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We are so grateful that you decided to worship with us this morning. Hey, whether Living Oaks is your church home or you're here for the first time, we're genuinely grateful that you are with us today. You know, we're excited to really step into this new season together as a church, as we step into summer. We're also thrilled to kick off a brand new teaching series together this morning as we journey through the book of Acts together this summer.
So, hey, grab your copy of God's Word and turn with me to Acts 1. one this morning as we step into that new series together and as you're turning to acts chapter one this morning i want to invite you to join me in thinking about um something that we use uh every day something that we use to to navigate something that we use to travel and that's something that i want us to begin thinking about today is a map right is everybody familiar with the map um
Let me tell you about a map. You know it's interesting right we use maps to map out our travel whether we're planning out a trip or planning out our summer vacation and we might be flying somewhere or driving somewhere you know we use maps to figure out where we are and where we're going and how it is that we're going to get from point A to point B right we use maps to navigate. Maps actually shape the way that we see the world right because none of us has seen the entire
entire globe, 360 degrees. So we use maps to see the world and we use maps to explore the world, right? We went on a road trip last summer and our final destination was actually Yellowstone. So we went about a total of 2,500 miles. We crossed Seven states, we went to three national parks, and we stopped at many, many bathrooms along the way, right? We used Google to navigate where we're going and how we're going to get there.
But, you know, before we had things like Google and Apple Maps, remember those things we used to use to navigate our travel? Thomas Guide, right? And did anybody remember MapQuest? See, that The thing that you actually had to look up before you left the house. and you used to have to print it out on something called paper. You see this right here? And you had to own something called a printer. Does anybody own a printer in their home?
I'm just curious. Okay, so majority of you. Yeah, it's page after page after page, right, of instructions telling you to turn right at this street and merge onto this freeway and spend seven more miles until you transfer to this highway. We You've used Thomas Guides and MapQuest and TomTom, right? Was that early onboard navigation? Anybody own a TomTom that helped you get from point A to point B? You know, now we have self-driving cars that'll take us across the country.
And we don't even have to touch the steering wheel to get where we want to go. I understand one of you took that trip this summer already. It's incredible to think about the advances of technology But also just the helpfulness of a map. A map tells you where you are and a map tells you where you're going. And this morning what we're going to do is we're going to look at a map together. See what Jesus does in Acts chapter 1 as we kick off this summer series is Jesus gives his disciples a map.
And what Jesus does is he actually maps out his mission and he puts his mission on our map. Such that we would be focused on where we're going as his followers and where he calls us to go. Right. Jesus is going to give us instructions. He's going to give us directions. And he's going to say that if you follow this map. You will ultimately arrive at the destination, which is what Jesus is calling all of us to engage in his mission.
And today he's going to put his mission on our map. And this summer, he's going to give us a map as we engage with that mission and we explore where he's calling us to go. As a church and as his followers. So all summer long, any summer, any Sunday you join us this summer, we're going to be looking at a chapter in the book of Acts. We're going to consider where we are in this mission that God has given his church and what a practice would look like if we engage with that mission each and every week.
So the title of today's message is mapping out the mission. And that's exactly what Jesus does in Acts chapter one. He helps us map out the mission that he has given to us as his disciples. So I hope you have your Bibles. I hope you're there in Acts chapter 1 with me. I want to help you map out your mission today. I want to remind you of Jesus' mission in your life today. I want to invite you to consider this summer what it would look like to be on mission right here and right now in this community.
You don't have to be traveling far. You don't have to have summer vacation plans. You don't have to be going around the world to be on mission. Our mission starts right here, right now. And that's what Acts chapter 1 is all about. So I hope you have your Bibles. We're going to be looking at three things. Jesus is going to help us map out God's promise in our lives. Jesus is going to help us map out God's power in our lives.
And Jesus is ultimately going to help us map out God's purpose for our lives, which is certainly to be on mission each and every day. So we're mapping out three things as we map out this mission that we've been given. We're mapping out God's promise. We're mapping out God's power. And we're mapping out God's purpose for our lives today. So, hey, listen, as I read Acts chapter 1, verses 1 through 11, I'll pray and then we'll get started and kick off this new series together today.
