COMMITTED TO WITNESS
Notes
Transcript
Handout
(S1) — The Rescuers of the Thai Cave (2018)
12 young soccer players and their coach became trapped miles inside a flooded cave in Thailand, the world held its breath. The task of finding and extracting them was so complex that authorities quickly realized it was entirely beyond their capabilities.
They called in a small, loose-knit group of middle-aged hobbyist cave divers from the UK and Australia—among them an IT consultant and a retired firefighter. These weren't elite navy seals or action movie heroes. They were ordinary guys who spent their weekends crawling through muddy holes.
(S2)
When they arrived, the sheer scale of the challenge was paralyzing: zero visibility, roaring underwater currents, miles of suffocatingly tight passageways, and a ticking clock with monsoon rains coming. They later admitted that the belief that they could actually get the boys out alive was virtually zero. It felt mathematically impossible. They had to invent entirely new diving protocols and sedate the children just to swim them out.
With the help of a few unknown hobbyist, and lots of prayers, emergency crews were able to save the lives of 12 young soccer players...
(S3)
If you walked into the Upper Room just days after Jesus had spoken to the disciples and left them...you wouldn’t have smelled courage - only sweat and fear and uncertainty!
— the doors double-bolted, whispers of terror every time footsteps of the temple guards echoed in the street below; the ones who had crucified Jesus..
This wasn’t an army of Jesus’ courageous soldiers ready to defend and continue the cause—no, it was a support group for the traumatized.
— They were small, they were broken, and they were trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
And it is this group of hiding, trembling and fearful disciples that Jesus had challenged saying, ‘Hey, let's go conquer the world.'
GOD’S GLOBAL MOVEMNET...BEGAN WITH HUMAN iNADEQUACY!
SERIES...STEP-UP in following Jesus in six areas of discipleship (ladder) - not a step to earning ones salvation...but a step towards living the generous life in response to the salvation already recieved...
This series assumes one already has a relationship with Jesus...ask the question,
Are you a CONSUMER or a FOLLOWER?
We all start out as consumers...Jesus/Relationship - Invitation/new life - Bible/Teachings -
— Matthew (messy career) - John (in love with himself) - Peter/Simon (over zealous personality) - James/John (stuck in the family business) - Judas (Greed)
However, if we are not careful—we can stop here—CONSUMING the BENEFITS of being SAVED—Eternal Life...and miss out on Jesus call us to MORE— FOLLOW Him in his mission to CHANGE the WORLD.
This is discipleship - committing to living for and following Jesus
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor (paraphrased)
“...discipleship is the concept of "costly grace". Not something that is freely given without any effort or sacrifice on the part of the believer. Instead, true grace comes with a cost, and true discipleship involves following Jesus even when it’s bigger than ourselves.”
All through the Bible and throughout history, we see mountains being moved, the impossible being done; when a person or a community comes to the end of themselves and turns to God’s greater power...given to every believer in the Holy Spirit.
(S4) — {Acts 1:8a}
8a “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live beyond themselves for the sake of others - As he did the disciples, Jesus sends us out on mission to change the world.
BIBLES/PRAYER
(S5) — {1-3}
Acts — a bridge between the events written in the gospels and the beginning of the church
Luke’s Gospel...Theophilus… ‘loved of God’
Everything...Jesus did and taught
The RISEN Jesus has been hanging out with his FOLLOWERS for forty days since his resurrection.
Further instructing them...in the Holy Spirit
appearing…as living proof...kingdom of God
(S6) — JESUS WAS ALWAYS...
I. ... PREPARING THEM FOR THIS
I. ... PREPARING THEM FOR THIS
Illustration: “The Lighthouse Keeper”
A young man once visited an old lighthouse on a rocky shoreline. He noticed the lighthouse keeper carefully trimming the lamp, polishing the lens, and checking every mechanism.
The young man asked, “Why do you spend so much time preparing all this during the daytime? The ships aren’t even here yet.” The keeper smiled and replied, “Because when the storm comes at night, it’s too late to prepare the light.”
“Ships I will never meet depend on the work I do today. Sailors I’ll never know may survive the storm because this light was made ready beforehand.”
