Go! And Tell: Sharing The Good News That Changes Lives - Acts 1:8 Series

Go! And Tell: Sharing the Good News That Changes Lives

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NLT)

Acts 1:6–11 (NLT): So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Introduction – A Mission Worth Sharing

Imagine for a moment that you discovered a cure for a deadly disease. Would you keep it to yourself? Of course not! You would share it with everyone you could, because you know it would save lives.

The Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ—is not just a message; it is the cure for the sickness of sin. It is the only hope for a dying world. Jesus said in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This is not a suggestion. It is a commission. A calling to every follower of Jesus. It is a call to Go! And tell.

At Christmas, we sing, “Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” That carol is not just a song—it is a mission statement.

Context of Acts 1:8

The disciples were gathered with Jesus after His resurrection. They still expected an earthly kingdom. They asked, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (Acts 1:6, NLT). But Jesus redirected them.

He said, essentially: “Don’t focus on the timing of my kingdom—focus on your mission until I return.”

Acts 1:8 is both a promise and a plan:

Power (d??aµ?? – dynamis) – supernatural ability from the Holy Spirit.

Witnesses (µ??t??e? – martures) – those who testify, even at great cost.

Everywhere – from local (Jerusalem) to global (ends of the earth).

Then He ascended, and the angels said: “Jesus… will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11, NLT).

We are living between those two moments—His ascension and His return—and our job is clear: share the Good News until He comes.

1. Go! And Preach – Proclaiming Christ from the Pulpit

Pastors have a unique calling to preach the Gospel faithfully. But preaching is not only for pastors—it's a model for us all.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT): “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”

Charles Spurgeon once said: “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” In other words, if Christ has saved you, your life should preach—even before your lips do.

Pray for your pastors to preach with boldness, and let your daily living be a sermon that points people to Christ.

2. Go! And Sing – Let Your Worship Witness

Singing is not a warm-up before the sermon; it is a witness to the world.

Psalm 96:2–3 (NLT): “Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.”

Max Lucado writes: “When we sing to God, we are rehearsing for eternity.”

Think of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25). Their songs in the night led to an earthquake and a jailer’s salvation. Your worship can do the same—it opens hearts to the Gospel.

3. Go! And Teach – Discipling Through God’s Word

Teaching is more than information transfer; it is transformation through truth.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT): “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

John Piper said: “The Bible is the only book where the Author is always present when you read it.”