Anticipating God's Promises: Empowered Witnesses for Christ

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I began by acknowledging the presence of the gospel in our lives, not only through song and the public declaration of faith by two individuals but also through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I emphasized the importance of yielding our lives to the King of the universe and expressed gratitude for what God has been doing in our church community.

I introduced myself as Nate, one of the pastors, and shared our plan to delve into the book of Acts over the coming months. The focus of today's message was on anticipating the promises of God, a theme that is deeply woven into our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. I illustrated this by discussing the various promises we encounter, such as the promise of a child, the hope for a better tomorrow, and the longing for love and fulfillment in relationships.

However, I also addressed the reality that sometimes hope is deferred, and promises are broken, leading to disappointment and heartache. In contrast, I assured the congregation that God's promises are steadfast and always kept. This led us to the heart of the sermon: the anticipation of God's promises as seen in Acts chapter one.

I read from Acts 1:1-5, highlighting Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and His instructions to the apostles to wait for the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit. I explained that the book of Acts is not merely about the apostles' actions but rather the Acts of the Holy Spirit, through which Jesus continues to work in the world.

I further expounded on the significance of Jesus' last words, focusing on His command to be witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This command was not just for the apostles but extends to us today, as we are called to be witnesses in our own "Jerusalem" and beyond.

I shared stories of our church's impact locally and globally, from ministering in retirement facilities to supporting church planters in Ukraine. I emphasized that being a witness for Christ is not contingent on our abilities or qualifications but on the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

As we transitioned into the Lord's Supper, I encouraged the congregation to reflect on whose kingdom they are living for and to align their lives with the kingdom of God. I reminded them that the kingdom of God is about Jesus getting His way in our lives, which leads to true human flourishing.

I concluded by announcing our church's continued support for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, sharing plans to visit and encourage church planters there, and affirming that the safest place to be is in the center of God's will.

Key Takeaways:

1. The gospel is not just a story to be heard but a transformative reality that demands our response. As we yield to Christ, we experience the fullness of life intended for us. This yielding is not a one-time event but a continual process of aligning our lives with the King of the universe. ([33:17])

2. Anticipating God's promises is an active, daily exercise that shapes our expectations and actions. We rely on promises more than we realize, and while human promises may fail, God's promises are the bedrock upon which we can build our lives. ([34:22])

3. The Holy Spirit's indwelling is not partial but complete upon belief. Our walk with God is not about seeking more of the Spirit but about being more attuned and obedient to His leading, which points us to Jesus. ([42:56])

4. The kingdom of God is central to Jesus' teaching and should be to ours as well. It is the manifestation of God's rule and reign in our lives, and we must evaluate daily whose kingdom we are serving—our own or Christ's. ([46:56])

5. Witnessing for Christ is not about our capabilities but about the Holy Spirit's power at work within us. Every believer is called to be a witness, and this identity should manifest in our actions and words as we share the gospel in our communities and to the ends of the earth. ([57:54])

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:1-5

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the instructions Jesus gave to the apostles before His ascension as recorded in Acts 1:1-5?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' command to wait for the promise of the Father? [38:39]
3. How does the pastor describe the book of Acts in relation to the Holy Spirit's work? [39:48]
4. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate the impact of the church locally and globally? [01:00:42]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand that the book of Acts is about the Acts of the Holy Spirit rather than just the apostles? [39:48]
2. How does the anticipation of God's promises shape our daily lives and actions according to the sermon? [34:22]
3. What does it mean to be a witness for Christ, and how does the Holy Spirit empower us for this role? [57:54]
4. How does the concept of the kingdom of God challenge us to evaluate whose kingdom we are serving in our daily lives? [46:56]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced disappointment due to a broken promise. How does the assurance that God's promises are always kept change your perspective? [37:26]
2. The pastor mentioned that the Holy Spirit's indwelling is complete upon belief. How can you become more attuned and obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading in your life? [42:56]
3. Consider the pastor's question, "Whose kingdom are you living for?" What specific steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with the kingdom of God? [48:09]
4. The sermon emphasized that witnessing for Christ is not about our capabilities but about the Holy Spirit's power. Identify one person in your life with whom you can share the gospel this week. How will you rely on the Holy Spirit in this conversation? [57:54]
5. The pastor shared stories of the church's impact both locally and globally. How can you get involved in your church's mission efforts, whether locally or globally? [01:00:42]
6. Reflect on the pastor's analogy of marriage being 100-0 rather than 50-50. How can you apply this principle of sacrificial love in your relationships this week? [49:33]
7. The pastor encouraged the congregation to reflect during the Lord's Supper on whose kingdom they are living for. Take a moment to pray and ask God to reveal any areas of your life that need realignment with His kingdom. What did you sense during this time of reflection? [01:09:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Yielding to the Transformative Gospel
The gospel is a dynamic force that calls for an active response, not just a passive hearing. Yielding to Christ is a journey of continuous surrender, where one's life is progressively aligned with the will of the King of the universe. This process is transformative, leading to a life that is lived in its fullest, most intended form. It is about allowing Jesus to take the reins, guiding every decision, action, and thought. This yielding is not a one-time event but a daily practice of submitting to God's sovereignty and embracing the life He has designed for each individual. [33:17]

