Empowered for the Mission

“Empowered for the Mission”

Text: Acts 1:1–11

Acts 1:1–11 CSB

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

Series: From Resurrection to Revival

The early Church didn’t begin with strategy—it began with surrender. The believers didn’t move out until the Spirit moved in. In this opening chapter of Acts, Jesus doesn’t give the Church a blueprint—He gives them a promise, a power, and a purpose.

You cannot fulfill a divine mission without divine power.

I. The Foundation of the Mission – The Work of Christ (vv. 1–3)

“I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up...” (v. 1–2a)

A. Christ’s Ministry Was Just the Beginning

Luke opens Acts by referencing his “first book,” the Gospel of Luke, where he recorded what Jesus began to do and teach.

That word “began” is key—it implies that Jesus’ ministry didn’t end with the resurrection or ascension.

Though His bodily presence would leave, His work would continue—through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Explanation:

Jesus was not done working. He simply changed how He worked. Instead of ministering with the disciples, He would now minister through them. The book of Acts isn’t the story of what the apostles did alone—it’s the story of what Jesus continued to do through His Spirit-filled Church.

Supporting Verse:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20 (CSB)

He did not abandon the Church—He empowered it.

Application:

Sometimes we act like Jesus is no longer involved in His Church. We say, “We need a fresh move of God,” when the truth is—Jesus is still moving. The question is not “Is Jesus working?” but “Are we available for Him to work through us?”

B. Christ’s Resurrection Validated the Mission

“After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs…” (v. 3)

Jesus appeared over 40 days, not once or twice, but repeatedly. He ate with them, taught them, and allowed them to touch His wounds.

His appearances were not hallucinations or myths. Luke, as a physician and historian, uses the term “many convincing proofs”—empirical, undeniable evidence.

Explanation:

Jesus didn’t expect blind faith. He provided visible confirmation of His resurrection. This gave the apostles boldness because they weren’t preaching theory—they were testifying to truth.

Supporting Verse:

“He was seen by over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time…” — 1 Corinthians 15:6 (CSB)

Application:

We preach a historical faith, not a hypothetical one. The resurrection is not a symbol—it’s a fact. That truth should give us confidence to proclaim Christ, even in a culture of skepticism.

II. The Fuel for the Mission – The Power of the Spirit (vv. 4–8)

“While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise...” (v. 4)

A. The Command to Wait (vv. 4–5)

Jesus told the disciples to wait—not preach, not travel, not organize—just wait.

Why? Because doing God's work requires God's power.

Jesus promised a baptism with the Holy Spirit. This was a complete immersion into the life and power of God.

Explanation:

The term “baptize” means to immerse, to saturate. Jesus was saying, “You will be completely immersed in the presence and power of the Spirit of God.” This was not about excitement or emotion—it was about equipping.

Supporting Verse:

“Remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” — Luke 24:49 (CSB)

Application:

Many churches today run ahead of the Spirit. We plan, build, sing, preach—but sometimes without His power. Before we move, we must learn to wait. Powerless ministry is a result of prayerless preparation.

B. The Correction of Their Focus (vv. 6–7)

“Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” (v. 6)

The disciples were still thinking in national, political terms. They wanted to know when Jesus would overthrow Rome and bring back Israel’s kingdom.

Jesus redirected their question: “It’s not for you to know the times or periods…”

Explanation:

Their focus was horizontal—on earthly power, earthly comfort, earthly kingdoms. Jesus elevated their gaze to a spiritual Kingdom that was advancing through the gospel, not through force.

Supporting Verse:

“My kingdom is not of this world.” — John 18:36 (CSB)

Application:

When the Church becomes obsessed with political timelines instead of gospel missions, we drift. Jesus didn’t call us to predict His return—He called us to prepare people for His return.

C. The Commission to Witness (v. 8)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses…”

Explanation:

Jesus gives a clear pattern:

Receive the Spirit’s power

Be a witness of Jesus

Start local and move global

The word “witness” is the Greek martus—which would later come to mean “martyr.” To witness meant more than speaking—it meant surrendering your life to testify to Christ, even unto death.

Three Geographic Expansions:

Jerusalem – home base; the place of comfort.

Judea & Samaria – regional outreach, including enemies and outcasts.

Ends of the earth – every tribe, tongue, and nation.

📖 Supporting Verses:

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19 (CSB)“How can they hear without a preacher?” — Romans 10:14 (CSB)

“How can they hear without a preacher?” — Romans 10:14 (CSB)

Application:

This is not a call just for pastors or missionaries—it’s for every believer. We are filled to be spilled. The Spirit does not empower us to sit on pews but to stand as witnesses. Ask yourself: Who is my Jerusalem? My Samaria?

III. The Focus of the Mission – The Return of Christ (vv. 9–11)

“This same Jesus... will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” (v. 11)

A. The Ascension Reminds Us Jesus Reigns

Jesus was lifted up and received into heaven—not as an escape, but as an enthronement.

He didn’t leave us abandoned; He left us commissioned. And He is now seated at the Father’s right hand, ruling over all things.

Explanation:

The ascension is often neglected, but it’s vital. Jesus isn’t inactive—He is interceding. He is not retired—He is reigning.

Supporting Verse:

“He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” — Hebrews 1:3 (CSB)

Application:

We don’t serve a distant Savior—we serve a reigning Lord. His position in heaven means we have access, authority, and assurance.

B. The Promise of His Return Fuels Our Urgency

“Why do you stand looking up into heaven?” – the angels’ question

The disciples stood frozen, looking into the sky. The angels remind them: He’s coming again—so get to work.

Jesus didn’t give them a date—He gave them a duty.

Explanation:

The early Church lived with urgency because they believed Jesus could return at any moment. That belief produced boldness, sacrifice, and evangelism.

Supporting Verse:

“Be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42 (CSB)

Application:

We get distracted. We start watching signs instead of making disciples. Christ’s return isn’t meant to make us anxious—but active. Live like Jesus could come today. Work like there’s still much to be done.

Conclusion:

The first chapter of Acts shows us three foundational truths:

Jesus is still working through His Church

The Holy Spirit empowers us for that mission

The return of Christ motivates us to stay focused

We don’t need more methods—we need more Spirit-filled men and women who will say, “Here am I, Lord, send me.”

Final Questions:

Are you living in the power of the Spirit, or just in your own strength?Are you focused on the mission, or distracted by earthly concerns?If Jesus came today, would He find you waiting or witnessing?

Closing Prayer:

“Father, we thank You for the risen Christ, for the indwelling Spirit, and for the commission You've placed on our lives. Stir in us a fire to witness, a passion to pray, and a boldness to go. May Union Baptist Church be a church empowered for the mission, not content to sit still while the world perishes. In Jesus' name, amen.”