1. What is Church all about? Part 1: Witnessing Acts 1:1-11

2. Life as a witness James Ross “Junior Hero” – showed police where knives were!

3. Who is on trial? Jesus is on trial – he is looking for witnesses who will tell the truth about him

4. 1. Who are to witness? Acts 1:8 are Jesus’ last words Speaking with the 11 apostles/disciples Acts 1:1 Jesus is leaving – they are to carry on the work of Jesus Task spreads to rest of the Christian church

5. 1. Who are to witness? God’s church is a witnessing church Mark 5:19 “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” As Christians we have a story to tell, we are personal witnesses of God’s saving power

6. 2. How are we to witness? V4 “Wait for the promise of the father…you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit” V8 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” Being a witness can be scary at times! We are promised we don’t do it alone

7. 2. How are we to witness? God the Father sends the Holy Spirit (John 14-16): 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth 15:26 but when the helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me

8. 2. How are we to witness? We witness for Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit We live and speak for Jesus by the guidance of the Holy Spirit We co-operate with the Holy Spirit as he works so that the world hears about Jesus

9. 3. What is the content of our witness? What do we need to know? What truths can we share? V3 His life – Jesus taught with God’s authority; he acted with God’s power What he said and did are proof that he really is the Son of God

10. 3. What is the content of our witness? V3 His suffering and death – death of Jesus for sinners is a vital part of our message Acts 2:23 Jesus was handed over to die by God the Father as part of plan of salvation Acts 4:10-12 Only way to be saved is through Jesus who was died for us

11. 3. What is the content of our witness? V3 His resurrection – Jesus gave various proofs that he was alive again: Appeared to individuals and crowds (1 Corinthians 15:1-7) Could show nail marks, and spear hole (John 20:24-29) Ate with people (Luke 24:36-42) Walked and talked with people (Luke 24:13-35)

12. 3. What is the content of our witness? V9 His return to glory – Jesus taken up by a cloud, symbol of God’s glory Philippians 2:9-11 God has highly exalted him and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

13. 3. What is the content of our witness? V10-11 His Second Coming – Jesus will come again as King and Judge Jesus is ruling now but that complete rule will come with his return – heaven and earth united, his people with him forever

14. 4. Why do we witness? We have a lot to talk about! But why bother? V8 So that people will hear about King Jesus! So that people will turn from sin and follow Jesus Will we as a church take on the task of witnessing for Jesus?