Empowered to Witness

Being a witness can feel intimidating, awkward, and even unsettling for many of us. We often associate witnessing with an uncomfortable sales pitch, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus has given us a mission, but He also provides us with the power and wisdom to fulfill it authentically. Our mission never changes, and neither does the message about Jesus, but there are various ways to share it. 

In Acts 1:6-8, Jesus promises that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, enabling us to be His witnesses everywhere. This empowerment isn't about avoiding rejection or removing risk but about being genuine in reflecting who we are. Jesus’ presence and power are no longer confined to one man in one place but are given to all His followers worldwide. Being a witness requires two things: following Jesus and living in the power of His Spirit. This involves declaring Jesus as Lord, believing in His resurrection, and living a Spirit-filled life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Growing in Relationship with the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person we should cultivate a relationship with. Many Christians mistakenly view the Holy Spirit as a force to channel rather than a person to know. Our access to the Holy Spirit’s power comes from our relationship with Him. This relationship involves intimacy with God, holiness, and faith. Intimacy with God means walking closely with Him, learning to hear His voice, and being aware of His presence in every aspect of our lives.

Holiness involves being set apart for God, both from the world and for Him. It means saying no to sin and anything that stands in rebellion to Jesus while also devoting our hearts to God through prayer, Bible reading, fasting, worship, and service. Living a holy life doesn’t mean adhering to a list of rules but allowing Jesus access to our hearts and lives.

Faith is trust, and the best way to grow in faith is to take risks. A risk-free life is a trust-free life. To be effective witnesses, we need to step out in faith, whether it's praying for someone, bringing up Jesus in a conversation, or inviting someone to church. These risks help build our trust in the Lord and create space for the Holy Spirit’s power to work in mighty ways.

Intimacy with God + Holiness + Faith = Power
To grow in our relationship with Jesus and live in the power of His Spirit, we need intimacy with God, holiness, and faith. This equation is crucial because it’s through the Holy Spirit’s power that we can effectively witness to others. Without this power, no one comes to know Jesus, and we’re just playing church. The Holy Spirit equips us with the wisdom to speak the right words at the right time and helps us understand the unique needs of those around us.

If we’re not close to the Holy Spirit ourselves, how can we be led by Him to reach others? The most powerful way to draw people to Jesus is by loving like Him, which is only possible through a deep personal relationship with His Spirit. So, my challenge for you this week is to take your relationship with the Holy Spirit seriously. Remember, intimacy with God, holiness, and faith lead to the power we need to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Let’s embrace this mission with the confidence that we have the Holy Spirit guiding and empowering us. Let’s pray for the courage to take risks, for the wisdom to know how to share Jesus authentically, and for the strength to live lives that reflect His love. Together, we can advance His Kingdom and bring more people into His embrace!

- Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 6/2/24.