Our Mission – Acts 1-2
What’s next?
It’s just two words, but they can be frightening if you don’t have a good answer. Graduating high school. In a serious relationship. A few years into your career. People want to know, “What’s next?”
In Acts 1 Jesus’ disciples ask Him “what’s next?” and in answering Jesus gives them a mission that become their “next” and our “right now.”
Jesus invites us into our mission: Proclaim the Gospel to all by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thoughts: It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about the Spirit being a Spirit of power, but often we fail to remember what the Spirit empowers us to do. His primary work of empowerment is for the purpose of proclaiming Jesus crucified and risen from the dead so that people will repent and believe.
Pentecost was a unique working of the Spirit to convey the message that would speak to his normal work. To give a promise that is for all people, all whom God calls; and when they repent and believe; the Spirit is now theirs as well.
So the next time you are asked the question, “What’s next?” Take a deep breath. Respond with gentleness, respond with respect, but take the opportunity to let them know: This is what’s next. This is the plan. This is my five year plan and my ten year plan. This is what God wants me to be part of. This is what is right now. To proclaim the Gospel to all by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: : But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” – Acts 2:38-39
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Links:
- BLOG – 5 Ways the Holy Spirit Works in the Life of a Believer by Sutton Turner
- QnA – Some Practical Guidelines for Evangelizing by 9Marks
- BOOK – What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert
- BOOK REVIEW – What is the Mission of the Church? Reviewed by John Starke
