IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

You Will Be My Witnesses

Date: Feb. 1, 2019

Passage

Acts 1:1-11 (ESV)

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Daily Bread

Introduction to Acts

Key Verse: 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1. Wait for the Holy Spirit (1-7)

Luke had written his gospel and now the book of Acts to Theophilus, a name that means "lover of God." After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days. He wanted to convince them of the fact of his resurrection and victory over sin and death. He also spoke about the kingdom of God. The disciples still had a worldly dream to restore the kingdom to Israel. However, Jesus wanted them to lead all people into his eternal kingdom, through faith in his death and resurrection.

2. You will receive power (8-11)

The disciples were very limited in their wisdom, experience, and character. They had hardly travelled outside of Galilee, how could they be Jesus' witnesses to the ends of the earth? They could when they received the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would equip them to witness to Jesus in every situation. The Greek word for witness implies "martyr." They would burn with God's love for lost souls and give their lives to see Jesus' gospel reach the ends of the earth.

Prayer: Prayer: Help me to witness to Jesus in the power of your Holy Spirit.

One Word: Jesus' witness to the ends of the earth

Daily Bread

Complacent or Victorious?

Revelation 3:1-13

Key Verse: 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

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Intro Daily