Empowered Witnesses: Embracing Our Mission for the Decade

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I focused on the empowering truth that Jesus provides us with everything we need to be His witnesses in the world. As we embark on a new decade, I encouraged our church to envision what we want to celebrate ten years from now, on December 30th, 2029. I posed the question: What do we want to see God do in the next 10 years? I dream of celebrating new believers, baptisms, spiritual growth, and the sending of missionaries and ministers from our congregation.

I introduced the book of Acts, which we will study throughout the year to learn how to be faithful witnesses. Acts shows us the expansion of the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, providing a pattern for our mission. Our Jerusalem is Westford, where our church is called to witness. Judea represents our front lines—our daily interactions with coworkers, family, and friends. Samaria symbolizes those who are different from us, and the ends of the earth are the global missions we support.

I emphasized the importance of apologetics, the reasoned defense of our faith, recommending resources for those wrestling with the truth of Christianity. I stressed the difference between presenting reasons to believe and sharing the content of the faith—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's crucial to remember that while we can present the gospel, the Holy Spirit must work in hearts for true belief.

I shared the story of Fred Rogers, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, who impacted lives through his prayerful dependence on God. His example illustrates how being filled with the Spirit can empower us for mission.

Lastly, I reminded us that we have 3,647 days until the end of this decade. Time will pass quickly, and we must use it wisely. I encouraged us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be empowered for the mission Jesus has given us, and to be ready for His return by actively engaging in the work He has called us to do.

Key Takeaways:

- The study of Acts will guide us in understanding how to be effective witnesses for Christ. As we delve into the narrative of the early church, we will not only learn from their actions but also gain hope and vision for what God can do through us. The pattern of gospel expansion in Acts serves as a blueprint for our mission, starting in our local community and extending to the global stage. [25:36]

- Apologetics is a valuable tool in reinforcing our faith and equipping us to share it with others. However, it is the message of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection—that is the heart of our witness. We must always center our conversations on the transformative power of the gospel, while trusting the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those we engage with. [15:15]

- The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a distinct person of the Trinity who empowers us for mission. Being filled with the Spirit changes us individually and as a church body, enabling us to live out our calling with divine strength and guidance. The story of Fred Rogers exemplifies a life led by the Spirit, impacting others through prayerful sensitivity and obedience. [19:21]

- Our mission field begins in our own backyard, in the community where God has placed us. As we reach out to our "Jerusalem," we must also embrace our "Judea" and "Samaria"—the people and places within our daily lives and those who are different from us. Our engagement in global missions reflects our commitment to the "ends of the earth," supporting and participating in God's work worldwide. [26:12]

- As we look forward to the next decade, we must be intentional about how we spend our days. The urgency of the mission requires us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to seek God's empowerment, and to actively participate in His work. Let us not be found idle when Jesus returns, but rather, let us be ready by living out our calling as His witnesses. [34:23]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:1-11
2. Romans 12:1-2
3. Matthew 28:18-20

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three things Jesus gives His disciples to help them be His witnesses according to Acts 1:1-11? ([04:22])
2. How does the book of Acts outline the geographical spread of the gospel? ([25:07])
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers for their mission? ([16:22])
4. How did Fred Rogers exemplify a life led by the Holy Spirit according to the sermon? ([19:21])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the proof of Jesus' resurrection crucial for the disciples' mission and for our faith today? ([06:31])
2. How does the concept of being a "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:1-2 relate to being a witness for Christ? ([09:19])
3. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how does this filling impact our daily lives and mission? ([18:53])
4. How can the pattern of gospel expansion in Acts serve as a blueprint for our mission in our local community and beyond? ([25:36])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the next decade: What specific spiritual goals do you want to achieve by December 30th, 2029? How can you start working towards them now? ([01:03])
2. Identify your "Jerusalem" (local community). What practical steps can you take to be a more effective witness for Christ in this area? ([26:12])
3. Think about your "Judea" (front lines). How can you intentionally share the gospel with your coworkers, family, and friends this week? ([27:17])
4. Who are the "Samaritans" in your life—those who are different from you? What actions can you take to reach out to them with the love of Christ? ([28:50])
5. Consider the global mission field. How can you support international missions through prayer, financial support, or even considering a short-term mission trip? ([29:52])
6. How can you incorporate apologetics into your conversations about faith? Identify one resource from the sermon that you can read or share with someone this month. ([10:50])
7. Reflect on the story of Fred Rogers. How can you cultivate a prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit in your daily life to be more sensitive to His leading? ([19:21])

