Podcasts about you will be my witnesses

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Brian DeVries, a theologian and pastor in South Africa, about his new book, You Will Be My Witnesses, which explores the biblical and theological foundations of Christian witness, emphasizing the church's role in participating in God's redemptive mission. They discuss the complexities of the Christian and Reformed landscape in South Africa, the importance of witness in missions, and the connection between worship and witness. DeVries emphasizes the need for a solid theology of mission and the role of every believer as a witness to Christ. In this conversation, we explore the multifaceted nature of Christian witness, emphasizing its historical significance, the interplay of suffering and evangelism, and the importance of both word and deed in the church's mission. They discuss the need for boldness in witness, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the impact of personal experiences on understanding witness. Additionally, they highlight the work of Mukhanyo Theological College in training leaders for ministry in Southern Africa. Dr. Brian A. DeVries is a theologian, educator, and pastor with extensive experience in theological education and church planting. He earned his PhD from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as the president of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa. In addition to his administrative role, Dr. DeVries is an adjunct professor of missiology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. DeVries has led three multiethnic church-planting teams in South Africa and currently serves as the pastor of Grace Reformed Church in Pretoria. He and his wife, Lanae, are blessed with five children.

In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Brian DeVries, a theologian and pastor in South Africa, about his new book, You Will Be My Witnesses, which […]

In this episode I talked with Brian DeVries. Brian is the president of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa and adjunct professor of missiology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been a part of several church plants and is a pastor at Grace Reformed Church in Pretoria.In our conversation we discussed his new book, You Will Be My Witnesses. In this book, Brian gives a thorough and comprehensive theological breakdown of the mission of the Church. He begins by explaining how we can learn about being witnesses from reading the Old Testament and then helps readers to understand the difference between missions work and being a “witness”. We discussed all of this and much more - I hope you enjoy! Sign up for my newsletter and never miss an episode: https://optivnetwork.comFollow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99Email me at andy@optivnetwork.com with your questions!Music: "nesting" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

You Will Be My Witnesses... to the Ends of the Earth (Acts 8:26-40) - Morning Sermon

