Acts 1

Again I'm going to start this with explanation of why I chose this book.  I'm going through Acts because it gives us a picture of 2 things 1. The early unamericanized church. And 2. Revival.

I've studied Acts and parts of Acts quite a bit in last few months.  I (along with the other leaders at Under1 and Connection Church) believe that our youth ministry is in a season of revival.  I think Acts is a great book because it shows us true genuine revival.

When I talk about revival I'm not talking about a huge growth in numbers (although that goes along with it), I'm talking about God moving the hearts of people like never before. A church experiences a true revival when it's number one purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ.

Ok so, here we go!

Acts 1:1-5 (NIV84)

"1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”"

Ok so, after Jesus rose again he appeared to many people for forty days.  On one occasion, he gives them pretty a pretty specific command.  They are not allowed to leave Jerusalem until they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I can not take credit for the point I'm about to make.  Bryan said a while ago that "Revival begins with obedience."  I see evidence of this here in the first chapter of Acts.  There are also a few interesting points here.

1. They were never told exactly how long it would take.  They were just told to wait for a few days.
When God is going to do something big He rarely tells us how long it will take.  True obedience means being patient for as long as you need to be.  True obedience means you're not doing it for a reward.

2. They weren't' told exactly what to do while they were waiting.  The disciples weren't told to pray they did it because they were seeking after God.

I hear people say that they want to get closer to God but they don't know how.  Many people (I used to be like this until Unceasing) think that once they get closer to God they will start reading their Bible more or they will start praying more or they will start giving more.  In reality, they have it backwards.  When you seek after God, that's when you feel closer.

It's like any relationship.  I have friends that say "Dude we should hang out!" and then I text or call them and they tell me that their busy.  I'll see them a while later and they'll say something like "How come we never hang out?"

I feel like I do that to God sometimes.  I say to God "I want to be closer to You." Yet I spend my free time playing video games or watching movies or doing something other than spending time with God. Just like any relationship, it takes initiative on my part.

So, in other words.

Revival begins with obedience.  True obedience requires us to earnestly seek God with pure motives and intentions. Obedience also requires patience and a desire to change.

That's it tonight!  I'm really excited about Acts and the things God has laid on my heart.

Goodnight and thanks for reading.
-JDwayt