Scripture Reading: Luke 12:42–44

Introduction

A. Luke begins his history of the early church with a reference to a “former account” of Jesus’ activity and teaching (Acts 1:1).

B. One gets the sense that the book of Acts is really nothing but a continuation of Jesus’ work on earth through His disciples.

Discussion

I. God did not fail to keep His promises to His people.

A. What may have looked like failure was really part of God’s eternal purpose and plan (Luke 24:44–48; Acts 2:23).

B. God was keeping His promise to establish His kingdom (Acts 1:3, 6; 2:30).

C. He kept His promise to empower His disciples by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–8; 2:1–21).

II. Christ’s church is meant to continue His work until He returns.

A. Luke’s gospel contains a faithful record of all that Jesus “began both to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1).

B. The responsibility to proclaim the kingdom was passed on to the witnesses of Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:9–10; cf. 2 Kings 2:9–15).

C. The proclamation of the gospel began in Jerusalem (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:4; 5:28), but it didn’t end there (Acts 1:8).

Conclusion

A. Until our Lord comes again, it is our responsibility to do His work and to teach His commandments (Luke 12:42–48) and to let Him lead every step of the way (Acts 1:24–26; 16:6–10).

B. And rest assured, He is coming again! We may know the certainty of this because, as Luke is careful to remind us, God never fails to keep His promises.