The preposition UP in the Bible

1)      Our beginning point is found in Acts 1:2.

2)      Luke says Jesus was “received up” into heaven.

a)      If Jesus is still “in” a grave, we have no reason to assemble.

b)      The word “up” in Acts 1:2 reminds us that Jesus is no longer in a tomb.

c)      The word UP also reminds us that Jesus was not the only one to be raised.

d)     At an unspecified future time, we also will be raised “up.”

e)      Up reminds us that we, like Jesus, do not die.

3)      Notice our next reference – Acts 2:24 – READ

a)      Heaven “loosed” Jesus from the pangs of death.

b)      Death has never been any barrier to God.

c)      No matter when we die, where we die, how we die, or why we die, we will all be raised up.

d)     In fact, the Bible actually promises that God will destroy death – Rev. 20:14.

4)      If we are going to be raised *up,* this suggests that we want to be ready for this future time.

a)      First century Christians understood this point and acted accordingly.

b)      Next on our list of verses to read is Acts 4:24.  READ.

c)      People knew who Jesus was and they responded to Him.

5)      God was honored in many different ways by the first century saints.

6)      Preaching lifted up God’s name and gracious acts of salvation.

7)      Prayers lifted up requests to God as well as praise.

8)      Singing lifted up vocal praise to God – the beauty of the human voice was offered in worship.

9)      Col. 3:16 says “singing unto God.”

10)  The Lord’s Supper offered up a memorial to what Jesus did on the cross.

11)  Giving was making a financial offering to God.

a)      Some were offering up good things in the first century.

b)      Others were offering up some things that we not so good.  Acts 5:5 – READ

12)  When the Bible says “gave up the ghost,” a writer is describing death.

13)  Luke described a man and his wife who both died.

14)  They “gave up the ghost” because they “lied to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:4).

a)      As we go through life we are going to present our life to God.

b)      Something is going to be offered up to God.

15)  If we could put a percentage on how much of life is being offered up to God, what would the amount be?

16)  The right time to start offering up as much of our life to God as possible is as early as possible.

a)      Acts 26:4 says “my manner of life then from my youth up.”

17)  If we do not make the right choices, God will eventually “give up” on us.

a)      This is what we find in Rom. 1:24.

b)      God says people can be given up to a “reprobate mind” (Rom. 1:28).

18)  Jesus was “delivered up” (Rom. 4:25) so we could be saved.

19)  We should be motivated to “rise up” to serve God versus serve sin – 1 Cor. 10:7.

a)      The choice of many is to “rise up and play” (1 Cor. 10:7).

20)  Jesus “gave Himself up for the church” (Eph. 5:25), and now He wants us to give ourselves to Him.

21)  This means we “take up” God’s armor (Eph. 6:13).

22)  We “build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11).

23)  We “lift up” our prayers to God (1 Tim. 2:8).

24)  We want to “lay up a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8).

25)  This world is one day going to be “rolled up” like a garment (Heb. 1:12).

26)  Heb. 12:12.

27)  Offer “up” a sacrifice of praise to God continually (Heb. 13:15).

28)  “Gird up” the loins (1 Pet. 1:13).

29)  Be a “holy priesthood” that “offers up” spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Pet. 2:5).

30)  The world is going to be “burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10); are we ready for that?

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