Devotional

Day 1: Witnessing Through the Acts Narrative
The book of Acts is not just a historical account; it is a vibrant blueprint for mission. It chronicles the early church's journey, highlighting how the apostles and believers navigated challenges and opportunities to spread the gospel. This narrative invites believers to see their own communities as the starting point for witnessing, just as Jerusalem was for the early church. By studying Acts, one can understand the importance of starting locally and expanding outward, recognizing that each believer's "Jerusalem" is where their mission begins. The expansion of the gospel in Acts serves as an inspiring example, showing that what began with a small group of disciples can ripple out to touch the entire world. [25:36]

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." (Acts 2:42-43 ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a witness for Christ in your own "Jerusalem," and what specific steps can you take this week to engage with your community in a meaningful way?

Day 2: Apologetics Anchored in the Gospel
Apologetics serves as a bridge between doubt and faith, providing reasoned arguments that reinforce belief. It is not merely about winning debates but about gently guiding others toward the truth of Christianity. The heart of apologetics is the message of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection. This core truth is the transformative power of the gospel. Believers are called to share this message with clarity and conviction, trusting that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of listeners to foster true belief. [15:15]

"Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15b ESV)

Reflection: What questions or doubts about your faith can you explore further to strengthen your ability to provide a reasoned defense of the hope you have in Christ?

Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit's Presence
The Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the Trinity who empowers believers for their mission. This divine empowerment enables individuals to live out their calling with strength and guidance that surpass the human capacity. The Spirit's presence transforms lives, as seen in the example of Fred Rogers, whose Spirit-led life impacted many through his prayerful dependence on God. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process that shapes one's character and actions. [19:21]

"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." (Acts 1:8 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to be more attuned to His leading in your daily life and mission?

Day 4: Mission Begins in Our Backyard
The mission field is not a distant reality; it starts right where one is planted. Believers are called to witness to their immediate community—their "Jerusalem"—and to extend their reach to their "Judea" and "Samaria," representing daily interactions and those who are different from them. This local engagement is the foundation for global mission involvement, reflecting a commitment to participate in God's work worldwide. The call to mission is a call to action, to be present and active in the spheres of influence God has given each person. [26:12]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15 ESV)

Reflection: Who in your "Judea" and "Samaria"—your daily life or someone different from you—can you intentionally connect with this week to share the love of Christ?

Day 5: Intentionality with Our Time
The urgency of the mission calls for intentional living. With thousands of days ahead, believers must choose to use their time wisely, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and actively participating in God's work. The mission is not a passive endeavor; it requires readiness and action. As the decade unfolds, the goal is to not be found idle but to be actively living out the calling as witnesses for Christ, ready for His return. [34:23]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can make the best use of your time today to further God's kingdom, and how can you incorporate this into your daily routine?

Quotes

"Jesus gives us everything we need to be his witnesses in our world. He gives them first his proof of his resurrection... He gives them three things to help in their witness to the world... proof of his resurrection... power for our mission... and motivation to go." [04:22]( | | )

"Jesus presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God... He was alive and well just three days after his crucifixion and then he appeared over a period of 40 days to over 500 people." [06:31]( | | )

"The Holy Spirit is not the force... He is a person and he can come and he fills us with his power. When you are full of the Holy Spirit you are full of the fullness of God and that's powerful. That changes us... we need to be empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit." [18:24]( | | )

"Fred Rogers... throughout his television career he tried to integrate his faith and belief and practice into everything he did... This seeking God, the seeking the Holy Spirit really changed him and empowered him for what he did... because he was seeking the Holy Spirit and it changed this woman's life, it changed many other people's lives." [19:49]( | | )

"Our mission as a church starts in our Jerusalem, I think our Jerusalem is Westford... I believe God has called us to Westford to reach this town with the gospel to be witnesses in our community... Our mission field starts in our own backyard in Westford but Jesus quickly expands the mission." [26:12]( | | )

"I want to be able to say wow look at what God is doing in our midst, look at the things God is accomplishing among us. I want to have something worth celebrating. I want to tell others about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I hope that we will want to do that as a church body." [34:23]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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