Life in His Name (6)

Introduction:

Read: Share context.

Transition: A definition of witnessing

The foundation and motivation for proclaiming the name of Christ.

Foundation

Acts 4:11

“The rejected cornerstone”

Psalm 118:22

Psalm 118:22 ESV

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Is 28:16

Isaiah 28:16 ESV

therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

John 1:11-12

Application: Those who belong to Christ have humble courage to declare the foundational message of Christ.

For those who hear this message, Jesus will either be a stumbling stone or a corner stone. He will either be the rock of rejection and unbelief, or the the rock to build a life of faith upon. The wise man will build his life upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. The words of Jesus Himself are recorded in Matthew 7:24-27… (read)

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Invite you today: If your a Christian, we must take initiative to build our lives on Christ. To live by faith in Him. This is wisdom.

If your not yet a Christian, in response to the Holy Spirit bringing you to new life… yield to Christ, trust Christ, confess Christ as Savior and Lord. To remain in unbelief is to remain in folly. To remain in unbelief is to remain in darkness, judgment, and eternal death. By the power of the Holy Spirit, won’t you respond by trusting Christ today?

Transition: We have discovered the foundation for our witnessing, now lets investigate the motivation. Scripture certainly includes other motivations, like love for example, for explaining why Christians should be sharing the foundational message of Christ. But from this text we discover that the reason we should proclaim Christ is because…

Motivation

Acts 4:12

“No other Name”

This should remind of of what Jesus said in…

John 14:6

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Application: Those who belong to Christ have the exclusive message of deliverance. Jesus is the one exclusive door to life and salvation, He is the one exclusive pathway to God, He is the only Messiah by who’s name we must be saved.

Illustration: Think of it this way as this relates to our witnessing… Let’s imagine that you discovered the cure for cancer. Explain…

Point: Jesus Christ is the first and final answer for every problem we face. Eternal life in Christ is the solution for the consequence of our sin, which is death. This means that for a Christian… cancer, war, grief, anxiety, abortion, addiction, broken relationships, loneliness, anger.. never get the final word.

This doesn't mean the name of Jesus as some kind magic wand that removes all the problems we face in this life. No, here is what I mean...

At the very least, Life in Jesus’ Name means that those who belong to Him have the joy of knowing with complete certainty, that one day in our future all things being made new and right. Even if for right now, a little while, we suffer the experience of still remaining in a sin cursed body in a sin cursed world, where atrocities happen, where nations have fallen, where families suffer, and it seems like evil is winning… NO! We have the exclusive provision of God’s salvation.

By the kind providence of God, He has seen fit to not administer His full salvation through voting on an election, through a pill, through winning a human skirmish or battle, through a better job, through a bigger house.. NO! His exclusive salvation is provided only through faith in Jesus Christ His Son.

Closing: Those who belong to Christ have something to say, and reason to say it. We must consider one final key part of our witnessing as we close. Example of the lame man.

Point: A transformed life breaks down barriers to speak the name of Christ. How has , and is Jesus transforming us to be His witnesses on the earth?