It's Share Time!

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   The training was over. Now was a time of preparation. Share time was coming.

   Dark days were foretold by Jesus. His disciples were told what lay ahead: His death…and resurrection.

   What was unclear was the destiny of the disciples. None of the Gospel accounts reveal the role they would play following the resurrection. 

   At the latter end of the forty days of Jesus’ periodic appearances, all giving evidence of His return to life. Now Jesus made the role of the disciples clear: “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 end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

   Great was the power…and the inspiration when the Spirit came. These equipped apostles were bold in their proclamation of the remarkable risen Savior. Three thousand new believers placed their faith in Christ and were baptized following a single sermon by Peter (Acts 2).

   Christ’s Church on earth was begun. This was a fellowship (body) of believers that were united in mission and message. Expansion was exponential — “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (vv.47b; also see   4:4). 

   The Church was unstoppable…as were the apostles as leaders.  The latter risked arrest and imprisonment. There was opposition from the Jewish leaders and the Roman officials. The tribulation Jesus had foretold them of was real…but so was His promised victory (John 16:33).  A persecution led to a scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1a). This led to more room for growth.

   All of the above is context for the Church today. Christ foreknew our challenges as well…and our victory through Him.

   The same Holy Spirit empowers believers today, and guides His Church. Passionate followers (disciples) are just as essential today to lead and inspire the church. Worship, sacrament sharing, teaching, and other ministries are still essential.

   There is no room for apathy and passivity. Church growth is the only alternative Christ anticipates.  Our shared efforts are for an Audience of One — Christ. 

   As with those first disciples, the time has come. It’s “share time” — of the Gospel good new of our risen Savior. A dying world needs to be awakened.

Pastor Dan Kohn
Author of Discipleship In The Postmodern Age
(715) 610-2400 / revkohn@gmail.com

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