What does it look like to share the gospel with the people around us?

1. Keep it Simple: Tell the story of JESUS' crucifixion and resurrection.
2. Keep it Real: Tell the story of YOUR crucifixion and resurrection.
3. Keep it Current: Live a lifestyle of crucifixion and resurrection.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” -Acts 2:38-39

The Holy Spirit is the active, indwelling presence of God who enables Christians to live in obedience and victory each day. Our Bold Witness hinges on being filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -Acts 2:1-4

A Witness is an ordinary person who has been (and is continually being) transformed by: (1) Being with Jesus, (2) Speaking about Jesus, and (3) Doing what Jesus did.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8

1. Jesus is at the center. His victory over the grave is written into every line. Between old and new, between death and life, there stands one historical reality – the resurrection of Jesus.
2. Because the resurrection of Jesus happened, resurrection is happening, and resurrection will happen for all those who trust in Jesus.
3. Revelation is God’s gift that leads to Resurrection.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing to me the good news of your resurrection. Thank you for convicting me of my sin and my need for a Savior. Jesus, I trust in your life, death and resurrection. I receive your grace to forgive me and make me new. I trust you are resurrecting me here and now until I receive the inheritance kept in heaven for me. Fill me with power and joy as I follow you each day. Amen.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9

1. We become leaders worth following as we follow Jesus. This is the supernatural outcome when we follow Jesus, whether we are trying to become leaders worth following or not.
2. Leaders worth following follow Jesus wholeheartedly but imperfectly, so they are growing in God’s grace continually.
3. Leaders worth following recognize that someone is always watching and following us.
4. Leaders worth following are more focused on following Jesus than becoming great leaders.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 11:1

What is one thing that is grabbing your attention the most as you listen to this message?

Ask God: "What are you inviting me to do in response? What is a next step I can take to follow You - to be the disciple and leader You have called me to be?"

"'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'" -Luke 9:23-24

Jesus invites us to join him in creating communities of mutual love and service.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." -John 13:14-17

For followers of Jesus, living in community is a non-negotiable.

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him." -Matthew 4:18-20