In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:1-11, NRSV)
When the Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power, and you will be my witnesses…
We have received power from in high to go to the ends of the earth and to tell others about the life giving love of Jesus!
It is not a request to go and tell those you love, and will listen…
It is not a hope that you will pick up the charge and go and tell others, even those who may not want to listen…
Jesus told the disciples, and us, that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be empowered by God to go to all the world. And when this happens you will be. Not might be. Not could be. Not should be.
You will be my witnesses. And you will be my witnesses where?
Not just in your house. Or you neighborhood. Or with your friends. Or with those who will listen.
You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth! We have to go everywhere!
Jesus is calling us to go to the ends of the world to tell others about His love.
It is not enough to share it in our congregations.
It is not enough to share it in our homes.
It is not enough to share it in our workplaces. (Oh that is a scary thought for some of us, isn’t it?)
We need to tell everyone every where how much God loves them through Jesus.
So filled with the power of God to go and do. Go and do. Knowing that He is always with you, to guide you and direct your steps, giving you the words to say!
aSacredRebel 