Be My Witness
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7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
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.”
Marching orders had already been given to the Disciples (now) Apostles. They already been given the Great Commission. Now they are being given more specific instructions....
Jesus would tell them that they would “Be my witness”
But what did that mean?
This question should occupy the minds of a believer. Why?
Because 2000 years later … we are the witness of Christ.
So what does it mean to be a witness?
Be willing to answer if in a spot like Peter the night Jesus was taken.
Copy the posts to your wall that say “…if you aren’t ashamed of Jesus, post this to your wall” (I sure hope not)
A Witness Waits
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
This statement comes with some implications
It’s important that we understand what they are.
Can’t blame them for their curiosity.
“The FATHER has fixed by HIS own authority.”
Does Jesus really not know? Surely Jesus Knows...
That’s what we find in other text...
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
So Jesus really did not know!
Does that seem odd to you?
How can Jesus (2nd person of Trinity) not know?!!!!
If Jesus doesn’t know the date of His return then it must not be important.
Wouldn’t you agree?
If it were important, Jesus would certainly know!
The EVENT is the single most important event in all of the world (past. present, or future)
But the date it happens is not.
Let me show what I mean...
Moments later Jesus goes into heaven
The disciples are interrupted by an angel that basically tells them
get their head out of the clouds
get to work
Passive or Active Waiting
Passive Waiting -
Display a sort of patience but doing nothing to prepare.
“Not participating perceptively in an activity.”
Lack of anticipation.
Pre-occupied with other things… (disconnected)
Active Waiting
Know your purpose -
“I am a witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“My life is for the purpose of spreading that Gospel.”
What am I supposed to be doing?
Go, Make, Baptize, Teach (prepare)
Does it matter how we wait as long as we have Jesus?
The book also record some parables that Jesus shared, regarding people who were waiting.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
Who is the faithful and wise servant?
Notice… the servant has been given a responsibility.
That not a mistake. DON’T miss that!!!!
We are all servants of Christ aren’t we.
We have been given a task from the one we serve.
But this infers an interesting point.
There is a difference between a faithful/unfaithful servant
Do you desire to be faithful and wise when it comes to Jesus return.
(It will be the END of this world .... YES!!!! YOU DESIRE TO BE FAITHFUL AND WISE!!!!)
Well Jesus answers his question in verses 46...
46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
The faithful and wise servant is the one who will be found doing the work assigned to him.
And the faithful and wise servant will also be “BLESSED”
How do we actively wait for Jesus’ return?
We stay busy doing the work assigned to us.
Two more parables that are important for us...
The Kingdom of Heaven will be like...
What is the correct perspective of what Jesus should find when He returns (at a time that no one knows)
Parable of 10 virgins. (Matthew 25:1)
Ultimately they were not prepared because
They were foolish about their responsibilities.
They didn’t take the arrival seriously.
They thought, "I will have time to be ready later.”
Parable of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 25:14-30)
The man who had gone away, clearly was Jesus.
He entrusted His servant with HIS property.
(Jesus has entrusted us with the affairs of His church.)
What do you do when you’re entrusted with such a thing?
Preserve it? (That may seem right, many that approach)
actively waiting
Good and faithful servant
Not based on what was accomplished.
based on using their given gift to their potential.
passively waiting
Wicked and slothful
Didn’t really know the master.
“You knew me to be a hard man?”
He was full of excuses
Didn’t actually know
Those who serve wisely will be rewarded.
but what of those who are passively waiting...
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
This is a typical description of Hell.
“But what about once saved always saved?!!!!”
Perhaps the lesson is to consider what it looks like to “be saved”
Or the focus of this sermon....
What does it mean to BE A WITNESS.