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).
In a medal play golf match in college, I was even par through 11 holes and one down. I played the next five holes in 8 under par: Birdie, birdie, eagle (one putt), eagle (8 iron), and eagle (pitching wedge). I shot 30 on the back nine with two bogeys. I had witnesses.
The early church grew by testifying. These witnesses had to be filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit as they spread the message of Jesus, the Cross, and the Resurrection into a hostile world hell-bent on eradicating this small band of believers.
The first church began in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when they were filled with God’s Holy Spirit. Peter preached, and 3,000 came forward and recognized they had a life-and-death mission.
God is a gentleman who patiently waits for us, but sometimes He knocks down the door to get us saved, just as He did with Saul on his way to Damascus.
Saul was blinded and heard Jesus say, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Interesting. Saul thought he was persecuting the early followers of Jesus, but he was really persecuting Jesus. Saul then became Paul and wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament.
In AD 64, the book of Acts ends, but some ragamuffin believers were just getting started. Watch it grow—first to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and then in AD 80 to France and Tunisia; AD 100 to Algeria and Sri Lanka; AD 150 to Portugal; AD 174 to Australia and Switzerland and Belgium; AD 328 to Ethiopia; AD 500 to England; and then from 600 to 1500 to China, Ireland, Norway, Africa, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. Remember the expedition from Spain in 1492?
Colonial America would become a light on the hill. Americans would experience a revival in the First Great Awakening, which lasted from 1731 to 1755. This awakening would lay the groundwork for the Republic of the United States of America in 1776, greatly aided by a group of men who loved God.
They formed a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. Ever since, America has led the world in sending missionaries. American missionaries, including missionaries sent into the golf community, are still changing the world.
Our founding fathers knew one thing. This new republic could only succeed if its citizens remained moral and religious.
So, enough history. What are we called to do in 2024? The exact same thing that the early church was called to do—be a witness for Jesus Christ. So, are we? Are we witnessing to our neighbors and members at our club, especially those hard to love on the other side of the cultural aisle, about the love of Jesus?
I know. It is not easy. But please remember: We are not called to be judges and lawyers, deciding who wins or loses; we are called witnesses.
We witness by telling our story of how Jesus has changed us. We are called to tell our story with passion and humility. We walk with many who face a life-and-death choice, but we are not the judge, only the credible witness.
Lastly, our motivation is for God to save them. We may move them one step closer. Someone later may move them even closer, and then God chooses someone to move them into salvation because they have been moved closer along the way by many like you.
The pressure is off. Be a good witness. God does the rest. Now, that is amazing.
Prayer – Lord! Thank you for Your grace and mercy in judging us all.