Read Acts 1:6-8 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What were the apostles focused on in verse 6?
2. What did Jesus shift their focus to?
3. What did He tell them to do after they received the Holy Spirit?
Reflect
Jesus was spending His last moments with His followers before He ascended to heaven. While they focused on restoring and building their earthly kingdom, He reminded them what was most important. In essence, He told them, “You’re still focused on this kingdom where you’re at the center, but I have so much more for you! You’re going to help advance MY kingdom. My Spirit will come upon you, giving you power and boldness to live as my representatives.”
This is such a critical reminder for us today. So often we get caught up in building our own empires, focusing on the wrong things. But God calls us to something higher. He calls us to be kingdom workers. No matter our occupational status – student, employee, in between jobs, or retired – we work for the kingdom as followers of Jesus.
We’re called to be witnesses, telling people about Jesus everywhere, not just with our words but with our lives. Let’s shift our concern from our own kingdoms and start using the everyday, ordinary opportunities where we work, learn, and live to advance God’s kingdom.
Respond
What small daily choices can you make to be a kingdom worker who seeks to advance God’s kingdom instead of your own? Write down at least two practical things you can do today, and follow through on one of them.
Week Review: Make It Stick
Look back at the small daily choices you wrote down each day this week. Which one stands out as most important to continue beyond this week in order to get the cumulative effect you hope for? Write it down, and share with someone else for accountability.