Kingdom Come | Week 9 | From Following to Participating

Teacher: Adam Barnett Responsibility – the state or fact of having a duty (an obligation requiring loyalty and faithfulness). We carry the responsibility of sharing God’s love and truth with others (through word and deed). We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. - 2 Corinthians 5:20a An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomatic officer, designated by a government as its resident representative in a foreign land. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 1) Promise: you will receive power. 2) Person: the Holy Spirit. Before God sent the Church into the world, He sent his Spirit into the Church. "Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But with the Holy Spirit, the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you."  - Corrie ten Boom “Without the power of the Holy Spirit, our work will be drudgery. With it, it becomes a joyful task, a refreshing service.” - D.L. Moody 3) Purpose: to be a witness. “The church is closed today due to lack of power.” 4) Place: intentional and spontaneous. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. - 1 Peter 3:15 5) Prayer: trust God with the outcome. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7