Be a Witness

Read 1 Corinthians 15 thru 16, Acts 19:23-20:1
 
1 Corinthians 15:1-10a Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you. Unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me and not without results. 
 
PAUL wrote what each church must have in order to preach the gospel. He gave the truth.
   Paul confirmed the clear, historic evidence of Jesus risen and ascended with the evidence of many witnesses. It seems we pay too little attention to the great number of people who saw and heard Jesus from resurrection to ascension. Let’s be aware of these facts and testify to the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Holy Spirit Appoints You
 
Acts 20:22-24 And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
 
AWARE of impending imprisonment and other hardships, Paul never wavered from God’s work. This was his life now and forever. Completing God’s work can extend beyond the boundaries of physical life. Each day countless believers are saying, “Yes, Lord.” to the command, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) The Holy Spirit guides and directs. How will you know he has called you? How do you understand what he is saying?  
   As with a close friend, you will comprehend the Spirit when you become more closely connected with God. The Spirit-inspired Bible is his first communication to you. The LORD will also speak to you through people who will encourage you to specific work: “You’re a great teacher.” “You are generous and kind.” “I see you have a gift of prayer.” People will unexpectedly affirm what you are thinking about as it relates to your Christiaan life. When you pray, “LORD, how may I serve you?” God will give you a thought. It may simply be, “Call your friend today.” Or it could be, “Spend more time with me.” God will gift you with knowledge and cause you to desire the cross he has set aside for you to take up as you follow him.
   The Holy Spirit is your Helper. Be in touch, ready to listen. And go faithfully into the lives and circumstances the Spirit points you, even if it is into persecution. Many must decide this daily. Pray for the persecuted church. And pray for your own faithful obedience. Then savor your closer walk with God.