The Ascension: A Call to Witness - Week 4

Countdown Video

Thank you for joining Faith Vision Christian Ministries

Where We Walk by faith! Not by Sight

Faith Vision is a Christian church, based on the Word of God.

We are a training ground for all things Jesus Christ.

loving God, Loving People living by faith

Thank you for joining us today,

Please set everything aside as we come to God in Prayer this morning under the anointing and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Faith Vision Family Please welcome each other online

Faith Vision Christian Ministries Announcements

Blessings and Thank you to those who are helping us stay current with Faith Vision’s Monthly Financial Obligations

Faith Vision is using donations for St Jude Children’s Hospital

2 Corinthians 9:7–8 (NKJV)

7. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

If you would like to Make a Tax deductible donation to the ministry: mail it to the Church address. (All donations go to Faith Vision Christian Ministries)

Please mail it to: 10950 Arrow Route, #3662 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729

Faith Vision’s Zelle acount is: [e-mail]

Please remember, when giving by Zelle, the church account is under our email, not the phone#

“A New” Complimentary “Faith Vision Daily Devotional” Printed copy is available

For the Cell-phone app, a link is available on our Faith Vision Facebook Page. This is one of the best ways to read and hear God's word each day.

Please “Follow” & “like” our Church page and leave Questions and comments

Faith Vision Christian Ministries is available on Facebook and YouTube.

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel YouTube/@ DocDewberryLIVE

If you have a prayer request, or need to talk to someone confidentially, The Pastor is available

You can message the Pastor at [e-mail]

At the end of the teaching we will be taking prayer requests be taking prayer requests

Add to your calendars*

Please join us each Thursday night at 7:00 pm. conference phone number. # [phone] access code 896791

Happy May Birthdays

(pause)

Brandon - 1

Pastor Kermit - 2

Ariyah -2

Olivia - 7

Adriana - 10

Joyce - 10

Cella Mae - 18

Elijah - 22

Camille 24

Gwuana - 28

pEppER: Let’s sing “Happy Birthday Everyone”

Scripture Reading by Lady Pepper

Thank you Lady Pepper for the announcements and the reading of God’s Word.

Welcome! to everyone especially those who are joining us for the first time.

My name is Pastor Doc, and I will be sharing the Word of God with you today.

Have your Bibles Ready and take notes

After Easter: A Journey to Pentecost

Video: Sermon Bumper - Restored and Commissioned

Title of the Series is

After Easter: A Journey to Pentecost

Title of the Message is

The Ascension: A Call to Witness

Big Idea:

The ascension of Jesus is not the end of His work but the beginning of the Church’s mission.

As Jesus takes His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, He entrusts His followers with the task of being His witnesses to the ends of the earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

This moment is a call to action—we are to step forward in faith, carrying the message of Christ to the world with the confidence that He reigns and will one day return.

Key Takeaway:

Though Jesus ascended, His mission continues through us, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, we thank You that You have not left us alone, but You have given us the Holy Spirit to empower us for the mission You have entrusted to us.

Help us to be faithful witnesses, sharing Your love and truth with boldness.

May we not stand idly by, but step forward in obedience, knowing that You reign and will one day return.

Strengthen us to be Your hands and feet in the world.”

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself at the end of something truly incredible and wondered, What now?

Maybe it was after finishing a big project at work, graduating from school, or even saying goodbye to a loved one.

There’s a strange tension between the sense of accomplishment and the uncertainty of what comes next.

The disciples must have felt something similar after witnessing the resurrection of Jesus.

Their leader, their friend—the One they had followed for years—had conquered death itself.

It was a victory beyond human comprehension.

Yet, as they stood in His presence, listening to His final words, they must have wondered: What now?

Last week, we saw Jesus give His disciples the Great Commission—a charge to go and make disciples of all nations.

It was a grand vision, but how could they possibly accomplish such an enormous task?

They were just ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and everyday folks with limited influence and power.

How could this small, seemingly insignificant group carry the hope of the world to every corner of the earth?

And then, just when they thought they might get some more clarity or guidance, Jesus did something entirely unexpected:

He ascended into heaven, leaving them standing there, staring at the sky.

It must have felt like the end—like they were being left to figure it all out on their own.

But what they didn’t realize was that this wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of something greater.

The ascension of Jesus is a call to action.

It’s a powerful reminder that the mission didn’t end when Jesus returned to the Father.

In fact, it was just getting started.

Jesus’ departure marked the beginning of the Church’s mission to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The disciples were not left alone—they were entrusted, equipped, and empowered to continue His work.

Today, as we look at the story of the ascension, we’ll see how Jesus’ return to the Father wasn’t a goodbye—

it was a handoff. -A handoff in football is . The quarterback places the ball into the runner's "belly" or "bread basket" behind the line of scrimmage, allowing the offense to gain yards safely. [1

Jesus handoff was a call to take up the mission and move forward in faith.

