Near and Far Witness

October 28 - What Do We Hear God Saying About Our Mission? – Acts 1:1-8

As we get a sense of what God is up to in our community and the ways God is calling us to reach out to people in our community, our eyes are opened to the people in our lives. We become more sensitive to people in our families, spheres of influence, and even the ones with whom we rarely or never spend time. In Acts 1:1–8, we discover that we are called to be witnesses to the life change we’ve experienced in Jesus.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” ⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”

As we read through this passage, we are greeted with four categories of people.

1.      We are called to be witnesses in Jerusalem—to the people closest to us.

2.      We are also called to bear witness in Judea—to the people who look, think, and act like us.

3.      We are also called to be witnesses in Samaria—to people we do not like. (Remember, Jews hated Samaritans! Samaritans were considered “half-breeds” who did not have the proper understanding of worship.)

4.      Also, we are called to be witnesses to the world.

Make a list of people in your family who do not know the love of God in Jesus Christ. Make a list of people in your neighborhood, work and community to whom you would like to talk about the fullness of life in Jesus. Make a list of people with whom you feel uncomfortable. How would you get to a point where you could share your life and faith with them? Make a list of people you have a heart for in other parts of the world.

How is God leading us to bear witness in our community?

• What if it really does start with your families?

• Who are the people like us?

• Who are the people not like us?

Who is our Jerusalem?

Who is our Judea?

Who is our Samaria?

What does it feel like to share faith with others?  Is there one outreach to which we are called? Where do we see ourselves serving in ways that can connect our outreach with faith-sharing?

Pray about ministry and mission opportunities. Pray for the courage to not only serve but to share faith.

Make a prayer list of the people in your lives for whom you’re being called to nurture a relationship. Pray about your sphere of influence (coffee shop, club, PTA). Think about why and how you can spend more time in this arena of your life.  How can we spend more time with people outside the church?