May 4 Sermon: an Assignment and a Promise
Today’s lesson (Acts 1:1-11) records
Christ’s ascension, some forty days after his resurrection. Luke noted that Jesus had presented himself alive,
appearing to his disciples during this period, and speaking to them about the
Jesus is about to be lifted out of
their sight, raised up beyond the heavens, and he tells them they have a job to
do. You will be my witnesses, he
says – you will tell others about what you heard me say and what you’ve seen me
do. This is a huge challenge, but fortunately there is help. You will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon you, promises Jesus.
An angel met Jesus in heaven and asked,
now that Jesus had ascended, how his work on earth would continue. Jesus replied that His disciples, empowered
by the Spirit would carry it on.
The angel looked worried. “You expect those guys who deserted and
denied you to be your witnesses? If they
fail you again, what’s your other plan?”
“There is no other plan.”
Those first disciples did not fail
him. They relied on the guidance and
power of the Spirit. The story of their
work fills the Book of Acts. They were
ordinary men and women who empowered by the Spirit did great things. And so we still name churches after them.
“There is no other plan.” Jesus’
disciples of every age, including us, will be the ones who continue his
ministry.
Jesus’ final instructions have two
parts: An assignment and a promise.
The assignment: be my witnesses and continue my
ministry. The promise: the power of the Spirit will enable you to do
it.
In the Jewish tradition, the word “witness” meant a person who, because of
experience and observation, was in a position to tell the truth in some
important matter. Jesus calls us to witness to Him – to the truth of His
teaching. We are to share our experience
– our faith experience. And to tell what
we have observed: what we have seen and heard and learned.
If you would seriously consider Jesus’
command to be his witness, you may want to reflect on how your faith affects
your life. Most of us have been
believers for so long, that we take our faith for granted. Our faith in Christ is just a part of who we
are. It takes a bit of thought and discernment to see the ways in which
Christ’s teachings have guided you or challenged you.
Perhaps there have been burdens that
have been lifted. Or your faith has
gotten you through a difficult time in your life. Coming to worship brings you encouragement
and inspiration – just recharges your batteries for the week.
From the Bible we’ve learned “Give thanks in all things.” That leads you to appreciate what is working
in your life right now – what is going well.
“In
everything give thanks” because you trust God and know he is here with you. Maybe you can’t know why stuff happens, but
you know that the Lord can even take what is intended by others for evil, and
turn it around. With His help, some good
may come out of it. Faith in Christ is a source of hope – and can give us a
positive attitude. It does make a
difference in how we face life.
I’m not suggesting you prepare a little
sermon to use when you witness. Rather,
as Paul writes:
If someone asks about
your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a
gentle and respectful way. 1 Peter 3:15
When the opportunity arises in
conversation, be ready to witness to your Christian hope. Maybe that simply means being a good listener
– listening with compassion and understanding.
And perhaps you can relate something from your experience to their
question or concern.
Sometimes it could lead to taking about
your church. Remember a witness does not
only talk about their personal experience but also their observations – what
you have seen. Maybe you don’t have young children in your family, but you’ve
noticed what the church does for children and teenagers. Or you’ve observed the opportunities to get
involved with the life of the congregation – or how the congregation is like a
big, extended family.
One Mercedes Benz commercial showed a
car colliding with a wall during a crash test.
Someone asks the spokesman why they never enforced their patent on their
energy-absorbing car body, a design copied by other auto makers.
He replies: “Because some things are
too important not to share.”
Like your faith in Christ. It’s too important not to share.
With the assignment to witness came the
promise:
You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. 1:8
The Greek word that is translated power
is dynamis. It is the root of our English word
dynamite. Like dynamite, Spirit power is
a robust and earth-shaking force – one that can clear a path for God’s kingdom. Filled with this Holy Spirit energy, the
first disciples took the good news – the message about Jesus – to every corner
of the world.
But this Spirit power was not just for
the first disciples, but for all disciples, even us. So Paul writes:
I pray that you will
understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. It is the same mighty power that raised
Christ from the dead.
Ephesians 1:19
His incredibly great power is available
to you to accomplish His purpose and mission in your life.
Last week I quoted Jesus’ words about
one of the functions of the Holy Spirit:
He said the Spirit will teach you everything, and remind you of all
that I have said. John 14:26
If you are open to the opportunity to
witness, the Spirit will help you find some words to say – something that will
be appropriate and helpful. Jesus said
Don’t worry in advance about what to say… for I will
give you the right words and wisdom… Luke 21:14,15
His can Spirit work through you, turning your feebleness into effectiveness.
The best witness is to simply live the
Christian life, sharing the love of Christ in words and deeds. Remember that children’s hymn:
This little light of mine, I’m gonna’
let it shine…
All around the neighborhood, I’m gonna’
let it shine…
It’s true for adults too. Let the light of His love shine in the
darkness.
A young man got off from work in the
early evening each day and usually went to a little Mexican restaurant. One night he had trouble finding a parking
space and ended up almost a block away.
As he left his car, he was confronted by a young man with a knife who
said “Give me your wallet.”
Since the mugger looked nervous, almost
afraid, he handed over his wallet. It
was a chilly night, so he said: “You look cold.
Would you like my jacket? I’m
going inside and won’t need it.”
He took off his jacket and handed it to
the young mugger, who was speechless.
Then he said, “I’m going into the café to get something to eat, why
don’t you come with me?”
The now confused mugger accepted his
invitation. So they shared a meal
together and talked. Finally the
waitress brought the check. He looked at
it and said, “I’ll need my wallet back to pay the check.” And the mugger handed it over.
I’m not recommending that you do
something like that. When the man later
told his mother the story, her response was: “Son, you are really strange.”
The point is witness in deeds as well
as words. Let the light of His love
shine in the darkness.
I can’t tell you how you should
witness, but I do know His instructions were You
will be my witnesses. And that he
promised you the power of the Holy Spirit for this assignment.
After Christ gave those instructions to
his disciples, He was taken from their sight.
While they were gazing up into heaven, suddenly two men in white robes
stood among them and said:
Men
of
Isn’t there something he told you to
do?
Stop gazing at the clouds and start
following his instructions.
A survey showed the average Lutheran
invites someone to church once every 14 years. How many of you are past due?
There is no other plan. Jesus said: You will be His witnesses in
For Christ has chosen you and empowered
you with the Holy Spirit.
His power in the midst
of weakness;
His glory veiled under
the common place
Signs of His kingdom
appearing among us;
The
hope of the resurrection under the sign of the cross.
Christ has chosen you to be his
witness, and has given you a share of His Spirit that you may share in His
kingdom and power and glory, forever.