While others saw fishermen walking beside a rabbi; Jesus saw them as those who would carry the light of the Gospel into the world, under the most difficult circumstances
—teaching them, correcting them, strengthening them, with his word and truth. And because He did, the light of the Gospel still today brings hope in a dark world.
“The disciples were not just being prepared for their future—but for the future of all believers—we are some of the “ships” blessed by the disciples Jesus prepared long ago.
Jesus prepared the disciples → the disciples prepared others → and now Jesus is preparing us.
(S7) — {2 Timothy 2:2}
Rather than keeping the disciples as passive observers, Jesus sent them out repeatedly to minister, to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. He readied them by...
Clarifying his IDENTITY and his EXPECTATIONS of them
Opening their minds to UNDERSTANDING the Scriptures
Teaching them HOLY LIVING through his TRUTH
Showing them how to LOVE and CARE for one another
And sending them out...
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” {Matthew 5:14}
Jesus was preparing them to take charge of their discipleship responsibility.
Committing to WITTNESS, tell people about Jesus and sharing your faith, takes preparation...JESUS IS ALWAYS PREPARING HIS FOLLOWER FOR THIS.
Before leaving, Jesus promised the disciples they would not be on their own
{4-5}
They knew John’s baptism of repentance (water), but had not yet fully experienced the OUTPOURING of the God’s SPIRIT.
Matthew 3:11 ““I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Pentecost (fiftieth) - In the O.T. was the festival celebrated on the 50th day after Passover—Shavuoth (Weeks) in Judaism - ‘Thankfulness to God for the Harvest’
Acts 2:1 “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.”
They had been challenged and inspired because of Jesus...but had not yet fully understood the power of Jesus’ promise
when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
The spirit would not only teach and guide them, and remind them of His words...JESUS WOULD...
(S8)
II. ... EMPOWER THEM FOR THIS
II. ... EMPOWER THEM FOR THIS
{1:8}
The word “power” is “dunamis”—the root word for...DYNAMITE—It speaks of a explosive supernatural strength and ability
— Not A SUPER-MAN power...but A JESUS-FILLED power!
Jesus knew the disciples could not fulfill their calling in their own strength. Preparation alone was not enough. They needed God’s power within them. The disciples were not expected to continue the mission in their own strength—neither are we.
Corrie ten Boom — Strength Beyond Human Ability
After surviving the horrors of The Holocaust, she traveled sharing Christ’s forgiveness. One night after speaking on forgiveness, she encountered a former concentration camp guard who had been cruel to prisoners, including her sister. He asked her to forgive him.
Corrie later admitted she could not do it in her own strength. But as she prayed silently for help, she said God enabled her to extend her hand in forgiveness, and she felt the love of Christ flow through her.
The question then is...EMPOWERING THEM FOR WHAT?
(S9) —
8 “...you will be my witnesses,
witness (marturious)—“martyr” — A WITNESS is not just someone who shares courtroom testimony—a WITNESS is someone who is willing to die for a CAUSE.
Its important that we understand where they were at - their mindset so to speak
{6-7}
To this point, the disciples saw the Kingdom as only for them—and Jesus is about to change their frame of reference and tell them that the Kingdom—His Kingdom—is for EVERYONE and that it would take great sacrifice.
Luke 9:23 “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
Jesus words to them, do not leave...do not run...cause this is where its all going to begin and you are going to be a big part of it...to be his witnesses.
“This dying to self...is never portrayed in Scripture as something optional in the Christian life. It is the reality of the new birth; no one can come to Christ unless he is willing to see his old life crucified with Christ and begin to live anew in obedience to Him. Jesus describes lukewarm followers who try to live partly in the old life and partly in the new as those whom He will spit out.” https://www.gotquestions.org/dying-to-self.html
Up until this time, the disciples were probably thinking, “Why would we EVER want to leave Jerusalem? Jesus is back.” They even ask him about when He’s going to face “them”—those who oppressed them and had him killed—and restore “our” kingdom.
They were comfortable—ready to get back to their lives...
John 21:3 “Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.”
Jesus knew that they could not do what he was asking them to do in their own strength—through his Spirit...
(S10) — JESUS WOULD GIVE THEM...
