Empowered for Mission: Living the Acts Story

Devotional

Day 1: The Divine Inspiration and Profitability of Scripture

The book of Acts matters deeply because it is divinely inspired by God, just as all Scripture is, and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. When we approach Acts, we are not just reading history, but receiving God’s living word that equips us for every good work. This means that Acts is not optional reading for the church; it is essential for our growth, correction, and preparation for the mission God has given us. As you read and meditate on Acts, remember that God Himself speaks through these words to shape you into a complete and equipped servant for His purposes. [03:20]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need God’s Word to teach, correct, or equip you today, and how can you intentionally seek that from Scripture this week?

Day 2: The Church’s Mission and the Power of the Holy Spirit

God has given His church a mission to further the gospel, and He has not left us powerless—He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us for this work. Every believer, regardless of background or ability, is called and enabled to be a witness for Christ, starting where they are and reaching outward. The Holy Spirit is not just for extraordinary moments but is the daily source of strength, courage, and effectiveness in living out and sharing the gospel. You have been given everything you need to participate in God’s mission; the question is whether you will access and rely on that power. [09:02]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: Where do you sense God calling you to be His witness today, and how can you depend on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own strength?

Day 3: The Beauty of Christian Community

The early church was marked by a unique, loving community that devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This model of koinonia—deep fellowship—shows that God brings together people from all backgrounds to form a family united in Christ. As a church, we are called to be committed to one another, to God’s Word, and to prayer, not just for our own needs but for the advance of God’s kingdom. True Christian community is a powerful witness to the world and a source of strength for every believer. [10:39]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can deepen your commitment to your church community this week—through prayer, encouragement, or service?

Day 4: Continuing the Work of Christ

Jesus began a work of redemption and teaching, and He calls us to continue that work by making disciples and spreading the gospel. Our mission as believers is not passive; we are called to be active participants, not spectators, in God’s ongoing story. To do this effectively, we must be firmly rooted in the gospel, growing in our understanding of Christ’s teachings, and willing to teach others. The work Jesus started is not finished—He is still working through us, and our faithfulness in this mission matters for eternity. [24:47]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally invest in this week—sharing the gospel or helping them grow in Christ’s teachings?

Day 5: The Resurrection and the Coming Kingdom

The foundation of our faith and mission is the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who appeared to many as proof of His victory over death and spoke of the coming kingdom of God. Because Jesus is alive, we have hope, purpose, and a message to proclaim: Christ crucified, risen, and returning. Our participation in God’s kingdom work is both a privilege and a responsibility, and our faithfulness now will be acknowledged in the coming kingdom. Let the reality of the risen Christ and His promised return motivate you to serve Him wholeheartedly today. [41:11]

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (ESV)
“And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

Reflection: How does the reality of Christ’s resurrection and promised return shape your priorities and actions today?

Sermon Summary

The gathering of the church is not just a weekly routine, but a living continuation of a story that began in the first century—a story authored by God and recorded in the book of Acts. This story is not distant history; it is our present reality and calling. The book of Acts is divinely inspired, written by Luke, a physician, historian, and companion of Paul, to show us the origins, mission, and power of the church. Acts matters because it reveals our identity as the body of Christ, our mission to further the gospel, and the divine empowerment we have received through the Holy Spirit.

Acts is not merely a record of the past; it is a blueprint for the church’s ongoing mission. It reminds us that God uses ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish extraordinary things. The early church was marked by devotion to teaching, prayer, fellowship, and worship—a model for us today. Acts also prepares us for the reality of opposition and persecution, reminding us that faithfulness to Christ will often bring resistance from the world. Yet, in the midst of challenges, God’s sovereignty and faithfulness are on display.

Our story is a story with a mission. Jesus began the work of redemption and gospel proclamation, and He calls us to continue it. This is not a suggestion, but a command, and He has not left us powerless. The Holy Spirit is our source of strength, enabling us to live out our calling and to face both the challenges of mission and the trials of everyday life. The apostles were ordinary men, chosen and empowered for kingdom work, just as we are today.

The resurrection and ascension of Jesus are central to our hope and mission. Jesus suffered, died, rose again, and appeared to many, providing convincing proofs of His victory over death. He spoke of the coming kingdom of God, reminding us that our work is not in vain—Christ will return, and those who are faithful will reign with Him. The story of Acts is our story. The question is not whether the story continues, but whether we are living it out or sitting on the sidelines.

Key Takeaways

1. The book of Acts is divinely inspired and essential for understanding our identity, mission, and purpose as the church. It is not just a historical account, but a living guide that equips us for every good work, reminding us that our story is rooted in God’s ongoing work in the world. [03:20]
2. God uses ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. The early church was not made up of the most talented or qualified, but of those willing to be used by God, showing that spiritual effectiveness comes from dependence on the Spirit, not personal ability. [09:02]
3. The church is called to be a unique, loving community marked by devotion to teaching, prayer, fellowship, and worship. This koinonia transcends backgrounds and cultures, demonstrating the unifying power of Christ and calling us to deep commitment to one another and to God’s mission. [10:39]
4. Faithfulness to Christ will inevitably bring opposition and challenges, but Acts assures us of God’s sovereignty and presence in the midst of persecution and human weakness. The church is not immune to conflict or suffering, but is called to trust God and persevere, knowing that trials are part of the Christian journey. [12:33]
5. Our mission is not optional; it is a command from Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are called to be active participants in God’s kingdom work, grounded in the gospel, and motivated by Christ’s love and sacrifice. The resurrection and coming kingdom give us hope and urgency to remain faithful and fruitful. [24:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Living Out a First-Century Story
[03:20] - Why Acts Matters Today
[05:45] - The Divine Inspiration and Authorship of Acts
[07:48] - Acts: The Birth of the Church and Christianity
[09:02] - The Power of the Holy Spirit in Ordinary Believers
[10:39] - The Model of Community and Fellowship
[12:33] - Persecution, Conflict, and God’s Sovereignty
[15:00] - Our Inherited Mission and Identity
[18:20] - The Gospel as the Foundation of Our Mission
[21:30] - Divine Power for the Mission
[24:47] - The Command to Continue Christ’s Work
[30:42] - God Chooses and Empowers Ordinary People
[32:10] - The Purpose: Advancing the Kingdom of God
[35:00] - The Resurrection, Proofs, and the Coming Kingdom
[41:11] - Living Out the Story Today
[41:57] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 1:1-8 — - Acts 2:42-47
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Observation Questions

