A Missional Foundation

A Series on Acts

Bible Passage: Acts 1:1–8

Application: This sermon can motivate Christians to actively participate in the Great Commission, reinforcing their identity as witnesses. It encourages believers to look beyond their limitations and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill their divine purpose, particularly in today’s challenging world.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader context of Scripture, Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise, whose resurrection confirms the truth of His message and equips His followers with the Holy Spirit to continue the work He began.

Introduction

Though the writer of Acts is formally anonymous, ancient church tradition attributes it to Luke, the physician and travel companion of Paul.

This book unveils the nature and work of the Apostles ministry in establishing the early church. It, of course is relevant to know that none of these things are accomplished without the explicit working of the Holy Spirit.

1. Reality of Resurrection

Acts 1:1-3

Notably, Luke begins this book by describing it as a continuation of what he previously recorded in his gospel account.

These included all that Jesus taught and did. Healings, teachings, and wonders He performed.

His passion, death, and resurrection.

Importantly, these are the foundational tenets (orders through the Holy Spirit included) that are the basis for the ministry of the apostles.

Fundamentally, because Jesus appeared to the disciples in “many convincing proofs,” the reality of this resurrection will propel them into the apostleship they are called to.

A secondary point to note is that Christ predicted His death and resurrection six separate times throughout the gospel, at least, He still manifested Himself in ways that so utterly convincing it could not be denied.

Grace upon grace to us even as we choose to deny that which stares us in the face. (Jesus does rebuke the disciples, but doesn’t abandon them in their disbelief)

2. Promise of Power

Acts 1:4-5

As Jesus is still among the disciples, He issues a command unto them “stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Father’s promise”

Reasonably, we can believe that they did not completely understand the purpose of this waiting, yet Christ knew. Jesus was intentional, purposeful, and prophetic in this command to the disciples.

Isaiah 2:3 “and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Applying expectantly waiting.

Waiting patiently is a discipline that we must learn to handle as christians. While we may understand a great deal of many things, what we can be guaranteed of, is that we know not what tomorrow holds.

We must arrive to the point in our lives where we wait upon the Father’s leadership. He sees the entire picture from beginning to end, we only see in part.

This baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the outpouring that shall take place at pentecost. (vs.5)

3. Purposeful Witness

Acts 1:6-8

The disciples wonder what is to be expected. Jesus is speaking of expectantly waiting for something to come.

They specifically ask if the “kingdom of Israel” is to be restored? Is that what Jesus is speaking of?

From here, Jesus shifts their focus from Israel to the entire world.

As Jesus delivers this commission, the preceding verses begin to take shape and meaning. The foundational tenet of these witnesses is the life, teachings, works, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is this tenet that propels and fuels the mission to come, which won’t occur unless they receive power from on high. It cannot be accomplished without the outpouring of the Father’s promise.

This power is purposeful- to live a life with missional intention, so that all may bear witness to the majesty and glory of Jesus.

Jesus invokes, here, the missional nature of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. The goal, the end, and the reach was never meant to begin and end with Israel. It is a globetrotting mission. Its designation is to reach the ends of the earth.

To bear witness to every land of who Jesus is and what He has done.

What does this mean for us?

By designation, our lives are to be bent towards reflecting and bearing witness to all we interact with.

The reality of this resurrection changes everything for everyone who ever existed.

Michael Green captured the resurrection’s impact on the early church: “The Resurrection was the belief that turned brokenhearted followers of a crucified rabbi into the courageous witness and martyrs of the early church.”[2]

[1] Wayne A. Detzler, New Testament Words in Today’s Language (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1986), 329. [2] Mark Water, AMG’s Encyclopedia of Jesus' Life & Time (AMG Publishers, 2005). [See here, here, here, here, here.]