DAY 32: DISCIPLING THE NATIONS TO THE END OF THE EARTH

DAY 32: DISCIPLING THE NATIONS TO THE END OF THE EARTH

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:

When the commission was first given to the disciples, they were instructed to be witnesses first in Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. Over the last 2,000 years, the gospel has indeed traveled far and wide, reaching every continent and almost every country of the earth. And in this age of globalization where improvements in travel and connectivity has brought the world closer than ever before.

In Malaysia, we have also seen globalization, and like most other countries, there is also an influx of foreign labor from different places coming to find work and income. Some come in illegally while others have authorized permits, but whichever country they come from, they are also men and women created by God, made in His image, and loved by God as His children. It is thus also God’s will that we seek for opportunities to witness to and help the aliens and foreigners among us where we can.

Upon His ascension, the Lord did not ask his disciples to go out and witness immediately but to wait until they received power when the Holy Spirit would come upon them. The purpose of that power was so that they could become the Lord’s witnesses. Today, the pattern is the same. Instead of going out and trying to witness in our own strength, we should wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit actually came upon the disciples, there was a great wind, and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them, and they began to speak in tongues, praising God in diverse languages to the surprise of the dispersed Jews who had come back from various places. Then Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, stood up and gave a great sermon that saw 3,000 saved on the day.

John the Baptist declared that although he baptized with water, the Lord Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The Greek Word “baptizo” actually means “to dip” or “to be immersed”. In baptism of water, people are baptized by going down under the water completely to symbolize death of the old self, and rise up completely to declare the new life in Christ Jesus. A second way a person can be immersed is to stand under a waterfall. This is how the baptism of the Holy Spirit works, Jesus in Heaven sending out His Spirit down like a waterfall from Heaven to immerse us, filling our hearts completely till overflowing and coming out of our mouths in tongues praising God.

Primarily, to witness means to testify to others what Jesus has done for us, and it is the Holy Spirit that gives us boldness to proclaim this testimony.

APPLICATION:-

We all need continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit, which is not just a once off experience. A practical way we can do this, is regularly pray to our Lord Jesus to pour out His Holy Spirit upon us, envisioning the Spirit coming down into our hearts like a waterfall, overflowing and causing us to speak out in praises and tongues.

As we learn to bring that atmosphere of praising God with us, we will find it easier to find opportunities to bear testimony to others. Most time, it is not fluency in preaching or great knowledge but rather genuine love and gratitude to Christ that attracts pre-believers to the gospel.

We also would do well to remember the principles of depending on the Holy Spirit to give us “at that time what we should say”, keeping that prayerful attitude to ask God for help to say the right things at any given situation.

PRAYER:-

We praise thee, Heavenly Father, for Your precious Holy Spirit which You give us generously through our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill us more and more with Your Spirit, Lord, and empower us that we may be witnesses for You wherever You have placed us. Grant us Your courage and Your power, and continue to fill our hearts with Your precious grace and thanksgiving for all You have done for us. We praise You and worship You, precious Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.