Our mission is to be beacons of hope, love, and truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to bring the light of the gospel into the darkest corners of our fractured society. How can we rise to this challenge? The answer lies in the power of the Holy Spirit, as vividly depicted in the book of Acts.
By Dr. Tim Orr
The dawn of 2024 brings a renewed sense of hope and possibility. The recent years have revealed a society sharply divided, as evidenced by the contentious elections and the current state of our country. Amidst this division, our mission as Christians remains unchanged. Still, it is perhaps more urgent than ever: to share the life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ with a world that is increasingly skeptical and resistant. Our mission is to be beacons of hope, love, and truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to bring the light of the gospel into the darkest corners of our fractured society. How can we rise to this challenge? The answer lies in the power of the Holy Spirit, as vividly depicted in the book of Acts.
The Preparation: Setting the Stage for the Spirit
In Acts 1:1-11, Luke begins by recounting Jesus' final instructions to His disciples. This preparation period was crucial. Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God. This time was about imparting knowledge and preparing their hearts for the monumental task ahead. Jesus instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit.
This period of waiting was an active anticipation. The disciples were to constantly pray, seeking God's direction and readying themselves for the coming empowerment. This echoes the necessity for us today to be in a state of spiritual readiness, continually seeking God’s guidance and preparing our hearts for His mission.
The Promise: The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit was a game-changer. He told His disciples, "For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5, ESV). The disciples, still grappling with their understanding of the Kingdom of God, asked if He would restore the kingdom to Israel then. Jesus redirected their focus, emphasizing the spiritual nature of His Kingdom and the need for the Holy Spirit's power to fulfill their mission (Acts 1:7-8).
This promise is a historical event and a continuing reality for all believers. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith and share the gospel effectively. The Spirit is our helper, guide, and source of strength, enabling us to overcome the challenges of a divided society.
The Power: Transforming the World through the Spirit
In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises, "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." This power was not for political revolution but for spiritual transformation. The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to preach the gospel boldly and perform miracles that attested to God's power.
One of the most striking examples of this transformation is seen at Pentecost. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, allowing them to communicate the gospel to people from various nations (Acts 2:1-4). This miraculous event led to the conversion of 3,000 people in one day (Acts 2:41), demonstrating the profound impact of the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
Why the Gospel Isn't Flourishing: The Missing Element
The one reason the gospel is not flourishing in our society today is that the church is not engaging in Spirit-empowered proclamation. Instead of relying on the Holy Spirit, many churches have turned to human strategies, political activism, and cultural conformity. While well-intentioned, these efforts lack the Holy Spirit's transformative power, essential for genuine spiritual renewal.
Spirit-empowered proclamation involves preaching and teaching deeply rooted in the Scriptures, passionately delivered, and reliant on the Holy Spirit's power. It is not about eloquence or human wisdom but about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to convict hearts, reveal truth, and draw people to Christ.
The Need for Spiritual Renewal
We need a profound spiritual renewal within the church to see the gospel flourish. This renewal begins with a return to the basics: prayer, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to the gospel's transformative power. Here are some steps we can take to foster this renewal:
Practical Steps for Sharing the Gospel
A powerful example of the Holy Spirit's work is seen in the life of my daughter, Faith. Despite her cognitive challenges due to Down syndrome, Faith experiences profound insights and a deep relationship with Jesus. She prays fervently for the lost and shares her faith with remarkable clarity and impact, demonstrating that God's power works through us regardless of our abilities.
Faith’s story is a testament to the gospel's transformative power and the Holy Spirit's work. Her life reminds us that God can use anyone to accomplish His purposes regardless of their limitations. Her passion for prayer and witnessing challenges us to rely on the Holy Spirit and trust in His power.
The Gospel Message
At the heart of our mission is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the good news that God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and rise again, offering us eternal life. This message is the foundation of our faith and the world's hope.
The gospel begins with the recognition of our sin and separation from God. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Our sin creates a barrier between us and a holy God, and the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). God, in His great love and mercy, provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins. His resurrection from the dead defeated sin and death, offering us the gift of salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Salvation is a gift that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something we can earn or achieve on our own; it is a result of God's grace.
Responding to the Gospel
The gospel calls for a response. Romans 10:9-10 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved." To respond to the gospel, we must repent, believe in Jesus Christ, and confess Him as Lord.
Repentance involves a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and toward God. It acknowledges our need for forgiveness and asks God to transform our lives. Belief in Jesus means trusting Him alone for salvation and accepting His death and resurrection are sufficient for our redemption.
Conclusion: Embrace the Holy Spirit’s Power
Let us embrace the power of the Holy Spirit, confident that God can use us to share His gospel effectively. In a world that may be resistant to Christ's message, we are called to be faithful witnesses, empowered by the same Spirit that transformed the early church.
Let’s commit to prayer, seeking God’s guidance and empowerment. Let’s share our faith boldly, trusting that the Holy Spirit will work through us. And let’s celebrate the ways God is moving, knowing that our efforts are not in vain.
References
Keller, T. (2013). Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Zondervan.
The ideas in this blog are mine, but AI was used to help create the content.