Pray

Give Honor

Text :

Acts 1:4–8 NKJV

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Something to Look Forward To

We’ve now made it to the book of Acts— a continuation of Luke’s Gospel and a launching pad for the Christian Church as we know it.

This book is not just history—it’s God ordained activity.

It’s not just doctrine—it’s divine demonstration.

It doesn’t just describe the Church—it ignites the church

The Gospels gave us Jesus walking the face of earth.

But Acts gives us the Church walking in Power of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospels told us who Jesus is.

Acts tells us what happens when you believe Him.

and it is at this point that Jesus has now gotten up from the grave.

He’s conquered sin. He’s swallowed death. He’s appeared to His disciples over a 40-day span, That will give them proof that that He’ s alive and well.

He showed up in locked rooms. He held out His hands. He cooked them breakfast. He restored Peter from shame. He walked and He talked

—and he didn’t do it Just to do it. He did it with a plan in mind.

and it is now,

That they’re in Jerusalem—gathered around him with questions.

They’re in the holy city, but they’re carrying human tension.

They’re still holding on to a national dream—wondering if now’s the time Jesus will restore the kingdom to Israel.

The Bible says in Verse 6 that it is asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

You must feel the tension in that question because

They’re not thinking about the Church—they’re thinking about control. They’re not looking for the Spirit—they’re still longing for sovereignty.

They’re not focused on what Jesus wants to do through them—they’re still focused on what they hope Jesus will do for them.

Because even after the cross… even after the empty tomb… even after the resurrected power… their minds are still trapped in political hopes and dreams.

They’re thinking about thrones… but Jesus is thinking about testimony. They’re worried about timing… but Jesus is abou to enlarge their territory.

They’re asking about Israel… but Jesus is calling them to the ends of the earth.

And it’s in this moment—right here in the tension between old expectations and new instructions—

that Jesus speaks with clarity and power.

He says “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons…

But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me… in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In other words… You’re thinking about politics, but I’m getting ready to give you power

You’re waiting on a kingdom—you don’t realize the Kingdom is about to come through you.

You’re trying to figure out when God will move for you— but I’m telling you God’s about to move through you.

And I love it because Jesus does not rebuke their question—He just redirects their focus.

He says, “You don’t have to worry about control…because I’ve given you something to look forward to.”

and what He’s about to give........ is bigger than a Roman government. What he’s about to give................is Stronger than Caesar’s throne. what he’s about to give..................is More powerful than politics. What he’s about to give.................is More enduring than empires.

This something can’t be legislated, limited, or locked up.

This something will outlive kings, outlast kingdoms, and overthrow principalities.

This something is is a thing that changes the tragectory of Christian Ministrty. Because Jesus didn’t just rise to make us remember what He did—He rose to release what we would become.

and he gives us something to look forward to until it gets here. if youre taking notes. Jesus gives us

1. The Promise of Presence AND POWER (v.8a)

Jesus says, “But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8a)

Jesus is speaking to His disciples

and these were ordinary men who walked with Him, who failed Him, were forgiven by Him, and now are being prepared to be filled by Him.

Jesus is about to ascend to His father and His physical presence is about to leave.

But He promises that the Holy Ghost—the third person of the Trinity, the very presence of God—will come to dwell within them.

This word “come upon you” literally means to arrive with intention.

Jesus is saying, “ This is not a casual visit but this is a divine takeover.”

He says that You shall receive Power.

And the word “power” is (dunamis) and this dunamis is not about hype, noise, or emotion.

It is explosive, enabling, and supernatural strength.

This is the same power that flowed through Jesus when He healed the sick,

It is the same power that opened blind eyes,

It is the same power that walked on water, and cast out demons.

So what Jesus is really saying is that,

“You may not have Me beside you anymore, but you will have Me within you—and that is more than enough.”

Because the presence of the Holy Spirit,

doesn’t come empty

—it comes with power.

And this is not shallow power. This is not positional power. This is kingdom power that shows up in real life.

This is power that gives you more than a Sunday shout

—it gives you an everyday stand.

This power is a Kingdom Power

It is a Power to obey when it would be easier to quit.

it is a Power to speak when the world says stay silent.

It is a Power to love when hate seems justified.

It is a Power to forgive when the wound is still fresh.

It is a Power to endure when the pressure won’t let up.

It is a Power to discern when the path isn’t clear.

It is a Power to resist when temptation is knocking.

It is a Power to witness when fear says sit down and stay quiet.

This isn’t just emotional strength—it’s spiritual stamina.

It’s not hype—it’s help. It’s not noise—it’s necessary.

And this matters now more than ever.

Because we live in a generation that is trying to build movements without power,

Trying to preach without power, Trying to lead without power.

But You can have the calling,

the charisma,

and even the crowd—

But if you don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit,

You have NOTHING.

Because

You don’t just have power on Sundays.

You don’t just have access in the sanctuary.

You’ve got the Spirit of the living God walking with you, talking with you, strengthening you on the inside.

So when the calling feels heavier than your capacity—

When the warfare feels louder than your worship—

When the pressure rises and you don’t know how to press on…

You’ve still got power.

and I don’t know whos in here this morning, But there’s someone in here who can testify thata the only reason that I made it is because I have the POWER OF THE LORD on the inside of me (PREACH)

PRESENCE AND POWER PREACH.