I recognize that another event outside this building has the attention and hearts of many of us in this room this morning.Show of hands: How many here know and remember Pastor Kenny and his wife Malaina, who we sent out last year to plant a church in the Orlando area? Well, as we meet here this morning, Horizon City Church, led by Kenny, is having their first public gathering in Winter Garden, Florida.I don't think it's any coincidence that at the very time when we're turning our focus to being welcoming witnesses that we remember, and pray for, a man who embodies what it means to be a welcoming witness. So, if you feel a little distracted this morning, I get it. In fact, you might do well to keep Pastor Kenny in mind during this message, as a living lesson in being a welcoming witness.To be clear, what's going on in Winter Garden, and what's going on this morning at 1524 Summit Avenue, is vastly more important that any marathon or any American football game in London or anywhere else in the world.Growing Up and OutThis is now the fifth in a series of six sermons, called “We Are Cities Church,” on our vision and values. As we're approaching our tenth anniversary as a church (this January), we have found ourselves in a new season of church life. In broad strokes, you might see our first five years, from 2015 until COVID, as a time of being planted. And these last four years have been a time of becoming rooted here on Summit Avenue. Now we sense ourselves coming into a new season — of what? What would you call it? What do you call the next phase after being planted and rooted? What is an acorn planted and rooted for? To grow tall and wide. To stretch up high in worship and spread out in witness to the world. We're in a season of new growth and stretching and spreading our branches — of bearing fruit, we pray, and dropping acorns we hope will become new churches.So, for this new season, we've considered how we might freshly express our unchanging mission: we want to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life. And we have a fresh fourfold way of talking about the kind of disciples we hope to be and multiply. Each of the four brings together two realities to clarify with an adjective what kind of nouns we mean.First, we are Jesus worshipers. This is the vertical aspect, the up-reach. We are not just theists, or even monotheists; nor do we simply admire Jesus as a great moral teacher. Rather, we worship Jesus. That's what it means to be Christians. We not only worship God but worship his Son.Second, we are joyful servants. That is, we are not dour servants, doing our duty while biting our lip. Nor are we shallowly happy sluggards sitting around dedicated to self-service. Rather, we aim to have happy hearts behind our helping hands. We gladly provide shade for those scorched by the sun, and strong branches to give safety for those harassed by wolves.Third, we are generous disciplers. What do we say here — providing life-giving sap? We are not miserly mentors, nor generous donors, but generous disciplers — up close, involved, giving of our own time and energy to help others grow in the faith. Last week we saw this vision in Acts 20 of personally speaking God's word and living his word in real life while investing in the lives of a few. “Disciplers” is the big addition to our previous way of talking about a threefold calling as worshipers, servants, and missionaries. We still say worshipers and servants, but now we've added disciplers, and updated missionaries to witnesses.So, fourth and finally, we are welcoming witnesses. Here we're talking outreach in particular. Not just up in worship, and in through service and discipling, but out in Christian witness to an unchristian world.Welcoming witness means we are not okay being cold, off-putting witnesses; nor are we warm, welcoming pushovers. We are welcoming witnesses: those who open wide their arms to others to make Jesus known and enjoyed.So, we give the rest of this message to welcoming witnesses, and here's how we'll proceed. First, let's go to Acts 2, and the string of texts that follow it, and see the welcoming witness of the early church, and how it grew. Then let's consider what it means to be a witness, and then what welcoming adds to witness. You can call these three truths for our welcoming witness.1. The church and the gospel grow together.Acts 2:40 says that Peter “bore witness” to the gospel of Jesus, and verse 21 says that the people “received his word” — we'll come back to this. Then twice we hear about additions, that is, growth:Verse 41: “there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Verse 47: “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”And this is the beginning of this remarkable theme in the book of Acts — the word growing, increasing, multiplying.So we hear in Acts 4:4: “many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” So the (gospel) word is heard and believed, and the number grows.Then Acts 6:7: “the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem . . . .” Number grows, as word grows. Specifically, number multiplies as word increases.Then Acts 12:24, very simply: “the word of God increased and multiplied” — many more heard and believed and joined the church. So too in Acts 19:20: “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”The word, the message of the gospel, grows as people hear and believe in Jesus and are added to the church. Word growth and church growth go together.What If GodNow, I know that some of us hear that — all that adding and increasing and even multiplying — and think, Oh no, I just want a small church. We look around this room and think, There's already enough people here. Already too many! No more increasing, please. Okay, maybe just a little adding here and there, but no multiplying!We might think of it in terms of church size, but perhaps that's really a misplaced diagnosis. I suspect it's not really about church size as much as the rush and pace and complexities and relentless frenzy of city life. Our modern metropolitan lives are so crazy, we just want church small and simple, thank you. But our discomfort with gospel growth may really have more to do with our unrecognized calling to the city.You know what's good about city life? There are so many people nearby. And you know what's so hard about city life? There are so many people nearby.To be honest, just about all of us at Cities Church have small-church preferences. And you know what? It turns out a lot of us have small-church preferences. So many of us, in fact, that after a while, we small-church people find each other, and don't have a small church