June 11 | Pastor Jason
Acts 1:6-8
6Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.”
What were you designed to do?
Witness
Martus
When the Holy Spirit baptizes you, this power Jesus talked about — is given to you to enable you to do what you were originally designed to do.
Genesis 1:27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Images remind you of something
You were created as a living image, not a stone statue but a living image to remind the world who God is.
“I am an image.”
Genesis 12:2-3
2“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
3I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
“I am a blessing.”
God has built into the design of His family the idea of being a blessing.
Exodus 19:3-6
3Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
“I am a priest.”
Priests talk to God about people and talk to people about God.
Holy Nation
Being a witness in His image means we have been set apart to show the world who God is.
Jeremiah 29:7 Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’
Matthew 5:14-16
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
You are a light
Light shows reality in darkness.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
You are an ambassador
They speak with the authority of the leader from the country where their citizenship is.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
- Image. Blessing. Priest. Light. Ambassador. Witness.
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.”