Jesus Witness Today

Sunday 5 April
READ: Acts 1:1-11
MORE LESSON: Mk. 16:14-20

Jesus the author and finisher of the Christian faith came, died and resurrected on the third day. And the Scripture says having taken captivity captive, Jesus gave gifts to the Church for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ. The gifts of the apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to the church by Jesus is to grow the believers so that all can assume the full stature of Christ.
Moreover, our text makes us to appreciate what things Jesus did to enable the apostles become His effective witnesses, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth: v8. Every spiritual office in God's Kingdom is for the purpose of being His witness, ye shall be witnesses unto me. Witnesses are people who tell of their experience. It is interesting to find that Jesus did not call us to be lawyers as a lawyer presents her case and argues its merit or soldiers, who defend their country and preserve its interests. But He called us to be witnesses of Him.

The book of the Acts of the Apostles is full of witnesses; ordinary people who have extraordinary grace from God. Some of them give generously, some speak eloquently, some act with boldness while others move from town to town spreading the good news of the gospel of Christ. A few sacrifice their lives. After each of them has received the Holy Spirit's power, they move the mission of Jesus forward.

Today, the Church of God needs all sorts of members, people who will preach and speak God's truth, ushers who will make visitors and new comers feel welcome, singers who will lift the hearts of believers towards Heaven, givers who are cheerful and generous. But above all the Church needs witnesses, people who will listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and act promptly in faith. The weaknesses, quarrels, in-fighting, distraction and offence in church will disappear when we all heed the command of Jesus and become not church title holders but His witnesses. That is the highest title every believer should aspire to. Any title and name that we carry in church must have His witness added or else there will be no reward in Heaven. Be a Jesus’ witness from today, it is cheap, simple and easy; you don't need anyone to ordain you into this office because by redemption you have already been ordained into it. Jesus commands today, ...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.... Mark 16:15. Jesus died for this, you are alive for this.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for the Holy Ghost power afresh to be an effective witness of Jesus.
* Ask God to help you to see your place as a witness in the ongoing mission to spread the gospel to all people.
** Memorise I Cor. 9:16 and meditate on it all day.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, every plan and target of the enemy over my destiny this month, I declare them null and void, in Jesus’ mighty name.