Sermon Title: LOOKING UP, SENT OUT
Sermon Text: ACTS 1:1-11
Sermon Series: UNSTOPPABLE: A Sermon Series Through the Book of Acts – Part 1: A Spirit-Filled Beginning
By: PTR NIC SY
Acts 1:1-11 ESV
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teachuntil the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.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.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 mefor John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”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 robesand 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.”
SERMON NOTES
I. POSITIONED BY THE RISEN KING
“proof” | tekmérion (τεκμήριον) meaning “evidence, convincing proof.
The resurrection is the solid reality on which every witness, every sermon, every church, and every missionary journey rests upon.
The unstoppable mission begins with the unshakable truth that Jesus is alive!
II. POWERED BY THE PROMISED SPIRIT
“power” | dunamis (δύναμις) meaning “ability, strength, or effective power.”
“witnesses” | martus (μάρτυς) meaning “witness, martyr”
The true power behind the mission is the personal presence of the Holy Spirit with his people.
The mission moves by received power, not manufactured power.
III. PROPELLED INTO THE WORLD
“gazing” | atenizó (ἀτενίζω) meaning “to gaze intently, to look steadfastly.”
Lift your eyes in grateful worship, then turn your feet toward active mission.
Look up for hope, then look out for mission.