anymore.What might help us is to do business with the time and place to which God has called us. Brothers and sisters, you live in a very large city. Twin Cities. Depending on who's counting, this is the 12th to 16th largest metro in the United States. And this is where God has put you, whether you own it or not. Maybe God's loosening your roots and means for you to head to the hinterlands, but for now, if you live in the TC metro, you live in a very populated urban and suburban area. My hope for us as a church is that we would recognize our present calling, and embrace it, and persevere in it, and let it inform our expressed desire for small church.I get it. Most of us have some native bucolic longings that in the complexity and stress of city life we might try to pour into church life. Brothers and sisters, there are other ways to channel your rural dreams than into a church on Summit Avenue. Drive out-state to an apple orchard next Saturday, or get an AirBnB for a weekend. Take a trip in Duluth; visit the Brainerd Lakes area or Boundary Waters. Explore MN. Drive across South Dakota. And then come back to the big city, and own that we are a church in the city, and that it is good to have so many people nearby, and so many people to bring close to Jesus and into joyful discipleship.It would be very easy to look around week after week and think we don't have any more space. We don't have room for witness. We don't have room to welcome others in. We don't have space for more baptisms, at least not many.As pastors, we are wrestling in this season, and want you to wrestle with us, Lord, what are you calling us to? We want the gospel to increase and multiply. We want the church to grow and mature. We want to generously disciple many, and send them out like Pastor Kenny, and add to our number those who are being saved. Would you join us in praying for it? And would you join us in praying for Macalester? Amazingly, we've been seeing a new trickle of students from Macalester. What if God would be pleased to turn that into a stream, and into a river? What if God sent us 100 Macalester students? What's your gut response to that? Is it, “Oh no! We don't have room for many more people!” Or does your heart burn, “Yes, yes, do it, Lord, answer our prayers, make us a welcoming witness to Macalester, and Summit Avenue, and in these surrounding neighborhoods”?2. You are never alone when you witness to Jesus.The key verse that sets the program for the whole book of Acts is Acts 1:8: “…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.”Because of Acts 1:8, we often use this word “witness” for “sharing our faith” or “speaking the gospel.” Have you ever stopped to ponder what this word “witness” means for us as Christians?What is a witness? A witness is someone, who, for the good of others, chooses to testify to something they have seen or heard. Usually the witness did not choose to see or hear what they did. They didn't initiate the experience. The event chose them, so to speak. And then, for the good of others, they choose, they agree, to testify in court.So, to be a witness is both humble and brave. Something happened that you didn't do, but you saw it or heard it. And now, for the benefit of others, you testify to what you saw or heard or know.John the Baptist is a classic example of the witness: He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. (John 1:7-8)Brothers and sisters, pressure's off! You're not the light; you're just the witness. Jesus is the light, not you. It's his work, not yours. It's his grace, not yours. But this I know: I once was blind, but now I see. I'm not the light; he's the light. Look at the light!And not only do we witness like John but we never witness alone, but as we witness to Jesus, and what we have seen and heard and experience, we simply add our voice to the company of witnesses: to the witness of nature (Acts 14:17), and the witness of conscience (Romans 2:15), and the witness of Scripture (Acts 10:43), and to the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us (Hebrews 12:1).But the one I find most encouraging of all is that the Holy Spirit witnesses. Acts 5:32: “we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”The Spirit is the divine Person who works through and with the word to give it life and growth and increase and expansion. And God has given him to us; he dwells in us. You never witness alone when you bear witness to Jesus.Over and over again in Acts, the Holy Spirit fills Christians and empowers them for witness (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9), just as Jesus promised in Acts 1:8: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...”3. We adorn our witness with hearts and hands that welcome.Witness is the noun. Welcome is the adjective. Welcoming witness means that we adorn our gospel witness with the warmth and deeds of Christian love. Word is central in witness, and welcome adorns word.Biblically, a related concept to “welcoming witness” is hospitality, which is literally “love of strangers.” There is usual human kindness, where we welcome and love those who love us, and there is the unusual kindness of Rahab welcoming the Israelite spies (Hebrews 11:31) or the natives of Malta showing hospitality to the shipwrecked apostle Paul (Acts 28:2, 7). Love for strangers is so important to Christianity that hospitable is a requirement for office in the church (1 Tim 3:2; 5:10; Titus 1:8).For Christians, love for strangers means both that we welcome fellow believers in uncomfortable ways (Romans 12:13; 14:1; 1 Peter 4:9) as well as that we welcome strangers and unbelievers (Heb 13:2; Matt 25:35, 38, 43).Why would we do this? I remember I had a book as a kid called Never Talk to Strangers. It was not a Christian book. So, why would we do this? Why would we talk to strangers? And have a heart for strangers to know Jesus? And take action that we might welcome strangers to Jesus and witness to him?Because this is what Jesus has done for us. We were hungry and he fed us with the bread of life. We were thirsty and he gave us to drink from the well of living water. We were strangers, sinners, rebels, estranged from God, and he welcomed us.Christians learn to love strangers, and learn to be welcoming witnesses to those strange to us and estranged from God, because God himself loved us when we were yet strangers. His love for strangers compels us to be welcoming witnesses, rather than fearful of and suspicious of the strange and God-estranged.Three Spheres for WitnessSo, I end with three spheres of our welcoming witness, perhaps in increasing importance:1) We are a welcoming witness at 1524 Summit