From Fear to Fire: A Call To Witness
May 3rdth, 2026
Pastor Dustin Warford
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:1-11
Jesus’ Ascension Confirms His Authority
“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
“After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” – Hebrews 1:3
“raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” – Ephesians 1:20-22
1) We don’t need to try harder, we need to depend deeper
“And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father.” – Acts 1:4
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” – Acts 1:8
The question isn’t: “Am I trying hard enough?”
The question is: “Am I depending deeply enough?”
2) Your Mission Starts Where You Are
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Jerusalem – Immediate Community
Judea and Samaria – Broader Region
Ends of the Earth – Global Call
You don’t have to go everywhere, just don’t do nothing where you are.
Where is my Jerusalem?
Where is my Judea and Samaria
What does the End of the Earth look like for me?
3) Don’t Just Stand There
“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.” – Acts 1:11
Don’t just stand there, go and do what He commanded!