In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus promise his followers will receive, and for what purpose?
According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the main activities and characteristics of the early church community?
The sermon mentioned that the book of Acts is “divinely inspired” and “profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 support this claim? [03:20]
What kind of people did God use to start the early church, according to the sermon and Acts? [30:42]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Acts is not just history, but a “blueprint” for the church’s ongoing mission. What does it mean for us to see ourselves as part of the same story as the early church? [07:48]
Why do you think God chooses to use “ordinary people” empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than only the most talented or qualified? [09:02]
The early church faced opposition and persecution. What does this suggest about the normal Christian experience, and how should we respond when we face challenges for our faith? [12:33]
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus are described as central to our hope and mission. How does believing in the living, returning Christ shape the way we live out our faith? [35:00]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us not to be “bench warmers” but “active participants” in God’s story. In what areas of your life do you feel like you’re sitting on the sidelines? What is one step you could take this week to get more involved in God’s mission? [41:11]
Acts 2:42-47 describes a church devoted to teaching, prayer, fellowship, and worship. Which of these areas do you find most challenging to commit to, and why? What could help you grow in that area? [10:39]
The sermon emphasized that our mission is not optional, but a command from Christ. How do you personally respond to the idea that sharing the gospel and making disciples is a command, not a suggestion? What holds you back from obeying this command? [24:47]
The early church was a diverse, unified community. Are there barriers—cultural, personal, or otherwise—that keep you from deeper fellowship with others in the church? How can you take a step toward greater unity? [10:39]
The Holy Spirit is described as our source of strength for both mission and everyday life. Can you think of a recent situation where you needed God’s power? How did you respond, and how might you rely more on the Spirit next time? [09:02]
The sermon said that faithfulness to Christ will bring opposition. Have you ever experienced pushback or resistance because of your faith? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? [12:33]
Jesus’ resurrection and promise to return give us hope and urgency. How does this hope affect your daily choices and priorities? Is there a specific way you want to live differently in light of Christ’s return? [35:00]

Sermon Clips

It is my responsibility and my hope and my desire that we understand our identity as the body of Christ, that we understand that as the church of Jesus Christ God has given us a mission and at the same time my hope and desire is for us to understand that God has empowered us to fulfill that mission for the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God. [00:00:36] (29 seconds)

When we study the book of Acts and understand its teaching and message, its encouragement, its exhortation, then it is profitable for us, for the church. So we need to understand that the book of Acts matters. Why? Because it is a divinely inspired book of the Bible. [00:04:24] (23 seconds)

Acts also emphasizes the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in empowering every believer to do God's work. Hey, the book of Acts is about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And the book of Acts tells us that God uses ordinary people to further his purposes in this world. [00:08:14] (27 seconds)

God can take people of all nations, backgrounds, cultures, and bring them together. That's the power of Christ. And this is why the book of Acts should matter to us this morning, today, and forevermore. [00:11:56] (16 seconds)

Our mission and story begins with the gospel. If we're going to further God's work, if we're going to continue the work that Jesus Christ began, then we do it with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do it with the gospel, the message that speaks about what Jesus began and did on earth and what he taught. [00:18:24] (25 seconds)

The continuation of God's work, of the work Christ began on earth, is not an option, it's not a suggestion, it's not if you feel like it or not. It's not if I want to. You know, sometimes I tell my children they need to clean their room. Most of the time they think I'm just making a suggestion. They think I'm saying, hey, clean your room if you feel like it. No, when I say clean your room it means clean your room. I'm commanding you to do it. And as a child they understand that their responsibility is to obey their father's authority. Listen, when Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations, when God called us to participate in God's continuous work on earth, it's not a suggestion, it's a command. [00:25:25] (58 seconds)

We have power at our disposal, we have been given divine Holy Spirit power and yet we do not access it to be used by God in this world. You have everything that you need. What's keeping us to live out this story? [00:29:06] (23 seconds)

He chose apostles. And let me just remind you that the word apostle simply means sent one. He's calling them apostles. Why? Because he was going to send them out. Go. Go. Go. Go. [00:31:37] (17 seconds)

The only reason we are saved is because Jesus died and suffered for us. The only reason we've been transferred to the kingdom of the God of the son he loves is because Jesus suffered and died for us. The only reason we're participants in God's kingdom work is because Jesus died for us. The only reason we've been sealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit is because Jesus suffered and died for us. It should motivate us to serve him and further his work. [00:35:38] (34 seconds)

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Chatbot

1. Why is the book of Acts relevant for modern churches?

2. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers for mission?

3. What is the significance of Jesus' resurrection and ascension?