When they had prayed, the place…. was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness. – Acts 4:31

If I’m filled with the Holy Spirit when I stand to preach, it means Jesus is controlling and empowering me, actually preaching the sermon through me. Being Spirit-filled means being Christ-used. At the Ascension our Lord went back to heaven, but at Pentecost He returned via the Holy Spirit to continue His ministry through us.

Paul and Barnabas told the Antioch church what God had done through them (Acts 14:27). Paul told the Judean leaders in Acts 21:19 what God had done through his ministry. In Romans 15: 18, he wrote, “I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.” In his final days, he testified that the Lord straightened him, “so that the proclamation might be fully made through me (2 Tim. 4:17). The Bible calls us ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us (2 Cor. 5:20).

When you share the gospel, teach the Bible, preach a sermon, quote a verse, encourage a friend, or write a note or article, remember-it’s not what you’re doing for Christ, but what He is doing through you.

Yes, sometimes it feels intimidating to share Christ-I still get nervous, and I’ve been doing it for years-but follow the Acts 4:31 model: Pray. Be shaken, be filled with the Spirit. And speak the Word with boldness.

All to Jesus, A Year of Devotions, © 2008, 2012 by Robert J. Morgan, Day 18.