James 4:7-8 ESV
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Building Life on God's Promises
Anticipating God's promises is a vital part of the Christian walk, shaping expectations and actions. While human promises can be fragile and often break, God's promises serve as a solid foundation for life. Trusting in these divine assurances allows one to navigate through life's uncertainties with confidence and hope. This anticipation is not passive; it is an active engagement with God's word, seeking to understand and live out the promises made by the Creator. It is a daily exercise that requires faith and patience, knowing that what God has said will indeed come to pass. [34:22]

2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are currently holding onto. How does this promise shape your daily expectations and actions?

Day 3: Attuned to the Spirit's Leading
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a complete work that occurs at the moment of belief. The Christian life is not about seeking more of the Spirit but rather about becoming more attuned and obedient to His leading. This obedience points believers to Jesus and aligns their lives with His teachings and example. The Holy Spirit guides, convicts, and empowers, enabling believers to live out their faith authentically. It is through this attunement to the Spirit's presence that one can truly walk in step with God's will, experiencing the fullness of a life led by the Spirit. [42:56]

Galatians 5:25 ESV
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: In what ways might you be resisting the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life, and how can you become more attuned and obedient to His leading today?

Day 4: Aligning with the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is not a distant or abstract concept but a present reality that demands our allegiance. It is about Jesus getting His way in our lives, which leads to true human flourishing. Daily, believers must evaluate whose kingdom they are serving—whether it is their own or Christ's. This evaluation is crucial as it determines the values, priorities, and actions that define one's life. The kingdom of God is about the manifestation of God's rule and reign in the hearts and lives of His people, and aligning with it brings about transformation and purpose. [46:56]

Matthew 6:33 ESV
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize the kingdom of God in your daily routine, and how can this shift in focus change your interactions with others?

Day 5: Empowered to Witness by the Spirit
Witnessing for Christ is not dependent on personal capabilities but on the Holy Spirit's power at work within believers. Every Christian is called to be a witness, and this identity should be evident in both actions and words. The call to share the gospel extends from one's immediate community to the ends of the earth. It is the Holy Spirit who equips and empowers believers to fulfill this mission, ensuring that the message of Christ is conveyed with authenticity and power. This empowerment is not just for the extraordinary moments but for the everyday opportunities to demonstrate and proclaim the love of Christ. [57:54]

Acts 4:31 ESV
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Reflection: How can you be a witness for Christ in your own "Jerusalem" today, and what specific action can you take to demonstrate the gospel to someone in your sphere of influence?

Quotes

1) "The gospel of the goodness of Christ is simply, Jesus lived the life that you and I were called to live. We did not. And he was crucified on a criminal's cross, was buried, resurrected. And our response to that is to yield our life to the King. He's the King of the universe." [33:17]( | | )

2) "We understand and rely upon promises a lot more than we think that we do... Anticipating the promises of God. And I think that we don't understand how much that we rely upon promises every day." [34:22]( | | )

3) "God makes promises and he always keeps them. Somebody say amen. God makes promises. He makes promises and he always keeps them. So one of the things that we wanna talk about this morning is anticipating the promises of God." [37:26]( | | )

4) "Whose kingdom are you living for? When you love money, you're living for the kingdom of money... Whatever the kingdom is, it will lose when it's challenging the kingdom of Jesus. Jesus is unbelievably, unrelenting, committed to every facet of our lives." [51:14]( | | )

5) "You are going to have power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Jesus was eating with the disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God... The Holy Spirit is given to people who ask God for the Holy Spirit." [55:13]( | | )

6) "If you believe in Jesus Christ, there is a power available to you that can change your life... All things have been granted to you to actually live a godly life. And the Spirit of God, who lives in you if you are a believer in Christ, takes the Bible and helps you be the man, woman, boy, or girl that God wants you to be." [57:54]( | | )

7) "It's not about your accolades. It's not about how much knowledge you have. It's not about your spiritual resume. It's not about your education. It's not about knowledge, not how mature you are. If you're a believer in Christ, you are a witness." [59:28]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?