Ave. Each Sunday, we have a welcome team. You can participate in that. And let's not leave all the welcoming of each other, and strangers, to the welcome team. So, some welcoming happens on the way into this room, but mainly, after we worship, oh what amazing ministry, what welcoming witness happens on these grounds. Please don't run as a pattern. Linger and be welcoming witnesses.Then all week, as we meet people nearby, and represent our church, as we frequent businesses nearby, as we repair the steeple, and keep the lawn, we want to be together a welcoming witness to Jesus on Summit Ave and to these surrounding neighborhoods.2) We are a welcoming witness as we go out into other spaces during the week. So, your work, your school, coffee shops, gyms, ballfields. Just Thursday, I was given a new book called You Will Be My Witnesses (by Brian DeVries). I got it from someone in another city who had no idea I was preaching on “witnesses” this Sunday. It's very good. Chapter 5 summarizes the pattern of Christian witness in Acts like this, which is very applicable to our relationships with unbelievers across the metro: Christian witness is (1) usually preceded by prayer, (2) often explicitly Spirit-directed, (3) generally spontaneous, (4) with the church community itself as the dominant form of witness (DeVries talks about “contagious Christian living within an attracting church community,” 120), and all that, as we've seen, (5) with gospel communication central (and “authenticated by . . . faithful living,” 121).3) We are a welcoming witness in our homes.Sometimes we talk about someone having “the gift” of hospitality. It may be true that some are more naturally inclined toward good hosting, but hospitality is not something that falls from the sky (or not). It is first God-given love for strangers in the heart, and that love is either cultivated and grown (whatever your natural inclinations), or neglected and suppressed; and if it's cultivated, then that love overflows into practical, tangible outward deeds and welcome.I close with five practical, nitty-gritty ideas for welcoming witness in our homes.1) Pray about being hospitable and budget for it. Pray over who you'd like to invite into your home, and don't let the very minimal costs keep you from the very maximal rewards.2) Think in concentric circles of “strangers”: first, those who are not strangers at all: friends and family. Okay, that's very normal hosting. Then think of those who are strangers in that they don't live in your house but are fellow believers. Then don't forget those who are strangers according to faith. In other words, Christian hospitality incorporates both fellow believers and nonbelievers. Make use of it for both, for hosting Community Group and hosting unbelieving neighbors.3) A word for dads. I wish this lesson didn't take me so long to learn, and that I didn't still have room for growth. But it did, and I do. I'd love to save some younger husbands some grief if you'll hear an old man's counsel: dad's energy is key for hospitality. Husbands, fathers, we don't wave a wand and expect wife and kids to start singing, “Be Our Guest” — not for long. Dad, your masculine heart and hands and arms are critical; and so is her feminine heart and touch — and everyone knows her part is vital, but yours can get forgotten, especially by you. Don't forget it. Brothers, lead the way in prayer, planning, preparation, service, and cleanup. Put your male body to some use. Many marriages (not saying all) would be helped if dad sweated hospitality prep for more, and mom sweated it less.4) So, a word to the ladies: some of you may have to lower your expectations for domestic and culinary excellence. I promise, it is worth being hospitable, even if a perfect pic doesn't wind up on IG. You don't need to impress; just love. Use paper plates, and the house doesn't have to be perfect.5) A next-level consideration might be having a guest room, or plan for overnight hosting.Making a practice of welcoming others into our homes can be good for your marriage, in having shared mission and ministry together. It can be good for our kids, in the people they'll meet and interact with and learn from. And it's good for us to have open homes, open doors, open lives. An open home brings accountability with it that does us all good. Satan loves isolation and closed doors. And welcoming others into our homes might be not just an important way, but the key way in our times to witness to our faith in Jesus.Housekey?I remember the moment in evangelism class in seminary. The professor's name was Steve Childers. He asked the class, “You know what will be the key to evangelism in the 21st century, don't you?”I'm sure he could see on our faces how eager we were for his answer. Wow, the key, we were thinking. This is huge. He knew he had us. So he paused and smiled and waited. And he waited. And just when I was almost ready to burst with, “Just c'mon already!” finally he lifted the curtain: “Hospitality.”In an increasingly post-Christian society, he said, the importance of hospitality as an evangelistic asset is quickly growing. Increasingly, the most strategic turf on which to engage the unbelieving with the good news of Jesus is the turf of our own yards and homes.When people don't gather in droves for stadium crusades, or tarry long enough on the sidewalk to hear a gospel presentation, or look up from their phones, or take out their earbuds, what will you do? How will we be welcoming witnesses? Where will we testify to the unbelieving about what matters most?Invite them to dinner. Witness and Welcome at the TableEach Sunday, this Table forms us to be welcoming witnesses. First, this Table witnesses. It speaks a visible word to us about Jesus, his sacrifice of his body for our sins, and his new covenant inaugurated in the shedding of his blood. This Table witnesses to him, and as we partake we proclaim his death until he comes.And this Table welcomes — not without spiritual conditions but indiscriminately within the conditions of confession this Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Treasure and having had his name put on you publicly through baptism.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda's Post-Synodal Pastoral Letter, “You Will Be My Witnesses,” called for the creation of an Archdiocesan Blue Ribbon Commission that would discuss “Parents as Primary Educators,” the focus of Year 3 Synod implementation beginning in July 2025.   Joining producer Kayla Mayer are Kenna Millea and Andrew Wagenbach, two members of the commission. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: Instagram Facebook YouTube

