You Will Be My Witnesses: Jerusalem

A. Background to passage: after the resurrection there were 40 days of teaching and instruction from Jesus to his Apostles. Upon the day that he ascended back into heaven they asked him a question: are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? He said that they didn’t need to know that, because God was in charge of that, alone. Then he told them that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they would be his witnesses in four areas.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 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.”

B. Opening illustration: We have been studying about personal evangelism. We are looking at some models to share the gospel. We are thinking through some doubts and fears. We will look at questions and answers, and we are recommending personal resources for use and encouragement. I believe that personal evangelism is caught as much as taught. So, each week we have a time to share with each other about the opportunities we had for the week to share our faith and have spiritual conversations. This week was the Wed after food distribution, so we had several stories from people there. We had a person who had prayer with a new neighbor at just the right time. We had one who was able to share at their place of employment. Each week we are striving to share in our Jerusalem as a church. Will you join with us?

C. Main thought: This morning we will take up the first of the four places Jesus told the disciples they would be his witnesses in. Many people use this as a pattern of concentric circles of strategic development for the early church, and thus use it as a pattern for us to think through and plan our disciple-making ministry. Six things the church did to testify in Jerusalem. Acts 1-7

1) They preached publically (Acts 2-5)

Explanation: In Jerusalem they constantly proclaimed the resurrection in the public square. It didn’t always happen looking over thousands of people, but they were not ashamed to be out among people they didn’t know.

Acts 2:14 ESV

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

Acts 3:11–12 ESV

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

Acts 4:8–10 ESV

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

Acts 5:25 ESV

25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

Illustration: in Peru we gathered up in the evenings in the town plaza, sang a few songs in Spanish and English, then preached. The JWs and Mormons are known for their door to door faithfulness.

Application: So how about us? How about you? Are you willing to go into the public square to people that are completely unknown to you and engage in spiritual conversation? Maybe it’s a waitress at the restaurant, maybe it’s a cashier at a store, maybe it’s someone at your neighborhood park, or bowling ally, or parking lot? Want some tips and resources, come on Wed night or watch the Facebook stream or the YouTube library.

2) They met in the temple and homes (Acts 2-6)

Explanation: The regular pattern for the early church was to meet. They met in the temple square and in homes. Gathered people tend to attract attention. Their conversation contained, but was not limited to the gospel.

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:31 ESV

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:42 ESV

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Illustration: What happens every time you are driving down the road and you see a large number of cars parked on the side of the road, or in a field, or at a building, or even exceptionally large amount of traffic? If crowds or meetings happen in the community are are unusual attention is drawn, or if something is usual and crowded like CFA or a church, it draws attention.

Application: We must harness drawn attention from when we have people come regularly or when God moves in special ways to get the good news out. You can be a part of evangelism just by ramping up your commitment to attend, especially at other events or services we hold besides Sunday morning worship. Also, you can sign up to have people meet in your home for Dinner for 10. How many neighbors drop by and think “what did I miss.” Sometimes these are just the beginnings of relationships that will eventually lead to gospel conversations.

3) They cared for the church (Acts 2-6)

Explanation: This was something that was needed, the church met the need, and it got out. Immediately after the widows all were taken care of, remember the church was at least 15,000 men by that time, the word increased, disciples multiplied, and many priests in Jerusalem came to faith in Jesus.

Acts 2:45 ESV

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 4:32 ESV

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Acts 4:34 ESV

34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold

Acts 6:7 ESV

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Illustration: someone mentioned this week that they didn’t know who their deacon was. But should we relegate all the care for families in the church to the deacons. What if we didn’t “assign” just one person to look after one family, but multiple people looked after that family?

Application: Who are you taking care of? Who in our church is not being taken care of? If you don’t know, let us think together. Many of you come to me and ask about church members or attendees that you may not have seen in a while. That’s good, but take the initiative to call or communicate with them. If you are new here, take it upon yourself that this is your first “ministry” as a member.

4) They testified to miracles (Acts 2-6)

Explanation: the purpose of supernatural occurences is always to point people to Christ or demonstrate his divinity, superiority, or centrality. So, when these miracles happened, they helped put the word out. Typically what you saw was people’s reactions were awe and wonder.

Acts 3:15–16 ESV

15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Acts 5:12 ESV

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.

Illustration:

Application: We may not see the same kind of miracles on the regular like the apostles and early church, but they’re are some, and they’re difficult kinds of supernatural events that take place. We must not grow numb to movements of the Spirit and smaller acts of supernatural

5) They recieved resistance (Acts 3-7)

Explanation: Pretty much from chapter 3 on they met some level of resistance and persecution in Jerusalem. Sometimes it was protest and shouting, sometimes is was jail, sometimes it was beatings, and sometimes it was stoning and death. But they took it well. They kept preaching. They confronted their accusers with very blunt charges. They rejoiced in being counted worthy to be beaten for Christ. Steven (and probably others) even died well, being unjustly murdered by the same ones that murdered is Lord and Master.

Acts 5:40–42 ESV

40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Acts 7:12 ESV

12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit.

Acts 7:57–58 ESV

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Illustration: The stories of the Insanity of God or the Heavenly Man or Voice of the Martyrs or Hearts of Fire

Application: Suffering well is one of the most powerful ways to witness to a watching world, especially if they suffering is unjust persecution. How well do we publically suffer? Does our church come under any persecution? Any attack? Any inconvenience because we are Christ-followers? Then we suffer well in person through all kinds of struggle and prepare ourselves as a church for when it comes. Refuse bitterness and anger. Renounce entitlement. Walk the extra mile, give to all who have need. Don’t let weakness be a reason that you don’t follow your faith.

6) They shared person to person (Acts 2-7)

Explanation: As I mentioned the church would have been over 15K by the persecution rose to the level of Stephen. Even with the regular street preaching to the masses, to get to that number there would have been a lot of sharing person to person. They must have shared with their neighbors, their co-laborers, their families, people at the well or in the field, people in the sheepfold or people among the influential of towns and cities.

Argumentation

Illustration: Explain the 4 x 400

Application: God has chosen a people to carry the message of salvation to the world, and it’s us. There are some that are great harvest evangelists, influential leaders, artists, pastors, YouTube influencers, apologists, and so forth. However, 99% of the people who come to know Jesus come because a friend or family member or stranger told them about Jesus. God has declared the ends, but he has also ordained the means, and it’s you.

A. Closing illustration:

B. Recap