The author of the biblical book of Acts wrote in his letter the words of Jesus, “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.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) It is interesting how Luke then proceeds to write how the Words of Christ are worked out in the rest of his book. You can see the details of the movement of God through His people in sending them first to Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria, then to the end of the earth throughout Acts.

 

Text	Region Named	Narrative of Ministry There
Acts 1:8: you will be my witnesses	in Jerusalem	Acts 1–7
	in all Judea and Samaria	Acts 8–12
	to the end of the earth	Acts 13–28

 

            I may or may not (probably not) go to the ends of the earth as a missionary for God. Most likely there will be no literal Judea or Samaria for me to go to, although I can understand and apply the authors intent and go to my own Judea & Samaria. In the same way my Jerusalem is Littleton, CO.

It makes me wonder how Acts 1:8 applies to vocational identity. Jesus, as he speaks to the disciples in Acts 1:8 tells them that they will receive power. This power that comes when the Holy Spirit has come upon you applies to all of us who receive Holy Spirit power at our salvific new birth experience. Our experience may look different than the apostle’s experience on the day of Pentecost, but Holy Spirit power is available for us to do what God has called us to do.

So what is it you and I are called, uniquely, to do in Holy Spirit power?

How can I be a witness for Christ in Littleton, CO? Or greater Denver (Judea?) Or Colorado (Samaria?) And so forth. How can you be a witness in your area?

What platform can you use that closely aligns with God’s unique gifting, passion, and skill set for your life? Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus that we are God’s workmanship, created to do good works. There is intentionality, there is craftsmanship, and there is design in the new believer to serve God in unique ways.

If we are seeking the Christ-Centered life together, what is the Christ-Centered life you and I are called to live and lead? We are not all created with the same gift mix. 1 Corinthians 12, 14; Romans 12 and Ephesians 4 all describe a gift mix from the Holy Spirit that differs from person to person in order to make up the whole body of Christ. I wonder, how do you use your gifts to be a witness for Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Identify your vocational calling. Look for opportunities to be used by God. And respond to Him when He opens doors.

While we wait for opportunities to live in our vocational calling, allow our vocation to inform our identity (not create our identity, but to inform it.) If God has called you to pastoral ministry, but you do not have a pastoral position, then interact in a pastoral fashion with others. If God has wired you as an artist, then allow your creative juices to flow in and out of your ministry with and to others. There is immense joy and pleasure to be found in serving the kingdom of God in the way God has designed us to serve.