Acts 1:1 to 1:11 Jesus ascended to heaven as reigning Lord, giving his church the Holy Spirit's power to bear witness to the ends of the earth. Understand Jesus' forty-day ministry providing convincing proofs of his resurrection. Memorize Acts 1:8 and define the geographic and spiritual scope of the mission. Reflect on the angelic promise that Jesus will return in the same way he ascended. Gathered on the Mount of Olives east of [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem), the apostles received their final instructions from Jesus before he was taken up into heaven in glory. Forty Days of Convincing Proofs Luke begins his second book by noting that Jesus presented himself alive to his apostles after his suffering by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Jesus ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father: 'For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' You Will Receive Power to Be My Witnesses The disciples asked if Jesus was going to restore the political kingdom to Israel at that time. Jesus redirected their focus from geopolitical timetables to global gospel mission: '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.' God's power is granted for gospel proclamation, radiating outward from local neighborhoods to the farthest nations. Taken Up in a Cloud and the Angelic Promise As the disciples watched, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While they were gazing into heaven, two men in white robes stood beside them 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.' Jesus is not dead or absent; he is reigning at the Father's right hand and will visibly return in glory. 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 For how many days did the risen Jesus appear to his disciples speaking of God's kingdom? Three days Seven days Forty days One hundred days Forty days Jesus appeared to them over forty days providing many convincing proofs of his resurrection. According to Acts 1:8, why would the Holy Spirit empower believers? To build earthly kingdoms To be Jesus' witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth To escape all suffering To know the secret dates of the future To be Jesus' witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth The Spirit's power is given specifically so that believers may boldly witness for Jesus across the world. What promise did the two angels give as Jesus ascended? Jesus will never return This same Jesus will return in the same way you saw him go into heaven The world will end tomorrow Go build a statue on the mountain This same Jesus will return in the same way you saw him go into heaven The angels promised that Jesus will return visibly and bodily in glory just as he ascended. Identify your personal 'Jerusalem' (family/friends) and 'end of the earth' (unreached people groups) and pray for both this week. Ascended King Jesus, you reign in majesty at the Father's right hand. Fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit so that our lives and words may boldly testify of your grace to those around us and to the nations. Amen. Why did Jesus tell his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before launching out on mission? How does the promise of Jesus' return motivate us to be active witnesses rather than passive spectators? Teach Christ's ascension, the promised empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the global mission of the church. Display a map showing Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth as expanding concentric circles. Where is Jesus now? Teach that Jesus is physically at the right hand of God interceding for us and ruling over history. 5 minutes hook, 18 minutes exposition, 12 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.