Jesus Is Alive—Now What? Living with Purpose in the “Not Yet” (Acts 1:6–8)

Last Sunday, we celebrated Resurrection Sunday—the cornerstone of the Christian faith that fills us with hope and confidence. The truth that Jesus is alive is not a side note; it is central to the gospel. Without the resurrection, we have nothing.

In Acts 1:3, Scripture tells us that after His suffering, Jesus presented Himself alive by many convincing proofs. He didn't leave His disciples guessing. Over a period of 40 days, He appeared to them, spoke with them, and even ate with them. They didn't encounter a vision or a spiritual impression—this was a bodily resurrection.

The disciples didn't preach theories. They preached what they saw. As Peter later declared in Acts 10, "We ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead." Their message was grounded in eyewitness testimony. And that reality transformed their lives.

After all the appearances, the teaching, and the undeniable proof of the resurrection, the disciples ask Jesus a question:

"Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)

It's easy to think they missed the point—but they didn't. Their question was rooted in Scripture. Passages like Daniel 7spoke of a coming kingdom, a Messiah who would reign over all nations. And living under Roman oppression, they longed for restoration. They wanted freedom.

In simple terms, they were asking: "Now that you've risen… is this when everything gets better? Is this when You end Roman domination?"

That question hasn't gone away. We still ask it today. "Now that I'm in Christ, shouldn't things be easier? When will God fix this situation? When will things change?"

Jesus doesn't rebuke them for expecting a kingdom. Instead, He redirects their focus:

"It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…" (Acts 1:7–8)

In other words, the timing is God's responsibility. The mission is yours. They were focused on when. Jesus pointed them to what? Not speculation—but purpose. Not control—but obedience.

The disciples had to learn something we still wrestle with today. The tension between the "already" and the "not yet." The Kingdom of God is here. But it is not yet fully realised. Jesus is risen. He is reigning. And yet, the world we live in is still broken.

This means that following Christ doesn't remove difficulty. It reframes it. As Peter later wrote:

"Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you… as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12)

The trials we face aren't a sign that God has failed. It is often part of walking faithfully with Him in a fallen world, until the final consummation of all things.

One of the clearest illustrations of this comes from John 21. After Jesus tells Peter about his future suffering, Peter looks at another disciple and asks, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus replies, "What is that to you? You follow me." That is a word for all of us.

We are often distracted by other people's lives. Other people's blessings. Other people's journeys. But Jesus brings us back to something simple and direct. "Follow Me."

Your assignment is not to compare yourselves with others, which we do at times. Your assignment is not to control outcomes... Your assignment is to walk faithfully with Christ and rely on His grace to uphold us.

So What Does This Mean for Us?

Because Jesus is alive, we are called to live purposefully, not just speculate about timelines or control outcomes. Our mission is to be witnesses daily, reflecting Christ in relationships and sharing the gospel when opportunities arise.

You cannot force people to believe. But you can live in such a way that they see Christ in you. And while you do that, trust God with what you cannot control. He is still working—often in ways you cannot see. He is drawing hearts, convicting minds, and revealing truth. But each person must respond for themselves.

The resurrection proves that Jesus is alive. But Acts 1 teaches us how to live because He is alive. Don't let unanswered questions distract you. Don't let difficult circumstances define you. Don't let comparison derail you. Instead, follow Him faithfully. Trust His plan. Live intentionally for Him, knowing your life is rooted in His resurrection power.

Remember—your life is not anchored in circumstances, achievements, or outcomes. Your life is anchored in the risen Christ.

If this message encouraged you, let us know your thoughts and share it with others. May the Lord bless you richly.

Pastor O