Last Words and First Priority

Scott Worthington

Acts

Sermon Only Sermon Audio

Jan 18, 2026

Acts 1:6-11

In this sermon, we focus on Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1:6–11 and explore three realities from His final moments on earth: Jesus doesn’t always give us what we want, He promises the Holy Spirit and the mission, and He ascends in glory with the promise to return in power.

As we take part in God’s mission—loving our city, planting churches in the West, and bringing the gospel to the nations—we are reminded that this work is done not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Sermon Notes

Acts
Last Words and First Priority
Acts 1:6-11 // January 18, 2026

“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 robes, 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.’” Acts 1:6-11

3 Realities from Jesus’ Last Moments on Earth
1. Jesus Doesn’t Always Give Us What We Want
“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’” Acts 1:6

“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.” Acts 1:3

“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.’” Acts 1:7

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...” 2 Timothy 3:12

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” Romans 5:3-4

“He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.’” Acts 1:7

What do you do in the middle of the wanting and the waiting?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

3 Realities from Jesus’ Last Moments on Earth
2. Jesus Gave the Promise of the Spirit and the Mission
“‘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.’” Acts 1:8

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6b

“Here's what we need to understand and be willing to confess: the Christian life is impossible. It is impossible for me, left to myself, to live as God has called me to live. It is impossible to love as I have been called to love. It is impossible to forgive as I have been called to forgive. It is impossible for me to guard my mind and rein in my desires. It is impossible for me to control my tongue or harness my wandering eyes. All of these things are impossible for me. But the glorious message of the gospel is that I haven't been left to myself. Read the next sentence carefully; it is a picture of how amazing God's grace really is. God meets our weakness with his power.” Paul David Tripp

“‘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.’” Acts 1:8

“A witness is someone who tells what he or she has seen or heard.” Warren Wiersbe

“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.” Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 Isn’t a Geography Lesson. It’s a Heart Test
Jerusalem asks: Will you love people like you?
Judea asks: Will you see people near you?
Samaria asks: Will you go to people you’ve been taught to hate?
The end of the earth asks: Will you reach people you’ve never heard of?

How Acts 1:8 Plays Out in the Rest of the Book…
• Jerusalem → Acts 1–7
• Judea & Samaria → Acts 8–12
• Ends of the earth → Acts 13–28

In 2030, we are a church…
That has planted 6 churches in the last 7 years

“‘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.’” Acts 1:8

3 Realities from Jesus’ Last Moments on Earth
1. Jesus Doesn’t Always Give Us What We Want
2. Jesus Gave the Promise of the Spirit and the Mission
3. Jesus Ascends in Glory and Will Return in Power

“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 was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11

What is your next step?

Sermon Notes

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