Be My Witnesses

Our Great Hope:

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” —Acts 1:3

• Jesus is present; the resurrection happened, he appears to his followers
  • His followers needed this proof.
  • We are encouraged by this proof.
• One of the strongest arguments for faith in Christ. Why would these followers risk their lives, be tortured, etc. if the resurrection had not happened?

Wait for the Spirit...

The Holy Spirit is with and within us

• Our comfort and guide and power and authority
• God is moving us out into ever-widening circles v.8
  • Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth
  • How does your circle need to widen?
  • How have you limited God’s work?
• Don’t run ahead of God
  • We’re reminded to wait for the Spirit v.4
    • “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” v. 4-5
    • Without the power of the Spirit we lack boldness and authority
  • We’re reminded that only God knows the time
    • “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” v. 7
    • It is not our job to hurry God’s work or kingdom
    • We move in God’s power, authority, and time.

But Don’t Just Stand There:

• “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” v. 11
• The sudden presence of 2 men in white robes would have been a little scary. But there would also be some comfort in knowing God was still moving, and Jesus would return.
• We ready ourselves for the return of Christ not by standing and looking into heaven but by participating in the work of the Kingdom.
• We are to be God’s witnesses.
  • What have you seen?
  • How have you been changed?
  • Don’t just stand there looking and waiting. Do what you have been called and empowered to do.
• Ordinary people being used by God. From Jesus to 12, 12 to 120 (Acts 1:15), 120 to 2.3 Billion, or 31% of the world’s population.