Main Teaching

Read Acts 1:1-11

Let's began breaking down these 11 verses so that we can better understand what the word of God is saying to us this morning.

Acts 1:6-11

Jesus’ Ascension Confirms His Authority

(Acts 1:1-3)

As the disciples stood there, watching Jesus ascend into the clouds, it must have felt surreal.

Just days earlier, He had risen from the dead, proving that not even death could defeat Him.

And now, as He rose into the heavens, it might have seemed like the story was coming to an unexpected and abrupt end.

But what they couldn’t yet understand, was that this moment wasn’t about an ending—it was about a beginning.

The ascension is not a retreat or an abandonment.

It’s a further declaration of authority.

Jesus didn’t disappear into the sky as some distant, uninvolved figure.

Instead, He took His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, as the victorious and reigning King.

This was not a moment of loss but a moment of coronation.

Luke, the author of Acts, begins this passage by reminding us that Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God.

It wasn’t wasted time or idle conversation—it was intentional preparation.

Jesus wanted His followers to understand the magnitude of what had happened and what was about to happen.

Acts 1:3 tells us:

"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."

Jesus didn’t just appear once or twice—He spent forty days proving His victory and teaching about the Kingdom. Why?

Because He wanted them to know that the mission wasn’t over.

In fact, it was just getting started.

The Kingdom of God wasn’t something that ended with His ascension—it was something that would spread through His followers as they took up the mission He entrusted to them.

This is the mission we discussed last week, the Great Commission.

The ascension marks the moment when Jesus, having conquered death, assumes His position as the reigning King.

As Hebrews 1:3 tells us:

"After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

This was an enthronement.

As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:20-22,

God "raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion."

As we carry out His mission, we do so with the full backing of the King of Kings.

His authority is the foundation of our mission.

It’s what gives us confidence to step out in faith, knowing that we are not just representing a good cause—we are representing the King…

And if that weren’t already enough, Jesus also leaves us the Holy Spirit - to lead, guide, empower, and convict us along the journey.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

(Acts 1:4-5, 8)

As the disciples stood there, still trying to make sense of all that had happened, Jesus gave them a simple but crucial instruction: Wait.

"And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father." (Acts 1:4)

Imagine how hard that must have been.

After everything they had witnessed—the resurrection, the teachings, the miraculous moments—they were probably eager to go out and do something.

To take action.

To make a difference.

But instead, Jesus tells them to wait.

Why wait?

Because the mission they were being called to was far too great to be accomplished in their own strength.

They were being commissioned to carry the message of salvation to the ends of the earth—an unimaginable task for a small, unremarkable group of disciples.

Jesus knew that before they could move forward, they needed something more.

They needed power beyond themselves.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)

The disciples needed to understand that they were not being sent out as mere messengers—they were being sent as empowered witnesses.

Jesus was not asking them to manufacture their own strength or muster up their own courage.

Instead, He was giving them the very presence of God to dwell within them.

The Holy Spirit is not just a helper—He is the Spirit of the Living God, equipping us for the mission ahead.

He empowers us to speak truth, to love boldly, and to live lives that reflect the grace of Christ.

This power is the divine enablement to carry out God’s work in the world.

And notice how Jesus ties this power to the mission: "You will be my witnesses."

The Spirit doesn’t just give power for the sake of power—He empowers us for a purpose.

The purpose is to proclaim the good news, to make known the love of Christ, and to be living testimonies of His transforming grace.

We, too, are called to be witnesses, but not in our own strength.

The challenges we face, the conversations we have, the people we love—they all require supernatural empowerment.

We are not left to figure it out alone; the Spirit of God equips us, guides us, and fills us with the courage we need to move forward.

So, as we take on the mission before us, let us remember that our power does not come from within—it comes from the One who reigns on high and has given us His Spirit.

We move forward not in fear but in confidence, knowing that the Spirit of God is with us, empowering us to make Jesus known… to the ends of the Earth.

A Mission That Expands to the Ends of the Earth

(Acts 1:8-9)

As Jesus prepares to ascend, He gives them a clear and compelling strategy for the mission ahead.

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Notice how Jesus outlines the expanding nature of the mission:

● Jerusalem –

Their immediate community.

This was where they were most comfortable, surrounded by people who spoke the same language and shared the same culture.

The mission would begin right there—among those they already knew.

● Judea and Samaria –

Their broader region, including places and people that might have made them uncomfortable or challenged their preconceived notions.

Samaria, especially, represented a cultural and religious divide that the disciples would have to overcome. example: Women at the well

● The Ends of the Earth –

The global call to reach all nations, every tribe and tongue. example: Faith Vision reaching the 10/40 window

It would take them beyond their familiar surroundings, past their borders and comfort zones, to places they could not yet imagine.

The mission is ever-expanding.

It starts where they are but does not stay there.

