Sent with the Spirit

Acts 1:1-11

When people find out I am a Pastor of Rooted Church, one of the first questions that frequently ask is “How old is the church?”

And to be honest, that question can be a bit complicated.

Rooted was started in 2017, which makes us 8 years old. But technically when we were planted we were legally part of Rooted NWA which was two years older, so maybe we’re 10?

But then again, we merged in 2023, and really became a new church in many ways, so we could say we’re 2. However, we merged with a church that began in 1882, so legally speaking we’re 143 years old.

So when we celebrated our three anniversaries last month, I very simply said we’re 8, 2 and 143 years old.

But reading Acts 1 this week, I thought, perhaps the simpler answer, is that we’re about two thousand years old.

Because, that’s the point of the book of Acts. In this book written by Luke, we see the beginning of THE church, the beginning of our own history:

Acts 1:1–2 ESV

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.

Luke is the author of both The Gospel According to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. Together, these two books tell one continuous story — the story of all that Jesus began to do and teach, and how His work continued through the church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke tells us in the opening of his Gospel why he wrote these accounts. He wanted a man named Theophilus to know with confidence that what he had heard about Jesus was true.

In Luke 1:3–4, he writes:

Luke 1:3–4 ESV

it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Theophilus was likely a Roman official, because Luke calls him “most excellent,” a title he also uses for men like Felix and Festus, governors of Judea. He had heard something of Jesus and the early church, but his understanding was still uncertain. Luke’s goal was to help him see clearly: to show that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were true, and that His mission continued to unfold through the Spirit-empowered church.

To understand the book of Acts, we have to embrace one critical word in the first verse of acts...the word, “began”!

Luke is telling Theopilus, that the work Christ came to do, the works recored in the gospel of Luke…were only the start!

Jesus paid for our sin fully and completely, He defeated sin and death, that work is finished. But, the process of drawing His people into that saving work, was just beginning.

And Jesus Himself, couldn’t have been clearer about this:

Acts 1:3 ESV

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.

So first, Luke wants to remind Theophilus of the obvious…Jesus truly rose from the dead. Luke is a doctor, he’s no fool, he has devoted his life to sharing the message of Jesus because he knows for fact that Jesus is who He said He was.

Jesus, after His crucifixion, “presented Himself alive” to His disciples through “many proofs.” This verse is the bridge between the gospel story and the birth of the church, and Luke grounds it not in legend, but in eyewitness testimony and verifiable history.

The phrase “many proofs” (Greek: tekmeriois pollois) refers to convincing evidences — tangible demonstrations that Jesus was truly, physically alive. Luke is essentially saying, “This isn’t wishful thinking. This is established fact.”

Historically, we can trace these proofs through multiple lines of evidence.

The Gospels and early letters of Paul — written within decades of the events — record numerous post-resurrection appearances: to Mary Magdalene, to Peter, to James, to the Twelve, and to over five hundred people at once as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:6.

1 Corinthians 15:6 ESV

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Notice Paul tells the church in Corinth, that at the time of his writing, most of the witnesses to Jesus being alive post crucifixion and burial, are still alive!

These witnesses didn’t just see a vision; they talked with Jesus, ate with Him, and touched His resurrected body.

Even hostile sources from the first century, such as Tacitus and Josephus, acknowledge that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate and that His followers claimed He rose from the dead and spread that message at great personal cost.

The rapid rise of the church in Jerusalem — the very city where Jesus was killed and buried — adds further weight to Luke’s claim. It’s hard to imagine the disciples proclaiming an empty tomb in the one place that could have easily disproved them if Jesus’ body were still there…especially considering the fact, that this claim would cost many of them their lives!

So when Luke writes that Jesus “appeared to them over forty days,” he isn’t describing a mystical experience but a sustained, historical reality.

Jesus didn’t just rise and vanish — He remained long enough to teach, reassure, and prepare His followers for the mission ahead.

