The Beginning of What Would Change the World

Scott Worthington

Acts

Sermon Only Sermon Audio

Jan 11, 2026

Acts 1:1-5

As we kick off our new study, Acts, Pastor Scott Worthington preached from Acts 1:1-5.

After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them about one central theme: the Kingdom of God. God is reigning now, yet the world still longs for the fullness of His rule—what Scripture calls the “already, not yet.”

In this message, we explore what the Kingdom of God is, why it matters today, and how Jesus invites us to pray, live, and participate in God’s reign until He returns.

Sermon Notes

Acts
The Beginning of What Could Change the World
Introduction + 1:1-5 // January 11, 2026

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have 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 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 me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:1-5

“…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

What we know about Luke:
The writer of the Gospel of Luke
• A doctor (Colossians 4:14)
• A companion of Paul
• He was NOT one of the 12 disciples
• Historian
• A gentile (Potentially from Antioch)

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have 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.” Acts 1:1-2

Is the Book of Acts…
• Prescriptive: It’s telling us what we should do now
• Descriptive: It’s telling us what God did then

2 Anchors Before the Ascension
1. The Kingdom of God is Growing

“The early Christians did not believe in the resurrection of Christ because they could not find his dead body; they believed because they did find a living Christ.” William Lane Craig

“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

“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

“The kingdom of God is the range of God’s effective will—where what God wants done is done.” Dallas Willard

The Already, Not Yet

“‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:10

1. Jesus is coming back to rule and reign forever
2. There’s work to be done before it happens

“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’” Matthew 24:14

2 Anchors Before the Ascension
1. The Kingdom of God is growing
2. The Spirit of God Will Come

“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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5

• Isaiah 44:3 – “I will pour out my Spirit…”
• Ezekiel 36:26-27 – “I will give you a new heart… and put my Spirit within you.”
• Joel 2:29 – “in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.”

The Trinity:
God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is co-eternal, distinct in personhood, and perfectly united in divine cooperation.

“‘Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.’” John 16:7

The Spirit in you is better than Jesus beside you

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

What is your next step?

Sermon Notes

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