NOT ONLY DOES HE GIVE A PROMISE OF PRESENCE AND POWER But

he gives

2. A Promise of Purpose (v. 8b)

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus continues, not just with a promise of presence, but with a promise of purpose.

Jesus says “You shall be witnesses unto Me…”

That word witnesses comes Literally means someone who is willing to stand for what they saw,

and speak up about what they know—even if it costs them something.

To be a witness is to testify with your life.

It means: I can’t keep this to myself.

It means: I didn’t just hear about Jesus—I encountered Him.

I walked with Him. I watched Him die. I saw Him rise.

And now I can’t sit on the sidelines and be silent.

Jesus doesn’t call them to be celebrities. He doesn’t call them to be influencers. He calls them to be witnesses.

Because Jesus understood that their identity is tied to His reality.

They are not just telling their story—they are telling a story of a man, Who came from heaven to earth

to show the way

From the earth to the cross,

our debt he paid. from the cross to the Grave, and the grave to the sky..... THEY ARE WITNESSES OF A STORY

Notice Jesus says: “witnesses unto Me.”

This is important because He doesn’t call them to just represent a cause—He calls them to represent a person.

Their mission is not to promote themselves.

Their goal is not to build their own brand.

Their purpose is to point people to Jesus.

And don’t miss the order—power comes before purpose.

Because God never sends you out empty handed.

Before He calls you to be a witness,

He fills you with what you need to testify.

and We live in a culture that’s obsessed with platforms and followers.

BUT JESUS IS LOOKING FOR A WITNESS.

A witness doesn’t have to be eloquent—they just have to be honest.

You don’t need a theology degree to testify—you just need a testimony.

To be a witness means:

I know what He brought me through.

I remember when He covered me.

I’m standing here as living proof that He’s real.

WHEN I WAS SICK HE HEALED ME

WHEN I WAS BROKE HE PROVIDED FOR ME

WHEN I WAS DOWN HE LIFTED ME

WHEN I WAS WEAK HE STRENGTHED ME

I WAS SINKING DEEP IN SIN, FAR FROM THE PEACEFUL SHORE.

VERY DEEPLY STAYED WITHIN SINKING TO RISE NO MORE. BUT THE MASTER,

This is purpose: to live a life that points to Christ. In your job.

In your family.

In your circle.

In your city. When you walk in rooms—your story ought to speak. When people ask how you made it—you don’t take the credit, you point to the cross.

BECASUSE OUR ULTIMATE PURPOSE IS TO BE WITNESSES OF THE STORY.

3. A Promise of Productivity (v. 8c)

“…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus doesn’t just give His disciples presence and purpose— He gives them a plan—a strategy for how the Gospel will spread.

He says: You will be My witnesses...

In Jerusalem — right where you are.

In Judea — to the familiar.

In Samaria — to the forgotten and the rejected.

And to the ends of the earth — to people you don’t even know yet.

This is a promise of productivity—

That what starts with a few scared disciples in a room, Will turn into a movement that reaches every corner of creation.

HE SAYS IT WILL REACH,

Jerusalem: The city where Jesus was crucified, and the city where the Spirit will first fall. It’s the place of pain and promise.

HE SAID IT WOULD REACH Judea: The surrounding region—familiar people, shared customs, nearby communities.

HE SAID IT WOULD REACH Samaria: The place of racial tension, cultural division, and religious difference. Jews avoided Samaritans—but Jesus includes them.

BUT THEN HE SAID

The ends of the earth: This is a global call. This is the Gospel without borders.

This is not just geographical—this is generational.

Jesus is laying out the blueprint for the entire book of Acts and the mission of the Church.

AND

You may feel like your life can’t reach beyond where you are.

But God has a way of taking ordinary people and doing extraordinary things.

This Gospel is not meant to be hoarded—it’s meant to be handed off.

It’s not meant to stay in your section—it’s meant to reach your school, your job, your family, your city, your world.

Jesus is saying, “Start where you are—but don’t stop there.”

in other words it means there’s no limit to how far your testimony can travel.

It means the Spirit didn’t just fall on you—He wants to work through you.

It means the Kingdom is bigger than your zip code, your comfort zone, or your circle.

You may start in your Jerusalem—right now, but

But God’s going to expand your territory.

You’re going from your house to your region…

From your city to the country …

From your church to your convention .

and I don’t know about you,

But The reason I can preach this Gospel today… The reason you’re sitting here saved, redeemed, and filled with purpose…

Is because they didn’t stop in Jerusalem.

They preached it in Samaria.

Paul took it through Asia.

Philip shared it with an Ethiopian.

Peter opened the door to Cornelius.

And eventually… it made its way to you and me.

It crossed deserts with disciples.

It sailed seas with missionaries.

It survived persecution in Rome.

It thrived underground in the catacombs.

It rang from pulpits and prison cells alike.

It echoed through cathedrals and cabins.

It was whispered in hiding and shouted in revival.

It was written on scrolls and carried in hearts.

It lit up dark ages and fueled great awakenings.

It marched with freedom fighters and knelt with intercessors.

It was sung in slave fields and preached in storefront churches.

Because it didn’t stay in jerusalem

.

It crossed oceans on ships and flew across skies in planes.

It was banned, but it never broke.

It was buried, but it always rose.

And now… it’s in your hands.

Now… it’s on your lips.

Now… it’s your turn.

and I have one question,

Can I GET A WITNESS? I have a few questions for you has the lord been good?

has the Lord made a way? has the Lord brought you out?