Summer Challenge Week 6: Gospel Witness

“He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive with power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 

Gospel Witness

This is indeed another great commission. This is the last one that we find in scripture. In this passage, Jesus has risen from grave after his own people crucified him. He was on the earth for about 40 days preaching about the kingdom of God, (Acts 1:3) and in Acts 1:7-8 he gave this charge to his apostles (formerly known as disciples).
Jesus charges them to be his Gospel witnesses. A gospel witness is one that speaks the truths of Jesus. Those truths include:

• God is the maker and creator of all things. 
• The Bible is the inspired word of God and is all about Jesus.
• We would believe in the Trinitarian God. 
• Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity. 
• It is the work of the spirit to renew the hearts of humanity. 
• Without Christ there is no hope, we were natural born sinners 
• Sin is an offense to God; so offensive that he sent himself to deal with it.
• We are to live by the grace of God because of the work of Christ. 
• We are justified by Christ’s work, not of our own doing.

Jesus, the Christ, gave them power and authority to be his witnesses to all of the nations.

How to be a Gospel Witness

This is easy to explain and hard to do. In order to be a Gospel Witness we have to image Jesus. He gave his life for us, so we must do the same. If you want your life to be on display for the Gospel, you are going to have to die. Not physically, but die to your self-image. A man cannot make his name and God’s name famous at the same time. One name is going to have to diminish. Consider a few things:

• How often do you think about making God’s name famous?
• This week, where have you made much of yourself and not much of God?
• Have you thought about what Jesus has done for you?

I pray that you would ponder over these questions and consider whether you have been faithful to the mission of God of making his name known. If not, just repent. God is in the business of forgiving sinners. Maybe you have never been challenged to share your faith and you don’t know where to start. Well the good news is you can start today! The past is gone and a future in the grace of Jesus is where you are headed.