Called to Witness: The Power of Transformation
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound calling Jesus gave to His disciples in Acts 1:8, where He instructed them to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This calling is not just historical but is a living mandate for us today. We delved into two critical questions: "What are we witnesses of?" and "What do witnesses do?"
Firstly, we are witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the cornerstone of our faith, the event that validates everything we believe and practice. The resurrection is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality that changes lives. We heard testimonies of changed lives, from biblical figures like Paul to modern-day examples, illustrating the power of Jesus' resurrection.
Secondly, we are witnesses of changed lives. The transformation that Jesus brings is evident in the lives of those who follow Him. We shared stories of individuals whose lives were radically changed by encountering Jesus, emphasizing that this change is a testament to the living power of Christ.
Moving on to what witnesses do, we learned that witnesses are first and foremost people who have been with Jesus. This relationship fuels our ability to witness. We also discussed the importance of speaking about Jesus boldly, as Peter and John did, despite opposition. Witnesses cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard.
Furthermore, we are called to witness both locally and globally. This involves living our everyday lives with gospel intentionality, seeing every interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus. Practical steps include intentional prayer and looking for divine activity in our daily routines.
Finally, we traced the historical spread of the gospel from the early church to the present day, showing how ordinary people who met the living God changed the world. This legacy continues with us, as we are called to be witnesses in our own communities and beyond.
### Key Takeaways
1. Witnesses of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is the fulcrum of our faith. It validates everything we believe and practice. Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain. This event is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality that changes lives. Reflect on the power of the resurrection in your own life and how it shapes your daily walk with Jesus. [45:04]
2. Witnesses of Changed Lives: The transformation that Jesus brings is evident in the lives of those who follow Him. From biblical figures like Paul to modern-day testimonies, the change is undeniable. Consider how Jesus has changed your life and how your story can be a powerful witness to others. [48:43]
3. Being with Jesus: Witnesses are first and foremost people who have been with Jesus. Our relationship with Him fuels our ability to witness. The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy Him forever. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus and how it equips you to be a witness. [52:21]
4. Boldly Speaking of Jesus: Witnesses cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. Despite opposition, Peter and John boldly proclaimed Jesus. Consider the boldness in your own witness. Are you willing to speak of Jesus even when it’s uncomfortable or risky? [55:34]
5. Living with Gospel Intentionality: Witnessing involves living our everyday lives with gospel intentionality. This means seeing every interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus. Practical steps include intentional prayer and looking for divine activity in our daily routines. Reflect on how you can incorporate gospel intentionality into your daily life. [01:00:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[40:17] - Introduction to Witnesses
[41:17] - Prayer for Guidance
[42:00] - Context of Acts 4
[42:45] - Healing of the Beggar
[43:32] - Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
[44:21] - Proclaiming Jesus' Name
[45:04] - Witnesses of the Resurrection
[48:43] - Witnesses of Changed Lives
[51:06] - What Do Witnesses Do?
