There is something happening in the world that is capturing the attention of reporters and journalists everywhere. And the church leaders I’m connected to around the world are confirming that it’s true in their context. Here is an article that appeared in The Times newspaper out of England earlier this year.

Stephen Foster leads St. Aldate’s Church in Oxford, England. We were there this past month and he told our group that worship has been happening in that church for more than 1,000 years. And out of all the thousand years plus that this church has been around, their highest attendance ever has taken place this year.

Here’s another article from Christianity Today, where they give the book tracking stats that Bible sales increased 22% from October 2023 to October of 2024.

And the polling organization YouGov in England and Wales did a survey that showed quite a significant difference in the number of young adults attending church between 2018 and 2024. Look at these results:

In 2018, 4% of 18-24 year olds were attending church. Just six years later, it had increased 4x. And it was also up dramatically for people between the ages of 25-34.

It’s amazing what our friends in England are seeing, but it’s not just happening there. Here are a few articles a little closer to home for us.

I think it’s important to know that we didn’t write these articles. And at the same time, it’s fascinating that the rise of faith in Jesus has become a phenomenon to news reporters who are outside of the faith.

What about right here at Epic? Between January 2024 and April 2025, we have seen 80 baptisms, which far outpaces anything we’ve witnessed throughout our church’s existence. Our attendance has increased almost 50% this year over last year.

I want to be careful about the words I choose, but I think it’s safe to say that God is on the move in a significant way – both around the world and right here at Epic Church in San Francisco. But what does a move of God look like? How can we prepare for one? How can we fully participate in one? And what are the ingredients when it comes to seeing a movement of God?

This is what we’re going to spend the next 3 months talking about in a new series we’re calling The Making of a Movement. We’re going to walk through the first 5 chapters of Acts to gain clarity on what is involved when God creates a movement among His people and what difference it makes in the world.

Acts 1:1-11 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 of 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.”

Luke is the author of Acts. Luke is also the author of one other book in the Bible. Anyone know what it is? ☺ That’s right, he also wrote one of the four gospels. Luke dedicates Acts to Theophilus, just as he does his gospel. And he says something fascinating in verse 1 that you might have missed. Referring to the gospel of Luke, he writes, “I wrote about all that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach.”

Why is the word BEGAN so significant? Remember Luke’s gospel includes the birth of Jesus. It includes his teachings and the miracles. It also tells us about his death and about his resurrection. Luke could have simply said, “In my former book, I wrote about everything Jesus did and all He completed.” He’s saying something like this:

Jesus is still doing the work He began and He wants you to join Him in this work.

Do you believe that Jesus is still working? Are you genuinely interested in being involved in His work? We are being invited right here and right now to continue the work Jesus began. We aren’t starting the movement, but we do get to decide if we’ll join the movement He started.

Jesus suffered on the cross, then the resurrection takes place. And after he rises from the dead, he spends the next 40 days appearing to people and giving them many convincing proofs. The actual word used for proofs means “demonstrative proof or evidence”. Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days post-resurrection and would appear to his disciples at various times throughout these 40 days.

When you think about the phrase 40 Days of Preparation, does anything come to mind? When Jesus was starting his public ministry, there were two significant moments of preparation – with one occurring right after the other

Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

The Father affirms the identity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. And as soon as he is baptized, here’s what happens for his 40 days of preparation:

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Just as Jesus had spent 40 days preparing for his mission, he gives his disciples 40 days to prepare for their mission.

How are you preparing for the mission Jesus has for your life?

If Jesus had to prepare for his and the disciples had to prepare for theirs, can we really think we can fulfill our mission if we don’t prepare well?

Jesus spent these 40 days talking about what he was always talking about during his ministry – the kingdom of God. But even here, you can see that the disciples still have a political kingdom in mind. Jesus tells them, “Don’t worry about times or dates. Instead, give yourselves to expanding this kingdom.” What is the kingdom of God? Before we even talk about the kingdom of God, what exactly is a kingdom?

“A kingdom is a society of people with a structure in which there is one person, a king or queen, to whom all of the citizens offer loyalty, service, and respect.” -Dallas Willard, The Scandal of the Kingdom

“The kingdom (of God) is the range of God’s effective will – or simply God acting in this world – where what he wants done is done.” -Dallas Willard, The Scandal of the Kingdom

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray, “May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

“The mission of the Church is not about preparing for Jesus to become king. It is implementing the fact that he has become king, even if that new kingship doesn’t look like the sort of thing people had been expecting.” -N.T. Wright, The Challenge of Acts

Here’s another thing Jesus said to his disciples – “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father has promised.” Jesus was telling them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Here is what Luke recorded about this same thing at the end of his gospel.

Luke 24:45-49 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Wait for the gift. Stay in the city of Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high. Why do they need to wait for the Holy Spirit before they begin the mission God has for their lives? Here’s why for them and for us:

You cannot fulfill the mission of God without the Spirit of God.

One commentator said it this way:

Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity.

With this in mind, we now turn our attention to the theme verse for the entire book of Acts:

Acts 1:8 “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.”

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. The Greek word is “dynamis”, which means divine power. Jesus was saying something to them in their context that would be good for us to understand in ours:

Spiritual power always has more authority than political power.

It won’t always look like it, but this is absolutely true and we should count on it. You will receive power and you will be my witnesses.

witness – someone who tells what they have seen and heard

Movements get created because of witnesses. Think about the growth of In n Out over the years. A group of people experience it. They tell others. And now every time I go, I’m 30 people back in line and still convincing myself this is worth it. The word “witnesses” occurs 29 times in the book of Acts.

Jesus tells them where their witness will reach and this is really an outline for the entire book of Acts:

-Acts 1-7 Jerusalem

-Acts 8-12 Judea and Samaria

-Acts 13-28 Ends of the Earth (as they thought about it at this time)

Back to the Holy Spirit. Why do we need the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses? Here’s one scene from Acts 4 that illustrates this. There was a moment in Peter’s life where he denied knowing Jesus. Now he and John are being threatened and told to stop speaking about Jesus.

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

We’ve encountered the risen Jesus and we can’t help but be witnesses. Have you encountered the risen Jesus? Have you been filled with the Spirit? Are you living as an empowered witness of who Jesus is and what He has done?

How do we live as Empowered Witnesses for Jesus?

-Daily pursue encounters with Jesus.

-Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

-Be looking for opportunities to share about Jesus. How you spent your weekend. As people share things about their lives with you, simply ask – can I pray for you? Most people will be happy for you to do so. The secular narrative is failing in our world and people are looking for hope. And if you have encountered the risen Jesus, you have a reason to live with hope.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

The text ends with the ascension of Jesus; he leaves them. But He’s going to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. And the 1st century mission will move forward through empowered witnesses. And eventually the movement will make its way to San Francisco in the year 2025. And now we get to decide if we’ll opt into the movement Jesus began or give our lives to some other mini-mission that lacks true power and true joy.

Response:

-Yes to Jesus

-Receive power through being filled by the Holy Spirit

-Tell Jesus you will be His witness in your world.