“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)
In the first chapter of Acts we read the account of how Jesus, in the weeks leading up to His ascension, appeared to His disciples on various occasions and confirmed for them His great Easter victory. At this time He also informed them that He would soon bless them with power from on high that would enable them to serve as His gospel witnesses. After His departure to heaven He would use them as His instruments to broadcast far and wide in the world the news of His death-destroying, life-restoring work as mankind’s Savior.
The Book of Acts goes on to record how Jesus accomplished this. He utilized His humble band of followers—theologically untrained men!—to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to people living everywhere.
We twenty-first century disciples have been called to serve our Savior the same way. Now that might seem like a daunting task. We might wonder: Can the Lord still utilize common, ordinary Christians to spread His rule of love and forgiveness to others?
To our joy we learn from the Bible that He can and does!
Below are a few of the more instructive examples from Scripture which bear out this wonderful truth:
1) Consider how the Lord used poor shepherds to publish to the citizens of Bethlehem the tidings that the promised Redeemer of the world had just been born (Luke 2:17).
2) Recall how He used the man from Gadara—whom He had just rescued from demon-possession—to tell the people of the Decapolis of the loving deeds of his Savior (Mark 5:20).
3) Remember how He used the woman at Jacob’s well—whose soul He had refreshed with His life-giving gospel water—to tell the citizens of Sychar about their Messiah come from heaven to redeem them.
So, yes! The Lord can and does use ordinary folks—all who have come to know and experience His mercies firsthand—to spread to others the wonders of His love.
Consider a few practical tips which may be helpful to carry out your privileged calling
as a witness for our Lord:
+ Set aside time each day, even if only a few minutes, for reading your Bible. As you spend time searching Scripture, the Holy Spirit will help you grow in grace and in the knowledge of His Word, thus further equipping you for your calling as a witness to the Lord.
+ Begin your day by offering a little prayer: “Bless me, Lord, with eyes to recognize opportunities set before me for sharing Your life-giving gospel with people in the course of my day, and give me words to say what will benefit them spiritually.”
+ Always remember that your calling as a witness for Jesus is simply to plant His gospel seeds (share with others what great things Jesus has done for you). Then step back and let the Holy Spirit take the seed that is sown, causing it to germinate and grow in people’s hearts in His own time and way.
Preach you the Word and plant it home
And never faint, the Harvest-Lord
Who gave the sower seed to sow
Will watch and tend His planted Word.
Worship Supplement 2000 #781:4