April 20, 2025

Acts 1:1-11

The Rest of the Easter Story

Sunday Sermons

Acts 1:1-11 captures a pivotal moment in redemption history—the resurrected Christ prepares His disciples for their mission and then suddenly ascends into the heavens to be seated at the right hand of God the Father. Immediately, two angels appear and reiterate the powerful promise of Christ’s second coming.

This passage reminds us that the gospel is not just about what Jesus has done in the past but also about what He is doing now,  what He has promised to do in the future, and what this all means for those who put their faith in Christ.

Join Pastor Jim as he offers some highlights from the rest of the story following the resurrection of Christ.

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Jim Thomas

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Acts 1:1-11

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Acts 1:1-11

The Rest of the Easter Story

Pastor Jim Thomas

Jesus Christ resurrected. Jesus Christ reigning. Jesus Christ returning.

Ten Questions That Haunt Thoughtful People:

1. Origin – Why is there something rather than nothing?

2. Transcendence – Is There More to Reality Than the Physical Universe?

3. Identity – Who Am I?

4. Belonging – Why Do We Long for Connection?

5. Knowledge – Can We Truly Know Anything?

6. Morality – Is there such a thing as “Right and Wrong”?

7. Justice – Will Evil Ever Be Reckoned With?

8. Aesthetics – Why Do We Enjoy Beauty?

9. Meaning – What is my purpose in life?

10. Destiny – Is this life all there is?

“Christianity is not about learning to live with a disappointed longing. It’s about discovering the one in whom all longing is fulfilled.”
Michael Reeves, Rejoicing in Christ

“All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.”
Colossians 2:3

1. The Resurrection Confirms Christ’s Victory Over Death

“At the heart of Christian belief is the mysterious and exciting idea that the invisible God has in fact acted to make the divine nature known in the most humanly accessible way, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
John Polkinghorne, Exploring Reality

2. The Ascension Declares Christ’s Reign Over History

“Since in no other person has God become human, died, been raised from death, and been exalted to heaven, there is no other savior, since no-one else possesses his qualifications.”
John Stott, The Incomparable Christ

3. The Promise of Christ’s Return Stirs Hope and Gives Meaning to All of Life

“We live in the ‘between time’—between Christ’s ascension and His return. And in this time, we do not wait passively; we live expectantly, working for the kingdom while watching for the King.”
Eugene Peterson, paraphrasing his Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in Everyday Life

Christ has died — The price for our sin has been paid, once and for all.

Christ is risen — He is our hope in life and death.

Christ has ascended — Jesus now reigns over all of history.

Christ will return and set the world to rights. Therefore, let us join Christ in His mission and wait for Him with eager anticipation!

“The resurrection is not merely a consolation prize for those who have suffered; it is the conquest of death itself. It means everything sad is going to come untrue.”
Tim Keller, The Reason for God

“Here is a King who conquers not by force of arms, but by the force of love.”
John Stott, The Cross of Christ

“Jesus came the first time, and he is coming again, as the king over all kings. King of Israel, king of all the nations, king of nature and the universe. Until he comes again, there is a day of amnesty and forgiveness and patience. He still rides a donkey and not yet a white war-horse with a rod of iron. He is ready to save all who receive him as Savior and Treasure and King. Come to him. Know him. Receive him. Live your life in allegiance to him.”
John Piper

Discussion Questions

  • The Lord puts the question “why” into our hearts so we can be drawn toward the “who.” Looking at “the 10 questions that haunt thoughtful people,” do any of these resonate with you, or do you know someone wrestling with some of these questions? (for reference: origin, transcendence, identity, belonging, knowledge, morality, justice, aesthetics, meaning, destiny)
  • Pick one or two of these and answer succinctly how the God of the Bible and the life of Jesus answer these thoughtful questions – do you know any Bible verses to accompany them?
  • How is Jesus uniquely qualified to be our Savior?
  • What is your favorite verse in the gospels that explains Jesus’ self-understanding of the work He set out to accomplish?
  • What does it mean that Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand?
  • Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity rather than a set of scales? Is this comforting?
  • Our mantra for the Easter season is, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” We are called to live in the reality of what God has done, is doing now, and will do in the future. What does it look like or mean to live in “the already and the not yet”?
  • What does it look like to join Christ in His mission and wait for Him with eager anticipation? Are you ready to take the gospel to others?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Hallelujah Chorus“ by George Frederic Handel and Patrick Henderson (choir)
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today“ by Charles Wesley, Lyra Davidica, Arr: Bailey, Mickle
“Victory in Jesus“ (Christ Won the Victory) by Words and Music by E.M. Bartlett, Matt Boswell, Keith Getty & Kristyn Getty, Arranged by Samuel Wilson and Paul Campbel
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death“ Music by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa, Choir and Orch. Arranged by John Langley and Paul Campbell
“Is He Worthy“ by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive, Arr. Dan Galbraith
“Here Is Love Vast as the Ocean“ (Everlasting Praise) Music: Robert Lowry, Words: William Rees, tr. William Edwards, Add. Words, Music and Arrangement by Matt Boswell and Kristyn Getty, Orch. by John Langley and Paul Campbell
“Christus Victor“ (Amen)by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty. Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Bryan Fowler
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690

Call To Worship: Resurrection

Leader: Jesus Christ is risen!
People: Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leader: Let us praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: He made us a resurrection people by raising Jesus from the dead.
Leader: We celebrate His victory over death.
People: We recognize His presence among us.
Leader: We praise Him for His grace and mercy!
People: We declare our love and devotion to Him!
Leader: Rejoice, then, for He has called you from darkness into light.
People: We will rejoice and give thanks! For Jesus Christ has risen to give us new life!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Curate’s Prayer:

Dear Father—The dry, thirsty lips gave invitation to the one beside Him, before declaring the work of salvation finished—Then those same lips let out a final breath, and His willingly given body surrendered in the setting sun of darkness.

The finished work went as planned, but the story that empties graves—that stains death’s veil with glory, that melts despair from the frozen petals of hope—that story rose to its peak when the earthen stone was rolled away.

The first to see did not see Him, but heard—by the sound of her name on His lips. (I close my eyes, and it’s my name I hear. You close yours, and it’s your name.) As it will be, because of the emptied tomb, for every name called ever after.

What wondrous love is this we sing, we feel, we know, and believe—A Savior who paid our debt. Our Father, You made a way. “Thank You” feels frightfully hollow, but with all we have, we offer our grateful halleluias.

In the name of the One who calls our names—Jesus, Amen.

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