Prayer Suggestion: (You don't have to pray exactly these words)
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times. Lord, I ask that you would touch my heart in such a way that I will hear and receive everything You want to tell in this next lesson. I want to do your will always! In Jesus' name! Amen
Bible Reading: (These Scriptures are found in the New Testament)
Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16 through 20; (Mt. 28:16-20) - Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him-but some of them still doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
______________________________________________________________________________
Telling others about Jesus:
The Holy Spirit baptism is when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Jesus said that when this happened that His people would receive a special power from God. This special power is for the purpose of relationship with God and for serving Him.
Note: The Holy Spirit baptism gives us special power from God to serve Him.
It was after Jesus received the Holy Spirit baptism that He started His ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, deliverance and raising the dead to life.
Note: Jesus didn't start His ministry of preaching, teaching and working miracles until after He received the Holy Spirit baptism.
Jesus said to His disciples that AFTER they received the Holy Spirit baptism they would receive power from God to be witnesses. A witness for Jesus is someone who tells others what they know about Him through their life style and through their words. The Holy Spirit baptism will empower you to be Jesus' witness and to accurately represent Him and His kingdom in word and deed.
Note: The Holy Spirit baptism will empower you to be a witness for Jesus.
In Acts 2 we find where the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus' disciples as they waited in obedience for the promised Holy Spirit baptism. It was after they received this baptism that they began to preach, teach and do miraculous things just like Jesus had done. The entire book of Acts is a record of the ministry of the disciples after they received the Holy Spirit baptism.
Note: The book of Acts records the actions of Jesus' disciples after they had received the Holy Spirit baptism.
Jesus told His people to go into all the world and preach the good news. In others words, "tell others" about Jesus. Tell them what He has done for you. Tell them what Jesus will do for them. If people don't know about Jesus how can they ever get saved? You should to start sharing Jesus with others. Take every opportunity to tell people what Jesus has done for you and what He will do for them. People need know that they too can be saved and have eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note: Jesus said to go and tell people the good news about Him.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS:
1) Did Jesus receive the Holy Spirit baptism before He went out preaching, teaching and working miracles? ____
2) Does the Holy Spirit baptism give power to be Jesus' witness? _____
3) What New Testament book records the actions of Jesus' disciples after they received the
Holy Spirit baptism?_______
4) Did Jesus instruct us to go and tell others the "good news" about Jesus? ____
5) Will you ask the Lord right now to help you find someone to share Jesus with? ________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZING:
Acts, chapter 1, verse 8; (Acts 1:8) - But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
______________________________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS
Over the past month you have covered a lot of material. These series of lesson has focused on the basics to help you get started in your new relationship with Jesus Christ. It will be important for you to continue developing your new relationship as well as maintaining the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading. It good to remember that Jesus is committed to your spiritual well being and is on your side. He will never leave or forsake you. He is with you all the time. You need to know that your life with Christ will have it's positive times as well as times when you are tempted to doubt. True New Covenant Christianity is very basic and simple! It's all about relationship with Jesus Christ. What ever happens stay close to Jesus and He will stay close to you.
As you continue in your new life there will be ups times and down times but always remember Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
Jesus is scheduled to make His return to earth! Never loose sight of this! It is then that everything will be made right and the full Kingdom of God will be manifest for all to see! Until then we remain faithful and dedicated to serving Jesus with all of our heart!
Titus 2:12-14 - And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.
