Introduction:
Listening to our friends or relatives, at times it is hard to believe some of the stuff that they say. Some of the things that they say are so far fetched, that we say to ourselves “Where in the world did they come up this idea?,” or Who did they hear this ridiculous thing from?”
Even we as believers are skeptical about the handy work of God. God from time to time have to remind us who we are and to whom we belong, and that leads me into my first of two points.
Development:
Point Number 1: Don’t Waste Precious Time
Time is a commodity that we don’t have much of. Time is something we cannot buy, borrow, or steal. Time only comes from God. When God created us, He in His infinite wisdom had a specific task and a specific time for us to do His task. Whenever we are given a task to do, if we don’t do it immediately we either do one of two things:
1.)we procrastinate about doing it
2.)we don’t believe that we are able to do it because it looks impossible.
But the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Looking back at the disciples, they had a procrastination problem. When Jesus was ascending into the heavens and He became out of sight, they were still standing there staring up into the empty sky. Why in the world would they just be standing there staring into space?
While they were still standing there, two men dressed in white glowing garments asked them, “Why are you standing here staring into the sky?”
Maybe they did not realize that time was a precious commodity. Time is something that we don’t have a lot of. Maybe they were in hopes that He would change His mind and come back. Maybe they were dumfounded as far as what their task really was.
But whatever the case was, time was being wasted. Jesus had already told them what He was expecting them to do. Jesus had given them a great commission.
Christ needed to dramatize and enforce His claim upon the disciples. He wanted then without a shadow of a doubt to know that He is the King of King and the Lord of Lords.
This was the last time That Jesus would have to confirm His who He was while on earth. He wanted the disciples to have additional confirmation, in the most dramatic way to confirmation that He was exactly whom He claimed to be.
By actually ascending upward He was proclaiming seven glorious truths beyond all question. The cloud was apparently the Shekinah glory. John 1:14 says, “The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory. It was the glory that the Father shares with his only Son, a glory full of kindness and truth.”
If we go back into the scriptures, Acts 1:8, the Word of God says, “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."
They were to become witnesses. The word "witness" in the book of Acts is forceful; it is revealing the duty of every believer. Jesus the Christ has given each of us the charge to be witnesses for Him. The believer’s task is the great task of being a witness for God.
Once the disciples became witnesses they were to testify about Jesus the Christ in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The believer is to first witness in:
(Bible: Literally & Figuratively)Jerusalem: figuratively Jerusalem where he is first, the believer is see to it that Christ is well known throughout his home and community before moving on. But once Christ is well known, the believer is to move out, ever pressing outward from where he is.
The believer is now to witness in:
All Judaea: other communities and areas and cities and states. You cannot stay here behind these walls.
The believer is now to witness in:
Samaria: Which is other states and provinces where people are antagonistic. There was bitter hatred between the Jews and Samaritans. Yet Christ tells His witnesses to carry the message of salvation even to their enemies. We got to go to the drug dealers about salvation.
Point Number 2: I’m holding You Accountable
I need to know, who is willing to be my witness? I need to know who is willing to put their hand to plow. I need to know who is willing to be a servant. My reason for these questions is that aI m holding you accountable. I am a God of accountability.
I need to know who was a witness for me in another state? I need to know who was a witness for me on the job?
I need to know what did you do with my Son. I am a God of accountability. I need to know who truly serves me. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” How many of you out there are servants?
I’m not talking about those who only serve when someone is watching. I’m talking about the in the closet servants. The ones that work and don’t expect recognition or praise. The ones that work and don’t expect to get paid.
However, there are some that only will serve if they get special recognition. There are some that will only serve if they can sat up front or just be up front.
Jesus was trying to teach His disciples, that when he comes back, He’s coming back just like He left, descending from the clouds.
When Jesus comes back, He is coming for an accountability check. He’s checking to see who really has been His witness. He’s checking to see who has went to the utter most parts of the world.
He’s checking to see who has told others about His death burial and resurrection.
Conclusion:
Just before I take my seat, I just would like to let you know, in the event that you have not been a witness, it’s not too late. As long as you have time, you can start from where you are.
I know that this is true because on that Friday on the Hill called the Skull, better known as Calvary, there was a thief on the cross that had just a little more time.
When he asked Jesus to please remember him when He entered into His kingdom. Jesus said, “On this day you will be with me in paradise.”
All you have to do is to confess your sins. Father, I know I haven’t been the witness you have called me to be, but if you will forgive me and just give me one more chance at this, I will do my best to please you.
