Who Am I - I Am a Witness

 

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:6–9 ESV).

 

Before going back to heaven, Jesus called each of his followers to be a witness for him. A witness is someone who can attest to what they have seen or experienced personally. This calling applies to all of us who follow Jesus today as well. We are called to be reliable witnesses, sharing with others the grace of God that we have personally witnessed and experienced in our lives. This lies at the heart of our identity as followers of Christ.

 

The task that Jesus has entrusted to us is to carry his life-saving message wherever we go. This magnificent, global mission began with Jesus’ first-century followers, and it continues with his 21st-century followers today.

 

Empowered by his Spirit, we have a story to tell and a life-altering encounter to share. While others may have doubts about the Bible’s teaching or quibble about theology, they cannot refute our personal experience. They cannot change what we know to be true about God’s work in our hearts and lives.

 

Jesus recognized that a transformed life becomes an unstoppable force for good and for God in this world. To the people around you, there is no one better positioned to testify to the life-changing power of God than you.

 

Think of a story you can share with someone about the Lord’s work in your life. Whom will you tell today? This is a part of who we are!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Steward

 

[Jesus said] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:14–19 ESV).

 

A steward is someone who takes care of and manages someone else’s property or belongings. The steward is not the owner but is responsible to the owner for all that the owner has entrusted to them. Stewardship deals with our responsibility over much more than mere money. The Bible includes many examples of stewardship. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he charged them with its care (cf. Genesis 2:15). Since the beginning, humans have been entrusted by God to steward his creation, his blessings, and the very lives he gives them.

 

In Jesus’ parable in our Bible reading today, three servants received bags of gold from their master before he left on a journey. They were expected to be productive, innovative, and enterprising with what they had been given. Specifically, they were to invest their master’s resources in worthwhile ventures, aiming for growth and multiplication. While two servants faithfully embraced this responsibility, one did not. The master’s approval clearly fell upon the two who were faithful.

 

As the Lord’s stewards, we don’t possess anything on our own. All we have is entrusted to us by our gracious heavenly Father. Yet while we live and breathe, we are called to nurture and care for what God has given us, using it for his glory. Then one day we too will hear the Master’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

What a commendation! Is that what you long to hear when you see Him? If your answer is affirmation, then be a good steward of that which He has entrusted to your care!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Intercessor

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV).

 

Many years ago in my first full-time pastorate I had a wonderful and instructive visit with one of the older members of the church. She was 92 years old at the time and somewhat frail, though she was able to live in her home. Her children were very attentive to her and cared for her each day making sure she had her medications and meals. Her body was deteriorating, though her mind was as sharp as any. During my visit she apologized profusely for not being able to attend church. She went on to say that she had heard many good things about the “young” pastor’s sermons. Wistfully she said she would love to be there to show her support. I told her that the greatest thing she could do for our church and for me personally was to pray daily that we would be the church God desired us to be. She agreed to pray daily.

 

Each time I went back to visit I was so encouraged by her faithfulness to keep her promise to pray. She kept a list of the specific things I would ask her to pray about. She loved to cross them off as I reported the success of her prayers. Indeed, God has shown in the Bible that he uses the prayers of his people in his kingdom-building work in this world. Many examples show that God often provides what his people ask for in prayer. It certainly made a difference to me!

 

Of course, I am not saying that God is something like a good-luck charm or a magic genie that grants our wishes. Our prayers need to be in line with God’s will for our lives and for his kingdom work in this world (cf. Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14-15). And while God will often answer our prayers aligning with his will, there are times when the answer may be different from what we ask. At times we don’t understand God’s will or his plans or even his ways (cf. Isaiah 55).

 

In 1 Timothy 2 Paul urges believers to intercede (pray) for everyone—including “kings and all those in authority”—because “this is good, and pleases God our Savior.” When we intercede faithfully for others, we become personally involved in God’s redemptive work. Each spiritual victory, I believe, is a testament to the fact that someone has been praying. Each of us are to be such intercessors!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Student

 

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:14–18 ESV).

 

Usually we begin our “formal education” at the age of five. It continues for at least another twelve or thirteen years. For many that time is extended with college or university education. Even those who opt for technical training require more time to secure the education and training necessary to pursue their chosen career. The instruction we receive during that time provides us with the building blocks we need for a productive life.

 

As believers in Christ, we are also students of Him. We need to learn God’s Word and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Savior. We need to absorb God’s Word continuously as the Holy Spirit transforms us His power. He is the One who works in us and teaches us the truth and wisdom of God. Daily we need to walk in step with the Lord and his Spirit, growing to know God and to share his love with others everywhere.

