Middlebelt Baptist Church
October 26, 2025

      • Psalm 32:1–8CSB

  • Goodness of God
  • Evidence
  • One More Day
  • Acts 1:8 CSB
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

    Intro:

    Pastor Jenkins the Missiology Professor ask us what’s more important “Size or influence!?” The question stuck with me. The obvious answer is influence, but sometimes we know the obvious but strive towards the less obvious. Saints size can become the by-product of influence but our goals should always be influence. MBC on this 68 anniversary How do you want us to be remembered? I want our reach to be like an Octopus. I want us to have influence all over the community, region, state, and the world.
    Jesus has a word for us in Acts. Jesus tells us what our roles is and what our mission is.
    Jesus is about to ascend back to the Father they are about to get there last marching orders from him and notice what they want to know!
    Acts 1:6 CSB
    6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
    (6) Their concern was the Eschaton(Ushering in of the Final Kingdom) they are ready for the awards ceremony. They are ready to rule with Christ in the eternal kingdom. They wanted it right then! Then Jesus in his loving and direct nature says in Acts 1:7
    Acts 1:7 CSB
    7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
    (7) Its “None of yall business when I am coming back!” Dominism is an eschatological view of scripture that closely with Christian Nationalism which has an intended goal of ushering or expediting the return of Christ by taking control of the 7 mountains or areas of influence in the US. Media, Education, Arts, Government, Family, entertainment, business.
    This is Jesus rebuke to them right here in this text. Stop focusing on control but focus on my Mission.
    Always: Our life purpose is to be a credible and willing witness of the goodness and saving power of Jesus!

    I. You will receive power

    Acts 1:8 CSB
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
    (EXP)(8) “But you will receive power when the HS has come on you” Jesus is reminding them a promise that he made before his death, burial and resserection that word “Power” in the text:
    Power-Dunamis-the potential for functioning in some way, particularly in acts of power! The ability and power to complete a task! Later we will learn what the task is specifically.
    This word means God has given us the power to overcome or conquer obstacles that get in the way of the mission of God.
    John 16:5-7
    John 16:5–7 CSB
    5 But now I am going away to him who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.
    (5-7) Jesus begins to prepare the disciples for his exit. When he does this they begin to panic and become sorrowful. Then he tells them it is to your benefit that I leave, because when I leave I am sending you a gift. The counselor(paracletos) the Helper, the advocate! He will empower, guide, and protect. He is the third person of the triune God. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus in his flesh is the same Spirit that would be imparted to his children. Notice what Jesus says in John 14:12
    John 14:12 CSB
    12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
    (12) Jesus anyone who believes in him and commits his life to him would do some of the same works as Jesus. Even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Saints as a young exegete I did not understand this text. Jesus gave sight to the blind, walked on water, exorcised demons, and rose from the grave. What could we accomplish that would come close to that.
    The greater works Jesus was talking about was not in substance or impact but in scope. When Jesus took on Human Flesh his Omnipresence was limited. He could only be in one place at a time, but when he left he sent his spirit to all believers then he told them to “GO” when Jesus was here the message of the Gospel was centralized in the region of Galilee in the North to Jerusalem in the South. After his death the Gospel spread throughout the world.
    Acts 1:4–5 CSB
    4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”
    (4-5) Jesus commands them to “Wait” there is so much meat in this statement. Before you endeavor to do my business and complete my mission don’t you do a thing until you have been given power from on high!
    Principle: Don’t do anything outside of the auspices of the HS. Jesus has already given them the mission. IT is an impossible mission. It cannot be done without the guidance, power, and protection of the Spirit.
    The Mission of God is a HS driven mission.
    What is the mission in it’s simplicity?
    Go from your places of comfort and penetrate the world. Make disciples through Evangelism and Training. These disciples should come from the nation without reservation.
    Yall the completion of this mission is only possible through the indwelling power of the HS because Satan does not care about your programs, bible studies or small groups if there is not a comprehensive effort to “grow and go” Satan has not problem if we are learning in silos that don’t leave the building. The minute we make it a priority as a church to learn and share. The Gates of Hell will fight us tooth and nail, and the only thing that will help us to overcome is the power of the HS.
    Acts 1:8 CSB
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
    Transition Statement: Not only do we receive power, but privilege

