Growing as Witnesses for Christ
By Ryan Dawson
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, His final words to the disciples were filled with purpose and promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
This was not a suggestion—it was a commission. Jesus was calling His followers, both then and now, to be witnesses. Not just believers. Not just church attendees, but witnesses.
To witness means to testify—to speak of what we have seen, heard, and experienced. We are witnesses to the transforming power of Jesus Christ in our own lives, and that is a story the world needs to hear. If God has done something, anything in your life, you have something to share with others. People cannot deny the difference Jesus has made in your life, because it’s your story.
As the disciples stood staring into the sky after Jesus’ ascension, two angels reminded them: “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return…” Acts 1:11 (NLT) Jesus is coming back again, and until He does, He’s entrusted us with a mission: to share the hope of the Good News (Gospel) so that others, too, can come alive in Christ.
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul explains how we have been “made alive” in Christ. “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead… For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms…” Ephesians 2:4–6 (NLT) We don’t share Christ out of obligation. We share because we know what it’s like to be dead in our sins, to be separated from God, and what it’s like to be made alive in Him, where we are forgiven, restored, reconciled to our Heavenly Father, and filled with peace, purpose, joy, and hope.
Last Sunday we kicked off our Acts sermon series with a challenge to participate in a simple but powerful initiative: My Come Alive 5. Each of us will identify five people—friends, family members, neighbours, or coworkers—who do not yet know Jesus. Write their names on your “Come Alive 5” card. Then commit to:
• Pray for them regularly.
• Be present in their lives with love and intentionality.
• Look for opportunities to share how Jesus makes a difference in your life & the Gospel.
• Invite them to a Sequoia worship service, Impact community gathering, or serving opportunity.
• Trust God to work in their hearts because the Holy Spirit is the One who draws them.
Imagine what God could do if each one of us faithfully walked this out. That’s hundreds—maybe thousands—of lives awakened to the love and mercy of Jesus!
The early church began with a handful of faithful witnesses. Today, the same Spirit that empowered them empowers us. You don’t need to be perfect, eloquent, or have all the answers. You just need to be willing. Pick up your “Come Alive 5” card at Guest Services this Sunday and let’s believe together that God will bring many from death to life this year.
For the Risen Christ, Ryan
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, His final words to the disciples were filled with purpose and promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
This was not a suggestion—it was a commission. Jesus was calling His followers, both then and now, to be witnesses. Not just believers. Not just church attendees, but witnesses.
To witness means to testify—to speak of what we have seen, heard, and experienced. We are witnesses to the transforming power of Jesus Christ in our own lives, and that is a story the world needs to hear. If God has done something, anything in your life, you have something to share with others. People cannot deny the difference Jesus has made in your life, because it’s your story.
As the disciples stood staring into the sky after Jesus’ ascension, two angels reminded them: “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return…” Acts 1:11 (NLT) Jesus is coming back again, and until He does, He’s entrusted us with a mission: to share the hope of the Good News (Gospel) so that others, too, can come alive in Christ.
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul explains how we have been “made alive” in Christ. “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead… For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms…” Ephesians 2:4–6 (NLT) We don’t share Christ out of obligation. We share because we know what it’s like to be dead in our sins, to be separated from God, and what it’s like to be made alive in Him, where we are forgiven, restored, reconciled to our Heavenly Father, and filled with peace, purpose, joy, and hope.
Last Sunday we kicked off our Acts sermon series with a challenge to participate in a simple but powerful initiative: My Come Alive 5. Each of us will identify five people—friends, family members, neighbours, or coworkers—who do not yet know Jesus. Write their names on your “Come Alive 5” card. Then commit to:
• Pray for them regularly.
• Be present in their lives with love and intentionality.
• Look for opportunities to share how Jesus makes a difference in your life & the Gospel.
• Invite them to a Sequoia worship service, Impact community gathering, or serving opportunity.
• Trust God to work in their hearts because the Holy Spirit is the One who draws them.
Imagine what God could do if each one of us faithfully walked this out. That’s hundreds—maybe thousands—of lives awakened to the love and mercy of Jesus!
The early church began with a handful of faithful witnesses. Today, the same Spirit that empowered them empowers us. You don’t need to be perfect, eloquent, or have all the answers. You just need to be willing. Pick up your “Come Alive 5” card at Guest Services this Sunday and let’s believe together that God will bring many from death to life this year.
For the Risen Christ, Ryan