DAY 28: WITNESSING ACROSS ETHNO-LINGUISTIC CULTURES

DAY 28: WITNESSING ACROSS ETHNO-LINGUISTIC CULTURES

SCRIPTURE:  

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

OBSERVATION:

After his ascension, the Lord did not expect his disciples to go forth and preach the gospel immediately. Instead, they were to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Only then, would they receive the power they needed to go and witness. This then occurred during Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and the disciples in the upper room received the gift of tongues, and great boldness to preach the gospel.

And the harvest field so to speak, has three levels. Firstly, they were to witness in their immediate vicinity in Jerusalem. Secondly, they were to go to the immediate surrounding areas in all Judea and Samaria. Finally, they were to go to the ends of the earth.

Praise God that the early missionaries in Europe and later America obeyed this call, going forth as far away and remote as China, India, Southeast Asia and Africa, bringing the gospel to every continent around the world. God wants every tribe and tongue and nation to hear the gospel, and in Malaysia, and in East Malaysia especially, we are blessed to have such a rich variety of different tribes and people groups.

In Malaysia, the majority of Christians are in Sabah and Sarawak and speak Bahasa Malaysia. Economically, they are largely worse off but spiritually, they are rich. As one church in Malaysia, Christians in both Peninsular and East Malaysia need to come together in unity and lend each other their respective strengths, and support each other in their respective weaknesses. An exemplary church in this regard is SIBKL, who place great emphasis in plowing resources back to East Malaysia where the harvest is truly plentiful, and the people responsive to God.

APPLICATION:-

Pray that God will give us a cross-cultural mindset to really appreciate the fact that we are one church across language and culture and ethnic groups. Seek to become involved in helping another race or people group in the Lord, praying for them, and finding practical ways to help and reach out. Never forget that our dependence is on the Holy Spirit who empowers us. Lean on the Spirit for help.

PRAYER:-

We praise You and thank You, Heavenly Father, that you created all of us in our diverse races and cultures. You draw all men to yourself, and seek true worshippers from every time and place. Teach us to view Your church cross-culturally, learning to love our fellow brothers and sisters despite our differences in language and culture. Empower us with more of Your Holy Spirit, that we may have the wisdom and ability to reach out and bless those of different languages and cultures than ourselves. In Jesus name, Amen.