Kingdom Harbor

I’m preaching a series on the Book of Acts at Brookdale Covenant this summer, and will try to share summaries of my sermons here as I have time. Here are some big ideas I shared from Acts 1. –JB

The world is a mess, and frankly, you might be tired of waiting for God to fix it. We often approach the Book of Acts with a sense of exhausted nostalgia, viewing the Ascension as the “sad departure” of a best friend. We imagine the disciples standing on a hillside in Acts 1, abandoned and left to fend for themselves while Jesus retired to a distant heaven.

But this “Goodbye” is a myth. The Book of Acts isn’t a dry history of what happened after Jesus left; it is a high-stakes roadmap for how his work continues through you. If you feel too tired for a spiritual adventure or too cynical about the state of the world, these five shifts will change how you see your place in the story.

1. The Gospel was only the “Beginning”

Many treat the Book of Acts like a “spin-off” featuring the supporting cast. In reality, it is a direct, indispensable sequel. In the opening verse, Luke notes that his first book (the Gospel) dealt with all that Jesus began to do. The implication is staggering: the work of Jesus didn’t end at the cross or the tomb—it merely shifted into a new phase.

The Church is not a social club; it is the “Body of Christ”—his hands, feet, and loving presence filled with his Spirit. Acts shows us that the Church is where the “began” becomes the “continues.” Note the mirrors:

• In the Gospels, Jesus healed the sick; in Acts, the apostles heal.
• In the Gospels, Jesus preached the Kingdom; in Acts, the apostles preach it.
• In the Gospels, Jesus drove out evil spirits; in Acts, they confront them.
• In the Gospels, Jesus was the place where Heaven and Earth intersected; in Acts, the Church is the “here and now” taste of Heaven on Earth.
• In the Gospels, Jesus welcomed the marginalized; in Acts, the Church practices radical hospitality.
• In the Gospels, Jesus was the suffering servant; in Acts, his followers suffer for the Name.

“If you ever get upset with God that the world is still such a mess… don’t be surprised if Jesus is looking down from his throne and saying, ‘I’ve placed you in charge, I’ve given you my power. Are you ready to get serious about being my healing presence on Earth?'”

Pastor Jeremy

2. Ascension is Enthronement, Not Departure

We mistake the Ascension for a “retirement.” It wasn’t. It was a coronation. Jesus didn’t “leave” the earth to go to a far-off place; he took his throne to begin reigning over it.

The “Kingdom of God” isn’t a destination for after you die; it is his reign being brought to earth. In Genesis, humanity was tasked with being “co-rulers” over creation, but we botched the job. Jesus arrived as the “Second Adam” to show us how to rightly wield power for the flourishing of all. He wasn’t just preparing souls for heaven; he was training disciples to embody his reign of justice and peace.

This authority is active right now. Ephesians 2:6 tells us that God “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms.” This is written in the present tense. You aren’t just a citizen of a future kingdom; you are exercising kingdom authority from a heavenly position today.

3. Shifting from Passive Star-gazer to Expectant Waiter

Acts 1 presents a choice between two types of waiting. When Jesus ascended, the disciples stood staring at the sky. They looked like stunned “star-gazers” (or “navel-gazers”), waiting for Heaven, or the rapture, or the Second Coming. “Why do you stand there looking at the sky?” the angel inquired. As if to say, “Stop standing around; you have a mission to prepare for.

The text invites a shift to “Expectant Waiting.” This is waiting with your shoes on and your laces tied. It is standing on tiptoe, ready for power and “marching orders.” A First-Responder doesn’t sit around wondering when the emergency will happen; they are the ones whose boots are already on because they know the call is coming. Passive waiting is a misunderstanding of the text. Active waiting on God is a hallmark of Kingdom discipleship.

4. The “Acts of the Apostles” is a Misnomer

The traditional title of this book is perhaps misguided. More apt than the “Acts of the Apostles” would be “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” or perhaps “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.” On every page, the Spirit is the true protagonist stealing the show.

Note also: Only Luke calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Jesus.” This isn’t just a theological quirk; it means that Jesus and the Spirit are the same main character at work in every ordinary person mentioned in the narrative. This shifts the book from hero-worship of ancient “super-apostles” to a personal invitation. The same “Spirit of Jesus” that shook the walls in Jerusalem is available to shake the walls of your faith and this church today.

5. Age is No Barrier to “Kingdom Dreams”

Finally, the last time I preached through Acts, I was a much younger man, full of energy and youthful zeal and idealism, in the early days of planting a new church. I feel much older now, and as we jump into this book this summer, a part of me feels tired and too old for this adventure filled story. Can you relate?

So I’ve been asking, Is this a young man’s book? Is bold apostolic living for those in the first half of life?

Peter answers this question in his Pentecost sermon, quoting the prophet Joel. Joel has good news for those of us who feel like we’re too old to dream God-sized dreams, and step into a larger God-sized vision for church and ministry. We read:

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. … This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says,
  I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
  your young men will see visions,
  your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:1, 16-17).

• Young men will see visions.
• Old men will dream dreams.

There is a vital distinction here. Youthful zeal provides the “visions” of idealism, but age and experience provide the capacity for “Kingdom Dreams.” Your “second half of life” isn’t a period of spiritual retirement; it is when you are finally seasoned enough to dream God-sized dreams for healing and justice. The Spirit does not disqualify the tired; He empowers the dreamer.

So, may we open ourselves up to the God who wants to inspire not only youthful visions but also teach women and men with gray hairs and achy bones how a dream Kingdom Dreams.

Conclusion: The Roadmap to the Ends of the Earth

The Book of Acts provides a clear geographical roadmap: starting in Jerusalem, moving to Judea and Samaria, and ultimately reaching the “Ends of the Earth.” By the final chapter, the message reaches Rome—the center of the known world—proving that no power can stop the advance of the King.

As this story continues through you, your core identity is that of a “witness.” In the original Greek, that word is martyr. A witness isn’t just someone who talks; it is someone whose very life proves that the King is on the throne.

The Spirit of Jesus is waiting to rattle the windows of your personal faith. If you are ready to stop “star-gazing” and start responding, ask yourself: What is the one “Kingdom Dream” you are finally ready to pursue?