Acts 1:4-12
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Intro: Ill. The context of these verses. Jesus has just
given His Disciples His commission and His promise.
Then, He ascended into Heaven. After Christ departs,
the Disciples just stand there staring up into the sky. I
wonder what they were looking for? Of course, the Lord
sends an angel to them to give them the glorious
promise that Jesus Himself will return from Heaven at
some future date.
I thought about this in connection with my own
spiritual life, and the spiritual life of others. I realized
that many people who claim to be Christ's Disciples in
this age are going the same thing those men were
2,000 years ago: Just standing there staring and not
doing a thing for God! But, I also realized that I am
looking for some things from God. In fact, the New
Testament shares with us several great events that we
should all be looking for. Allow me to share a few of
those with you this evening.
I. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR CHRIST
Luke 21:28
(Ill. He promised that He would return and that His
people should be watching for Him, Matt. 24:42-43;
Matt. 25:13. In fact, His past promise centered
around His return, Rev. 22:20. Are you looking for
the Savior's return?)
II. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR OUR CHANGE
Titus 2:13
(Ill. According to the Bible, when Jesus returns, all
the redeemed will experience a great bodily change.
That is an event that we should all be looking
forward to with great delight, 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1
Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; 1 John 3:1-3. Thank
God for that day when we will be like Him in all His
glory!)
III. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THAT CITY
Hebrews 11:8-10
(Ill. Abraham set the right example for us. He was
looking for a better city. I am too! Of course, John
was privileged to see that city, Rev. 21:1-2.
However, one of these days, I'll get to see her too,
John 14:1-3. When I do, I'll see a city of great glory
and splendor, Rev. 21-22, that shall be my home
forever!)
IV. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE
CONSUMMATION
2 Peter 3:9-14
(Ill. By consummation, I mean that time when
everything is placed under the foot of the Lord
Jesus. That time when He is exalted and reigning
on the earth. That time when all the world will bow
before Him and praise His lovely Name - Heb.
10:13. Ill. Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:9-11.)
V. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO OUR
CHAMPION
Hebrews 12:1-3
(Ill. All of the things I have mentioned are great and
will be wonderful to experience. However, they are
all out there in the future. While the run the present
race, we spend our days looking to Jesus for His
help and His leadership. After all, He is the sum
total of all the things I have mentioned this evening.
If you have Him and are living for His glory, then you
have all of these already! Think about that!)
Conc: So, what are you looking for tonight? A raise? A
new this or that? A better life for your family? Or, are
you looking for those things that will only be found in
Jesus?
