At Mercy Hill, we’ve been walking through our discipleship flywheel: Gather, Group, Give, Go. Spiritual growth isn’t random—it happens as we build these rhythms into our lives. We’ve seen that gathering with the church is essential, discipleship happens in community, and we honor God by giving him our best. This week, we reached the final turn of the flywheel: Go.

Everything in this series has been leading here, because spiritual growth doesn’t stop with us. The big idea of the sermon this week was that God empowers his people to fulfill his mission.

Growing by Going

Acts 1 takes place after Jesus’ resurrection, when the disciples were trying to understand what came next. They were still thinking in terms of Israel’s political restoration, but Jesus expanded their vision to the ends of the earth.

That same call is ours today. Jesus died for the sin of the world. And that means he died for you, personally inviting you into his kingdom and calling you to live on mission. When we talk about going, it’s not just about traveling across oceans (though for some it will be). It’s about embracing a life oriented toward God’s mission wherever you are. Start a Bible study at work. Share Christ with a neighbor. Say yes to a mission trip. As we grow, we go, but as we go, we grow even more.

God’s Authority and Our Responsibility

In Acts 1, the disciples wanted to know when Jesus would restore the kingdom. Jesus redirected them here: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”

This is one of those mind-bending truths: We have agency, and yet God knows what will happen. Our decisions matter, and yet God is sovereign over history. We don’t have to figure out how it all works. In fact, if you dwell on this too much, you may injure yourself! Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us the secret things belong to God.

So, what do we do? We obey. We don’t obey for an outcome. We obey because we love and trust God. That means we stop waiting for the perfect moment or perfect conditions and simply step into the mission God has given us.

And rather than worrying about timelines or obsessing over predictions, we live faithfully with the time we have. Instead of obsessing about how much time we may have, let us take advantage of the time we God has given us. Each day is an opportunity to live for the kingdom.

The Power of the Spirit

Then comes the promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”

This is why the mission has endured for two thousand years. The Spirit lit the flame of the church and continues to fuel its advance to the ends of the earth. Here’s the staggering truth: The Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you. Jesus himself said it was good for him to go away so that the Spirit could come (John 16:7). With the Spirit, every believer is equipped with dynamis—power like dynamite—for the mission of God.

And that includes you. You were made for more than possessions and promotions, and your kids were made for more than straight A’s and soccer. You were created in Christ Jesus for good works, uniquely wired and gifted to make an eternal impact.

Witnesses to the World

Jesus says we will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Notice the word: witnesses. A witness tells of what they have seen and heard. Witnesses don’t invent stories; they simply testify to what has been done. That’s the essence of mission. We tell the world what Christ has done in our lives. And this isn’t the task of a few professionals—it’s the calling of the whole church. Every member is a missionary.

Application: Live on Mission

Before we talk about our mission to share Christ with others, it’s important to see that this starts with you. Jesus didn’t just die for a distant kingdom or for Israel two thousand years ago—he died for you. He gave his life to rescue you from sin and invite you into his kingdom. Following Jesus isn’t about joining a cause first; it’s about receiving him as your Savior and King. If you haven’t yet admitted your sin, believed in Christ as your Savior, and confessed him as Lord of your life, then consider whether today may be the day of salvation for you.

For those that have experienced his grace, the call is clear today: live on mission. That means stepping into the opportunities God has put in front of you. Sharing Christ across the street. Saying yes to a short-term trip. Supporting missions with your prayers and resources. At Mercy Hill, one of the best ways to take a tangible step into God’s global mission is through Envision. Envision is a four-week class, and it’s how we help ordinary people put their “yes” on the table and let God put it on the map. Whether God calls you across the street or across the world, Envision is a way to start living out Acts 1:8 in your own life. If you’re part of the family here at Mercy Hill, would you jump in with us?

Conclusion: Our Job Until He Comes

Acts 1 ends with Jesus ascending into heaven and angels declaring that he will return the same way. We live between ascension and descension. And in the meantime, we have a job to do. We are called to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.

The question is simple: how will you step into the mission of God? Will you live for something bigger than yourself, or settle into stagnation? The Spirit has empowered you. The mission is clear. The time is now. God empowers his people to fulfill his mission, so let’s live on mission together.

Watch the full sermon from week five of our “Grow” sermon series here: