ACTS 1:9-26

Teaching Notes

In this teaching on Acts 1:9-26, we step into a moment of awe and transformation—the moment when Jesus was taken up into heaven. Imagine standing there with the disciples, your eyes fixed on Him as He ascends, a sense of wonder and maybe even uncertainty filling your heart. But before the questions can take over, two angels appear with a promise: "This same Jesus... will so come in like manner as you saw Him go."

This teaching invites us to see the deeper meaning of Jesus' ascension. It wasn't just an ending—it was a new beginning. Jesus returned to heaven not to leave us alone, but to continue His ministry as our intercessor, praying for us, understanding our struggles, and preparing us for His return.

But what happened next is where we find ourselves in this story—the waiting. The disciples didn’t just stand there lost; they went back to Jerusalem. They obeyed, gathered together, and prayed. Waiting wasn’t easy. They were in the same place where Jesus had been crucified, surrounded by hostility. Yet, they chose faith over fear, unity over division, and prayer over panic.

In that upper room, we see how God turns waiting into preparation. The disciples didn’t waste the waiting—they prayed, they searched the Scriptures, and they learned to depend on God. And even in the shadow of betrayal—replacing Judas—they found hope and restoration as they trusted God’s guidance.

So, this teaching asks you a question: In your own seasons of waiting, how are you responding? Are you staying obedient, staying connected, and staying prayerful? Or are you letting fear and frustration take over?

This message is a reminder that your waiting is never wasted. God is always working, even when you can’t see it. He is growing your faith, aligning your heart with His will, and preparing you to be an effective witness for His kingdom.