 

I love the little fable of a man on a stroll who hears a voice say to him: “Gather some pebbles.” Though he sees no one, the voice persists: “Gather some pebbles and put them in your pocket, and tomorrow you will be both glad and sorry.” Intrigued, the man thinks, “Why not?” So, he picks up a few pebbles and puts them in his pocket. The next day he discovers they have been transformed into diamonds. Then he feels gladness for taking some, and he is sorry for not taking more.

 

Similarly, our study of God’s Word may not reveal its benefits right away. Yet over time, nuggets of truth and wisdom will prove to be valuable treasures—blessing our lives in countless ways. Be a diligent and constant student of the truth of God!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Abassador

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21 ESV).

 

An ambassador is a government official who represents their country to another nation. This is often a pivotal role in bridging gaps between nations. An ambassador aims to promote goodwill and cooperation while minimizing outbreaks that could lead to hostility. The aim is to build understanding and tolerance between nations and cultures.

 

This means ambassadors need to listen and communicate effectively. They should express themselves with tact and diplomacy, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to their own nation while also caring for the people of their host nation. Rather than viewing the host nation as an adversary, competent ambassadors seek to build bridges, not walls. As a result, they are deeply invested in the outcomes of diplomatic negotiations.

 

What does it mean, then, for believers in Christ to be his ambassadors? As believers, we have been called to be official representatives of God and his kingdom in this world. We serve as emissaries for our Lord and King, speaking and acting on his behalf. This appointment carries honor as well as responsibility. We are entrusted with a message, becoming the voice of the Lord to a broken, hurting world. Under his authority, our aim is to build bridges instead of barriers, seeking to share the good news of Jesus so that people can come to know him as their Savior and King.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Soldier

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV).

 

The Bible is clear that we are engaged in a spiritual battle taking place between good and evil, between God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s kingdom of darkness. So, when we place our faith in Jesus, we not only become part of a family; we also enter a battlefield. We enlist in a mission to serve faithfully in God’s kingdom. So, what does it mean to be faithful spiritual soldiers? There are three principles that we ought to be aware of in understanding this characteristic of our new life in Christ:

 

§  First, our commitment is a pledge of unwavering allegiance to Jesus as our King. We wholeheartedly acknowledge his sovereignty and yield to his authority. We recognize that chaos would result within and around us without submitting to Jesus’ authority. He is our leader and commanding officer in this battle.

 

§  Second, to be good soldiers we ought to know our enemy. We understand that our battle is “not against flesh and blood,” as Paul puts it, but against spiritual powers. We also understand that neither conventional weapons, brute force, nor human strategies are going to defeat our spiritual enemy. We should study the enemy, know his game plan, and understand how to defeat him—with fervent prayer, godly praise, and self-sacrificial love.

 

§  Third, as good soldiers we are also equipped for battle. We practice spiritual disciplines and put on the armor of God so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” and faithfully execute their mission.

 

 

Who Am I - I Am a Saint

 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:1–6 ESV).

 

A doghouse next to a skyscraper seems to be completely out of place. Yet, that seems to be how many believers think of themselves compared to the “saints” of the Bible. Most of us think of some revered religious person when the word “saint” is used to describe someone. According to the Roman Catholic Church a saint is someone who is in heaven, including those never officially recognized on earth. They must be “canonized” by the church before officially recognizing these people with the title. Canonization takes place when deceased individuals are authoritatively declared to be in heaven and "worthy of universal veneration". That leaves most of us out of this designation. Although the Apostle Paul has a different understanding in our reading today. He declares all the believers in this letter to be “saints”. That is due to the truth that Jesus’ work of grace in our lives make us saints. It is not a designation based on our worth; it is based on the work of Jesus on our behalf.

 

Though most of us don’t see ourselves as saints, that is what we are when we believe in Jesus. Because of his work, we are being sanctified, made holy, as we live out our lives serving the Lord—and that means we are saints. Because of Jesus, I am not what I or others will often perceive me to be. Instead, I am who God declares me to be. Through Jesus’ sacrifice for my sake, I am now declared righteous and holy.

 

Paul understood that we are profoundly transformed in God’s sight when we come to faith in Jesus. That’s why Paul begins his letter to the Ephesian believers by addressing them as “God’s holy people.” Literally, he refers to them as “the saints in Ephesus.” Despite being new to the faith and still having a long way to go in their spiritual development, Paul recognizes them as saints.

 

A saint is someone consecrated to God and set apart for God’s service. Through baptism, believers are marked as God’s treasured possession, set apart for his divine purposes. Just as it would be foolish to build only a doghouse on the foundation of a skyscraper, it would be foolish to build anything less than a sanctified life on the foundation Jesus established for us.