Acts 1:8 (ESV) “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.”
Today as we begin our study in the book of Acts, we embark on a personal exploration of our soul purpose, driven by passages that connect us intimately to the heart of Jesus and His command to teach all nations. This may seem a daunting task but every journey begins the same way, with one step. One step in the right direction.
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Jesus’ last words emphasized going and teaching others what He taught, making disciples, and understanding salvation (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV). Our journey involves surrendering to Christ’s call and aligning our priorities with His, making our work a true act of worship. The question is “Do we love what Jesus loves?” Do we love people? How about lost people? Jesus does.
Teaching and Faith:
Teaching involves directing in the scripture, admonishing, and instructing in the word of God. Faith, essential for discipleship, comes from hearing God’s spoken word. Hearing is connected to obeying, making a doer of the word a true convert (Romans 10:14 ESV).
Romans 10:14 (ESV): How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Spoken Word and Witnessing:
The Greek term “rhema” refers to the spoken word of God, delivered by the Holy Spirit into the heart. Every child of God is commanded to speak these words of life (Romans 10:14 ESV). We are the only Word of God that some people may ever hear. For us to speak God’s word it must be in our hearts because out of the heart, the mouth speaks. Is the God’s word a priority in my life?
Romans 10:17 (ESV): “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Building on the Directive:
With the imperative priority of soul-winning established, let me emphasize the pattern outlined in Acts 1:8. Starting at home, in Jerusalem, we address personal and relational issues before we extend our reach. Home may be the most difficult of all. Our family, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and those who know our faults and failures. But, we need to understand that it isn’t what we have done, but what we are doing. Are we living right? Are we serving Jesus and repenting of sin? That is the requirement. The rest is all about Him and the Holy Spirit who convicts.
Jerusalem – Home Base:
Conquering our Jerusalem, where we are most known and frequent, involves resolving offenses, giving apologies, and granting forgiveness. This step is vital before witnessing (Colossians 4:5-6 ESV). Our act of forgiveness or seeking forgiveness through an apology may be the very conduit needed for the other person to come to salvation. We must endeavor to be reconciled to our neighbor at all times. Who is our neighbor? Every person is a believer’s neighbor.
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Extending to Judea:
Repentance and reconciliation in Jerusalem pave the way for reaching Judea. As we extend outward, we begin reaching the circles around the center of our lives and church (2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV). The town you live in or the county might be considered your Judea. Are we impacting our community for Jesus? Are souls coming to salvation through our witness? These are serious questions we must continually ask ourselves. The enemy will do anything to close our mouths and harden our hearts. We must be vigilant as souls are at stake. It begins with a very simple step. Be kind. Kindness is irresistible. Not argumentative and hateful, these are not compelling but repulsive. We avoid this attitude. Be a peacemaker. Be kind. Next step, learn how to share the Gospel. Not just knowing the Gospel but living the Gospel. It is the best news the world will ever know.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV): And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
Reaching Samaria:
Samaria, representing the places less familiar to us, beckons us to expand our reach. It’s a call to bridge cultural gaps, offering the transformative message of Christ beyond our comfort zones. Our evangelism takes us to the Samaritan territories of our lives. To people who may be different than us. The very fact that we show up for the outcast and rejected is a testimony of Jesus’ love. He showed up for sinners. Fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, and yes even Samaritans. Show up even when it is out of our comfort zone.
To the Uttermost Parts of the World:
Our vision extends to the uttermost parts of the world. It’s a call to go beyond borders, bringing the message of hope and redemption to every corner of the globe. Often we accomplish this through supporting missions and missionaries. But God is calling people every day into missions. We should be prepared to obey should He call us.
Acts 1:8 (ESV): 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.
Unity in Purpose:
The disciples gathered in the upper room and displayed unity and agreement. Actively waiting in prayer and supplication, they awaited the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for their soul-winning mission (Philippians 2:2 ESV). When we dwell in unity of purpose, soul purpose, we are guaranteed power. The power of the Holy Spirit whose heart is to save those who are lost. This is why Jesus came. He loves the whole world and so should we.
Philippians 2:2 (ESV): Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Prayer in Soul Winning:
The importance of prayer in soul-winning cannot be overstated. We should always talk to God about someone before talking to someone about God (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV). Even strangers that come into our paths. The Lord will honor the prayer to make you a witness to someone today. He is not willing that any should perish. We pray FOR ALL PEOPLE.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV): First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Let us honor Christ in our hearts and our manner of life. May our conversations be full of grace, seasoned with salt, always ready to provide a reason for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15 ESV). As we embark on this personal journey, envision our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world as extensions of our evangelism. May our actions mirror the transformative power of Christ, reaching every corner of the globe. Our collective purpose is not just a command but a divine invitation to be vessels of His grace in the lives of those around us. People are our purpose, our “Soul Purpose.”