Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explores the Christian's primary purpose of being witnesses of Christ's love and grace, and how to live out this purpose daily.
Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It is always a joy to gather together in the house of the Lord, united in our faith and our love for Him who first loved us. Today, we find ourselves on the precipice of a profound exploration of the Christian faith, a deep and meaningful understanding of our purpose as followers of Christ.
We turn our hearts and minds to the book of Acts, specifically Acts 1:8, which reads:
"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, dear friends, is a clear and compelling call to action, a divine directive that speaks of our primary purpose as Christians. We are called to be witnesses, to testify to the truth of Christ's love, His grace, His transformative power.
Our sermon today will focus on three main points: Understanding the Christian's Primary Purpose, The Role of Serving in Fulfilling Our Purpose, and Living Out Our Purpose in Everyday Life.
J.I. Packer wrote, "There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God's favor to them in life, through death and on forever." This quote speaks volumes about the peace that comes from knowing our purpose in Christ and living it out in our daily lives.
Now, let us bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and open minds, ready to receive Your word and Your wisdom. We ask that You guide us in our understanding of our purpose as Christians and how we can serve You in our everyday lives. Help us to be Your witnesses, not just in our words, but in our actions. May Your Holy Spirit empower us, just as it empowered the disciples, to spread Your love and Your truth to the ends of the earth. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Let’s get started!
In the heart of every believer, there is a divine spark, a calling that transcends our earthly existence. This calling is not just about attending church services, reading the Bible, or even praying. It's about something much deeper, much more profound. It's about being a witness to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
The disciples transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit: They were ordinary men, just like us, but they were given an extraordinary task. They were called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. This was not just about preaching or teaching. It was about living out their faith in a way that others could see and experience the love of Christ through them.
The nature of this calling: Being a witness is not just about speaking about Jesus. It's about embodying His love and grace in our everyday lives. It's about showing kindness to those who are unkind, forgiving those who have wronged us, and loving those who are hard to love. This is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do.
The scope of this calling: The disciples were called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. This means that our calling is not limited to our immediate surroundings. We are called to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet, regardless of their background, their beliefs, or their lifestyle. This is a challenging task, but it is one that we are equipped to handle through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The power that enables us to fulfill this calling: The disciples were not left to their own devices. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit. This same power is available to us today. We don't have to rely on our own strength or wisdom. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us, to empower us, and to enable us to be effective witnesses for Christ.
The impact of this calling: When we live out our faith in a visible and tangible way, it has a profound impact on those around us. It can soften hearts, change minds, and draw people to Christ. This is not because of anything we do, but because of the power of Christ working through us.
The book of Acts, chapter 1, verse 8, is a powerful reminder of the role service plays in our Christian walk ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO