As we complete our 40 Days of prayer today, we end with a beginning.
The opening of the book of Acts begins to describe a church on the move; a church that is vibrant and alive — a church on mission.
At our last session at the retreat we talked about the importance of mission in the life of a church. It is mission that keeps us fresh and alive in God — it is mission that keeps us relying on God — it is mission that births and sustains healthy community.
This coming Sunday, we will begin a study of the book of Acts. As you read the passage below (the one we’ll look at together on Sunday), ask God how He might be wanting to see our church become more focused on His mission. Ask Him what your part in that might be!
Acts 1:1-11
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 presented himself to them 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[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
40 Days of Prayer 