Witnessing to the Wonders of God – From His Word to the World in 2015 Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses…

Celebrating Bible Witnesses Who is your Bible hero? Celebrating Bible Witnesses Who is your Bible hero?

March: Witness #3: Mary Magdalene – A Weeping Witness Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b March: Witness #3: Mary Magdalene – A Weeping Witness Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)

Today’s Main Scripture (NIV): Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. - Matthew 27:55-61

Transformation Leads to (True) Commitment I am continually being delivered from sin, transformed by Christ, and striving to be more committed to Him every day.

Main supporting scriptures: - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29 - Commit your way to the L ORD ; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37: Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9: So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. I Peter 4:19

1. Three types of Christians: Courageously Committed, Safe- Distanced, Two-timers. 1. Three types of Christians: Courageously Committed, Safe- Distanced, Two-timers.

Matthew 27:55-56 – Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Luke 16:13 – No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 9:59-62 – He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:17-22 – As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Acts 5:1-2 – Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Which am I? All in. Half-hearted. E.R. only. I’m All-in! Regular attender. Participant. Contributor.

2. Courageously Committed Christians: Bold, Involved, Serving, Giving, Humble. 2. Courageously Committed Christians: Bold, Involved, Serving, Giving, Humble.

Matthew 27:57-60 – As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… Matthew 19:29 – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 3 Mark 8:38 – If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Acts 4:31-37 – After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. The Believers Share Their Possessions 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

I can be more of a CCC if I _____________. Speak, write, go, pray, attend, serve, give (for the Lord).

3. God wants a CLOSER relationship with me. 3. God wants a CLOSER relationship with me.

Matthew 27:61 – Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. Matthew 19:14 – Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Exodus 3: 3-4 – So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the L ORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” James 4:8 – Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Stronger commitment includes my walk, work, worship, and witnessing weekly.

4. Joseph encouraged Mary to be a CCC. 4. Joseph encouraged Mary to be a CCC.

Matthew 19:29 – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Psalm 37:5-6 – Commit your way to the L ORD ; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Luke 9:23-24 – Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. I Peter 4:19 – So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Encourage others to leave, commit, trust, deny, take up, follow, suffer, and continue to do good.

What word(s) would I use to describe my relationship with Jesus ? All – in for Him or E.R only ? Regular attender or a Two – timer ? Close follower or keeping a distance ? TOTALLY COMMITTED or only half-hearted ?