    II. You will receive privilege

    Have you ever been tasked with taking care of something very precious for someone?
    When someone trust you with their child or gives you the code to their house while they go on vacation it is a privilege because they are entrusting you with something very valuable to them.
    Acts 1:8 CSB
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
    (EXP)(8) Jesus tells them “You will be my witnesses in all of the world” that word witnesses-matres-we get the word “martyr” from this word. That word means someone who dies for the faith. The word Jesus employs carries the idea of someone giving testimony in a legal case. This gives you a good idea of how Jesus views the gospel. The Gospel is a message rooted in historical truth, not mythological narrative. No one would dare testify in a court case with unproven facts. Jesus says I am entrusting you men who just 40 days prior all left me and abandon me, but now under the power of the HS you shall be me mouth piece!
    Can you believe that?
    What a privilege to be able to be a storehouse for the HS and to be the spokesman for our Lord. Saints there were 120 in the room that recieve the spirit. They were not all preachers. Notice Peter says about the outpouring of the spirit in Acts 2:17
    Acts 2:17–18 CSB
    17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy.
    Both women and men will be my witnesses. This is important because in the ancient world women could not testify in court they were not trusted. Well in this new eschaton both women and men will be used as conduit’s of the Gospel. Notice what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:4-7
    2 Corinthians 4:4–7 CSB
    4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
    (4) Paul tells us the god of this age(Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This is a spiritual problem. In order for them to see the HS must penetrate their hearts. That is why his work is necessary.
    (5) Our message not one of self glorification, but we preach Christ alone!!!
    (7) look at what Paul says “Now we have this treasure in clay jars” This treasure is the message of the Gospel which he have the privilege of proclaiming as ambassadors of Christ. Paul says we have it “clay jars”
    Clay Jars or Earthen Vessel are cups or pitcher used for everyday use. Like Walmart bags or plastic cups. Paul is saying “this precious treasure the gospel” is housed or carried inside a plastic cup.
    Saints I don’t drink wine but If I opened up a 1000.00 bottle of wine I would not put it in a plastic cup. I would get out a very expensive Flute and pour the wine because an expensive wine deserves to be served in an expensive stemware. Not so with the gospel God has chosen to put his gospel inside the body of a plastic cup or Walmart bag!!!!
    Why on earth would God do that instead of sending glorious angels down to preach the gospel?
    2 Corinthians 4:7 CSB
    7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
    (7) “So that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us” we are so flawed, we are so weak, we are so inadequate that it works to our advantage because when people see the power, authority and courage we share the Gospel they know its not us but the power of God in use!!!! Thereby putting the focus on God and not us!
    In a legal setting what is the most important quality of a witness?
    credibility!
    A witness could be telling the truth but if their credibility is flawed a good defense attorney will shred them on the stand.
    Saints I would argue that our credibility is more important than any moral issue we are grappling with right now. When we behave hypocritically it does not make our message any less true, but you as the vehicle have made it hard for the listener to receive it.
    We honor God for the gift he has given us by living holy so that the message of the Gospel can move through us unhindered by our lifestyle.
    Transition Statement: Not only has he given us power, privilege, but he has also given us the plan & process

    III. You will receive the plan & process

    Acts 1:8 CSB
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
    (EXP)(8) Jesus tells the disciples where they are to start this process. He says you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem.
    Jerusalem Your neighbors: Those in your near location are your first priority. The ones who know you most intimately. The ones who see you on a consistent basis.
    Who does this consist of: Family, Friends & co-workers. As a church that consistent of those home within 5 miles of your location. Close enough where they could walk if necessary.
    Samaria your enemies or people you would normally avoid: These are folks you don’t mind if they slip into eternity without Christ.
    Who does this consist of: Either because of their gross sin(homosexuals, transgender, sex industry workers) or those who don’t share your political ideology (Liberals, progressive, conservative, Christian Nationalism, Hebrew Israelites, Muslim)
    To the uttermost parts of the world: These are people you might never meet. These are people you may have no cultural connection too. They eat different than you. The etiquette is different than yours. They live under different governmental systems than you. Some may never be able to go on a mission trip, but we are still responsible for sending this message to the world.
    The uttermost parts of the world are far away from your comfort zones. Its talking to people who don’t share your languages or customs. Different smells, exotic animals, bugs and insects. It means killing a several bugs in your room and keep teaching and loving. It means eating with your hands so as not to offend them. Using the bathroom in just a hole in the dirt.
    Going to another country gave me just a small inkling of what coming to earth must have been like for Jesus.
    Saints let me make it personal. While in Uganda we worked with an African American Missionary George Smith he has been in Uganda for 22 years and has been personal responsible for planting 37 churches. He has a network of Ugandan Pastor who are his Timothy and Titus.
    Right now in the IMB-International Mission Board there are over 2000 foriegn Missionaries in the field of the 2000 only 5 african americans.
    The Ugandan appreciate the Caucasian missionaries but they long to see African American come to their country. We are more alike than you think. They love our preaching and passion.
    I have heard some black preachers talk about reason they don’t go and it usually revolves around we got problems over here. This is short-sighted and unwise. Problems in your local community will be there as long as the Lord Tarries. We cannot wait to be obedient to the call.
    Conclusion
    Tell the story of John and Seminary! Saints it does not take much! You will be helping people you may never meet until we get to glory. But know that as we develop a strategy to reach the world you have become part of a process that has eternal implications.
    Open the Doors of the Church

      • Acts 1CSB

      • Acts 1:8CSB

      • Acts 1:6CSB

      • Acts 1:7CSB

      • Acts 1:8CSB

      • John 16:5–7CSB

      • John 14:12CSB

      • Acts 1:4–5CSB

      • Acts 1:8CSB

      • Acts 1:8CSB

      • Acts 2:17–18CSB

      • 2 Corinthians 4:4–7CSB

      • 2 Corinthians 4:7CSB

      • Acts 1:8CSB

      • 2 Corinthians 6:2bESV

Middlebelt Baptist Church
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