This is what Luke actually, the author of Acts, says about the very first chapter of this book. He says in the first book, O Theophilus, I've dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until 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 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
And then while he was 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 for John baptized with water, but you, 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? And 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, what's that word? Witnesses. It's a key word today. You will be my witnesses. Witnesses. in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. I love these next verses. 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 robes and said, men of Galilee,
Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Or in other words, it's time to get to work. Let's pray together. Father, thank you for this morning. Thank you for this opportunity for us just to gather as your church to remind ourselves of your love in our lives, to remind ourselves of what Jesus has done for us.
And this particular summer, to remind ourselves of your mission for our lives today. Lord, we want to be reminded that we're part of this incredible global movement called Christianity, called the church, followers of Jesus. And we want to be on mission right here, right now in this community. We want to be faithful to walk with you each day this coming week. We want to be reminded that we are filled with the Holy Spirit today.
And we want to be ready for the opportunities that he's going to give us to serve and love those around us. So, Lord, help us to be open, open-handed and open-hearted to hear, to learn whatever you have for us today. God, we just thank you for your word. We thank you for this time. And we pray all these things in Jesus' name and all God's people said. Amen. Well, hey, as we step into this new series and this new study in the book of Acts, you know, the book of Acts is titled Acts because it refers to the acts of the apostles or some might say the acts of the spirit.
Or others might say the Acts of the Disciples or even the Acts of the Church. So it's called Acts because it's a book about actions and acts that the early church took in their pursuit of Jesus and this mission. I want to take a moment to kind of put this all in context of the storyline of scripture, but also the timeline of Jesus's life and ministry as we really get started with this series. Now, Acts, it actually functions like a hinge.
Or a bridge. Or a springboard or a launching pad that takes us from what Jesus began to do and teach in the four gospels to what the church began to do and teach in this book that we now study. It frames what the early church did in between Jesus' ascension into heaven as we await Jesus' return home. from heaven the book of acts is a chronology of the the early church and how the disciples responded to the commission that jesus gave them right so luke he wrote the book of acts and in chapter one verse one he refers to luke which is his gospel as the first book or volume number one
Making Acts the second book or volume number two that he wrote to a man named Theophilus. Now the word or the name Theophilus means beloved by God or friend of God. And we believe that he's a real person in history. But I think it's beautiful that his name means friend of God or beloved by God. And it's almost this invitation to you. To remember that if you're a friend of God, if you're loved by God, this book is for you.
This is written not just to a man named Theophilus. This is written to every friend of God, everyone who's loved by God. To remember who Jesus is and what Jesus has done and the mission that he's calling you to engage with as his follower. Now, here's what's so interesting. If you read Luke 24 and Acts chapter 1, they are nearly identical. Now, if you have the opportunity this week, I invite you to do that.
Read Luke 24, read Acts chapter 1 and just see how similar these two chapters are. It's almost as if they function as a seam that is meant to be stitched together. Luke chapter 24 and Acts chapter 1. It's almost like they belong together. And it's because they do. Actually, the legend goes that Luke wrote Luke Acts as one volume, as one narration, as one story, as one book. But because of the physical limitations of ancient scrolls, Luke couldn't find one long enough for his narrative, right?
It would have been probably 60 feet in length in order for him to write that down. I mean, talk about long-form narration. We can barely pay attention for a 30-second video on our cell phone these days, right? Here, Luke would have written a 60-foot letter, and so he had to cut it into two volumes. So Luke acts is really Luke acts. It's one story. It's one book and it should be read that way and taken that way.
Have you ever been writing a card and you started like a little bit far too down and then you realize you had a little bit too much to say and by the time you get to the bottom of the card, you're like, where do I go from here, right? And so what do you do? Turn it over and write on the back. And then like, you still ran out of room. You're pouring your heart out to this person. And then what do you do after that?
I mean, like get an insert for the card. Like, like, yeah, that that's what Luke encountered. He ran out of room because he had so much to say about this Jesus and who he is and what he's done and how that should impact our lives and how we should be on mission and how the church was on mission. And so Luke ran out of room. And he wrote Luke-Acts. Now, Acts is perfect. It belongs exactly where it belongs in our Bibles.
Because even though it does carry on the narrative in Luke, it is properly placed as the sequel to the four Gospels. So if you've ever read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Acts is the sequel. to the four gospels. It's the narrative that follows the story of Jesus. So let me put it this way. Luke is the story of Jesus, the gospel of Luke, and Acts is the story of the church. So Luke is the story of Jesus and Acts is the story of the church.
