Sermon Notes
Jesus maps the mission
- Series opening: Austin introduced Acts as the story of the church continuing what Jesus began to do and teach.
- Luke and Acts: The two books form a unified story. Luke tells the story of Jesus, and Acts follows the Spirit-empowered witness of the church.
- The map: Acts 1:8 provides the mission and its expanding geography: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
01 · Acts 1:1-5
God's Promise
- Jesus is the Father's promised Son: Luke's Gospel records his life, death, resurrection, and appearances to the disciples.
- Jesus appeared in a physical risen body over 40 days.
- His resurrection and ascension ground the church's hope that he will return.
- The Holy Spirit is the Father's promised gift: Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Spirit.
- Austin connected Acts 1 with Jesus' promise of the Helper in John 16.
- Believers receive God's presence and power through the Spirit.
Supporting references used in the sermon: Luke 24; John 16:7.
02 · Acts 1:6-8
God's Power
- Jesus redirects the disciples: Their question concerned the timing of Israel's restored kingdom. Jesus turned their attention to the Father's authority and their present calling.
- God still rules: Austin used Psalm 103:19 to remind the church that God's throne is established and his kingdom rules over all.
- The Spirit empowers every believer: Austin emphasized the word you in Acts 1:8 and connected it with all the disciples being filled in Acts 2:4.
- God's mission requires God's Spirit.
- God gives his people power to do what he wants, not whatever they want.
Supporting references used in the sermon: Psalm 103:19; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:4.
03 · Acts 1:8-11
God's Purpose
- Be Jesus' witnesses: The mission begins with telling what believers have seen and heard about Jesus and what he has done.
- Start where you are: Jerusalem was the disciples' immediate setting. Austin applied that picture to homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and the Conejo Valley.
- Draw your circle: Austin described riding roughly 45 to 50 miles around the Conejo Valley while praying for the community.
- Draw a personal mission circle.
- Write down one name within it and begin praying.
- Watch for concrete opportunities to care, serve, welcome, and speak about Jesus.
- Hope leads to work: The angels promised Jesus' return and redirected the disciples from gazing upward to carrying out the mission before them.
- Pastor's Homework: Read Luke 24 with Acts 1, read John 16, draw a circle, write one name, and pray for the Spirit's power each day.
Supporting references used in the sermon: Acts 1:8-11.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. Permissions. Prepared for this small group from the June 7, 2026 sermon; questions and applications are editorial study material.