Spiritual power is not of this world.

What is real power? One of our world leaders spoke of having an iron fist inside of a velvet glove. The Bible uses the term meekness to describe this concept…

True power is the ability to remain steadfast in purpose or not crushing or overwhelming those around you or standing against you.

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Act 1:6 (ESV) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Disciples had a vision of worldly power and worldly kingdoms… This is not at all where God is going with this. He is looking at the bigger picture of eternity.

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Act 1:7 (ESV) He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

It is interesting that Jesus does not correct their perspective but points toward the coming of the Holy Spirit. Remember that the Holy Spirit will be the one that reveals all things and teaches all things…

Joh 14:26 (ESV)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

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Act 1:8 (ESV) 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.”

What is this “power”? It isn’t what the disciples are thinking. None of this is. Let’s go through the balance of this passage and then we’ll come back to that…

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Act 1:9 (ESV) 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.

God uses clouds as a kind of clothing of his glory multiple times in the Bible.

Mar 9:2-8 (ESV)

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

Mar 13:26 (ESV)

26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Mar 14:62 (ESV)

62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Rev 1:7 (ESV)

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

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Act 1:10 (ESV) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

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Act 1:11 (ESV) 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.”

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Let’s look at this Spirit and the power that Jesus is referring to…

2Ti 1:6-7 (ESV)

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Paul spoke directly about the function of this power

2Co 10:3-5 (ESV)

Look at how he described it to the Ephesians…

Eph 6:10-18 (ESV)