In short, Acts 1:3 reminds us that the Christian faith stands on a firm foundation — not on vague spirituality, but on verifiable history. Our hope is not built on a story we wish were true, but on a Savior who really conquered death and appeared to His people with “many proofs.”

Acts 1:4–5 ESV

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had told His disciples that while John only baptized with water, they would one day be baptized with the Holy Spirit. At the time, those words must have sounded mysterious and even confusing. They knew the baptism of John — a baptism of repentance, preparing hearts for the coming Messiah. But this new kind of baptism, this immersion in the very presence and power of God, was beyond their understanding.

Now, after the resurrection, the picture begins to come into focus. The risen Jesus gathers His disciples and tells them not to rush off into mission, but to wait — to stay in Jerusalem until the Father fulfills that promise.

What a powerful instruction: wait before you go. In a moment when excitement and urgency must have filled the air, Jesus calls for patience and dependence. He is reminding them that the work of God can only be done by the power of God.

This promise of the Spirit was not something new; it was the continuation of God’s redemptive plan.

For the prophets had spoken of a day when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, Joel 2:28 says:

Joel 2:28 ESV

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

And in Ezekiel 36:26–27 God said:

Ezekiel 36:26–27 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Jesus is saying, That day is near. The Holy Spirit, who had empowered prophets and kings in limited measure, would soon fill every believer — marking a new era in God’s relationship with His people.

So as the disciples stood in that moment between promise and fulfillment, Jesus was teaching them something vital: the mission of the church doesn’t begin with activity, but with abiding.

It doesn’t start with movement, but with waiting on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 1:4–5, we see both the tenderness and the authority of Jesus. He is preparing His followers for His physical departure, yet promising them a deeper presence — the indwelling Spirit who would not just walk beside them, but live within them. The baptism of the Spirit would be the defining mark of this new covenant family — the very power that would carry the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Rooted Church, what was true for the apostles is just as true for us today.

The apostles were given a unique calling — they were eyewitnesses of the risen Christ and chosen to lay the foundation of the church. But the mission Jesus gave them was never meant to stop with them. The command to wait on the Spirit, to live empowered by His presence, and to bear witness to the ends of the earth is a mission that has been handed down to every generation of believers — including us.

So as we turn now to Acts 1:6–11, we see how Jesus moves His followers from waiting to witnessing. 

In these verses, He clarifies their mission, corrects their expectations, and commissions them to carry His gospel to the world.

Acts 1:6–11 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

For the remainder of this sermon, I want to consider the implications of these texts for:

The Church Today: Acts 1:6–11

First, we would do well to notice how the disciples reacted to the majesty of Jesus. Both while watching Him perform miracles pre-resurrection, and now, watching Him prepare to ascend to the Father, their vision of His kingdom was still too small. They were still thinking in terms of what they could see and understand, rather than the vastness of what Jesus was about to do. But once again, Jesus graciously redirects their perspective and reminds them — and us:

1. Don’t Get Distracted by the Wrong Kingdom

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

The disciples wanted to know when Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Their question reveals that they were still thinking politically and nationally — but Jesus was focused spiritually and globally. This misunderstanding had been a recurring struggle for them from the very beginning.

God had indeed promised future blessings for Israel. He told Abraham that through his offspring, He would make a great nation and bring blessing to all the families of the earth (his grandson Jacob would even be named “Israel”). The disciples knew those promises well, but they expected their fulfillment to look like power, territory, and national restoration. They longed for the day when Israel would rise again — free from Rome, ruled by the Messiah, and restored to worldly greatness.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see this tension play out. The disciples often argued about who would sit at His right hand, assuming Jesus would soon establish an earthly throne. Even the crowds shared this same narrow vision. After Jesus fed the five thousand, John 6:15 says:

John 6:15 ESV

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

The people tried to take Him by force and make Him king. They wanted Him to fit their expectations — a political savior who would change their circumstances, but not necessarily their hearts.

