanage’s housemother informed Muller, The children are dressed and ready for school, but we have no food for them to eat.

Muller asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. Then he thanked God for the food and waited, believing God would provide for the children as He always did.  Within minutes, there was a knock at the door.  A baker is standing there.  Mr Muller, last night I could not sleep.  Somehow, I knew that you would need bread this morning.  I got up and baked all night, making 3 batches for you.  I will bring it in.

Not long after, there was another knock on the door.  It was the milkman.  His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage.  He said the milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed, so he asked George if he could use some free milk.  George smiled as the milkman brought in 10 large cans of milk.  It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.    

It was said of Muller that he would search the Bible for promises God said that aligned with a need he was facing, and then, with the Bible wide open, he would pray those promises before God.  If You feed the ravens and provide clothing for the flowers, provide us with the food and clothing needed for those You say You love far more than them.

Muller never made his needs known to men; he just brought them to His heavenly Father.  In like fashion, Peter came out of his time of prayer with all those gathered with them,

Peter stands up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about 120), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”  (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)  For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it’:15-20.

Peter takes leadership, first by connecting events that have occurred with what’s been spoken of in the OT.  That which has been experienced has been allowed and actually directed by God - even the hard and difficult, like Jesus’ betrayal, arrest and death.  God is doing the amazing, allowing His created beings to inflict their anger, their ugliness, their hate on His Son, in order that these same beings could be saved by what His Son endured.  Judas was part of this; his actions and his subsequent death did not come as a surprise to God, rather as is stated, These things had to be fulfilled.  Fulfilled even to the price of the betrayal that would be paid.  Jesus was also fully aware of the actions Judas would set in motion. Behold the man who betrays Me is with Me at the table Lk 22:21,22.  God planned it, yet don’t miss that Judas is still held accountable.

It’s important for us to keep this in mind when we see things around us that alarm, events we think God should have stepped in and stopped.  But God’s assurance, not for one moment has He lost control. Not for one moment has His redemption plan been derailed.  It looked like it when Crucify shouted.  It looked like it when nails took hold.   

But from the beginning of time, God put a redemption plan in place, a plan that would involve having His Son betrayed, beaten and killed.  God is doing so in order that you and I could be forgiven of our sins.  His plan is to have you sit here this morning, hearing of His love.  His plan is to make Himself known to you.  That plan puts before you everything you have needed to know.  His plan gives you a choice to decide what you will do with what you know.  Asking what you will do with this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven?   Saviour?  Lord? 

This Jesus who sees and believes in the miraculous is not enough; listening to Jesus day after day, Sunday after Sunday, is not enough, being with other believers and the devotion they have in Jesus is not enough.  Nothing other than we personally taking that step to repent of our sin, bow to Him as Saviour and put our faith in Him - is enough.  Deciding whether He is Lord or following as long as He takes me in the directions I want to go?     

Before us, irrefutable proof that Jesus was the Messiah.  11 of the disciples were fully convincedof what they had been told and what they had seen.  1 refusing to believe.

This Jesus, who will return just as you have seen Him go. 

This Messiah is not just to be accepted as Saviour,

But in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to live for as

His witness so others will know life everlasting with Him.

www.bethanybaptist.bc.ca.