Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
Acts 1:6-11
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
I remember my wedding day like it was yesterday. I can still see Chrystal processing down that center aisle with her dad by her side dressed in that elegant white gown. Oh how beautiful she was on that day and still is! I can still remember the music, and the pictures, the unity candle that wouldn’t light (LOL!), the cake, the punch, the dancing, and all the family and friends who were there to celebrate with us. What a great day! I can still remember our honeymoon and the precious time we spent together. But, one week later, two kids learned a great lesson: honeymoon’s over, and it’s time to be grown ups! We had bills to pay, a house to keep up, degrees to finish, a yard to cut, family to see and support, and ministry to engage in. Now it was time to apply all the great lessons we had been taught by our parents and become the people God made us to be.
In Acts 1 Jesus gathers the disciples together and gives them the news, “Guys, honeymoon’s over! Time to get to work!” The disciples wanted to keep the resurrection honeymoon going and just waltz right into the eternal Kingdom, but Jesus says, “Now it’s time to take responsibility. It’s time to go to work!” Specifically he tells them to pray and receive the filling of the Holy Spirit, then go out and make disciples to the ends of the earth. Child of God, when we get saved we enter a beautiful loving relationship with Jesus; He’s the groom and His Church the bride. Early in our faith is the honeymoon stage of getting to know Jesus and be known by Him, but at some point you have to move on past the honeymoon stage and take responsibility for the faith. We are wed to Jesus to work for and with Jesus building His Kingdom and multiplying His mission to the ends of the earth. The time, talents, and treasures he gives us are for investment in the coming Kingdom of God to come so that more people can miss hell and make heaven. Child of God, the honeymoon is over. Jesus rose to give you life and to empower you to be a witness for Him. Let’s get busy praying, giving, serving, and sharing that the world would know the hope only Christ can bring!