The Ascended King

The Spirit Spreads the Message of Jesus

Text: Acts 2:1-21 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: What is the gift of tongues? What does it do, and is it still for Christians today? Many questions and preconceived ideas about tongues are brought to this passage in Acts. What actually happened on that day of Pentecost, and what, if anything, does it teach us today? On this important day in redemptive history, we see that Jesus poured out his Spirit to empower the apostles to spread the gospel message to all people, so that what Joel prophesied would be fulfilled: "that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Jesus Builds the Church’s Foundation

Text: Acts 1:12-26 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: After Jesus ascended into heaven, the eleven apostles with the rest of the company of believers gathered in the upper room to pray. Peter tells them the time has come to select a replacement for Judas to bring the apostles back to their full number. Through prayer and the casting of lots, God selects Matthias and brings the number back to twelve. In doing so, King Jesus restores the apostleship, lays the foundation of the church, and prepares them for their work of witness-bearing in the world.

The Ascended King

Text: Acts 1:9-11 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: After Jesus called his disciples to their ministry of witness-bearing and promised them the coming power of the Holy Spirit, he ascended into heaven before their eyes. The ascension can often be overlooked but it is an important point of our faith and a great benefit to us. Because in it, we have an advocate before the Father, we have our own flesh as a pledge of our heavenly inheritance, and from heaven Jesus pours out his Spirit upon his people. All these great benefits are ours as we wait for his return—the same way he ascended he will come back one day.

Friendship with Christ, Part 2

In this final lesson in the series we focus on Cultivating Friendship with Christ by examining 4 practical areas.

The Promise of Power and the Calling to Ministry

Text: Acts 1:1-8 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: Jesus has risen from the dead and defeated the grave. That means the kingdom is here! But not in the way the disciples expected. "Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" They asked, expecting a war for independence from Rome and an independent Israel with Jesus as King. But his kingdom was far bigger and their calling far greater—they will be witness-bearers of the risen Lord, the hope of Israel, and their message will turn the entire world upside down.