Witnesses: Commissioned, Sent, and Empowered

Witnesses: Commissioned, Sent, and Empowered

Dave Riddle - 4/21/2024

Key Passages: Luke 24:47-48, John 20:21, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8

You will be my witnesses

- Luke 24:47-48

- To all the nations

- Acts 1:8

- To the ends of the earth

Commissioned and Sent

- John 20:21

- As the Father sent me, so I am sending you!

- Matthew 28:18-20

- Go, therefore, and make disciples

Empowered by God

- He provides us with His own power.

- Luke 24:49

- Acts 1:4-5

- John 20:22

Until He Comes Again

- 1 Thessalonians 4:16

He’s Still Here

- Matthew 28:20

- I am with you always, even til the end of the age

Sent in His Name

Sent in His Name

Dave Riddle - 11/10/19

Key Passage: John 3:14-17

God is both Sent and Sender

• John 17:18 - “As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”

Jesus Followers are “Sent Ones”

• Matthew 4:19 - follow me and I will make you fish for people.

  • Not, “I will make you perfect people”

• Mark 3:13-14 - apostles (sent ones)

  • They were with him

  • They were sent out

Salt & Light

• Matthew 5:13-16

  • Useful

  • Representatives of Christ

• Philippians 2:15

Ambassadors

• 2 Corinthians 5:20

• Representing Jesus in everything we do.

• He is making his appeal through us

Witnesses 

• Acts 1:8

  • As witnesses, the only thing we’re called to be is truth tellers.

  • Not the judge, jury, prosecution, or defense.

  • We are witnesses that Jesus is alive and that he has changed our lives.

Disciple-Makers

• Matthew 28:19 - therefore go and make disciples of all nations...

Content and Conduct

• We have something to tell

  • euaggelizō (Greek: εὐαγγελίζω) - to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel.

• The way we live should show evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

  • The life of a Jesus follower should be aligned with the truth of God’s word.

Redeem and Restore

• Has the Kingdom been fully realized? No. But we’re called, as members of the Kingdom, to play a role in that restoration.

  • Revelation 21:5 - “Look, I am making everything new”

What does it look like to live life as a Sent One?

• That’s going to look different in each of our lives. One thing is certain though, for followers of Jesus, it isn’t optional.