Leadership Outside the Church ( Shining Until You Arrive) Text: Acts 1:4-8
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
“We were created to witness; moreover, our joy level depends on it. Our joy level leaks, when our outward witness becomes dormant.”
So, what level is your joy tank on? From:1-10, 1 being almost out, and 10 completely full.
Jesus repeatedly promised that God the Father, would send the Holy Spirit. Jesus reminds His disciples that John baptized with water, but very soon they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
However, while His disciples waited, thoughts of a earthly kingdom bombard their minds; moreover, their thoughts were very similar to Jesus’ second coming. ( He will rule on this earth.)
Listen to Luke 24:21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
I believe that Jesus’ disciples were seeing into two future events, First, Jesus’ second coming, and second, could they have been seeing Jesus rising up from the dead? Good stuff, but at the wrong time, because Jesus said, “wait, first things first, I want to give you the power and authority to witness through the Holy Spirit!”
So, how filled are you? His in-filling, is best expressed externally while you shine and tell others about Him.
Here’s priority, Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
The disciples mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ was the major reason the Holy Spirit empowered them.
These men and women would soon receive God’s indwelling presence and a new dimension of the Holy Spirit. ( A rushing mighty wind, tongues as of fire.) Why? So every man could hear them in their own laugage!
Ephesians 3:16,19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 19. to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
We receive the love of Christ, so we can love others!
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The greek word for witnesses is, “One who dies for his faith.”
I Peter 3: 13-15 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Not only were you created to witness, you were created to walk in God’s full authority.
Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
You were also created to walk and work with tears of joy.
Psalm 126: 5-6 Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
You were created to care, share, give, love, pray and show grace to others.
So, what level is your joy tank on? Prayer.