But Jesus came to bring a kingdom far greater than the one they imagined — a kingdom not defined by borders or armies, but by transformed hearts and renewed lives. His mission wasn’t to restore one nation’s power, but to redeem all nations through the power of His Spirit.

This misunderstanding of Christ’s work, is still very relevant for us today. For as much good as the Puritans did, and for as much as I appreciate so much of their courage and early writings, many Puritans came to the United States believing that God had called them to create a new Israel, and some still believe that today.

But when God made His promises to Israel, He wasn’t forming a political nation — He was forming a people for Himself.

Originally, “Israel” referred to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the twelve tribes who became the nation of Israel. God chose them, not because they were powerful or numerous, but to display His grace and reveal His character to the world. Through Israel, He promised to bring blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:2–3).

But as the story unfolds, we see that being part of “Israel” was never just about ethnicity — it was about faith. Not all who were descended from Israel truly belonged to Israel (Romans 9:6).

True “Israel” has always been those who trust in the promises of God and live under His covenant.

That’s why, in the New Testament, the meaning of “Israel” expands in light of Christ. Jesus is the true and faithful Israelite — the One who perfectly fulfills everything Israel was meant to be. And through Him, God redefines His people, not by birthright, but by new birth in the Spirit.

Paul says in Galatians 3:29, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

So when we talk about the promises of God to Israel, we’re talking about promises that find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus — and through Him, extend to everyone who believes.

The church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, is now part of that covenant family — the true “Israel of God.”

Galatians 6:16 ESV

And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

In other words:

God’s promises to Israel were never meant to end with Israel.

They were meant to flow through Israel — through Christ — to bless the world.

Like the disciples, all of us have a tendency to fixate on when God will fix our circumstances, rather than how He wants to use us in them.

Just as God used Israel to reveal His plan and bless the nations, He now calls us — His church — to continue that mission. We are part of His covenant family through faith in Jesus, and the blessings of His promises aren’t just for us to enjoy — they are meant to flow out to the world.

Being on mission today means we aren’t just sitting on our hands waiting for Christ to do His thing; we act as His instruments. We love our neighbors, share the gospel, serve our community, and point people to Jesus — the true fulfillment of God’s promises. Every conversation, every act of service, and every moment we live as His people becomes part of God’s ongoing story of redemption.

In other words: the mission of God is still happening, and we are to be His hands and feet. We carry the blessing of the gospel into the places we live, work, and gather — showing others the same hope and life that Jesus has given us.

But to do this, we must:

2. Live Empowered by the Spirit, Not Dependent on Self

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

This is important, because Jesus tell the disciples to wait, but to wait on the right thing.

The disciples thought they were waiting for Jesus to return, to take His seat on the Kings throne…but Jesus says, “don’t wait on that, that’s not your concern, and it’s way above your pay grade.” But instead, wait on the fulfillment of the promise I made to you, wait on the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon you.

Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to go and figure it out — He told them to wait until they received power. 

The church’s mission is impossible apart from the Spirit’s presence. We can have programs, plans, and strategies, but without the Spirit’s power, we are just busy — not fruitful.

And busyness is a counterfeit significance.

We live in a world that tells us that being busy equals being important, that our value is measured by how others perceive us. But God sees differently. In Matthew 6:6 and 6:18, Jesus reminds us: “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” What we do in secret, in quiet obedience to Him, matters far more than what we post online or what garners the applause of the world.

History and Scripture show us the danger of seeking significance in the wrong place. The people of Jerusalem abandoned the Sabbath, focused more on appearances and performance than on what truly mattered. Daniel 4 tells of Nebuchadnezzar, whose kingdom grew tall and strong — reaching the clouds so the world could marvel. Yet it was fleeting, temporary, and hollow.

Jesus exposes the emptiness of these counterfeit kingdoms. In Matthew 13:32, He says: 

Matthew 13:31–32 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Jesus is using the language of Babylon to show His disciples that true power and growth are not measured by size, visibility, or worldly acclaim. The kingdom of God grows quietly, from small seeds into life-giving trees, producing eternal fruit.

