Dear Friends,
“Why do you stand looking into heaven?”
That’s the question the angel asked Jesus’ disciples in Acts 1. 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus appeared the twelve (minus Judas) and gave them this assignment: “You will be my witnesses.” And because they did what He told them to do, the church was born and continues twenty centuries later.
The book of Acts tells us that while they stood looking and listening to Jesus, He was lifted up. He ascended. A cloud took him out of their sight.
They stood there, heads raised, eyes glued to the sky. In spite of all they had witnessed during the ministry of Jesus, and especially in the last 40 days since He was raised from the dead, they no doubt were once again stunned by what they had just seen. Speechless.
That’s when two men wearing white robes who were standing with them – two men who presumably hadn’t been there just a few minutes prior – spoke up. “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” (Acts 1:11).
I totally get why the slack jawed disciples are fixated on the skies. I would be to.
And think for a minute about the rebuke from these angels. “Why are you staring at the sky?” they ask. “Jesus is coming back in the same way you saw Him go to heaven.”
If I was one of the 11 standing there, I would have been tempted to turn to the angels and say “Exactly! That’s why we’re staring! We’re still a bit stunned by what just happened. We’re in awe. We’re worshipping. And who knows – He could be coming back right away!”
Except Jesus just made it clear He wasn’t coming back immediately. What had He just said? “You will be my witnesses – in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” Jesus would not have given that assignment and then returned for His disciples thirty minutes later.
The angels are telling the disciples it’s time to get busy. Time to turn their attention away from the skies and onto the fields that are ripe for harvest. Time to do what they’ve been called to do. To testify.
That’s what witnesses do. They give testimony. They share what they’ve seen and heard and experienced. They swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
The angels remind the disciples that Jesus is coming back. They don’t know when. But instead of standing around and staring at the sky, they need to refocus and start doing what Jesus has just told them to do.
All this happened 2000 years ago. We weren’t there. But the assignment given to the 11 that day is our assignment today. We are called to be witnesses. Ambassadors. We are called to make disciples of all people.
Yes, we should be spending time in worship regularly. Yes, we should be practicing spiritual disciplines so we can grow in godliness and Christ-likeness. Yes, we should be loving our neighbor and serving one another.
But the last thing Jesus told His disciples to do was to be His witnesses. To speak up. To testify.
Think about your week this week. Have you spent time reading your Bible? Good! Spent time praying? Great! Spent time fellowshipping with other believers? Wonderful. Spent time serving others in Jesus’ name? I hope so.
Have you spent any time witnessing? Sharing your faith with someone? Anyone?
I think if there were two white robed people who had a word for us today, it would likely be this:
“Time to get moving, folks. You have work to do.”
Indeed we do.
ROOTS FALL KICKOFF
Can you believe it’s almost August? That means it’s almost time for school to start up again. And it’s almost time for the fall kickoff for the regular Sunday afternoon Roots gatherings.
Parents – expect to be hearing from Pastor Cole soon about a meeting with you at a new time, at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, August 16, to go over plans for the ‘26-‘27 school year.
CPR TRAINING
Have you been trained in CPR?
Would you like to be?
In an effort to have more of our child care workers, security team members and any other church members equipped to provide CPR in the event of an emergency, we are providing a Red Cross certified training course at our church on Saturday, August 15.
As a church, we will cover the registration cost for any church member who wants to participate in the training.
Here’s the info on the class, along with a QR code to register. Or click here (https://us.list-manage.com/QENhlFbZukv?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) for more information or to sign up.
AWANA REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Our Awana Kickoff night this fall is Wednesday, September 2. And registration for Awana is now open (https://us.list-manage.com/SblAJXqyTIF?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf). To make sure your kids have a spot reserved, make sure you register them ASAP!
Don’t forget – if you’re a member at Redeemer and you’d like to minister to and love on kids each week, here’s the perfect opportunity for you to pitch in and serve. Contact Laura White and let her know you’re interested. Laurawhite811@gmail.com (mailto:Laurawhite811@gmail.com)
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is a preview (https://us.list-manage.com/EBMiURclL9X?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
What was the source of Samson’s strength? Was it his long hair? Or something else? We’ll look carefully at Judges 16 this week to see how God used this Judge who had been set apart for service from birth, but whose unbridled appetites ultimately led to his downfall.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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