Read: Matthew 28:18-20
Memory Verse: Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Although you probably couldn’t tell by all of the noise and explosions last night, fireworks are illegal in Hawaii, except for 5000 firecrackers with a city permit. There were a lot more than just firecrackers going off in my neighborhood last night (and New Year’s Eve is ten times worse).
There are two different words for power used in Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20. The word in Matthew 28:18 means “all authority” is given unto me. God doesn’t just give us permission to use the “the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16), we are authorized to use that power! The big fireworks displays at places like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, or Schofield Barracks are all conducted by people who are authorized to handle that kind of power.
You have the power of the Gospel. The power to change people’s lives! The difference of whether they go to Heaven or Hell! The power to lead someone to true independence through Jesus Christ as their Savior! God has given us the authority to go with His Gospel to all the world.
He also gave us the power of the Gospel. The word in Acts 1:8 comes from the Greek word “dumanis” where we get our word dynamite from. The power of a firecracker comes from the gunpowder inside of it, but the power doesn’t happen without fire. We need to get on fire about soul-winning. We need to have a passion for the lost.
Meditation for the Day: When was the last time you had a passion to tell someone the Gospel?
Assignment: Make a list of five people that you are going to pray for every day for their salvation and ask God to give you a passion to tell them the Gospel.
For Fun: Find a firecracker, sparkler, or another kind of firework and put it in a place to remind you that God has given you the power of the Gospel.