And we're going to study the story of the church, but we have to keep it together with the story of Jesus. Are you with me? So we're going to remind ourselves of the story of Jesus. And we're going to remind ourselves of our story as the church. Now, the point is that Luke and Acts are one unified story that centers on Jesus, who he is and what he's done for us, which is exactly what Luke draws our attention to in chapter one of Acts.
So if you look with me in some of these just opening verses, he talks about Jesus and what Jesus began to do and teach and how he presented himself to his disciples. And again, if you go and read Luke 24 this week, you'll see that it's nearly identical to Acts 1 this week. And in Luke 24, what do we read of? Well, in Luke 23, to back it up another chapter, Jesus gave his life for us. Jesus lived. And died for the sins of this world.
And then in Luke chapter 24, what is the most earth shattering event that has ever happened in human history? Jesus defeated the grave and he rose three days later. And so in Luke chapter 24, what Jesus does is he rises from the dead and he appears to his disciples. Acts chapter 1 says for a period of how many days? 40 days. Jesus makes appearances to his disciples and teaches them everything that they need to know concerning the kingdom of God.
So really the promise of scripture and the promise that we're looking at here in Acts chapter 1 today is that God has always promised to send us his son. And the gospel of Luke is the story of how God sent us his son. And what Jesus does is he dies. He rises again, he appears to his disciples, and eventually he ascends into heaven, which we see here in our passage. But you know what's something else that Jesus did in Luke 24 before he ascended into heaven?
He ate a fish breakfast. Do you guys remember this part of the story? Luke chapter 24, Jesus was hungry after he appeared to his disciples, and he asked them if they had anything to eat, and it says that they gave him a broiled fish. Okay, so Jesus, risen from the dead, eats a little sushi with his disciples, okay? And that gives me hope because I'm just thinking, okay, risen Jesus eating sushi. There might be sushi in heaven, so I'm getting excited this morning for that reality.
But here's the reason I bring it up is Jesus rose with a physical human body. Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days in a physical human body. Talk about proof or evidence for the resurrection. Jesus appeared to hundreds of people over a period of 40 days in a physical, tangible, risen human body that can eat sushi for breakfast. Okay? Let's remember that, that Jesus proved himself. His resurrection power to his disciples for a period of 40 days and reminds us that he has risen to heaven in physical human body.
And he is going to return from heaven in a physical human body. Jesus is the God man and he died and rose again. And he's coming back again. And that is the promise of the father that we need to remind ourselves each and every day. Jesus lived, died, rose, reigns, and he's going to return. I was waiting for an amen and I got one, so I'll keep going. This is incredible. This is the promise of the father.
But wait, there's more. He goes on in Acts chapter 1, I believe it's verse 4, and he tells them that they're to wait for the promise of the Father. In Acts chapter 1, verse 4, Jesus, after all that he did, Jesus says, but wait here in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Which should make all of us ask, what in the world is Jesus talking about? He is the promise of the Father. God promised to send us his son and his son came and accomplished everything that that he needed to accomplish for us.
And our salvation is secure and complete in the finished work of Jesus. Like what more could he do, guys? Like what more could there be to the promise of the father in our lives? What in the world is Jesus talking about? Let me take you back to Acts 24. I keep telling you they're like almost the same chapter, right? So in Luke chapter 24, Jesus says, Behold, after he appears, he eats his fish breakfast.
He shows that he is truly risen in bodily form. And he says, Behold, I'm sending the promise of my father upon you. Jesus, what are you talking about? Who or what is the promise of the father that could follow Jesus? He goes on and he says, but stay in the city until you're clothed with power from on high. Okay, whatever the promise of the Father is, it's got to be good because it's going to clothe us with power from on high.
Okay, Jesus, explain yourself. Well, okay, so in Luke 24, he doesn't explain himself. But Acts 1, which is the same. to Luke 24. He's now going to answer himself in Acts 1, and it's specifically in verse 5 that Jesus defines what or who he means by the promise of the Father. So you can't miss it. Look at verse 5. He says, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with what? The Holy Spirit.
