Sermon Reflection | July 1st, 2012
Our text last week was Acts 1:6-8. This is the last conversation Christ has with his apostles before he ascends back into heaven. They ask him the question, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (v. 6). Christ’s response is that they shouldn’t be concerned with the timing of kingdom restoration, but rather, the work of kingdom restoration. He then offers a commissioning statement (one that extends to the entire body of believers), telling them that they are to be His witnesses, not by their own power, but by the power of the Spirit. This call goes beyond their hometown of Jerusalem; it reaches to Judea, to Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. In the same way, we are called to be Christ’s witnesses, not just in Commerce, but also in Hunt County, in Texas, and to the ends of the earth.
At the end of the sermon Justin Turner challenged us with two questions: 1) Are we applying this text by being witnesses for Christ? and 2) How are we applying this text? We are to be witnesses through our words and through our actions. My prayer is that, with the Spirit’s power, we would begin to look outward and see the needs of people around us and that we would also have a boldness to proclaim Christ to our community and to the nations. I encourage you to reflect on these questions with me, that we as a body might begin to see our community and our world in light of Christ’s call on our lives.
C3 Member -- Catherine Canzoneri