Today, we have everything we could imagine. We can be entertained every waking moment, order anything we want with a click, and optimize our bodies with endless resources. And all of it is available at the expense of our souls. The enemy encourages this busyness and distraction gladly — as long as our hearts are dry, thirsting for significance in everything except Christ, the only source of living water.

This is a constant point of tension for us:

I like to be entertained, I love a good TV Series.

I like to share the good things happening in my life and our church on social media.

I find it very convenient to order things on Amazon,

and I have bought into more than one health fad promoted by my favorite podcast…and I don’t think that any of that is inherently evil.

However, what is evil is when these good things become substitutes for God. When entertainment, convenience, or even healthy habits start to define our identity, shape our priorities, or fill the emptiness that only Christ can satisfy, they then become idols, cheap substitutes for true power. They promise satisfaction but leave our souls thirsty.

God calls us to something radically different: invest in the ways of His Kingdom first, not in temporary acclaim or comfort.

Abide in the Spirit, lean into His power, and allow Him to cultivate fruit that lasts. True significance — fruit that nourishes, blesses, and endures — only comes through Him.

And so, abiding in the Spirit isn’t about doing more — it’s about being fully present to God. It begins with stillness, surrendering our thoughts and agendas, and trusting His timing as we wait for His power to flow through us. It shows up in ordinary acts of prayer, service, and obedience, each becoming a channel for the Spirit’s life to move in and through us.

A heart aware of God’s presence produces lasting fruit that blesses others and honors Him. Walk in daily dependence on the Spirit, asking for His strength, wisdom, and courage, remembering that the same Spirit who empowered the apostles dwells in you today.

And because this is true, you can boldly:

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Mission, Not the Sky

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

As we close this morning, I want to leave you with a vision of this incredible scene, and the angelic words that gave meaning to it:

As Jesus ascended into the clouds, vanishing from their sight, the disciples stood there—mouths wide open, hearts pounding, eyes locked on the empty sky.

Who could blame them? They had walked dusty roads with the Messiah, witnessed miracles that shattered the ordinary, and now beheld the extraordinary: their Lord, lifted up in glory, leaving them behind.

It was a moment of holy awe.

But in that frozen moment, two angels appeared, radiant and resolute, their voices cutting through the awe like a trumpet's call:

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have watched him go."

Friends, that angelic rebuke was not just for them, but it serves as a divine wake-up call for every generation of the church.

Jesus is coming back, and ultimately, it will only be upon His return that all redeemed in this world. Just as only He can save, only He can restore all things.

For us today, this is a reminder that our hope is not passive.

Next month, we’ll begin preparing our hearts for Advent, a season when we embrace living as a people waiting upon Jesus. We are a people of waiting, but we don’t spend our days waiting in neutral.

Jesus says that we our to spend our days being led, and empowered by the Spirit, to plant seeds of eternal purpose.

The reality of His coming is intended not to make us passive, but to inspire you to live faithfully, share boldly, and serve joyfully right now.

For because of the gift of His Spirit in us, every act of love, every step of obedience, and every opportunity to point someone to Christ is empowered by God and anchored in the promise that He will return.

This promise is not an excuse to fill our life with daydreams and speculation — it is a spark to our souls, a call to action.

Jesus’ ascension didn’t end the story; it launched the next chapter, passing the baton to His followers to carry the mission forward. Empowered by the Spirit, the first disciples went out from Jerusalem to all the world, and the same Spirit now lives in and guides us.

This is not just history friends— it’s for us today.

Our hope in Christ’s return should shape the way we live, here and now. Look up, yes — but then look around: to the coworker weighed down by doubt, the neighbor isolated and lonely, the stranger carrying pain no one sees. Live faithfully, share boldly, and serve joyfully.

Abide in the Spirit,

Let Jesus heal your wounds,

And Go!

Let’s Pray.