Ever thought of being an ambassador? The Bible says “Now then we ARE ambassadors”. NEAT! Do we need to run out and buy some fancy clothes to succeed as an ambassador for Jesus Christ? Please give this song a listen, then lets talk about gearing up to be ambassadors.
Who gets to say?
We pick up the story in Acts 1, with Jesus once again teaching his disciples. Jesus is just about to ascend into the clouds.
Only forty days earlier Jesus had been raised from the dead. These same disciples had watched helplessly as Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to one of their crosses. Romans were powerful enemies who occupied Jerusalem in those days. Rumor was that Jesus, the Messiah, had come to kick the Romans out of Israel, and on this day in Acts 1, some of the disciples asked Jesus if that’s what he was about to do.
The answer Jesus gave took their thinking in an entirely different direction.
They asked him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
And he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power. But you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.“
No, the Romans were not leaving just yet. But the disciples were about to receive holy spirit power and become witnesses.
Become witnesses.
Not defense attorneys.
Not scholars.
Not nicer people.
Not tellers of tall tales.
Witnesses.
What qualified these disciples to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ? They had seen and heard Jesus. They experienced him alive, dead, and living again. And they were about to receive holy spirit power. And they were to tell — and show — others. Unto the uttermost part of the earth.
How well did the disciples do?
Given that assignment, we might hire an advertising company to help us design logos, build a website, get on the radio, get on TV, write books and magazine articles. OH — and, of course, write songs.
According to tradition, the disciples were faithful to do what Jesus told them to do. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (first published in 1563, free copies available on Kindle, at libraries, etc.) is a sobering read on what became of them.
But for a testimony closer at hand, we go to Acts 19. Right there, God’s Word tells us WHO heard and HOW they heard about Jesus Christ. One of the people won to the Lord was a Jewish leader, a Roman citizen, named Saul.
And he [Saul, name changed to Paul] went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing [“reasoning in opposition”] and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when many were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
From the ministry of this one man, Paul, in about two years and three months, “All they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks”.
The number is “ALL that lived there”.
The area was “Asia”.
(I’ve been told that was pretty much the entire known world at that time. Whatever, it was a LARGE area.)
The time it took was two years and three months.
Which publicity agency got it done? There was none.
Instead, it went like this.
Paul taught.
The Word got out.
Paul described the outreach method in II Timothy:
“And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
You might say, “Each one reach one.”
Jesus said they would receive POWER and then witness. Did power figure into Paul’s ministry? Acts 19 continues:
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Did Jesus heal? Did Paul heal? Did others in the Bible heal? Can we still heal and be healed today?
YES to all of those questions. YES, YES!! Ask God. He’s hiring! Work for Jesus Christ! He’s directing the work right now. YES!
What’s the story?
“We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations” is an upbeat, confident anthem that sings of some of the story. Maybe the line from the song we most want people to know is “That the Lord who reigns from above has sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love.”
We don’t have to be old, gray people to begin sharing what we have witnessed ourselves of Jesus. Just knowing “God so loved that He gave His Son so we could have life” could be a game changer to someone seeking change. And, as we share what we have seen and heard, we come to experience what Job said:
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.”
Paul. All Asia. Two years and three months. No cell phones or internet. As useful as they are, Paul (and God) were able get things going without them. Paul spoke God’s Word and healed people, and the WORD GOT OUT!
We don’t need to wait for a better microphone or guitar. Holy spirit power for healing and other miracles is available, and we already have plenty to say. We do, indeed, have a story to tell to the nations!
God bless you lots!
-Dale R.
LYRICS: We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations,
Text & tune: H. Ernest Nichol (1862-1928)
1 We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And God’s great kingdom shall come to earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
2 We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.
3 We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigns from above
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.
Your thoughts?
How easy is it to share Jesus with others? Please jot a note in the “Leave a reply” spot below.
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Thankful to only have to be a witness, I qualify for nothing else.
Kevin, great hearing from you! I know you have seen and heard a lot that will continue to help people connect with the Lord. Things you’ve said have made all the difference to me over the years. God bless you lots! – Dale ?
?!!! How exciting!!! And what a great gift to others! 100 down and still so much more to sing of and for His glory! Lovings!
Thanks, Sarah. Back at you! ? -D