So who or what is the promise of the Father? Well, the Holy Spirit, right? God sent his son to Into our lives. And Jesus sent the spirit into our lives. The promise of the father for you and I today mapping out what's God's promise for us. That he would send his son to live, die and rise again. And that he would send his spirit to live inside of us. And to give us his presence and to enable us with his power to accomplish the mission that he's given his church.
What is the promise of God in our lives? His son, but also his spirit. And we can't miss the reality of the Holy Spirit living and dwelling inside of us as believers. You realize in John 16, I actually think that might be the most helpful chapter of the Bible today. about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If the Spirit of God mystifies you like he mystifies me, check out John 16 this week. Now let me tell you what verse 7 says.
Verse 7 of John 16, Jesus says this, it is to your advantage that I go away. Guys, how in the world is it to our advantage that Jesus goes away? Like, just raise your hand if you would like Jesus to come back right about now. Like, okay, everybody with me? Okay, how in the world can it be to our advantage for Jesus to just go away? Like, I want Jesus here. I want him to return. I want him to come back.
I want him on earth. I want to be with him. How in the world can Jesus say it's to your advantage that I go away? Well, he goes on and says, for if I do not go away, the helper... Will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. Who's the helper? The Holy Spirit. So yes, it's to our advantage that Jesus goes into heaven and ascends to heaven in Acts chapter 1. Because in Acts chapter 2, who does Jesus send into our lives?
the holy spirit and we're told that he is the helper and that he's going to clothe us with power and let me just say this acts chapter one is the last moment in time that jesus set foot on this earth acts chapter one is the last moment in time that jesus ever set foot on this earth he's going to set foot on this earth again when he returns and when he rules and when he reigns on earth as he is presently in heaven however in history the last moment in time that jesus set foot on this earth was acts chapter one however god's presence has never been more present and god's power has never been more available in our lives today even though jesus has gone into heaven because his spirit has come down to earth
And his spirit fills and lives inside of each and every follower of Jesus. We're mapping out God's presence and God's promise in our lives through his son and through his spirit. Now, what I want to do is map out God's power in our lives. Talk a little bit about how this promised Holy Spirit is supposed to somehow, someway clothe us with power, Jesus said, as we await Jesus's return. So let's map out God's power now in verses 6 through 8.
The disciples have a question for Jesus, right? Don't you love the disciples' questions for Jesus? Yeah, sometimes they're my questions, and so I relate to them. Sometimes they're good questions. You know, have you ever heard that there's no such thing as a bad question? Yeah, maybe there is such a thing as a bad question. I don't know. I think this is a good question. Maybe it's actually a very appropriate question, right?
Because the disciples come to Jesus with a question. It's like he lived, he died, he rose. He defeated the grave. He conquered death. Like if Jesus is going to do something pretty incredible, now might be that moment, right? You with me? Like if Jesus is going to do something powerful, extraordinary, bringing his kingdom to earth don't you think that it could have happened after he rose from the dead the disciples thought that it could have happened after he rose from the dead and that's what we see in their question they say what Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel right they're like you just defeated death
do anything can you just bring your kingdom to israel and can you overthrow rome and kick them out because we're we're tired of paying the taxes you know and we would really love to reinstitute temple worship the way you designed and we would love for your kingdom to be back on earth as it is in heaven that's our heart's cry is it not that god's kingdom would be restored on earth today and it was the disciples question on that day
And what I want you to notice is what Jesus says in verse 7. He says, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. You know what that sounds like? That sounds like a really nice way of saying nunya. Do you remember nunya? None of your business. Beeswax. Yeah, Jesus is saying nunya.
Like it is not for you to know times and seasons that the father has fixed by his own authority. But what he's going to do next is he's going to get them focused on today. He's going to get them focused on what's in front of them. He's going to get them focused on the right here, right now mission that he's given to them. But let me just remind you, the second half of that verse, it's not for you to know times and seasons, but what do we know in that verse?
The Father has fixed by his own authority. Let me say that again. The Father has fixed by his own authority a perfect plan for And a perfect picture of the restoration of his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. And I just want to take this moment to remind you that God can do whatever he wants whenever he wants. Right? God can do whatever he wants whenever he wants because he possesses all power and all authority.
But the world might not look the way that we want it to. Let me ask you. Does the world look the way that you want it to? Absolutely not. Do you think that this world looks the way that God wants it to look? Yeah, I think absolutely not. But he has a perfect plan and he is orchestrating everything together to accomplish that perfect plan on earth as it is in heaven. And let me just remind you what Psalm 103 says in verse 19.
