Can I get a Witness

Can I get a Witness? So often we hear that when someone wants you to agree with them. A witness is someone who can testify to a series of events actions.

In witness preparation often the witness is coached so that they can answer questions that will benefit the prosecution or the defense.

Sometimes I go through a binged of watching law and order. Its when someone takes the witness stand that the show can take a turn. The witness is asked a series of questions so that the prosecution can make their case.

The question for us today is if we are asked to take the stand for Jesus would we be credible witnesses? Rev 12:11 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! (Re 12:10–12).

The text today reminds us of what we are supposed to be witness! 8 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.” (Ac 1:8). The disciples had Jesus when will he restore the Kingdom to Israel. Jesus says it was not for them to know. But you will receive power! So Jesus says I cant tell what the Father will do. Remember what he shared in Matthew. 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Mt 24:36). So we must trust while we wait. But while we wait we are getting witness ready. Who wants to be witness ready? Prepared to share .

First if we are to be witness ready we must first receive POWER

How do we get that POWER. We must receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not something to be feared but something to be embraced. The third office of the Triune God is the promise that Jesus said he would send. In John 14:16 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (Jn 14:16–17).

So with the Holy Spirit comes power

Acts 4:33 said the early church had that power!

33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Ac 4:33).

When we receive that power we will be able to do exceedingly and abundant things! For He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think according to the power that work with us. This word POWER is the same word for Dunamous . This power give us the Ability to do things, by virtue of strength, skill, resources, or authorization. The Bible has several different words for POWER. If you studied this word you would fine references (1) the unlimited power of God; (2) the limited power God gives to his creatures; (3) the power of God seen in Jesus Christ; (4) the power of God (by the Holy Spirit) in the lives of his people.

The word POWER here refers to the 4 reference. the power of God (by the Holy Spirit) in the lives of his people. I remember preaching a sermon a few years ago You Got the Power! We have POWER to tear down strongholds! We have to stand in the mist of adversity! We have Power to live live in victory! Remember He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Is 40:29) so that they “go from strength to strength”( Is 40:29)

Secondly

We will be His Witnesses

Isaiah said, 12  I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God. (Is 43:12).

How do we live up to being a witness? We must be willing to declare it was the Lord saved us!

We have to be like the early church 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (Ac 2:42–44).

I want to be such a credible witness that if I am on trial for being a Christian not only will my testimony convince the jury I am a Christian but the evidence with be so overwhelming that the jury will be unanimous He id definitely a Christian!

What did I say about POWER. It gives us power to be witness

We all have received“the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith” (Rom 1:16). For Paul said I am not ashamed of the Gospel!

As witnesses we are children of God

“To all who received” Jesus Christ “who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). In that life as children of God power is received from the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:8), inner strength to live in his service (Eph 3:16), power to be his witnesses (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:8),

48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” . (Lk 24:48–49).

As witness we must endure suffering

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, (2 Ti 1:8–9).

As witnesses we are enable to do ministry Paul said 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. (Eph 3:7).

As witnesses we are power to be kept from evil 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pe 1:5).

As witnesses we been given power to prayer for one another. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Jas 5:16).

Finally as witness we the power to go

he sends us out as his disciples confident in the assurance that all things are under his authority and that we would have the power of his unfailing presence with them (Mt 28:18–20). That’s why he told us 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:19–20).