POWER TO WITNESS

ACTS 1:1

A. THE PARTING WORDS OF OUR LORD TO HIS DISCIPLES MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE KINGDOM THAT:
  1. The Father keeps in His own power:
  2. That includes the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own power:
  3. Not the angels, neither the Son knows about this: Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:33
  4. If men know the times of the consummation of God's plan for His people:
    1. They would be tempted to misuse it, as did Jonah - Jonah 4:1-3
    2. This is made clear in our Lord's warning against the attitude of that evil servant - Matt. 24:48, 49
B. WAIT
  1. Bible use of this word:
    1. "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." - Ps. 62:5
    2. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." - Isa. 40:31
    3. ". . . wait for the promise of the Father" - Acts 1:4; Luke 24:49; John 14:26
  2. Why wait?
    1. They were not ready. The brief record makes it clear that they were in need of a personal preparation for witnessing for Christ - Acts 1:13, 14; 2:1-3; Luke 22:24
    2. There were things in their lives that would have militated against the cause of God; these had to be removed before God could use them effectively.
    3. What was true of the early disciples is true of God's people today. We have the plain testimony of the true witness in Rev. 3:14-22
    4. Sins had to be confessed; a closer relationship between the brethren was needed; all this was sufficient for the waiting period.
C. WAIT FOR THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST
  1. That power was promised:
    1. By the Father - Luke 24:49; John 14:25, 26
    2. By the Son of God - Luke 24:49; John 15:26
  2. The outpouring of God's Spirit was foretold in Bible prophecy:
    1. Isaiah told of it - Isa. 32:15-17; 44:3, 4
    2. The prophet Joel predicted this heavenly blessing for God's people - Joel 2:28
  3. It awaited their state of readiness:
    1. That indicates that we have a part in the outpouring of God's Spirit.
    2. There are things we will have to do for ourselves.
    3. We are told that one sin between us and God will prevent the gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives.
  4. What a difference the presence and outpouring of the Spirit of God will make in our personal experience and in our work for others! EXAMPLES -
    1. Samson - Judg. 13:25
    2. Saul - 1 Sam. 10:6; 19:23
    3. Stephen - Acts 6:8
    4. Paul - Acts 13:9
    5. Peter - Acts 4:8
    6. Barnabas - Acts 11:24
  5. Wait: Do we by now understand the importance of this heavenly counsel?
    1. Our Lord knows our infirmity, only too well.
    2. Peter learned this truth and must have appreciated the lesson.
    3. Brethren, are we spending our waiting period, like the early disciples, in the upper room in seeking the Lord?
    4. Power has been promised; it awaits our readiness to use it to the glory of God.


Design © John Bryant 2011