It says, the Lord has established everything His throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over what? All. God has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all. And while the disciples wanted Jesus to bring that kingdom to earth in that moment, and much like you and I want Jesus to bring his kingdom to earth in this moment, we have to remind ourselves that God is still ruling and reigning from his throne in heaven.
He is orchestrating everything in our lives and in our world according to his perfect plan. And though his kingdom has not come through earthly powers and earthly authorities, it does come through ordinary people who possess extraordinary power. God is advancing his kingdom in our lives each and every day by winning human hearts through the gospel and by filling ordinary people like you with extraordinary power.
Jesus is advancing his kingdom and Jesus is advancing his mission each and every day. And he's doing it through the lives of his people. And he's doing it through the work of his church. And there is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, our father. And that's another moment for us all to just say, amen. But we get to be a part of that mission.
We get to be a part of the mission. Building of his kingdom. We get to be a part of what God is doing to advance his will and his authority in our lives today. And so Jesus wants to remind us that we can do that through the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us. What he wants his disciples to realize is that God's work requires God's spirit. God's kingdom requires God's power. And rather than be preoccupied by the exact timing of the day and the hour when Jesus is going to return and establish his kingdom on earth, he says, be preoccupied by your mission that I've given you and by the spirit who lives inside of you.
Because I am advancing my mission in my kingdom through ordinary people who possess extraordinary power. And that's what he then says in verse eight. God has the authority to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, guys. but he's also given us the power to do whatever he wants whenever he wants i didn't say that god gives us the power to do whatever we want whenever we want i said god gives us the power to do whatever he wants whenever he wants and that's what verse 8 is all about we're told that we're given we're distributed power and authority when we are filled
With his spirit and surrender to his mission. Now, verse eight says this, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Think about that for a second. Right. God filled people in the Old and New Testament with his spirit. God filled the patriarchs, the prophets, the priests, kings, and judges to empower them to accomplish their ministry and their calling in that era of church history or salvation history.
In the New Testament, God first and foremost filled who with the Holy Spirit? Jesus at his baptism, right? And then the Holy Spirit then filled the apostles and the disciples. So God throughout the History has filled his people with the Holy Spirit, but there's something new happening. There's something different happening in the book of Acts and in Acts chapter 2, which is the chapter that we'll look at together next week.
There's something new and different happening, and that's why I want to key in on the word you. Look at verse 8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon who? You. Can you all just say you with me? You! I want you to be thinking about how the Holy Spirit equally fills each and every one of us who professes faith in Jesus, right? Acts chapter 2 verse 4. Just flash forward to that real briefly.
You might not even need to turn a page if you have a physical Bible with you. And in chapter 2 verse 4, what does it say happens? They all were filled with the Holy Spirit. All of God's people, all of the disciples were equally filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 verse 4. If you go down in Acts chapter 2, what Peter does is he quotes from an Old Testament book, the prophet named Joel.
And in Joel chapter 2 verse 28, God promised that he would do this. I will pour out my spirit on who? All flesh. So I just want to take a moment with you, just personally, we need you, and just remind you, if you profess faith in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit inside of you. We believe that God is triune, Father, Son, and Spirit. And it is the third person of the Trinity who lives inside of you, who lives inside of me.
God the Father, Is everywhere present with his whole being at all times. But in a very practical personal way, the Holy Spirit is in us right now. And we're told that when you're filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be filled with what? Power to accomplish the mission that God has given you. God's mission requires God's spirit and God's spirit provides God's power. Would you take a moment to just talk to the Holy Spirit?
for just a moment in the stillness of your heart. We pray to God the Father through God the Son, but the Holy Spirit is God as well. Would you just recognize his presence here today? You don't have to say anything out loud, but just take a moment. Remind yourself and say, Holy Spirit, I recognize your presence. Holy Spirit, make me more aware of your presence this week. Holy Spirit, would you fill me with that power that you promised?
That I might be prepared and equipped to accomplish your work and your will this week. I hope you said that prayer just now. And I invite you to say that prayer every day. Because you, the Bible says, are filled with the Holy Spirit. He is in me. And he is in you. And he is in us. And it's only by his power that we can accomplish the mission he's given us. And that's how I want to end. Mapping out the mission.
