1 - GO
Series: The Commission
January 07, 2024
Frank Foreman
Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ----------- What does it mean to be a witness? In a court of law, it refers to someone who tells the complete truth, testifying to what they saw or heard. While these elements are part of being a witness in the kingdom of God, when Jesus said, "you will be My witnesses," it implied so much more. ---------- Jesus was not merely suggesting that we passively repeat facts we have seen, heard, or learned, but that we should actively go and share this truth with those willing to listen. Indeed, we should share it even with those who might initially or ultimately refuse to listen. We are not alone in this endeavor, as the Holy Spirit accompanies us to prepare the way and to convict hearts. ---------- This Sunday marks the start of a new sermon series, led by Frank, centered on Christ's directive to proactively disseminate the Good News throughout the world.
Episode Notes
Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Witnesses (martys):
Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Big Idea: It is with all authority, and the example of His own life, that Jesus gives us a cause worthy of life and death.
1. Go and speak to the next Generation.
Psalm 145:4, One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
2. Go and care for every Culture.
Revelation 7:9-10, After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
3. Go in spite of personal differences.
1st Corinthians 9:22-23, To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
1st Timothy 2:3-4, This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Next Step: Prayerfully consider these questions this week….
- Is there a person, weighing heavy on my heart, that needs to hear the message of salvation?
- Is it a group of people that weigh heavy on your heart? (Why that group?)
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts to hear the Gospel message.
- Pray that God opens a door for you to share the Gospel, ether in word or by invitation.
- What am I willing to sacrifice to be a witness (martyr) for Jesus Christ?
- Is there anything that I am I not willing to sacrifice?
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