III. ...THE COURAGE FOR THIS
III. ...THE COURAGE FOR THIS
The same fearfully hesitant disciples who once hid behind locked doors became bold witnesses under the power of the Holy Spirit
—Simon Peter preached publicly, John spoke fervently of the one he loved, Stephen prayed courageously as they slung stones of death
—And yet, the Gospel spread rapidly, lives were transformed, and the church of the risen Jesus Christ was born.
The power of the Holy Spirit turned ORDINARY people into COURAGEUOS MOUTH-PIECES for God!
(S11) —
Courageous the Movie follows several men—who realize they have been physically present but spiritually absent in their homes. As the story unfolds, they encounter conviction, repentance, and renewal through faith in Christ.
The power of Jesus and their witness is shown in several ways:
1. CHANGED HEARTS— selfishness, passivity, anger, compromise, and spiritual neglect.
2. STRENGTH TO LEAD—The fathers realize they cannot lead their families well in their own strength—prayer, dependence on God, turning from sin, and biblical leadership.
3. HEALING THIER BROKENESS — A major turning point comes through grief and personal failure. The film shows that Jesus often works most deeply when people finally admit their need for Him.
4. The power of SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION—How one man’s renewed commitment begins influencing: families, friendships, children, and an entire community.
(S12) — Movie #2
The strongest themes is that real courage begins with surrender to God...transformed people become instruments God uses to transform others. Their transformation reflects what Jesus does through the Holy Spirit - changing people from the inside out.
There is no limit to what the power of Jesus can do in his willing witnesses...
heal what is broken, restore what seems lost, forgive what feels unforgivable, strengthen the weak, calm the fearful, transform the hardened heart, and give purpose to an empty soul.
The disciples are proof of this: fearful men became bold witnesses, doubters became believers, ordinary people helped change the world through the power of Christ.
(S13)
“In their PREPARATION the disciples learned WHAT to do—Through the power of the Holy Spirit they would have the COURAGE to do it.”
They were an ordinary lot, a mixed bunch so to speak...little or no formal education, equipped to fish, work for a living but...
“I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” {Ephesians 1:19–20 }
The POWER every believer receives when they COMMITT their lives to Jesus.
Because Jesus was PREPARING them for this...EMPOWERING them to do this...and giving them the COURAGE for this...he would instruct them to...
(S14)
8 “...tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
No matter how Jesus is displayed in our lives...it requires us to take ACTION—to not just be consumers, but to be followers—operating in His power to do what He is asking us to do—to be his witness; telling people about the Good News wherever and whenever we can
What is the Good News? THE MESSAGE OF SALAVTION
“It is this Good News that saves...{1 Corinthians 15:2}
COMMITMENT CARDS
(S15)
A 37-year-old former Royal Thai Navy SEAL, died of asphyxiation during an attempted rescue while returning to a staging base in the cave after delivering diving cylinders to the trapped group. The following year, a rescue diver also a Navy SEAL died of a blood infection contracted during the operation.[10][11][12]
This was more than heroics—Because of their sacrifice and the commitment of many others...12 boys now 8 years older and their coach, have a life to live...
Ever been asked to do something that was beyond your capacity of knowledge, ability, or capability?
...when a couple brings a newborn baby into their home
They’ve taken the classes, read the books, and bought the crib. But the moment becomes real - child who is screaming, the thought of raising them in this world...a wave of absolute inadequacy hits. The thought crashes in: I am not equipped for this. I don't have enough patience, enough wisdom, or enough love in my own reserves for this little soul
It is a modern "Jerusalem" experience—a massive, heart-wrenching calling right inside your own living room.
Today we remember the sacrifice of many...but as Christians we look to the sacrifice of one...
(S16) — Jesus who...
If you came here today feeling small, outnumbered, or completely overwhelmed by what's being asked of you; in your marriage, your parenting, your job, or your faith—welcome to the team. Look at how God turns a room full of hiding cowards into a movement that shakes the earth."
I promise you this, when you COMMITT to Jesus...you feel completely inadequate for what’s next— But know this...that GOD’S GLOBAL MOVEMNET...BEGAN WITH HUMAN iNADEQUACY!
PREPARE...
BE EMPOWERED...
LIVE COURAGEOUSLY as his witnesses
