Monday, October 5, 2009

Holy Spirit and Mission, part 2



Acts 1:8 - 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."

I have been studying the book of Acts this year.  I looked at the Greek definition for the word, “witness,” in this verse.  I found that when Jesus used the word, He meant that they were to be His mouth pieces, His instruments.  He was telling the disciples that He was going to speak the words of salvation through them.

Witnessing is a sacred work!  It’s not just me all by myself trying to think of all my best arguments to convince someone to cross over to the “right side”…it’s not that at all!  If I am to be Jesus’ instrument or mouthpiece, then that means that Jesus is there with me to speak through me, giving me His words.  He is at work drawing and wooing people to come to Him (Acts 2:37-38).  Even then it’s not me and Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) “alone” talking to someone about the “good news”, there’s a whole realm of angels (Luke 15:10) waiting, watching, anticipating the time for them to rejoice when someone comes into God’s kingdom!  Amazing!

Evangelism should not be seen as a heavy burden or discipline (although I sometimes have to discipline myself to do it).  Rather it is a sacred moment when the Lord of the universe has chosen to use your mouth as an instrument for Him to speak through.  Just imagine – when you are allowing Him to speak through you, it’s the very words of God flowing out of your mouth!  God is expressing His longing through you for that person who is at that moment far away from Him to understand how to come into His presence to find forgiveness and eternal life!

So how do you make sure that it is God’s words coming out of your mouth and not just your own words?   The following is a brief summary:

  • Take a few minutes to ask the Holy Spirit to show you any sin you have in your life (John 16:8). 

  • Confess those sins specifically and thank Him that He already forgave you when He died on the cross (1 John 1:9, Romans 4:7). 

  • Simply ask the Holy Spirit to be the Lord of your life, to direct it and control it (Eph.5:18 – it’s God’s will for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit).  

  • If you are sincere in asking this, then you can be assured that the Holy Spirit will be the power in your life (1 John 5:14-15). 

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