Within this sermon, the Ocean had the unique pleasure of welcoming Pastor Pamela Austin, a returning Pastor who is now serving as a Pastor in neighboring Burundi.  In the most opportune fashion, Pastor Pamela’s arrival and sermon also coincided with the sermon series that focused on the Holy Spirit and its various functions in our lives. More specifically, Pastor Pamela was able to use her own experiences to reflect on the Holy Spirit and Evangelism; the third focus area in this sermon series.

How did you first learn about Jesus? Did someone tell you about Him? Was this a classmate, teacher, friend, or social media? The truth is; everyone learned about Jesus through someone else. Everyone has been informed about Jesus because someone has told us about Him.  

If you have heard of the good news of God’s word, then you are blessed.  You are blessed to live in an environment where you have access to the word and you are blessed to live in an environment that accepts your faith.

But are you using this blessing? The goal of serving Christ is not just following Him. Multiplication is always the ultimate goal of the church. 

This is exemplified in the Book of Matthew 28: v 18-20 which states: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus’ clear instruction to His followers was to travel to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all nations. He also promises us that He will always be with us wherever we go in our spiritual journeys. Simon’s first act in evangelism was to inform His brother Andrew about Jesus and the good news associated with following Him. Similarly, in the book of John chapter 4 when the woman at the well encountered Jesus, her first instinct was to spread the word to other people too. The recurrent message throughout scripture and in our day to day walks is that evangelism happens through word of mouth. In turn, the Holy Spirit empowers us to take our evangelism to places where we had never imagined. This promise is also guaranteed in the Book of Acts ch 1:8 when Jesus guarantees that we will bear witness until the ends of the earth.  

The Holy Spirit also equips us with strength to experience and endure adversity. In the book of Acts Ch 4:8,, we can observe that Peter and John were able to withstand the trials of arrest, interrogation, and torture as they spread the word of God to non-believers. This was only made possible because they were equipped with the Holy Spirit. This is God’s promise. His chosen Helper, the Holy Spirit will always be with us wherever we go through trials, difficulties, and various adverse circumstances.  Throughout the Book of Acts and throughout the Bible, people were filled with the Holy Spirit and then went on to perform miracles and spread the word to distant lands.  We can accomplish the same goal too should we choose to entirely surrender and accept the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Do you have people in your life that aren’t following Jesus?  If the Holy Spirit can empower a Samaritan woman, the Apostle Paul and non-believers into to evangelizing then He can also do the same through you. . As you reflect on how you can spread the word of God to different parts of the world, use the following aspects of your spiritual life as testaments to non-believers.  

1. Your story before Jesus

2. How you found Jesus

3. Your life after Jesus