Join us this weekend as Pastor Jon begins a new message series, To the Ends of the Earth with a message called, "You Will Be My Witnesses", based on Acts 1:1-11.

New Covenant Fellowship, Stillwater OK

Dave Cover teaches from Acts 1:1-11 with a sermon titled, “ You Will Be My Witnesses”.

“You Will Be My Witnesses” from 2023-05-21 by Matt Matthews.

Acts 1:6-11 The post Rev Dr David G Watermulder: “You Will Be My Witnesses” (05/21/2023) appeared first on Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos.

Acts 1 The post #1 You Will Be My Witnesses appeared first on Trinity Church Mount Barker.

A new MP3 sermon from #WeAreChristChurch is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Disciples Sent Out Subtitle: You Will Be My Witnesses Speaker: Brandon Nealy Broadcaster: #WeAreChristChurch Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/29/2022 Bible: Matthew 10 Length: 29 min.

A new MP3 sermon from #WeAreChristChurch is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Disciples Sent Out Subtitle: You Will Be My Witnesses Speaker: Brandon Nealy Broadcaster: #WeAreChristChurch Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/29/2022 Bible: Matthew 10 Length: 29 min.

The post You Will Be My Witnesses appeared first on King's Cross Church.

June 5, 2022 -- 10:00AM "You Will Be My Witnesses" Text: Acts 1:1-8, Acts 2:1-11, Acts 9:1-9 Dave Bast, preaching

Acts 1:1-11 The post Rev Dr David G Watermulder: “You Will Be My Witnesses” (05/22/2022) appeared first on Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos.

1/9/2022 "You Will Be My Witnesses" by WestHillsChurch

8.8.21 | You Will Be My Witnesses by Bob Simmons Series: Did Jesus Really Say That? Acts 1:1-8

Kyle was in Orlando on vacation, so Matt invited Dr. Queen onto the show to discuss "getting to the gospel." While that is the title of a forthcoming book he's authoring, for today's episode, the art of "getting to the gospel" is what they discuss...you know, the transition from conversation to gospel conversation in our work of everyday evangelism. Books mentioned on the show... Everyday Evangelism: https://seminaryhillpress.com/product/everyday-evangelism/ Mobilize to Evangelize: https://seminaryhillpress.com/product/and-you-will-be-my-witnesses/ You Will Be My Witnesses: https://seminaryhillpress.com/product/and-you-will-be-my-witnesses/ Satisfied? Tract: https://seminaryhillpress.com/product/satisfied/ The B.H. Carroll Pulpit: https://seminaryhillpress.com/product/the-b-h-carroll-pulpit/ And there's also Matt's two evangelism titles... Evangelize to Revitalize: https://amzn.to/3mJ2Rxb Path for P.E.A.C.E.: https://amzn.to/2QfFFKV Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAB_Podcast  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notanotherbaptistpodcast  And a special thanks to The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Christian Standard Bible for making this episode possible.

Easter Sunday 2021 - You Will Be My Witnesses by Re:Hope Glasgow

Listen to the sermon '"You Will Be My Witnesses"' by Jeremy Burrage from the The Book Of Acts series, based on Acts 1:1-11.

With our friends Brian Zahnd and Nobel Peace prize nominee John Dear we discuss this moment, Terrence Malick's new film ‘An Hidden Life' and the witness of Franziska and Franz Jägerstätter. Before our discussion we hear from the streets of #BlackLivesMatter protests, this time from long term Aboriginal activist, Aunty Esther Montgomery on “everyone has a role to play” in this moment. With special thanks to www.peacockvisuals.com who made the short film found on our YouTube channel. Desmond Tutu nominated Rev John Dear for the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless work for justice and peace. He is the author/editor of 30 books, including The Nonviolent Life, Lazarus Come Forth!, A Persistent Peace, Put Down Your Sword, Transfiguration, You Will Be My Witnesses, Living Peace, The Questions of Jesus and Mohandas Gandhi. Pastor Brian Zahnd co-founded with his wife Peri Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA and successfully led their large church into a deeper, more ancient expression of of Christian faith that pursues prayerful peacemaking that has become a model for many around the world. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Postcards from Babylon, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Find our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe7PBBVBTfOT0SzcDKEVw Join our Integral Discipleship community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/InVerse

