Celebrate!Sample

Spirit-Empowered Witness All four Gospel writers record Jesus’ final instructions to take the gospel to the whole world. These passages now find their climax in Christ’s last words before His return to heaven. These final words are of utmost importance. As a “last will and testament” it is to be carried out by those who remain. Not only did Jesus give authority to carry it out (Matt. 28:18), He also ensured the ability to accomplish the task. For to “as many as the Lord our God will call” to salvation is given the “promise of the Father,” the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 39). The book of Acts clearly indicates this “internal immersion” whereby the Spirit gives to every believer the needed anointing “to be His witnesses.” It gives both the motivation and ability to go not only to those close to us culturally and geographically (Jerusalem and Judea), but also to those far from us culturally and geographically (Samaria and the end of the earth). Are we struggling to be “His witness”? Is it difficult “to go”? Let us ask the Father to renew and release the Spirit’s power in and through us.