STUDY NOTES
The Acts of the Apostles: A MESSAGE SERIES AT NEW CITY CHURCH (Spring 2016)
WWW.NEWCITYPHX.COM/SERMONS – BRIAN KRUCKENBERG
The following content is based on the message “Resurrection Worldview” spoken on 01/24/16 by Brian Kruckenberg. The following is not meant to be a full synopsis of the message but rather a brief look at the main ideas. To use this Study Guide effectively you must listen to the message found at https://newcityphx.com/sermons/ . Leaders using these Study Notes for group study and reflection should read the Biblical text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight. We encourage all leaders to pray and ask the Spirit for revelation as they lead their respective communities.
The Scripture:
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying (eating) with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Worldview and the Resurrection
A worldview is made up of commonly held beliefs by a society about what is true. All societies have worldview(s) that shape how they live and interact with those around them.
Simple Examples of worldview: “The earth is flat” was at one time a commonly held belief about our planet. “The earth is the center of the solar system” was a similar worldview.
What was the commonly held worldview(s) at the time of Jesus? (answer found in message )
How did the resurrection confront the worldviews of both Jewish and Greek-Roman citizens?
In order to believe the resurrection your worldview must not only be challenged but changed. A common worldview we see today: truth is subjective to the individual. The truth is “in here.” If it works for me, then it is true.
Therefore, it isn’t surprising that:
63% of Americans are absolutely certain that God exists, down 8% from 2007;
70% of people 65 and older are absolutely certain that God exists, but only 51%
under 30 are;
76% of CHRISTIANS are absolutely certain that God exists.
Does it make you uncomfortable to talk about “absolute certainty?” How does the resurrection of Jesus confront our society & its beliefs about truth?
To find the stability & assurance we long for we must let the life, death & resurrection of Jesus completely rock our world.
Waiting for the Promise
Jesus promises that God will send the Holy Spirit to them. In other words, they will receive this Kingdom of God they are longing for but it will not look like what they expected and it would not come in their timing.
Have you ever thought to yourself, “God, when are you going to show up?” “Are you even going to show up?”
Can you remember a time when you thought God was absent but after some time had passed you realized that God was delivering on His promise all along?
Remember we are waiting on the PROMISE of God, so it WILL happen. We are not waiting and wishing, we are waiting and knowing.
The promise we are waiting on must be what God gives. Sometimes we lose focus on that.
What Kingdom are you waiting for?
Prayer Points: 1. Ask God to show you exactly what the resurrection means and what it
accomplished. 2. Ask God to give you the faith to be absolutely certain in His existence in your life. 3. Be prepared to have your views of the world shattered by the greatness of God. 4. Ask God to grant you patience to wait for His timing in your life 5. Thank God for the promise of the Holy Spirit.