With our friends Brian Zahnd and Nobel Peace prize nominee John Dear we discuss this moment, Terrence Malick’s new film ‘An Hidden Life’ and the witness of Franziska and Franz Jägerstätter. Before our discussion we hear from the streets of #BlackLivesMatter protests, this time from long term Aboriginal activist, Aunty Esther Montgomery on “everyone has a role to play” in this moment. With special thanks to www.peacockvisuals.com who made the short film found on our YouTube channel. Desmond Tutu nominated Rev John Dear for the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless work for justice and peace. He is the author/editor of 30 books, including The Nonviolent Life, Lazarus Come Forth!, A Persistent Peace, Put Down Your Sword, Transfiguration, You Will Be My Witnesses, Living Peace, The Questions of Jesus and Mohandas Gandhi. Pastor Brian Zahnd co-founded with his wife Peri Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA and successfully led their large church into a deeper, more ancient expression of of Christian faith that pursues prayerful peacemaking that has become a model for many around the world. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Postcards from Babylon, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Find our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe7PBBVBTfOT0SzcDKEVw Join our Integral Discipleship community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/InVerse

A new MP3 sermon from Providence Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: You Will Be My Witnesses Subtitle: Encountering the Risen Christ Speaker: Steven Mena Broadcaster: Providence Baptist Church Event: Midweek Service Date: 5/20/2020 Bible: Acts 1:6-11 Length: 39 min.

You Will Be My Witnesses

You Will Be My Witnesses

You Will Be My Witnesses

You Will Be My Witnesses

You Will Be My Witnesses

You Will Be My Witnesses

I wonder what comes to your mind when you think of “church”? Religious institution might be the #1 answer. Maybe you’d say it’s a social justice agency (e.g. help the poor, feed the hungry, etc.) or perhaps a social club (it’s all about the relationships). All of those have merit. None of them gives the full picture. And if I were to ask unchurched folks what they think of the church, the answers would more often than not be dismissive (the church is antiquated and irrelevant), or cynical (they’re a bunch of crooks), if not angry (there’s been so much abuse in the name of God). And, let’s be honest, some of those feelings would be entirely justified. So, what is the church? The best and primary source to define and describe the church is a New Testament book called The Acts of the Apostles which recounts the founding and earliest days of the church in the first century A.D. Written by a physician named Luke, it is the second half of his two-volume set that starts with The Gospel of Luke. It tells the extraordinary story of those first apostles and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in them, using them to preach the gospel and plant churches around the Mediterranean world. But it isn’t just a history book. As we wrestle with what it means to be the church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century, what Dr. Luke wrote two millennia ago resounds with prescriptions and principles, examples and inspiration that give us the most complete picture of what the church is to be today. And there is no better way for us to launch into our 19th ministry year at Harvest Barrie than to look intently into this book and open ourselves up to whatever God has for us. We've started this Sunday in Acts 1:1-11 with a message titled “You Will Be My Witnesses.” https://vimeo.com/194726227 https://vimeo.com/194726425 Sermon Notes The Acts of the Apostles | Chapters 1–7 You Will Be My Witnesses Pastor Todd Dugard Acts 1:1–11 September 8, 2019 About the book: Author: Luke, a Greek, a physician, and travelling companion of Paul. Recipients: Theophilus; the global church. Date: Circa A.D. 64. Purpose: Provide certainty with an orderly account of the continuing work of Christ (cf. Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1). Genre: History of the spread of the gospel and the establishing of the church worldwide by the work (acts) of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and other believers; it is the sequel to The Gospel of Luke. Content: Episodes, speeches (sermons), summaries, travel narratives. Themes: Kingdom/gospel, witness, mission, power of the Holy Spirit, church, inclusivity. Main characters: The Apostles (esp Peter and Paul), the church, the Holy Spirit, Jesus. — If we’re to fulfill the mission and be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world, we must... …believe the proofs (v. 1–3) The term “missionary” is understood as describing the activity of “mission”, defined as the activity of individuals who distinguish themselves from the society in which they live both in terms of religious convictions and social behavior; they are convinced of the truth of their belief and actively work to win other people for their convictions and for their way of life, “sent” by God and the risen Jesus Christ to proclaim the gospel. Eckhard J. Schnabel 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 — …trust the promises (v. 4–5) Joel 2:28 — …receive the power (v. 6–8a) Outline of Acts: Chapters 1–7: Jerusalem Chapters 8–12: Samaria and the surrounding regions Chapters 13–28: Mediterranean; Rome The Acts 1:8 Strategy: 1. Start close 2. Reach beyond 3. Go far — …follow the plan (v. 8b) A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest — …feel the push (v. 9–11)

