Sermon: Time to Go

Sermon Date: 6/15/2025

Bible Verses:

• Acts 1:8 — Power to witness
• Matthew 28:18 — Authority to go
• Matthew 5:16 — Light to shine
• Matthew 7:9–11 — Provision to ask for

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Sermon Title: “Time To Go”

Theme: God has given us the power, the authority, the light, and the provision we need to carry out His mission.

1. Introduction: The Call Is Clear

Jesus didn’t leave His followers confused about their purpose.
He gave a mission, a promise, and a pattern for how His people are to live in the world.

These four passages give us a complete picture:

• Acts 1:8 — Power to witness
• Matthew 28:18 — Authority to go
• Matthew 5:16 — Light to shine
• Matthew 7:9–11 — Provision to ask for

1. We Are Empowered to Witness (Acts 1:8)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...”

Jesus doesn’t send us empty-handed—He sends us empowered.
We don’t have to rely on charisma, intelligence, or strategy. The Holy Spirit gives us:

• Boldness when we’re afraid
• Clarity when we’re unsure
• Conviction when we’re tempted to stay silent

Notice the word: witnesses.
We’re not called to be salesmen, lawyers, or judges—just witnesses.
Tell what you’ve seen. Tell what He’s done. Let the Spirit do the rest.

Application:
Have you asked the Spirit to fill you this week? Have you asked for opportunities to share your faith?

1. We Are Authorized to Go (Matthew 28:18–19)

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...”

Jesus didn’t just give us a mission—He gave us authority to do it.

In other words, you’re not acting in your own name. You’re representing the King.
Every time you teach a class, serve your neighbor, disciple someone younger in the faith—you are moving under the authority of Jesus Christ.

"Go therefore."
The authority of Jesus is our launching point. We don't wait to feel ready. We move because He said go.

III. We Are Lights Meant to Shine (Matthew 5:16)

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

God never intended the Christian life to be private or hidden.
Your life is meant to be seen, not for your glory—but for God’s glory.

You are a lamp in your school.
A light in your office.
A candle in your neighborhood.
A beacon in your family.

When you serve others with love, forgive enemies, help the poor, and stand for truth—you’re shining.

Application:
Where has God placed you right now to shine His light? Are you hiding or reflecting?

1. We Are Provided for in Prayer (Matthew 7:9–11)

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father… give good things to those who ask Him!”

God doesn’t call you to mission and then leave you to struggle alone.
He invites you to ask. To come to Him for strength, wisdom, compassion, and resources.

He’s not a reluctant Father.
He’s a generous Father who loves to give what we need to do His will.

When you feel like you can’t love that person…
When you’re too tired to serve…
When you’re unsure of what to say…
Ask Him.
He will give you exactly what you need—because He is good.

Conclusion: Empowered. Sent. Shining. Supplied.

You don’t have to wonder what your purpose is.
You don’t have to fear that you’re not enough.

Through the Spirit, Jesus gives you:

• Power to be His witness (Acts 1:8)
• Authority to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18)
• Light to shine in darkness (Matthew 5:16)
• Provision through prayer (Matthew 7:9–11)

So go.
Shine.
Speak.
Serve.
And trust your Father to give you everything you need.

Father’s Day Word: “Fathers Who Shine, Fathers Who Serve”

Connected to: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 7:9–11

To the fathers in this house today:

We honor you.
We thank God for the good and faithful men—those who love, who lead, who labor in prayer, and who serve their families with strength and humility.

But today is not just about gratitude—it’s also about accountability.

We live in a time when spiritual passivity is killing homes.
Fathers are meant to be the spiritual thermostat of the home, but too often we’re just the clock on the wall—quiet, present, but not leading.

1. You Are Empowered—So Why Are You Silent?

“You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses.” — Acts 1:8

God gave you the Holy Spirit not just so you could go to church, but so you could lead your family toward Jesus.
But some of us have been empowered, and yet we are still quiet. Still passive. Still spiritually asleep.

Fathers—your kids need to hear your voice in prayer, see your example in Scripture, and know your conviction in truth.
If you won’t talk about God with your children, who will?

2. You’ve Been Given Authority—So Why Aren’t You Leading?

“All authority… has been given to me. Go therefore…” — Matthew 28:18

You have authority from Christ—not to dominate your home, but to disciple it.
If you're not leading your home in Christ, you're leaving it vulnerable.

You can’t outsource discipleship to the church once a week.
You are called to lead:

• In truth, not compromise
• In presence, not just provision
• In prayer, not just rules

3. You Are a Light—So Why Are You Hiding?

“Let your light shine before others…” — Matthew 5:16

Too many men claim Christ in private but live passively in public.
Some men are more bold about sports or politics than they are about their Savior.
That’s not Christ-like masculinity—that’s cowardice disguised as masculinity.

Your kids don’t need a perfect man—they need a man who is real about his faith, and unashamed to shine it.

4. You Have a Father—So Why Are You Not Asking?

“How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” — Matthew 7:11

When you feel exhausted or inadequate—God isn’t asking you to be superhuman.
He’s asking you to come to Him.

But many of us are not praying, not seeking, not drawing near.
We’ll Google how to fix a leaky faucet—but we won’t seek God for how to fix a leaky marriage.
We’ll work overtime for more income—but we won’t pray overtime for our children’s souls.

Men, that’s got to change.
If we want to lead well—we need to ask well. And our Father is waiting to give what we need.

Final Challenge:

Fathers—

• Are you shining for your children, or hiding behind excuses?
• Are you serving your family spiritually, or outsourcing it to others?
• Are you living as a man who’s been empowered, authorized, and sent—or are you content to stay passive, disengaged, and distracted?

Today is not a guilt trip—it’s a wake-up call.

Because your wife needs you to rise up.
Your children need you to rise up.
Your church needs you to rise up.
And your God has already equipped you to do it.