How can we effectively "testify about the kingdom of God" in our community today? Setting the Scene in Acts 28:23 “So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to him at his lodging. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.” (Acts 28:23) Paul, under house arrest in Rome, turns his temporary quarters into a classroom, pulpit, and mission station. His single‐minded focus: proclaim the kingdom of God and show that Jesus is its promised King. Key Ingredients of Paul’s Testimony • Intentional Gathering – He “set a day” and welcomed “many people.” Testimony is seldom accidental; it grows out of planned engagement. • Scripture‐Centered Explanation – He “expounded… from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.” Paul builds his case on the written Word, confident of its sufficiency (Isaiah 55:11). • Whole‐Day Availability – “From morning till evening” reveals patient endurance. Truth often needs time to take root. • Dual Emphasis: Kingdom and King – He weaves the theme of God’s reign with the person of Jesus, never separating message from Messiah. • Persuasion, Not Pressure – He “persuaded” rather than coerced. 2 Corinthians 5:11: “Therefore since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” • Audience‐Aware Approach – Using Israel’s Scriptures matched the listeners’ background (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:20). Translating Paul’s Pattern to Our Community Today 1. Schedule Real Conversations • Coffee shop meetups, neighborhood dinners, book studies—choose times and places that foster relaxed, honest dialogue. 2. Anchor Every Discussion in Scripture • Carry an open Bible (or app). Read aloud, letting God’s Word speak for itself. • Romans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” 3. Show the Big Story of the Kingdom • Explain creation, fall, redemption, and restoration; then connect Jesus as the central figure (Luke 24:27). 4. Keep Jesus Front and Center • Acts 8:12: “But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized.” Kingdom talk without Jesus lacks saving power. 5. Invest Time, Not Just Sound Bites • Set aside unhurried blocks for people’s questions. Persevering presence often softens hard soil. 6. Aim for Persuasion through Reason and Relationship • 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be prepared to give a defense… yet with gentleness and respect.” 7. Speak the Gospel into Familiar Frameworks • Use shared experiences—local history, community needs, cultural touchpoints—to bridge from known to eternal truths. 8. Trust the Holy Spirit for the Outcome • Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses.” Our role is witness; His role is conviction. Practical Steps to Begin This Week • Choose one neighbor or coworker and set a definite time to talk. • Pick a single Gospel parable about the kingdom (e.g., Matthew 13:44–46) to read together. • Prepare a short personal story illustrating how Jesus’ kingship reshaped your priorities. • Pray privately for open hearts, then follow up consistently. • Join or start a small‐group study that meets in a public venue, inviting passersby to listen in. Scripture Momentum for Ongoing Witness • Matthew 6:33—Seek first the kingdom; let your life authenticate your words. • Colossians 4:5–6—Walk in wisdom toward outsiders; season your speech with grace. • 2 Corinthians 5:20—“We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us.” • Luke 4:43—Jesus: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God…because that is why I was sent.” If it was His mission, it remains ours. By mirroring Paul’s Scripture‐saturated, Christ‐centered, relational approach, we can confidently testify about the kingdom of God right where we live, trusting the Spirit to turn everyday spaces into arenas of eternal impact. |
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