Can I Get A Witness?

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

During this time of fasting for 21 days, our church has been seeking the face of God for our lives and ministry. One of the things we have been praying for is power. We receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. God doesn’t give us the Holy Spirit just to make us feel warm and fuzzy, or to shout on Sunday, or to get goose bumps in service but he gives us power to be a witness to his resurrection, to heal the sick, to give sight to the blind, to set the captives free, that’s why he gives us Power!

It’s interesting that the word “witness” means to be a martyr. A Martyr is one who gives his/her life for their faith. Jesus said, you shall give your life for what you believe in after you have received the Holy Spirit. I believe there would be a lot less people asking for the Holy Spirit if they really knew what it meant to be a witness.

After you receive power you are to be a witness in:

1. Jerusalem. This city was home base for the Apostles. It was their comfort zone. It was easier being a witness there because people were familiar with what just happened with Jesus, plus they shared the same culture. Every local church should start with their community in being a witness. If the people around your church haven’t heard from you then you have failed as a witness. Have you evangelized the homes, apartments, and schools around your church? On a micro level do you know your neighbors? Do your neighbors know Jesus as a result of you?

2. Judea was a place similar, but different. It was close enough physically and shared some of the same cultural nuances. What are the surrounding areas that need to hear about Jesus and requires you to step out of your comfort zone?

3. Samaria was close, but culturally different. God will send you places to a people who might disagree theologically and culturally but still need Jesus. Can you get over your bias, racism, and sexism in order to give them Jesus?

4. Uttermost parts of the world. This is global missions where every believer should eventually be a part of. With the crisis in Haiti, the world has had an overwhelming response in sending aid to this hurting part of the world. Through the World Wide Web, the world has become smaller and makes it easier for all of us to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It’s time for all of us to be a witness and to tell the world about the goodness of Jesus Christ!

Dear God, I pray that I can be a witness for Jesus. I believe you’ve called us to reach one more for Jesus glocally, that is locally and globally. Give us wisdom how to spread your Gospel to all four quadrants and be your witness everyday and everywhere.

In Jesus Name,
Amen