God’s Job Description for every believer!
“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.” Acts 1:8
William Arnot, a Scottish pastor said: “To every true Christian these two things may be said: You have need of Christ and Christ has need of you.” He then adds this thought: “The simple fact that a Christian is on earth and not in heaven, is proof that there is something for him here to do”
What is it that God left you on earth to do? Let me put the matter another way. What is it that we can do on earth that we can’t do in heaven? We can sing on earth and we can sing in heaven. We can pray on earth and we can pray in heaven. We can fellowship with other believers on earth and we will certainly fellowship with them in heaven. The list could be lengthened. But when you think about it, there is one main thing you can do on earth that you will never do in heaven: You can tell a lost sinner about Jesus Christ. There will be no sinners in heaven, so if you’re going to tell them the Good News, you’ve got to do it while you’re here on earth.
Just before He returned to heaven, Jesus explained to His disciples what they were to do after His departure. What He said to them, He also says to us. He left us on the earth that we might be his witnesses. In heaven there will be no witnesses because in heaven Jesus is the light, but in this dark world His light is displayed through us. If we do not do our part, God has no other plan.
So in Acts 1:8 we heed these four important truth.
The Promise: Power through the Holy Spirit
It is only through receiving the anointing---the power of the Holy Spirit—that we are able to be witnesses. If I was to take a glove and command it to play piano, people would think I’m crazy. It doesn't have the "ability" (dunamis) to accomplish it. But if my hand "fills" the glove, then whatever my hand does, the glove does to. Suddenly my glove has the ability to play the piano, just like my hand, when the Holy Spirit fills our lives, we are "enabled" to do fulfill the commands of Jesus.
The Command: You will be my witnesses
We have the privilege to partner with God for reconciliation.
The Scope: Your world and The World
“Jerusalem” describes your immediate area. This includes your home, neighborhood, and community. “Judea and Samaria” broadens your scope of influence. This includes the city in which you live and the place where you work and interact with people. The “ends of the earth” describes the world. We are to take and support the taking of the gospel to every part of the globe.
The Motivation: Love for Jesus
In 2 Corinthians 5:14, Paul writes, “For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all.” Our love for Jesus and our love for others compels us to share.
Go ahead and stand strong as a witness of Jesus Christ!