Yesterday’s was day 21 of the 40 day #LentChallenge. The readings covered the book of Acts chapters 1-6. It’s one of the most exciting stories in human history. Jesus giving His last words before ascending. Then the explosion of the church!
One familiar verse caught my attention. Then three things happened throughout the day to confirm what God was saying to me.
Bottom line: I need the power of the Holy Spirit to BE a witness. And so do you.
Fallen behind or haven’t started the #LentChallenge? Margaret Fienberg has a great post today, What to Do When Procrastination Gets the Best of You.
Power to Witness
As I drove 40 mins to a mtg yesterday I listened to a podcast. “Coincidentally,” next in my que was the Exponential podcast interview of Pastor Larry Walkemeyer. He was talking about his free ebook, Led: Going With the Spirit. I highly recommend listening to the podcast and reading the free ebook.
I’ll share a few nuggets I got from the podcast and book below. But first, let’s get real. Most evangelism, witnessing, outreach, or whatever you want to call it, lacks power. My witness has lacked power.
The Bible Institute I attended emphasized “going” witnessing and “doing” evangelism. I’ve stood on street corners and preached in the open air. I’ve seen ministries set up “witnessing booths” at fairs or large events. God uses those strategies, no doubt. They have a place. But are there better more effective ways to witness for Jesus? I think YES!
Based on Acts 1:8 and the adventures that follow throughout the book of Acts… and some insights from Larry Walkemeyer… here are a few things to consider about the power to be a witness:
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Being a Christian is primarily BEing a witness. Think about it…
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The power to BE a witness is given the Holy Spirit.
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BEing a witness is not primarily something we do. Being a witness is just that, BEing!
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If we DO witness-ing without the power, it’s just another religious DO.
- BUT…
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If we seek the power of the Spirit without BEing a witness, we miss the purpose of the power.
Notice Paul’s prayer for POWER in Ephesians 3:16–19…
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
- Power is needed most in our character, the inner being (our will/mind/reasoning).
- We need power to grasp the magnitude of God’s love.
- The purpose of the power is love.
- What’s the purpose of the Christian life? Love God, love people!
- Witnessing is primarily the outward expression of love toward others! To DO that, we need supernatural love to break into and through us.
God Will Do It
After reading Acts yesterday morning and hearing/reading Pastor Larry’s work on going with the Spirit, God opened a door for me. I’ve been praying for open doors and the power to love as I go through them. You can do that too!
Last week as I was shipping my final printed copies of my doctoral dissertation (YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH), I heard, “Eddie Choy!” It was a friend from WAY back in the day. I haven’t seen him in 18 years! We stood there talking for over an hour. Then agreed that we needed to connect more and meet each others family.
So last night our families met for family night at Chick Fil A. A Tuesday tradition in our family. It was a great time catching up and reminiscing. Halfway through our meal my buddy started asking deeper questions. He even asked about God and the Bible! It was a great time sharing our lives and Good News. But in a real, genuine, and frankly, normal way of life. I was able to share my hope in Jesus and sow seeds that I pray will become new life for my friend.
YBH? (Yes. But. How?)
Three principles are guiding my witness these days. ANYONE can implement these ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.
1. Pray UP
Before you’re in a situation with non-Christians… get ready… PRAY! Ask God for the power to love, listen to, and serve them according to the need.
2. Pray IN
Pray while you’re with people. Ask God for power. Ask for discernment and wisdom. Especially to be a good listener (maybe it’s just me!).
3. Pray OUT
Pray as you walk away from meeting people. Pray for the person/people. Ask for opportunities to follow-up, to love them, listen to them again, and serve them.
Ed, I absolutely love those three principles. Thank you for the much needed reminder today!
Thank you for the encouragement and all you’re doing to encourage and equip people to read and live God’s Word. You’ve help stimulate so much momentum. Thank you! And I’m so glad my post was an encouragement! I’m really writing for my own benefit as I need these reminders in my life too!