Sailing video – magnificent sailboats, must be exhilarating to ride

How many of you have been sailing? Anyone own a sailboat? Ahoy!

I wonder how this sailing adventure is going – sailboat without wind

No Wind – what are the results that follow… No power – boring, hot, unfulfilling, not going anywhere

Same experience is ours in our Christian life when the wind of the Holy Spirit is not filling your sails.

Today, I will be teaching this last message – Spirit filled life series The Greek word for Spirit is pneuma – wind Your conversion – the wind of Holy Spirit came into your life You become a family of brothers and sisters – INCREDIBLE MISSION!

All agree that mission to cure cancer is a significant one – How many of you – friend or family member who has died from cancer?

Wouldn’t it be exciting if you were part of the team of doctors and researchers that discovered the cure for cancer?

As a Christian, you have the opportunity to work with others to do something even greater!

Spread the word that the cure for sin, and an aimless life separated from an amazing God can be found in Jesus Christ!

And as Jesus Christ gave us this mission to spread the word, He reminded us of something that we all must do to carry out this mission out effectively. And that is what we will be learning about today!

See if you can catch what it is as I read one account of Jesus’ commissioning.

Message outline, form of a bible

Book of Acts written by Luke, a doctor and apostle, who also wrote the gospel, Luke

Read Acts 1:1-11

In my former book Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through

the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, (his resurrection) he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.”9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Did you catch it? – the “have to” instruction - must wait on the gift his heavenly Father promised to give us and that gift was WHO - the Holy Spirit!

WAIT - waiting times are not necessarily wasted times.

Read Acts 1:8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

As Christ followers, we have the most adventurous, fulfilling, eternally significant mission in the history of existence. Yet it can be very challenging as well so being witnesses of Jesus Christ requires we be empowered by the Holy Spirit!

How Can I Become a Spirit Empowered Witness of Jesus?

Before I share 3 specific ways to be a Spirit Empowered Witness, I want to spend some time defining what the words witness and power mean.

Witness

The word, witness is used 200 times in the New Testament.

Greek word for witness is martus – English word martyr

Martus is a legal term, referring to someone in court who is a witness.

Witness is one who… Gives testimony rather than holds back Verifies the factuality of something Speaks on your behalf like a character witness Gives a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced

The apostles were eye witnesses/ear witnesses of the faith founded by Jesus!

And they were testifying of a faith that could bring light into the dark world in which the disciples lived.

They lived in a world filled with "many 'gods' and many 'lords"' - those of Mt. Olympus and the temples of Rome, and the deities of the mystery religions from Egypt believing in gods such as Isis and Osiris.

WATCH THIS – but the home of the Olympian gods was “shut off from the sight of men on earth by clouds” and were never allowed there!

No one ever shook hands with Zeus. No one ever had lunch with Jupiter. No one ever rode out a storm in a little boat with Isis or Osiris. Those deities never wore sandals. Their feet never touched the earth.

But the apostles’ God was very different. Amen!

Eye witnesses to Jesus… Saw their God in the flesh among His people Heard His revolutionary teachings which benefitted mankind Witnessed his supernatural acts Experienced his indescribable, unconditional, sacrificial love Brutal crucifixion paying the price for our sins Own eyes – JESUS AROSE FROM THE DEAD!

But then Jesus ascended to heaven and His absence is what made witnesses necessary. And Jesus knew the disciple’s journey would not be easy, especially without Him there. This is why Jesus commanded, Don’t you dare go one step on mission in your own strength. WAIT for the power of the Holy Spirit.

Power

The word power is used 120 times in the New Testament.

Greek word for power is dunamis – English word – DYNAMITE

What do you think of when you hear the word, Dyn o mite!

Picture of Jimmy Walker – sitcom, Good Times – didn’t look - strong

Better Picture of Power - imploding building

Dunamis - Greek word for power – carries the meaning of REACTIVE POWER Power is there but it needs to be ignited like dynamite

Holy Spirit’s power is always there. But we must choose to ignite it. But when we do, watch out! Once the disciples did, they possessed a boldness like never before in their lives and they changed their world forever!

YOU CAN BE A WORLD CHANGER TOO!

How Can I become a Spirit Empowered Witness of Jesus?

How can I ignite the Spirit’s power within?

I must allow the Holy Spirit to keep working in my life providing fresh reasons to share; the power of story!

When it comes to being a witness, don’t underestimate the power of story, the stories of how Jesus has worked and is working in your life!

First of all, you have your conversion story. And then as you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life, you have even more stories.

Your sharing looks something like this; “Let me tell you about the work Jesus has done in my marriage and family, the peace I feel, how I handle my emotions, how I treat people, even my enemies, how I see my job, my school,

what is really important and not so important. This may sound word to you, but “I feel loved by God”

Power of Story – Eye Witness

Is it not true that the best witness of all in a court of law is an eye witness?

Cold case can heat up and become an open and shut case overnight. It’s difficult for unbelievers to debate your personal story

Very Cool story recorded in one of the gospels that illustrates this well. It is the story of Jesus healing a man blind from birth. The man cried out to Jesus asking for help and look what happens.

Read John 9:6-116 After saying this, Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

Pharisees, legalistic religious leaders were upset of Jesus’ popularity. They called Jesus a sinner for healing someone on the Sabbath and tried to disprove the legitimacy of the miracle. But because of the pressure from the community, they agreed to visit the blind man’s parents.

