LIVING THE NEXT CHAPTER
November 15, 2015
INTRODUCTION
Paul Harvey and the rest of the story…
What’s the rest of the story?
Jesus Revolution: Jesus has come to revolutionize our lives and ignite a revolution
Decision, declaration, alignment, generosity
KEY POINT: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we get to live the next chapter of His
story
TEXT: Acts 1:1-8, 28:17-31
Letters to Theophilus: who Jesus is…what His life inspired
Begins with the final instructions before the ascension of Jesus
A revolution set in motion…what’s going to happen?

The mission is clear
You will be my witnesses – the roll of the witness, to share what you’ve seen and
heard
MATT. 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…”
Heart of God: all people to be brought back into a right relationship
with Him
Jerusalem, Judea and all Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world…
Begins where you are!

The power is available
The work of the savior is greater than what we can accomplish on our own
HIS SPIRIT in OUR LIVES
Information alone is insufficient for transformation
“You will receive power…”
SPIRIT: empower for service
SPIRIT: awaken a potential for significance
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these
men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

The doors are open
Paul’s arrival to Rome…the heart of the empire
The message of Jesus had already spread there
By the late 40’s (within 20 years of Jesus death)
Clash of Judaism with Christianity, so that Caesar Claudius
banished them all from the city to stop the riots there (49-50
AD)
Returned after his death in 54 AD
Awaiting trial before Caesar…proclaiming the message of Jesus
ENDS: Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught
about the Lord Jesus Christ.
BOLDNESS: with all confidence
WITHOUT HINDRANCE: the doors are open
“In seeming to leave his book unfinished, he was implying that the apostolic
proclamation of the gospel of the first century began a story that will continue until the
consummation of the kingdom of Christ.” EBC
KEY POINT: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we get to live the next chapter of His
story
LIVING THE NEXT CHAPTER
1. Be OPEN
To the mission of our Savior
HERE AM I, SEND ME!
To the stirring of the Spirit
Fill me with your love, strength, wisdom and power
Allowing it to spill out
2. Be ACTIVE
2 Thess. 1:11-12
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy
of his calling, and that by His power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours
and every act prompted by faith.”
A FAITH THAT ACTS
Why was the letter of the church called acts? Because of the
activity of the Spirit and the followers of Jesus
ACT IN LINE WITH HIS PURPOSE
“We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you
in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
That His name would be famous in our homes, community, country and
world!
3. Be DARING
Boldly...
“…we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition…” 1 Thes. 2:2
Living out loud – not obnoxiously, but graciously
Don’t let the unbelief of others dissuade you from His purpose
4. Be FAITHFUL
RUN THROUGH THE FINISH!
Making a way for others to take it farther
The importance of the handoff
CONCLUSION
KEY POINT: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we get to live the next chapter of His
story
The Jesus revolution
Revolutionize our lives and ignite a revolution
The rest of the story has not yet been written…
Adding our lives to the adventure
RESPONSE: