God not only calls us to be His witnesses but also empowers us through the Holy Spirit to fulfill this mission, and we should audaciously rely on His strength rather than our own.
Good morning, family! We've gathered here today to delve into a powerful message from the book of Acts - about God's mighty power, our empowerment, and the ultimate source of our strength.
Now, let's take a look at the scripture: 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."
This verse tells us that God doesn't just call us to be witnesses, He empowers us to do so. It's an audacious claim, isn't it? But it's one we are boldly making today.
I love what A.W. Tozer once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves." This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of our message today.
Let's open in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for each person here ready to receive Your word. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds, that we may understand and apply Your teachings in our lives. Empower us, Lord, to become effective witnesses of Your love and grace to the world. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.
So, let’s get started!
God's power is a transformative force that equips us to be His witnesses. It's not just about having the ability to speak about God's love and grace, but it's about being empowered by His Spirit to do so. This is a divine empowerment that goes beyond our human capabilities. It's not about what we can do, but about what God can do through us.
The book of Acts: The disciples, ordinary men, were transformed into powerful witnesses of the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. They were not theologians, scholars, or eloquent speakers. Yet, they were able to spread the Gospel across nations, face persecution, and even give up their lives for the sake of Christ. This was not by their power or might, but by the Spirit of God.
Not a one-time event: It's a continuous process that happens as we yield to the Holy Spirit. It's not about our strength, intelligence, or skills. It's about God's power working in and through us. This power is not just for the early disciples, but for every believer. God wants to use us as His witnesses, and He empowers us to do so.
What is witnessing?: It's not just about preaching or evangelizing. It's about living a life that reflects Christ. It's about showing God's love, grace, and mercy in our everyday actions. It's about being a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope in a world filled with despair. This is not something we can do on our own. We need God's power to live this kind of life.
Overcome fear: Fear is one of the biggest hindrances to witnessing. We fear rejection, ridicule, and persecution. But when we are empowered by God's Spirit, we can overcome these fears. The disciples faced intense persecution, yet they boldly proclaimed the Gospel. They were able to do this because they were empowered by God's Spirit.
Speak the truth in love: Witnessing is not about winning arguments or debates. It's about sharing the truth of the Gospel in a loving and compassionate manner. This requires wisdom and discernment, which comes from God. When we are empowered by His Spirit, we can speak the truth in love, even in difficult situations.
Endure: Witnessing is not always easy. It can be challenging and exhausting. But God's power gives us the strength to endure. We can keep going, keep sharing, and keep loving because of His power at work in us.
Be His witnesses: This is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. It's a divine calling that requires divine empowerment. We can't do it on our own. We need God's power. And the good news is, He is more than willing to give it to us.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how God's power has empowered you for witnessing. How can your congregation be His witnesses as well?
The audacity of empowerment is a concept that is both thrilling and challenging ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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