Questions About the Kingdom

Acts 1:6-11

Introduction

–  One of the potential pitfalls of Evangelical Christianity is an unhealthy preoccupation with the timing of end time events

• Hal Lindsay’s “Late Great Planet Earth” and expectations that Jesus would return by 1988.
• Harold Camping’s false prediction that Jesus would return on May 11, 2011

–  We are not the first generation to fall into the trap of ungodly curiosity- the disciples made the same mistake!

I. What is the Kingdom of God?  (v.6)

1.  The Kingdom is the unifying theme of Scripture

2.  The Kingdom is the main theme of Jesus’ preaching

• He began his earthly ministry teaching about the Kingdom (cf. Mk 1:14)
• He ended his earthly ministry with teaching about the Kingdom (cf. Acts 1:3)

3.  The disciples’ question to Jesus in v. 6 has “as many errors as words” – Calvin

• They were looking for a physical, national Kingdom for ethnic Israel
• Jesus offered a spiritual Kingdom that was inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles  (cf. Jn 18:33-37; Acts 1:8)

II. When will the Kingdom be Established?  (v.6)

1.  The disciples’ question in v. 6 contains two false assumptions about the Kingdom of God:

• The Kingdom was totally in the future
• The Kingdom would be established by Jesus immediately upon his ascension
  • They were gazing into heaven in vv. 10-11 expecting Jesus to return immediately in a blaze of glory

2.  The Kingdom of God is both “now” and “not yet”

• Jesus’ miracles are offered as evidence of the presence of the Kingdom and the binding of Satan in this age (cf. Matt 12:28-29)
• Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray that the spiritual reign of God in heaven will become increasingly evident here on earth. (cf. Matt 6:9-10)

III. What Should We do While we Wait?  (vv 7-8)

1.  Jesus’ rebukes the ungodly curiosity of the disciples (v. 7)

2.  Jesus answers their question by putting the focus back onto the mission

• The timing of Christ’s return is related to the fulfillment of the Great Commission (cf. Matt 24:14)
• God’s Kingdom is inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles (v. 8)

3.  The Geography in v. 8 provides an outline for the entire book

• Jerusalem (chapters 1-7)
• Judea and Samaria (8:1- 11:18)
• Uttermost Parts of the Earth (11:19- end)