In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. — Acts 1:1-3

The Book of Acts, the fourth book in the New Testament, is a story of Christian history. It contains everything you need to know about the start and expansion of the early church. In fact, as you read any of the New Testament letters that follow this book, you may find it helpful to flip back to the Book of Acts and find that reference point in history. For example, if you are reading a letter like Ephesians, you may find it enlightening to come back to Acts and get a little perspective on what events led up to the results in that book.

Luke, who is the author, wrote two New Testament books. He wrote one book about the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus entitled the Gospel of Luke. And then he followed it with this one.

Luke writes to a guy named Theophilus. Now we don't know a lot about this guy, but he was no doubt interested in learning more about Jesus Christ. And Luke, right from the beginning, makes this incredible declaration to him. A declaration that is the basis for everything he is going to tell him. He tells Theophilus about an event he and many others had witnessed. Something that Theophilus clearly had not witnessed. Luke tells him about the bodily resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus had died, he defeated death by raising himself from the dead. And then appeared to people for 40 days.

Luke does something that we all should be doing. He communicates the greatest message of all time to an interested person. It's a message of hope. A message of everlasting life. And it's based on the fact that Jesus defeated death. His defeat of death validates his message and power, which gives us hope that the life he spoke about is true and can be ours as well. You see, for those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ — this life and its end — death — is not the end. Death is only a gateway to life. And to receive this life, we must die to ourselves to live for all in for Him. And that is some good news we need to tell someone today.

So today, when you encounter someone who feels defeated because of all that happening in their life. Give them hope by telling them there is a God who can do anything. A God who defeats death. And he does it for them because he loves them and wants them to have life with him.

ASK THIS: Do you feel defeated? (Share it in the comments below)

DO THIS: Come to God, who can defeat anything.

PRAY THIS: God, I bring my defeated heart to you. 

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