“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Almost 8 billion people inhabit this blue marble called Earth and every individual needs to hear the gospel. That’s a staggering thought. But there are more statistics to consider. Out of that 8 billion, over 150,000 people die every day. A quick calculation determines that’s over 6,000 souls that slip into eternity every hour, with many never hearing the gospel. If this doesn’t serve as a wake-up call, then I cannot think of anything that will arouse you!
With all these people, how are we to “win the world” for Christ? Thankfully, Christ didn’t leave us to our own devices in fulfilling the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20). He promises empowerment from on high in Acts 1:8. However, this verse not only gives the promise of the Holy Spirit’s enabling power but also gives a practical paradigm, too.
Notice the progression from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, then to the remotest part of the earth. The Apostles began their gospel witness where they were in Jerusalem. The key to winning the world for Christ is starting in your neighborhood. If you aspire to be a foreign missionary, don’t panic. The Apostles didn’t stay in Jerusalem, but they were faithful to present the gospel where they were located. Who knows, God may call you to serve on distant shores, but regardless of if you ever receive that call, be faithful to serve Him in your current city or context. There are people that need Jesus everywhere. Be the salt and light (Mt 5:13-16) and start next door.
Kevin W. Bounds 