When we are embarking upon significant task it’s normal for us to want to know the details. That’s why the disciples asked Jesus about the timing of the restoration of the kingdom:

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

Jesus informed them that was not their concern:

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;” (Acts 1:7)

We must realize there are tasks that are our responsibility and there are events that are beyond our control. We see in this passage the passing of the baton between the Son and the Spirit regarding the divine mission on earth:

“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The word power denotes ability, might, or strength, and is the source of our English words dynamic, dynamo, and dynamite. Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? The power that compels us is from the Spirit who indwells us. God provides His power so we can be His witnesses. The word witness is the word from which we derive our English word martyr.

Jesus described four concentric circles, moving from the known to the unknown, outlining the strategy for proclaiming the good news. We start with our Jerusalem – the people who are most like us. Next, we move out to our Judea. These are people who may be similar to us, but not as close to us as those from our home town. Then we move on to people who have different beliefs than us. There was antipathy between the Jews and the Samaritans because of some deeply held religious convictions. Moving into our Samaria means interacting with people who have different values than us. The power of God’s Spirit can enable us to overcome the differences that divide us.

Finally, we have a responsibility to proclaim the good news to the ends of the earth. As A.J. Gordon remarked, “Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things.” Jesus has given us the great commission and we have the Spirit’s empowerment – the only thing missing is our willingness to carry out the task.

Are we depending upon our expertise or God’s power? A.W. Tozer solemnly observed, “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference.” May we go forth in obedience to His call in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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