Audio Recording

Mission Rev. Scott Strickman Download

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: FWPSM

Acts 1:1-11 (ESV)
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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.

4 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; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 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.”

Sermon Outline
We thrive as we go into the world with lives that bear witness to a greater reality.

1. Witnesses of Christ

v8 “ you will be my witnesses”
vv2-3 “…to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them…”
v8 “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2. Witnesses of His Kingdom

v3 “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.”
v11 “Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven…”

3. Witnesses of the Spirit’s Power

v8 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”
v1 “the first book… all that Jesus began to do and teach…”

Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you have sent Jesus into the world for us, and you send us into the world for him. We admit our failings and need of your grace. We seek you for comfort and relief, not transformation. We go into the world to take from it for ourselves, failing to give what you have entrusted to us. We don’t bear witness to Christ because we fear judgment and rejection. We don’t go to the vulnerable because we are judgmental and fear failure. Forgive these and all our sins. We thank you for the Spirit that points us to Christ and opens our eyes to the beauty of his kingdom. We pray you would lead us forward and continue your work of transformation in us and our world. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

What motivates you to take action?
Why is it important, in Christianity, to receive, listen, heal, get guidance, etc. and not just “do”?
How do Christians fail to grow if they are not “doing”?
Why is “witness” a valuable lens through which to understand the mission of the church? What does it show us?
What value is there in drawing attention to Christ? What benefit is there in clarifying a chief strategy for the church is that he would be seen?
How can Christians bear witness to the Kingdom of God? What about the way we choose to live can demonstrate a greater reality? What guidelines or principles should Christians have in mind for how to live well?
How can every Christian know their life has purpose? What if they don’t see how their lives make a difference, or if they are not successful? What are wise ways to evaluate purpose and meaning?
What are the best ways for the church to work together to bear witness to Christ and his kingdom? What should we do? What should we not do?
How do we live by the Holy Spirit’s power? What does it look like to be actively engaged, but not in your own strength? How does this work?