We've talked about God's promise of a son and a spirit. We've talked about God's power and how that power lives inside of us right here and right now through the spirit of God. I want to end by considering mapping out God's purpose for our lives and how that is to be his witnesses right here and right now. The rest of verse 8 says what? You will be my witnesses. That's a key word as we wrap up today.
You will be, say it with me, my witnesses. And then he says, that's what the mission is. Then he says where the mission is. You will be my witnesses where? In Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and all the way to the end of the earth. So there's four concentric circles of the geographical location of the mission of the disciples. that they would be God's witnesses in Jerusalem. Where are they in Acts chapter one?
Jerusalem. So Jesus is saying right here, right now, right where you are. You don't have to get on a plane. You don't have to map out a road trip. You don't have to go very far. Right here, right now, you're in Jerusalem. Be my witness here where you are today. And then the circles begin to expand. They're concentric circles. They share the same midpoint, but their circumference begins to expand. And he says, you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, but then after that, you'll be my witnesses where?
Judea. And then widen the circle even more after that in Samaria. And then all the way to the ends of the earth. And this actually ends up describing the shape of the mission of the church, an expanding mission. And it also describes the structure of the book of Acts. Let me just point out that Acts chapter 1 through 12 are about the church's mission expanding from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria. Right here, right now, for those disciples.
And that's why we're going to study Acts chapters 1 through 12 this summer. Contemplating what it would look like for us to be on mission right here, right now. Then Acts chapters 13 through 28 is the mission of the church expanding to the ends of the earth to include all of the Mediterranean world and ultimately Rome where Paul brought the gospel in Acts chapter 28. So this is an expanding mission.
But what I've been thinking about is what would it look like to be on mission right here and right now? Where's my Jerusalem? Where's my Judea? Where's my Samaria? In fact, mapping it in Israel, it's actually about a 50 mile distance from Jerusalem to the edge of the region of Samaria. So Jesus is essentially saying, hey, you know, 50 mile radius of your mission field. And so just bringing that home, you know, our mission field is right here.
I begin just asking what would it look like to be on mission right here? Where is Samaria? The concentric circles of my mission. What's my Jerusalem? I've got this app on my phone that you can use to map a bike ride or a hiking route. And I began just mapping on this app, you know, kind of the outer edges of the Conejo Valley. And so what I did is I started my house. I went up Lynn. I went over to Erbes.
I went down to Avenida de los Arboles, Westlake, Kanan, Chesebro, or is it Cheesebro? I'm not sure how to pronounce that one. Then I went through Agoura, around Westlake, nobody knows, thank you. Around Westlake, I went through Hidden Valley, I brought it back up in the Dos Vientos, and then ventured back to my house. And I found that the circumference of the Conejo Valley is about 45, 50 miles. And so I decided, I'm going to give that a shot.
And I got on my bike, and I rode this route all the way around the Conejo Valley. And I took my time circling my community. And you know what I did on this route is I just began praying for our community. I began praying for my friends in that circle. I began praying for my family in that circle. I began praying for our churches and our schools in that circle. I began praying for this church and for you and for me in that circle.
That God would remind us that our mission starts right here and right now. Our Jerusalem is Thousand Oaks or the Conejo Valley or Ventura County. And I want you and I want to invite you to be thinking about what's your circle. And I actually want to ask you to draw your circle this week and bring it back next week. I'm going to ask you for it. Draw your circle. And here, let me say this. Make it smaller than 50 miles because that was not easy to ride.
Make it smaller than 50 miles. Maybe it's your home because that's your mission field right now. Maybe you're a mom. You're raising some kids. Maybe you're a grandparent. You're helping out with your grandchildren. Draw your circle at home right now. Maybe your circle is your street or your neighborhood and your literal neighbors and people that you might see on your evening or morning walk. Maybe expand that circle to just your immediate community in which you shop and commute.
Maybe that circle is your office and the people that you work with nine to five. Maybe that circle is a prayer walk that you're going to go on this week. Maybe that circle is a bike ride that you're going to ride this week. And I just want to invite you to begin drawing that circle, but also begin praying for the people inside of that circle. In fact, what I want you to do is write down a name. Write down a name of somebody in that circle.