[52:21] - Being with Jesus
[55:34] - Boldly Speaking of Jesus
[57:56] - Witnessing Locally and Globally
[01:00:11] - Living with Gospel Intentionality
[01:04:15] - Intentional Prayer
[01:05:31] - Historical Spread of the Gospel
[01:11:34] - Responding as Witnesses
[01:15:24] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
2. Acts 4:10-12 - "let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
3. John 20:21 - "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific event does Acts 1:8 describe, and what command does Jesus give to His disciples? ([40:17])
2. In Acts 4:10-12, what reasons does Peter give for the healing of the beggar? ([44:21])
3. According to the sermon, what are the two main things we are witnesses of? ([45:04])
4. How did Peter and John respond to the Sanhedrin's command to stop speaking about Jesus? ([55:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the resurrection of Jesus considered the cornerstone of our faith according to the sermon? ([45:04])
2. How does the transformation in the lives of believers serve as a testament to the power of Jesus? ([48:43])
3. What does it mean to live with "gospel intentionality" in our daily lives? ([01:00:11])
4. How does the historical spread of the gospel from the early church to the present day inspire us to be witnesses in our own communities? ([01:05:31])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. How has the resurrection of Jesus impacted your daily walk with Him? ([45:04])
2. Can you share a personal story of how Jesus has changed your life? How can this story be a powerful witness to others? ([48:43])
3. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus, ensuring that you are "with Him" daily? ([52:21])
4. Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to speak about Jesus but hesitated. What held you back, and how can you overcome this in the future? ([55:34])
5. Identify one area in your daily routine where you can incorporate gospel intentionality. What specific action will you take this week to share Jesus in that context? ([01:00:11])
6. How can you be more aware of divine activity in your everyday life? Share a recent experience where you felt God was at work around you. ([01:01:23])
7. What steps can you take to embrace your identity as a witness more fully? How can you encourage others in your small group to do the same? ([01:12:08])
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is not merely a historical event but a transformative reality that validates everything Christians believe and practice. The resurrection signifies victory over death and sin, offering believers a new life in Christ. This new life is characterized by hope, renewal, and a profound sense of purpose. Reflecting on the resurrection helps believers understand the depth of God's love and the power of His salvation. The resurrection is a daily reminder that through Christ, we are more than conquerors, and it shapes our daily walk with Jesus. [45:04]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? Can you identify specific areas where this transformative power is evident?
Day 2: Witnesses of Changed Lives
The transformation that Jesus brings is evident in the lives of those who follow Him. From biblical figures like Paul to modern-day testimonies, the change is undeniable. This transformation is not just about moral improvement but a complete renewal of the heart and mind. When individuals encounter Jesus, their lives are radically changed, and they become living testimonies of His power. Reflecting on personal stories of transformation can inspire and encourage others to seek the same change in their lives. Your story of how Jesus has changed your life can be a powerful witness to others, demonstrating the living power of Christ. [48:43]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How has Jesus transformed your life? Can you think of specific instances where His power has been evident in your personal journey?
Day 3: Being with Jesus
Witnesses are first and foremost people who have been with Jesus. This relationship fuels their ability to witness. The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy Him forever. Spending time with Jesus through prayer, reading the Bible, and worship is essential for spiritual growth and effective witnessing. This intimate relationship with Jesus equips believers to share their faith authentically and passionately. Reflecting on your personal relationship with Jesus can help you understand how it equips you to be a witness and how you can deepen this relationship further. [52:21]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How is your personal relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship and allow it to fuel your witness?
Day 4: Boldly Speaking of Jesus
Witnesses cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. Despite opposition, Peter and John boldly proclaimed Jesus. Boldness in witnessing comes from a deep conviction and personal experience of Jesus' power and love. It involves speaking the truth in love, even when it is uncomfortable or risky. Reflecting on the boldness of early Christians can inspire you to be courageous in your own witness. Consider the areas in your life where you need to speak more boldly about Jesus and how you can overcome any fears or obstacles. [55:34]
Acts 4:29-31 (ESV): "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 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: Are there situations where you feel hesitant to speak about Jesus? What steps can you take to be more bold and courageous in your witness?
Day 5: Living with Gospel Intentionality
Witnessing involves living our everyday lives with gospel intentionality. This means seeing every interaction as an opportunity to share Jesus. Practical steps include intentional prayer, looking for divine activity in our daily routines, and being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Living with gospel intentionality requires a mindset shift, where every moment is seen as an opportunity to reflect Christ's love and truth. Reflecting on how you can incorporate gospel intentionality into your daily life can help you become a more effective witness in your community and beyond. [01:00:11]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: How can you incorporate gospel intentionality into your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that every interaction reflects Christ's love and truth?
