Called On To Proclaim Jesus
Today’s Verse:
Acts 1:8 ESV
(Jesus said) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Looking on the calendar this morning, I realized that Ascension Day is at the end of the month, May 29th. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave this promise and commission to His disciples—and through them, to His Church. The mission is clear: to be His witnesses. Not to promote a system or defend an institution, but to proclaim a person—Jesus Christ crucified and risen.
This mission doesn’t rely on human strength or cleverness. It begins with the power of the Holy Spirit, who equips and emboldens ordinary people to share the extraordinary Gospel. The Church’s mission stretches outward—from our homes (our “Jerusalem”) to our communities (“Judea and Samaria”) and to the ends of the earth.
As Lutherans, we know that this mission is carried out whenever the Word is preached and the Sacraments are administered. Every faithful sermon, every Baptism, every sharing of the Gospel is part of God’s great plan to reach the world with saving grace in Christ.
.Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You have made us Your Church and called us to be witnesses to Your saving love. Send us Your Holy Spirit to give us courage, compassion, and clarity in proclaiming Your name to all people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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