I wonder what comes to your mind when you think of “church”? Religious institution might be the #1 answer. Maybe you'd say it's a social justice agency (e.g. help the poor, feed the hungry, etc.) or perhaps a social club (it's all about the relationships). All of those have merit. None of them gives the full picture. And if I were to ask unchurched folks what they think of the church, the answers would more often than not be dismissive (the church is antiquated and irrelevant), or cynical (they're a bunch of crooks), if not angry (there's been so much abuse in the name of God). And, let's be honest, some of those feelings would be entirely justified. So, what is the church? The best and primary source to define and describe the church is a New Testament book called The Acts of the Apostles which recounts the founding and earliest days of the church in the first century A.D. Written by a physician named Luke, it is the second half of his two-volume set that starts with The Gospel of Luke. It tells the extraordinary story of those first apostles and the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in them, using them to preach the gospel and plant churches around the Mediterranean world. But it isn't just a history book. As we wrestle with what it means to be the church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century, what Dr. Luke wrote two millennia ago resounds with prescriptions and principles, examples and inspiration that give us the most complete picture of what the church is to be today. And there is no better way for us to launch into our 19th ministry year at Harvest Barrie than to look intently into this book and open ourselves up to whatever God has for us. We've started this Sunday in Acts 1:1-11 with a message titled “You Will Be My Witnesses.” https://vimeo.com/194726227 https://vimeo.com/194726425 Sermon Notes The Acts of the Apostles | Chapters 1–7 You Will Be My Witnesses Pastor Todd Dugard Acts 1:1–11 September 8, 2019 About the book: Author: Luke, a Greek, a physician, and travelling companion of Paul. Recipients: Theophilus; the global church. Date: Circa A.D. 64. Purpose: Provide certainty with an orderly account of the continuing work of Christ (cf. Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1). Genre: History of the spread of the gospel and the establishing of the church worldwide by the work (acts) of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and other believers; it is the sequel to The Gospel of Luke. Content: Episodes, speeches (sermons), summaries, travel narratives. Themes: Kingdom/gospel, witness, mission, power of the Holy Spirit, church, inclusivity. Main characters: The Apostles (esp Peter and Paul), the church, the Holy Spirit, Jesus. — If we're to fulfill the mission and be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world, we must... …believe the proofs (v. 1–3) The term “missionary” is understood as describing the activity of “mission”, defined as the activity of individuals who distinguish themselves from the society in which they live both in terms of religious convictions and social behavior; they are convinced of the truth of their belief and actively work to win other people for their convictions and for their way of life, “sent” by God and the risen Jesus Christ to proclaim the gospel. Eckhard J. Schnabel 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 — …trust the promises (v. 4–5) Joel 2:28 — …receive the power (v. 6–8a) Outline of Acts: Chapters 1–7: Jerusalem Chapters 8–12: Samaria and the surrounding regions Chapters 13–28: Mediterranean; Rome The Acts 1:8 Strategy: 1. Start close 2. Reach beyond 3. Go far — …follow the plan (v. 8b) A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest — …feel the push (v. 9–11)

YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES

The post You Will Be My Witnesses appeared first on Westwood Roxboro.

Todd Nettleton, Chief of Media Relations and Message Integration at Voice of the Martyrs delivers a message on what it means to wait on God. Genesis 40:14-15 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit. www.VOMRadio.net Genesis 41:1 Then it came to pass, at the end of TWO FULL YEARS… Acts 7:30 And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him (Moses) in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness… Mark 5:25-26 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse… www.VOMRAdio.net/Petr 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. The Voice of the Martyrs www.persecution.com Twitter: @VOM_USA Facebook: The Voice of the Martyrs – USA All of the disciples received this Acts 1:8 call….”YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES.” My MARTYRS. If you are a disciple, then that's your call too. If you live in _________, then that's your assignment. If you live in Oklahoma, or Texas, or Australia, that's your field. That's your planting ground. As disciples, we are all called to be witnesses, so let us: Hear from God. Regularly. Witness….WHEREVER we are. Prison. Palace. Mountaintop. Deepest valley. Witnesses witness wherever they are. LET GOD USE WHAT WE HAVE, no matter how much or how little it is. Leave a legacy LEAVE THE RESULTS UP TO GOD. “You will be my witnesses…my martyrs.” Let's go out and be his witnesses this week!