Maybe it's somebody in your home, in your family, on your street, in your neighborhood, at your office, here in the community. Draw a circle and write a name. Draw a circle and write a name. Next week, I'll ask you for the circle, the name you could write on the wall as you leave today if you'd like. And we're just going to begin praying for our circles.
We're going to be praying for those names. We're just going to be asking that God would give us opportunities to show these people that we love them. We care about them. And, you know, as you begin praying for that circle, you're going to see opportunities pop up all over. As you begin praying for that name, that person is going to be on your heart and your mind, and you're going to find ways to just show them you care. Show them that you love. Invite them into your house and into your life and ask them how they're doing and what they did over the weekend and how you might serve them and show up and be part of their lives.
Pray for your circle. Pray for that name and see the opportunities that God gives you to be his witness here in our Jerusalem. Think of that word witness. It just means that you've seen or heard something and you're affirming or attesting to what you've seen or heard. All of us have witnessed wonderful things like a sunrise or a sunset or a birth or a wedding or a graduation or something historical like Apollo 11 or September 11 or Artemis II. You could probably picture where you were when you saw or heard that thing. And when you see or hear something that's quite extraordinary, what do you do? You talk about it, don't you? When you show up at work on Monday, you say, "Did you see that in the news? Did you see that UFO up in the sky?" Now, I don't know about UFOs. I'm still praying on that. There's a podcast coming out later this month. We'll be talking about UFOs. We'll get there.
But if there's something that's just captured your attention, you talk about it. You share about it. You get excited about it. And guess what? The most spectacular, extraordinary thing that has ever happened in this world happened with these disciples 40 days prior when Jesus rose from the dead. And so he says, "Go and be my witnesses. Tell the world about it." But he's also telling you to be his witnesses and to go and tell the world about him and about all that he's done in your life. So what's your circle, and what's your name? And I just want to invite you to begin praying for that circle and praying for that name as we remember that God's purpose for our lives is to be his witnesses right here and right now.
And that's why I love verses 9 through 11 as we close. They make me laugh, I'll be honest. I'm just reading Acts 1:9-11, and I just picture the disciples in that moment. I think it's funny. After Jesus commissions the disciples to go and be on mission, he floats into the sky and flies away on a cloud. Does that strike a chord? I think it's funny. Jesus flies into the sky and floats away on the cloud. So the disciples' necks are cranked and their jaws are open, and they're just standing there like they saw a UFO or a UAP or something. But it's Jesus floating away into the sky.
And what happens? Two men appear. Who are these men? I think they're angels, because it says that they stood by the disciples in white robes. And every time angels appear in Scripture, they have dazzling apparel. So here are these white-robed men. I think angels. And they 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." And you know what I think the angels are saying there? It's time to get to work. Don't just stand with your neck cranked and your jaw open. Though Jesus is amazing and we can't wait for him to come back again, focus on the mission that he's given you. Focus on that commission to go and be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Jesus is mapping out his mission. And I think the angels' word is not just a promise that Jesus is going to return, but a nudge for us to get after the mission he's given us, because we need to prepare this world for his return. And I just want to leave you with what I have found is a very inspiring quote about missions from William Carey, the founder and pioneer of the modern missions movement. If you're trying to figure out what's your purpose today, what's your mission today, what are you going to do on Monday as you go to work or start whatever your day is going to look like this week? What if you're thinking, "What's my purpose?" And I prayed to the Holy Spirit a moment ago and I asked him to fill me with power this week so I could fulfill that purpose. What's your purpose? Well, William Carey has this advice for us. He says, "To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map." An open Bible and an open map. So I invite you to open your Bible, draw a circle on your map, and bring it back next week because I'm going to ask you about it.
Let's pray together. Father, thank you so much for this morning and the opportunity to study your Word. We're so thankful for who Jesus is and what he's done for us. We're so grateful for the mission that we get to be a part of in witnessing your goodness and your glory and your love and your grace to the world around us. Father, we prayed to the Spirit and we do that again now. Spirit, would you fill us with power that we might be bold, that we might represent you, that we might love others for you, and that we might draw our circle and look for opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those people. Lord, help mobilize our church to be on mission. And I pray that we would have an adventure doing it together this summer. We love you. It's in Jesus' name we pray. And all God's people said, "Amen."