Jul 31, 2025 A Long Look at The Book of Acts – Words of Grace Blog – August 1, 2025
A travel program on television I recently watched showed a scene inside an art gallery. An art lover sat on a bench in front of a large painting for what appeared to be a long and patient meditation. The reward for her thoughtful gaze was no doubt a sense of the movement in the scene, the emotions of its characters, and the thoughts and intentions of the artist.
My impression of the scene in the travel show was that good things come to those who take a long look at significant things. I was also reminded of the poverty of my own impatience.
As you know, I did not preach in the month of July. I spent the usual sermon preparation time, and a bit more, in the book of Acts. Acts will be the next Bible book that we will work through on Sundays at Grace Community Church.
Without fail, when we start a new book of the Bible, someone will ask me how long we will be in it. Anticipating the question, I’ll tell you now that I do not know. What I do know is that, if the Lord wills, we will take a long look at this book.
After only a month in Acts, already I have seen significant things in this record of the early work of Jesus by his Spirit, through the witness of his apostles, in his newly formed church, to the center of the Greco-Roman world.
I can’t imagine what things we will see together if we spend six, nine, or twelve months looking into this book. I’m confident the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writing of Acts, will reward us with new confidence in Jesus’ ability to reign as Lord, deep assurance of our own salvation in him, and increased boldness for proclaiming his word knowing it will multiply as it is received by faith. Surely the Spirit will renew our love and loyalty to Christ, our commitment to one another in the church, and our hope that he will continue what he started until he comes again.
What will this require of us? Prayerful patience. I’ll admit, this challenges me. I am not a patient person. Long and thoughtful meditations on spiritual realities do not come naturally to me. The “short” on YouTube was made for me.
Maybe you are like me. Let’s pray for each other. Let’s pray that this long look at the book of Acts will reveal things to our minds that seep down into our souls and reshape our affections for Jesus Christ, his kingdom among us, and his gospel to the ends of the earth. Let’s not miss all that the Spirit has for us because we are in a hurry. Join me in the fight against distractions and for a deep engagement with the Spirit and his word.
A long look at the book of Acts is on the salvation, sanctification, and service agenda for us this year. May the Lord be pleased to open our eyes to behold our wonderful Savior Jesus.
-Scott