It grows, stretches, and moves outward—carrying the good news to every corner of the globe.

Pastor -

Our church, Faith Vision Christian Ministries is a training ground for all things Jesus Christ.

We are in touch with pastors in India, Africa, Sudan, Bangladesh, Eric Yip in Singapore, China, and many more.

We are teaching people that hear our message, to go into all nations and preach the gospel.

Faith Vision has sent “The Word For You Today” Devotionals, here in the United States and abroad.

As a Pastor/Teacher, I’m sharing the gospel in the prisons, in Churches, and Christian Schools, and Streaming all over the world.

This pattern is not just for the disciples; it’s for us as well.

We, too, are called to begin where we are—in our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, and our workplaces.

But we can’t let it stop there.

The gospel is not a private possession to be hoarded or confined to our immediate circles.

It’s a transformative truth that demands to be shared, breaking through barriers of culture, language, and geography.

Sometimes we can get stuck in comfortable Christianity, content to share our faith within familiar settings.

But Jesus’ commission challenges us to move beyond comfort and into places that might seem uncertain or even uncomfortable.

Whether it’s crossing the street to meet a neighbor, crossing the room to talk to someone new, or crossing borders to share the gospel with those in other cultures, the mission requires boldness, courage, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

And notice how this mission begins—not with programs or plans, but with people.

Jesus doesn’t commission an institution; He commissions individuals to be witnesses—those who testify to what they have seen, heard, and experienced.

We are called to bear witness to the love of Christ wherever we go, knowing that His Spirit goes before us and empowers us to make His name known.

As we consider our part in this mission, let us ask ourselves:

● Where is my Jerusalem?

Who are the people right around me that need to hear the good news?

● Where is my Judea and Samaria?

What uncomfortable places or unexpected people might God be calling me to reach?

● What does the ends of the earth look like for me?

How can I support global missions, whether by going, giving, or praying? example: Faith Vision use to give to children ministries, and missions where they needed help.

We are now down to only one, St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Faith Vision Christian Ministries is thankful for the handful of monthly givers.

For those of you that are unable to give monthly please pray that God sent people to the ministry that will help us with our monthly expenses

Jesus has called us to go, and as we go, we go with the confidence that He reigns, He empowers, and He is with us every step of the way.

Thank you for those of you that realize - The mission is the heartbeat of the Church.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Stand There

(Acts 1:10-11)

After Jesus ascends, the disciples stand gazing into heaven, likely overwhelmed by what just happened.

Then two angels appear and say:

"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." (Acts 1:11)

The message is clear: Don’t just stand there—go and do what He commanded!

It’s a reminder to us as well.

The ascension is not the end of the story.

Jesus is coming back, and until then, we have work to do.

We are called to live with urgency, sharing the gospel and being faithful witnesses of Christ.

The question is: Are we standing around, or are we stepping into the mission?

Let’s be a people who live boldly, knowing that Jesus reigns, His Spirit empowers, and His mission continues through us.

Let’s pray together.

Salvation:

The Word of God says in: John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you’d would like to receive Jesus today, please pray this prayer with all of us:

Lord I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died On the cross for my sins and His resurrection from the dead gives me eternal life. I ask forgiveness of my sins, and I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Pastor [e-mail]

Church Office: 909-922-8090

And I will send you a Bible & a Free Book on how to begin your first 21 steps with Jesus (show the book)

***Leave slide up until Pepper gets in position***

Communion

I want to take a few moments to give you the opportunity to ask forgiveness of any sin in your life.

Let us pray over the elements (Cross Exposed) in the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Ghost

Read first Corinthians 11:23- 26 - (Taking the elements together)

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;

24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (take bread)

25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Take Cup)

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Song: The Blood

Pepper Praise Reports

1. Dr. says kidneys are stable

Share your Praise Reports!

Prayer Requests - (Pepper Read)

Davena - Funeral / Pray for family

Delia & Tony - Health Issues

Kiandra - Back pain after operation

Patty and her family - Health

Let us Pray (P/P)

Praying for the 10-40 Window

The "10/40 Window" refers to an area stretching from North Africa through the Middle East to East Asia.

Pray for the United StatesI

!!!!!!!!Relocate Logos to original location for Pepper !!!!!!!!

This is Pastor Doc & Lady Pepper with:

Faith Vision Christian Ministries

Pepper Please Continue Reading

See you next Sunday @ 10:55 on Facebook Live!!

Those of you watching on YouTube,

don’t forget to subscribe!

youtube.com/@ DocDewberrylive

Prayer Line - Thursday night at 7:00 pm. conference phone number. # [phone] access code 896791

Pastor: please continue reading

Benediction Scripture

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Faith Vision Christian Ministries, God Willing, will be back next week May 10, 2026, same time, same station.

Have a Great Week! Goodbye!

This is Pastor Doc and Lady Pepper signing off until next time we meet. Blessings to you all!