Quotes
1. "The New Testament will go on to use the word witness 200 times, describing followers of Jesus that they are witnesses of this significant life-altering event of Jesus' death and resurrection. So imagine yourself in the room. You're one of the disciples, one of the 120 that they say were in the room after Jesus had gone into heaven. He's told you that you are witnesses, but you have no resources, no support, nothing. In fact, you're actually enemies. And you are about to tell people about this guy, Jesus. What would that have felt like? What would that have felt like? What would you have done?" [40:17] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So Peter and John, put in this basically courtroom, they're saying, what are you doing? Peter then responds and just says boldly, we did this in the name of Jesus Christ, by the way, who you killed, and by the way, this is key, who raised from the dead. Who raised from the dead. So what are we witnesses of? We are first witnesses of Jesus raised from the dead. Peter is very clear with that. He is saying, yes, he lived. Yes, we're healing in his name. But ultimately, you guys killed him. But then ultimately, death was conquered. Jesus is alive." [45:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So just for us to just pause and be like everything that you do, coming to church, trying to have a quiet time, trying to love your kids well, trying to know Jesus more by praying, like all of these things that you do, you do not just because it's the good, right thing to do. You do them because someone named Jesus got out of the grave. That's why you do what you do. The resurrection, Jesus getting out of the grave is the fulcrum for everything that we do." [46:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So number one, we are witnesses of the resurrection. Number two, we are witnesses of changed lives. We are witnesses of changed life. Think about Paul, Paul, self righteous murder, and yet sees Jesus changed, totally changed, becomes a humble, broken, joyful, passionate mission missionary to the known world. My grandfather, he was an alcoholic, angry, depressed after world war two came back. Just, just, just abusive, divorced, angry, meet somebody in downtown Cincinnati. That person leads him to Jesus and he is changed." [48:43] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So witnesses, we are witnesses of the resurrection and we are witnesses of changed lives. But now let's get into what do witnesses do? What do witnesses do? If we see the resurrection, if we see the change in our lives and those around us, then how do we respond? What do witnesses do? Let's move to acts four 13. So the Sanhedrin, again, they've been, you know, in this courtroom, basically questioning these guys. it's the resurrection. We got to tell everybody about Jesus, but I want you to hear what the first witnesses do." [51:06] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So what do witnesses do? Witnesses are first people that are with Jesus. They're with Jesus. I've seen, I've loved that. Just the description that we get from Luke writing Luke was the writer of acts that with the description we get in this is this is that these men were known to have like been with Jesus. There's something personal, something specific in that these men were known to be with him. I love how the Westminster catechism says this about our chief and our purpose in life. The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy him forever." [52:21] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So witnesses cannot help but speak of Jesus. Three witnesses witness where they are and to the ends of the earth. So witness is both a or witnesses is a noun, but it is also a verb. So witnesses witness. In John 20, Jesus, this is another time of Jesus communicating some last words to his disciples. He says to them, Jesus said to them, peace be with you as the father has sent me. Even so, I am sending you. This is a massive statement on Jesus's part. He is essentially saying, as am I, so are you." [57:09] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So Jesus says, as am I, so are you. So I was sent to you. I died for you. I rose from the dead. And now you are sent from here. And then we see Peter and John in Acts 4 saying, we cannot help but speak. We have to be witnesses who witness. We have to be witnesses who witness. And I love this guys. What started in Acts, we are now recipients of. What started in a room more than 2000 years ago with a handful of scared men and women who had no resources, no money, no political status, changed the world. Literally changed the world." [01:05:31] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So how do we respond? How do we respond? I think number one, I just want us to worship God, to just be more in awe this morning, to zoom back out, to get out of just some of the day-to-day drudgery and just be like, God, you are at work. You are at work in bringing me to yourself. I know the resurrection. I know my life has changed. And God, you have brought the gospel from Acts 4 all the way to here. So I do pray that there is just an aspect of just worship and awe that you experience. And you know more deeply today." [01:11:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Tim Keller's got this great quote, your lack of joy might be tied to your lack of mission. Your lack of joy might be lack to your, tied to your lack of mission. So, I do want us to lean in and know who Jesus is, what he has done, the resurrection. We can respond to him. We cannot help but speak of him. We can go, Jesus, help me walk daily, weekly, monthly in living out my identity as a witness. And I love, I'll just finish with this from Elka of the Wawa. Jesus came far, so let us go far too." [01:15:03] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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