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.”
If you teach Sunday School, lead a Bible study, or simply share Scripture over coffee, you are communicating life-changing truth.
4. Go! And Testify – Share Your Story
Your testimony may be the only Gospel some people ever hear.
Revelation 12:11 (NLT): “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”
R.T. Kendall said: “A testimony is not about what you did for God, but what God did for you.”
Think of the Samaritan woman in John 4. After meeting Jesus, she ran to the village saying, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (John 4:29). Her simple testimony brought many to faith.
5. Go! And Converse – Speak with Grace
Witnessing often happens in everyday conversations.
Colossians 4:6 (NLT): “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
1 Peter 3:15 (NLT): “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
Tim Keller wrote: “Evangelism is not about winning an argument; it’s about winning a person.”
Pray for Spirit-led conversations in your workplace, family, and friendships.
6. Go! And Connect – Use Every Channel
Paul wrote letters that became Scripture. You may write a Christmas card, send a text, or make a phone call that carries the Good News.
Isaiah 55:11 (NLT): “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
A missionary once received a letter that simply read, “I read the tract you sent; I am now a brother in Christ.” One envelope changed eternity.
7. Go! And Give – Invest in God’s Work
Supporting missions, purchasing Bibles, or funding Gospel work is an act of witness.
Philippians 4:17 (NLT): “I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.”
John Wesley said: “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
Your giving echoes into eternity.
The Heart of the Message – The Gospel Itself
Sharing the Good News is not about promoting religion; it is about proclaiming a Saviour.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
John 14:6 (NLT): “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16).
Call to Action:
Will you answer Christ’s call to witness?
Go! And speak.
Go! And sing.
Go! And share your story.
Go! And give.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment—create one. Don’t wait for someone else—be the one.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have not yet believed this Good News, this is your moment. Turn from sin, trust in Christ, and receive His gift of eternal life.
Pray: “Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. I commit my life to You as my Saviour and Lord. Forgive me, change me, use me.”
Benediction:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favour and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)
Now go, filled with His Spirit, and tell the world that Jesus saves.