Talk Nation Radio: John Dear on Catholic Church Rejecting "Just War" Theory After 1700 years, the Catholic Church is turning against the idea that there can be a "just war." We speak with John Dear.John Dear is an internationally recognized voice for peace and nonviolence. A priest, pastor, retreat leader, and author, he served for years as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organization in the U.S. After September 11, 2001, he was a Red Cross coordinator of chaplains at the Family Assistance Center in New York, and counseled thousands of relatives and rescue workers. John has traveled the war zones of the world, been arrested some 75 times for peace, led Nobel Peace prize winners to Iraq, recently visited Afghanistan, given thousands of lectures on peace across the U.S., and served as a pastor of several churches in New Mexico. His many books include: The Nonviolent Life; Walking the Way; Thomas Merton Peacemaker; A Persistent Peace; Transfiguration;  You Will Be My Witnesses;   Living Peace;  The Questions of Jesus;   The God of Peace;  Jesus the Rebel;   Peace Behind Bars;  and Disarming the Heart.  He has been nominated many times for the Nobel Peace Prize, including by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sen Barbara Mikulski. He works forwww.campaignnonviolence.org, is a priest of the Diocese of Monterey, Cal., and lives in New Mexico. See: www.johndear.org Statement from April 11-13 Vatican Meeting:http://www.paxchristi.net/news/appeal-catholic-church-recommit-centrality-gospel-nonviolence/5855#sthash.gBLNmWLZ.Ko153230.dpbs Total run time: 29:00 Host: David Swanson.Producer: David Swanson.Music by Duke Ellington. Syndicated by Pacifica Network. Please encourage your local radio stations to carry this program every week!  

After 1700 years, the Catholic Church is turning against the idea that there can be a "just war." We speak with John Dear. John Dear is an internationally recognized voice for peace and nonviolence. A priest, pastor, retreat leader, and author, he served for years as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organization in the U.S. After September 11, 2001, he was a Red Cross coordinator of chaplains at the Family Assistance Center in New York, and counseled thousands of relatives and rescue workers. John has traveled the war zones of the world, been arrested some 75 times for peace, led Nobel Peace prize winners to Iraq, recently visited Afghanistan, given thousands of lectures on peace across the U.S., and served as a pastor of several churches in New Mexico. His many books include: The Nonviolent Life; Walking the Way; Thomas Merton Peacemaker; A Persistent Peace; Transfiguration; You Will Be My Witnesses; Living Peace; The Questions of Jesus; The God of Peace; Jesus the Rebel; Peace Behind Bars; and Disarming the Heart. He has been nominated many times for the Nobel Peace Prize, including by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sen Barbara Mikulski. He works for www.campaignnonviolence.org, is a priest of the Diocese of Monterey, Cal., and lives in New Mexico. See: www.johndear.org Statement from April 11-13 Vatican Meeting: http://www.paxchristi.net/news/appeal-catholic-church-recommit-centrality-gospel-nonviolence/5855#sthash.gBLNmWLZ.Ko153230.dpbs

With our friends Brian Zahnd and Nobel Peace prize nominee John Dear we discuss this moment, Terrence Malick's new film ‘An Hidden Life' and the witness of Franziska and Franz Jägerstätter. Before our discussion we hear from the streets of #BlackLivesMatter protests, this time from long term Aboriginal activist, Aunty Esther Montgomery on “everyone has a role to play” in this moment. With special thanks to www.peacockvisuals.com who made the short film found on our YouTube channel. Desmond Tutu nominated Rev John Dear for the Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless work for justice and peace. He is the author/editor of 30 books, including The Nonviolent Life, Lazarus Come Forth!, A Persistent Peace, Put Down Your Sword, Transfiguration, You Will Be My Witnesses, Living Peace, The Questions of Jesus and Mohandas Gandhi. Pastor Brian Zahnd co-founded with his wife Peri Word of Life Church in Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA and successfully led their large church into a deeper, more ancient expression of of Christian faith that pursues prayerful peacemaking that has become a model for many around the world. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Postcards from Babylon, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Find our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWe7PBBVBTfOT0SzcDKEVw Join our Integral Discipleship community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/InVerse