Sent into the World
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Read Matthew 28:16-20
The Book of Acts is often referred to as the Acts of the Apostles. It would be
better to call it the Acts of the ascended Lord Jesus Christ through the power
of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s presence in this world is especially evidenced
in His congregation, through the mysterious operations of the Holy Spirit.
No one else is able to open closed hearts and renew hearts. Therefore the
Church confesses that the Holy Spirit is truly God; He makes dead sinners
alive.
There are two things we need to keep in mind in this regard. First, the
Church is sent into the world by the King of the Church to be a witness, and
second, the Church has been given the promise that the Holy Spirit will give
her power, wisdom and fruitfulness.
Have you understood the importance of these truths? Do you realize that
the Church cannot exist of itself? God’s Church has been placed in the world.
Is your church a city that is set on an hill and a light on a candlestick (Matt.
5:13-16)? What is your ‘status’ in your local church? It is possible to be a
member within a congregation and attend services every Sunday without
being benefited. However, you must realize that there is no such thing as
an independent existence in Christ’s Church. Whoever has been made alive
by Christ not only attends the services, but he also goes out into the world
endowed with His power. In this way every believer seeks to bear fruit at
home, work and school to His glory and honour.
Thought: Those who bear fruit bring glory to God.
Psalter 399: 1,2 (based on Psalm 145)
My God, I will extol Thee, And ever bless Thy Name;
Each day will I give thanks to Thee And all Thy praise proclaim.
Great is the Lord and mighty, And highly to be praised;
His greatness is unsearchable, Above our knowledge raised.
To every generation Thy glory shall be told.
Thy honor and Thy majesty, In memory I will hold;
Thy mighty power and greatness Shall all mankind confess,
And tell the story of Thy love, And sing Thy righteousness.
