Don’t Just Stand There: How Jesus Empowers His Church Acts 1:1-11

I’ve coached my son's soccer team for a few seasons now, and while I like to think of myself as a fairly patient person, there’s one thing I always expect from the players: effort. Win or lose, I just want them to try their best. So I often find myself shouting from the sidelines, “Don’t just stand there! Do something!”

But when it comes to the Christian life, many of us tend to do the opposite. We carry the weight of mission, of family demands, of church responsibilities, and instead of moving forward with boldness, we freeze. We wait for the perfect moment or clearer direction. We stall.

That is exactly where the early church found itself at the beginning of the book of Acts. Jesus had risen from the dead, spent forty days teaching His disciples, and gave them a clear mission. But He also knew something important—they could not carry it out in their own strength. They needed help. They needed power. And so do we.

Acts opens with a promise, a command, and a mission. None of it can be accomplished without the power of the Holy Spirit. The same is true for us today.

Jesus Empowers His Church to Accomplish His Mission

So how does He do it?

1. Jesus Gives His Church Confidence

The book begins with Luke writing to Theophilus, which can be translated as “loved by God” or “lover of God.” Some scholars think Luke may have been writing to a broader audience—perhaps to all believers.

Luke’s introduction tells us that Jesus spent forty days presenting Himself alive by many convincing proofs and teaching about the kingdom of God. These two things are deeply connected. Jesus wanted His followers to have confidence—confidence in His resurrection and confidence in His kingdom.

That confidence still matters today. If you belong to Christ, you are filled with the Spirit of God and you are headed toward the kingdom of God. That truth cannot be shaken.

A story comes to mind. During a beach trip, my son and I went out into some fairly deep water. With me by his side, he felt brave. He waded far out with confidence. But that evening, he tried it again—alone—and went way too far. I had to run in and pull him out. His confidence had shifted from me to himself, and it nearly got him in trouble.

How often do we do the same? We feel a nudge toward baptism, salvation, service, or sharing our faith—but hesitate. We tell ourselves we need to clean up first or understand more. But confidence built on ourselves will always be shaky. Confidence in the Spirit and the kingdom? That is solid ground.

2. Jesus Gives His Church the Holy Spirit

In Acts chapter one, Jesus commands His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. He tells them they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

This is striking because the disciples were likely ready to move. They were eager. They had witnessed the risen Lord. Today, it often feels like the opposite—we hesitate when we should act. But in this moment, the disciples needed to be told to wait. Why? Because the mission was too big for human strength.

God’s work requires God’s Spirit. Whether we are raising kids, forgiving others, serving our church, or enduring trials, we need divine power for divine tasks. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind, chariots without steeds, coals without fire. We are useless.”

I remember the first time I preached. I was so nervous I thought I might pass out. Even now, I feel the jitters before stepping up. But the longer I have done this, the more I have realized that it is not about me. If God has called me to speak His truth, He will give me His Spirit to do it boldly.

The same is true for you.

3. Jesus Gives His Church a Purpose

Jesus told His disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then He ascended before their eyes.

What followed is both humorous and convicting. The disciples just stood there, staring into the sky, until two angels appeared and basically said, “What are you doing? He is coming back. Get to work.”

That mission still applies. Jesus gives us a purpose. We are to be His witnesses—here, near, and far. Consider this breakdown:

• Jerusalem: People like us who live close to us

• Judea: People not like us who live near us but we still like them

• Samaria: People we struggle to love who are also near us

• Ends of the earth: Everyone else

Now ask yourself:

• Who is your Jerusalem?

• Who is your Judea?

• Who is your Samaria?

• Who are your ends of the earth?

These are the people God is calling you to reach. You may not feel equipped. That is the point. You are not. But God is. And He has empowered you with His Spirit to be His witness wherever He has placed you.

The Mission Continues

Jesus did not leave us to figure things out on our own. He gave us His Spirit. He did not assign us meaningless tasks. He gave us a life-changing mission. And He did not leave us in uncertainty. He gave us the hope that He is coming again.

So don’t just stand there. Don’t wait for your life to settle down. Don’t rely on your own strength. Jesus said, “You will receive power... and you will be my witnesses.”

Let’s live like the King is reigning. Let’s believe that He is returning. And let’s point the world to Him with confidence, power, and purpose.

This blog post is based on a sermon preached by Wes McGarry to Gospel Community Church.