Be Witnessing
June 27, 2021
Rick Griffith
Acts
How are you doing at witnessing to what Jesus has done in your life?
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. —Acts 1:8
Why should we be witnessing?
Who was Dr. Luke?
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. —Acts 1:8 NAU
Why should we be witnessing?
1. God has gone ahead of us so we can begin where we are
Jerusalem: God began the Church right at home for the first believers
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. —Acts 1:8 NAU
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. —Acts 2:41 NIV
We need our witness to overflow first in our own setting
Why should we be witnessing?
1. God has gone ahead of us so we can begin where we are
2. God gets the glory when we witness outside our comfort zone
God’s Plan: The church didn’t follow… Acts 1:8 so God caused…Acts 8:1
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.A—Acts 8:1
Do you see how God has directed you through difficulty?
Why should we be witnessing?
1. God has gone ahead of us so we can begin where we are
2. God gets the glory when we witness outside our comfort zone
3. God will use us to spread the kingdom to the last unreached place (Acts 9–28).
God preserved the Church from division despite new Gentile believers.
Three Waves of Change…
God prepared Peter
God prepared Cornelius
God prepared Peter further
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat. —Act 10:12
The Jerusalem church had to accept Gentile conversion because this change was from God
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called ‘the black man’), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. —Acts 13:1 NLT
Must a Gentile become a Jew, and accept his laws and ceremonies, before he can become a Christian?
God reveals himself to those who seek and worship him
- Lydia: through Paul and others called to minister
- Slave Girl: not through the testimony of demons
- Jailer: through actions of his disciples
Paul taught in Ephesus “for two years, so that all of Asia heard the word of the Lord”Acts 19:10
Paul on Trial
The progress of the gospel in Acts is seen by contrasting the beginning and the end.
We Pursue God, Pursue Othersand Practice His Ways.
From every tribe, nation, language and people. —Revelation 5:9
Why should we be witnessing?
Be part of God’s plan to bring the kingdom message to all people.
What is your role in God’s plan that he started in early church history?
Witness in your Jerusalem: inside your comfort zone.
Witness in your Judea and Samaria: outside your comfort zone.
Witness to all the world: share until the uttermost part is reached.
SALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE
*Dwell In The Word 5*
Be Witnessing
Acts 1:8
This spiritual practice is characterized by reading Scripture together, asking questions, and listening to the answers of others. Inside spiritual practices as a group, no one individual gets to be the authority. We honor the indwelling Holy Spirit at work in the heart of our group members and allow the questions and thoughts that arise from God to have jurisdiction over the moment.
Step One
Select one person to read Acts 1:8. During this reading you will be looking to answer one of the following three questions:
What may someone who is far from God ask about this passage?
What would you tell ‘the you’ from 10 years ago about this passage?
What would you ask a Bible scholar about this passage?
Read through the passage and then allow a minute or two for everyone to jot down or think about these three questions.
Step Two
Split your group up into pairs. This could be with the person next to them, with their spouse, or any other creative way your group can imagine. The goal is for it to be two individuals sharing together. Once you have split up you will each take a turn sharing your answers without being interrupted and listening without interrupting. Here is a format to help:
Decide who will share first and who will listen first
Set a timer for 2 minutes.
Share your answers to the question uninterrupted
When the timer goes off, switch
Step Three
Come back together as a big group. Each person will now take a turn sharing a summary of what their partner said. It may be tempting to help your partner remember correctly what you said. It could also be tempting to add meaning to what you heard your partner say. This may feel uncomfortable or intimidating, just do your best.
Next
Process this experience as a group. Are there ways God is trying to activate you or your group? The “Activated” Group Process questions on page 6 may be a helpful guide as your group engages with this material and with God.
ACTIVATED: GROUP PROGRESS
How is God activating your group this week?
Share how you are sensing God’s call on your 2 life this week. Listen as others share with you.
Lean into the Holy Spirit and spur Leading By Example
one another on. This may include encouragement or asking questions.
Pray over these specific activations in the lives of one another.
What did you enjoy about this group experience?
What was uncomfortable?
How do you think a regular practice of this could
benefit our group?
SELF-REFLECTION
How did God get your attention during your personal rhythms with Him this week?
What is one thing God brought to your attention while listening to the sermon this week?
How do you think a regular practice of this could benefit our group?