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7th Retreat: You Shall Be Witnesses Session 2

18 May 2008

YAG 7th Retreat
Session #2
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Evening Session

1. Tracing the theme of being Witnesses in the Book of Acts

a) Election of apostle to replace Judas

One of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection

Acts 1:22<

i) Expression of understanding

ii) Determination to obey Jesus’ command

iii) Commencement of deeper understanding of the task of Witnessing

iv) Good indication of spiritual comprehension and maturity

v) Organising the Church to bear witness corporatelyvi) Commitment to fulfil the command to bear witness as leaders

b) Peter’s First Message to the multitudes in Jerusalem

This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Acts 2:32

i) Declaration of truth/faith

ii) Exposition of understanding concerning the Holy Spirit

iii) First attempt at bearing witness

iv) Tremendous courage to bear witness

v) Depth of knowledge of the Scriptures

vi) Preparedness to suffer any adverse consequences

vii) Tremendous response to Peter’s Message          (Acts 2:40-47)

viii) Vindication of Christ’s command to bear witness

ix) Empowered Witnessing will be blessed tremendously by the Lord

x) A call to return to the Core Task given to the Church!

c) Peter and John

And killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Acts 3:15

i) Leading by example (Peter and John)

ii) The example of the two leading apostles of the Jerusalem Church

iii) Tending to the growing flock

iv) Bearing Witness bravely amidst hostility

v) Bearing Witness consistently

vi) Bearing Witness committedly

vii) Bearing Witness with great skill (from experience)

viii) A Call to all Church Leaders to master the skill of bearing witness

ix) Only when the leaders set the pace and example will witnessing take wings

x) Praying for leaders (present and future) to become witnesses!

d) The Apostles

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus

Acts 4:33

i) Praying amidst affliction

ii) Praying with one accord          Acts 4:24

iii) Praying for boldness to witness          Acts 4:29

iv) Praying for courage to proclaim God’s word          Acts 4:29

v) Instant answer to prayer          Acts 4:29

vi) Prayer for boldness granted          Acts 4:29

vii) Filling of the Holy Spirit

viii) The Apostles continue to lead by courageous example

2. Tremendous Challenges to the Church today

a) Leading of the Church – by Example

b) Learning through Experience

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus

Acts 4:13

c) Empowering of the Holy Spirit

i) Promised Presence          John 14-16

ii) Promised Power          Acts 1:8

iii) Power experienced          Acts 2

iv) Power utilised          Acts 2

v) Power sought          Acts 4:24-31

d) Responding to the Challenge of Bearing witness effectively

i) As a Church

ii) As individuals