Tag: power to be a witness

Power to be a witness!

Posted in Acts--BibleTrekToday, All Sunday messages for 2012 - November 5, 2012 - 0 Comment

Scripture reading for November 5th: Acts 1-4

I was saved as a young teenager in a little country Methodist Church in rural Iowa.  I gave my life to Jesus but did not know about the Holy Spirit or His work on my behalf.  I grew up, went to college, got married and began to build a family and farming business, still unaware of His presence and power.  In our late twenties, I rededicated my life and my wife was saved and we were invited to a Bible study. The people we were studying with had power in their lives and were full of joy.  They talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit and we heard some of them praying in a different language.  We visited their church and heard a message in a different language and then an interpretation!  We even heard them singing in other languages and it sounded like heaven!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The disciples were all together in the upper room and suddenly, the wind began to blow inside their room!   (Acts 2:1-4)  Tongues of fire entered and rested on each one and they all began to speak with other tongues and glorify God.  They went out from that room speaking in other languages telling the wonderful works of God.  Peter stood up and preached and 3000 repented, were saved, baptized and told to receive this gift of the Father for power!  (Acts 2:38-41)  The church was born and powerful witnesses spread the Gospel throughout the world!

The Holy Spirit is our “helper” sent from the Father to live in those who believe on Jesus Christ.  (John 16:7-15)  He is Immanuel, “God with us”. He takes the Word of God and reveals it to us.  He is our Counselor, giving us direction, correction, and encouragement.  He works with us as we share God’s word to bring conviction to the unsaved of sin, righteousness and judgment.  He enables us to be effective witnesses by releasing God’s love in our hearts.  We receive Him when we repent and are born again.  We are commanded to be continually filled to enjoy our new kingdom life here on earth.  (Ephesians 5:18) Why not ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit today!

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Sunday rest and reflection–Pentecost!

Posted in Job--BibleTrekToday - May 31, 2009 - 0 Comment

Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ!  Today is Pentecost Sunday and a time to celebrate the precious gift of the Holy Spirit!  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is the personal gift of the Father who was sent to dwell in followers of Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:49)  Jesus told His followers to wait for this promise and that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. (Acts1:8)  This power would be a divine enablement to be witnesses for the Lord.  God’s command was for these believers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel message with signs that would follow! (Mark 16:15-20)

On the day of Pentecost, 120 believers were gathered in a room of the temple praying and waiting on the Lord when suddenly the room was filled with the sound of a rushing wind.  Visible tongues of fire descended on this company and they all began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:1-4) These believers went out into the temple area and caused quite a stir among those Jews gathered from around the world for the Feast of Pentecost.  Each one heard them glorifying God in their own language! (Acts 2:8-10)  What a miracle!  Peter preached that day and many came under conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit!  (Acts 2:37)  They were told to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!  (Acts 2:38-41)  Three thousand were baptized and added to the church that day!

Today, nearly 2000 years later, God is still empowering believers to be witnesses for Him.  He is still pouring out His Spirit on all flesh.  He is still sending His Church to be witnesses to the nations.  He is still baptizing people in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues!  He is still confirming His Word with supernatural signs!  God shows no partiality and wants all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth!  (1st Timothy 2:3-4)  If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, why not pray and ask the Jesus to baptize you with power to be His witness?  You can become even more effective as a witness with power!  God bless you this Pentecost Sunday!  May you be filled with power again and again.  (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Pastor John

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