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.