Start with Your World

From a human standpoint, there was no way the disciples were ready for such a task. Yet before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He gave these final words to them: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NLT).

Their faith was weak. They had failed in their public witness and their private faith. Simon Peter, their acknowledged leader, had openly denied the Lord. So, how could they ever go and change the world?

They would do it with the power of the Holy Spirit, which they would have soon. Jesus was saying, “With the power that I am going to give to you, you will have power to share your faith, power to speak up and be counted, and power to turn your world upside down.”

The same power that was available to the first-century church is available to the twenty-first-century church as well. Speaking on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter said, “This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God” (Acts 2:39 NLT).

So, where do we start? It’s a daunting task to think of going into all the world and preaching the gospel. But how about this? Go into all your world and preach the gospel. You don’t have to cross an ocean; you can simply cross the street.

How about starting with the people who live near you? How about starting with members of your family, your coworkers, or the students on your campus? Just start where you are.

If you want to reach the world, then start with your world.