Read John 9:20-2520 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” – Deal with that evidence, big boys!

Do see the power of story? This blind man couldn’t debate the Pharisees about Sabbath laws but He could tell them about how Jesus changed his life forever!

“One Thing I Do Know” Exercise

I was __________ but now I __________

How would you fill in those blanks? Swimming in shame but now I am free Empty, the world didn’t deliver but now I am full I was conquered by lust but more victories I see Purposeless but now I know why I am here So very selfish but now I am more selfless Filled with fear but now I know peace

Let the Holy Spirit be in charge, you will always have stories you to tell.

Likened to the natural joy of sharing about something you love – Mississippi State women’s basketball, your favorite hobby or sports team/ grandkids!

SLIDES OF PEYTON - HOW PIC – how did that get up there?

Peyton – DREAMIE – our son – shut that down – CREEPY – OLDER

I must surrender to the Holy Spirit who helps me walk my talk; the power of integrity!

Non - believers don’t give a rip about your talk if they are soured by your walk.

Not many experiences grosser than drinking sour milk. But when unbelievers see your hypocrisy, it sours them to you and the gospel and leaves a bad taste in their mouths.

Whatever you do, don’t be open your beliefs until you have the Holy Spirit’s power! Do not go forth until you are filled! Until you are filled, don’t go forth!

How many of you know some Christians that you just hope to God will never interact or talk to an unbeliever? DO NOT POINT!

Please don’t tell them you are a Christian! And please, please don’t tell them you are a member of the Church at Canyon Creek!!!

What if that Christian is YOU? Subtle

o Judgmental spirit – their behavior is more important to you than their soul, needs, pain

o Legalistic – minor things the main thing Souring behavior – MORE VISIBLE

o Cheat on tests o Make fun of others for your benefit o Get drunk, get higho Flirting at work o Laugh at the coarse jokes o Gossip o Critical spirit o Tons of debt o Lose your temper with your kids o Lose your mind at your kid’s sporting events o Unforgiving o Unfair to your employeeso Marriage is a mess you are too stubborn to get help

This isn’t good. Quit justifying it! The stakes are high, real high!!

So don’t go forth until you are filled!

When you walk your talk, power exists!

WHEN YOU are empowered by the Holy Spirit - see the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Now that is an attractive witness. This is when unbelievers will not feel like a project – love, forbearance, gentleness…

One of the most powerful witnesses in Christian history is a deacon of the early church, Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Read Acts 7:54-6054 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul(later called Paul, famous apostle)59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Does that scenario and the words of Stephen sound familiar?

Similar words were said by Jesus when he was dying on the cross. Father, forgive them for they know not.. Stephen became a visual witness of Jesus.

Do you remember the words of the Centurion soldier – Surely this is the son of God. I wonder if the future convert, Paul who witnessed this stoning of Stephen was thinking the same, “Surely this man is a true son of God”!!

Kind of words you want to hear people say about you… Witness – your marriage, self-control in tough situations, stand up under

peer pressure, how forgiving you are… Conclude - Surely this is a daughter of God, son of God!

I’m never leaving my house ever again!! I am a total loser as a witness!

All a mess but start owning your messiness! Role model to them!

I must listen to the Holy Spirit who will lead me down the right paths with the right words; the power of focus.

Remind Us - we are on the greatest mission, sharing the greatest news in the world!

On any given day, in any given week – find yourself…potential - ENGAGING! LISTEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

o Am I motivated to go? o Where am I going to go? o Once I am there, with whom am I going to interact?o How will I interact when I am with them?

Differences in outcome can be remarkable depending on how you listen.

Solid Witness Tip - go ONLY as far as the Holy Spirit leads you, no shorter, no longer.

No shorter – you will miss an opportunity. No longer – you could sabotage the progress.

But when you are listening the Holy Spirit – Exp. The Power of Focus

Really awesome happens - Power and loving boldness become byproducts of knowing you are in the midst of a divine appointment. – HOLY CONFIDENCE!

Beautiful illustration of this – story of Philip and a man from Ethiopia

Read Acts 8:26-3926 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Doesn’t that sound fun! That had to be one of the greatest days of Philip’s life!

One reality you can count on – Philip was not the sole influence in this Ethiopian becoming a believer.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 – divided on who they favored – Apollos or Paul 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Ground of the Ethiopians mind and soul had been cultivated by someone Seeds had been sown by someone else Water had been distributed by even someone other than cultivator and sower

Philip – plucked the flower!

You can successfully witness without always sharing the gospel message.

Cultivating counts, sowing counts, watering counts!

Let me share with you some cultivating and sowing that is happening in the lives of some of our Canyon Creek family.

Men - lead bible studies/support coaches Cedar Park High School Serve as a Chaplains on the Cedar Park Police Department Men that connect with others through sports like golf, tennis and more Members are reaching and having consistent lunch times with co-workers

Lady who hosts and coordinates Ladies Bible studies in her neighborhood One man reaches out to men by hosting lunch at his home every Friday Several women volunteer to read with students at elementary schools One woman in our church served as an advocate for a Romanian woman

to help her find a job One woman teaches ESL in her home to a group of five Korean women

Mostly – being a witness in your Jerusalem

Mission pics Easter cardFood Truck Sunday

Prayer

Prayer in light of the series Prayer in light of today’s message