When you talk about Jesus, expect God to use you. The Lord Jesus promised His supernatural resources to all who join with Him in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.
You are assured of that same resurrection power and presence today through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord honors the faithful witness of all who place their trust in Him.
Self-consciousness and fear of what others will say, however, will hinder our witness. Stephen was a table waiter (Acts 6:2-5), not an apostle. He was brought before the most wicked opponents of Christianity. He could have retreated because he felt inadequate to face these people, but he yielded to the Holy Spirit's control of his life. As a result, his faithfulness to Christ, even to accepting death by stoning, mightily moved the unbelievers and laid the basis for Saul's conversion.
Work of the Holy Spirit in a Believer's Life
- Read Acts 6 & 7. What part did the Holy Spirit play in Stephen's life?
- What spiritual indictment did Stephen pronounce upon his hearers that cut them to the heart?
- As a Spirit-filled man, Stephen had two purposes that were his greatest concerns, as seen in his desire to witness and in his dying prayer. What were they?
- How do these concerns show the fullness of the Holy Spirit in Stephen? (Compare Galatians 5:22-23 and II Corinthians 5:14-15)
Work of the Holy Spirit in Witnessing
- What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit? (John 15:26, 16:13-14)
- How is it accomplished in a person who witnesses of Christ? (Acts 1:8, 6:10) How is it being accomplished in your life?
- What will the Holy Spirit do for the witnessing person? (Acts 4:31)
- What will the Holy Spirit do for the person receiving the Good News? (I Corinthians 2:10-12) How does this passage compare with II Corinthians 4:3-4?
- It is the Holy Spirit who brings us face to face with the facts regarding our condition and our need. This action is called "convicting, reproving, exposing, bringing to light." If we were to witness on our own, we would accomplish nothing. But when the Holy Spirit uses our witness, He brings a person face to face with important facts, presenting them so forcefully that these facts must be considered. What are these facts? (John 16:7-11)
- What promise does God give us regarding His Spirit? (II Corinthians 1:21-22)
Life Application
- Record the names of at least three persons to whom you believe God would have you speak about Christ within the week.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare these individuals, freeing their minds so they can make a logical, intelligent choice to receive Christ as Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to these individuals at the proper time, and to speak through you in giving them the message of Christ.
- As you witness, remember that it is the Holy Spirit who penetrates the mind of the other person, revealing spiritual truth.
- Are you sure you are prepared? If not, review the earlier lessons in this Step.
Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.
