Practicing the Ways of Jesus: Being a Witness
Practicing the Way • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What happens here is not mean to stay here. Let the secret out.
What do I believe God wants us to know? He wants us to be a witness
Why? People want to be connected to their Abba
What do I want them to do? Be a witness
Why? it tells people about Jesus
ME
We have talked about how do we change the world? How do we make here better, more like the kingdom of God?
One of the ways we learned last week is we do it by prayer....praying for His kingdom to come and his will to be done…and every big movement of God has had a furnace of prayer....Esther, Jeremiah Lapemier
Today we are going to learning about another way we change the world.
We change by breaking an unwritten rule
What is an unwritten rule?
A rule, that is orally passed down, which is known by all but it is not written down nor official nor legal and if the unwritten rule is broken it can result in negative consequences.
Let’s look at some examples
Men when a woman asks if she looks overweight or bad....What is the unwritten rule you shouldn’t do?
- Breaking this rule often results in no second date or sleeping on the couch for a week.
When you finish the roll of toliet paper you areReplace the toilet paper after you use it
- People wil be angry at you
Browns fans never root for the Steelers
- One caveat: if a Steelers win over an opponent other than the Browns results in a playoff birth for the Browns
THE LIST GOES ON
BUT WHAT IS THE UNWRITTEN RULE GOD IS CALLING US TO BREAK?
REALLY JESUS? DON’T YOU KNOW THE RULE ABOUT UNWRITTEN RULES
JESUS WOULD WOULD REPLY THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN AN UNWRITTEN RUL
THE ENEMY MADE IT AN UNWRITTEN RULE SO THAT WE BE ENCOURAGED BY THE ENEMY NOT TO DO IT
WHAT IS THE UNWRITTEN RULE IT IS one of the loudest unwritten rule of our culture???
DO NOT TALK ABOUT FAITH AND POLITICS…KEEP YOUR FAITH SECRET AND YOUR POLITICS TO YOURSELF
Do not go down that road
EVERYTHING IN LIFE WILL BE SO MUCH BETTER IF WE LEAVE FAITH AND POLITICS OUT OF IT
IS THIS WHAT GOD THINKS? SPECIFICALLY ABOUT OUR FAITH....WE ARE TO KEEP OUR FAITH QUIET???
JUST KEEP IT QUITE, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF??
SIDENOTE JESUS IS POLITICAL
WE
This is where we find ourselves today and the disciples found themselves 2000 years ago.....This is a question I saw in group text I was in this week AFTER A CERTAIN EVENT TOOK PLACE THIS TUESDAY
AND If we look at OUR HISTORY AND THE DISCIPLES HISTORY....IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO WELL WHEN WE SHARE THE SECRET OF OUR FAITH “JESUS IS LORD” recent history IN ACTS 1 (WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE TODAY, “What happened the, 50 days earlier, when Jesus declared publically that He was the Messiah, the King of Kings? last time this SECRET was let out PUBLICALLY, WHEN Jesus DECLARED HE WAS THE MESSIAH?
Do the religious and Roman authorities throw a celebratory party.... The Messiah is here!!! The King is here!
NO! They crucified Jesus
Maybe would be thinking “I should keep this UNWRITTEN RUEL, SECRET about Jesus, a SECRET, where only a few people know who Jesus really is.”
ANYBODY THOUGHT THIS WAY....IT WOULD BE BETTER TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT ABOUT MY FAITH
WHAT DO YOU THINK JESUS THINKS?
Let’s pick up the story in Acts
Acts 1 Jesus was resurrected 40 days ago…it is fresh and they are hanging out on the mount of Olives with Jesus…the disciples have the mystery of the Gospel…what now? what’s next? What do we do with this mystery
THEY ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH THEIR RABBI
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
WHAT AN AMAZING PROMISE WE HAVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus is now the time you are going to set up a national kingdom to Israel? And you going to sit on the throne....Ride in on your war horse, establish a kingdom like David....
Is this the 2nd coming
WE ARE READY!
What does Jesus say?
yes, this is the 2nd coming, the kingdom will be restored to Israel?
NO
Twofold answer
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
When I come back is not for you to know
- It will happen but not it is not now
We are not moving forward on the churches timeline to the end of the 2nd coming
o This is not the second coming
This is not restoring the kingdom to Israel time
Second, Jesus says,
Now is not the time.
I have mission for you
What’s the mission?
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.”
To let the secret out ABOUT WHO I AM…BREAK THE UNWRITTEN RULE OF SPEAKING ABOUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS....the mystery is to be
But before we get there I am going to empower and equip you for the mission and I will share where you are to go
Jesus says to them and to us who know the Lord…I am going to equip you for the mission....
I have called you to witness.....to witness means to testify proclaim about Jesus. IN WORD AND DEED
How do we this?
WORD AND DEED
Proclaim, OPEN OUR MOUTHS, to Jesus is Lord…He is the Messiah who came to rescue and redeem....Salvation story
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Share your testimony you were dead and not alive....were lost and found
1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Share you daily testimonies
- I WAS STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION AND JESUS MET ME
I WAS STRUGGLING IN MY MARRIAGE AND JESUS SHOW UP
I was struggling with my finances and God provided
2. BE SALT AND LIGHT
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
SHOW THE LIGHT OF JESUS THAT IS INSIDE OF YOU
-HELP YOU THOSE IN NEED
WHEN SOMEONE IS HURT WE DON’T PASS THEM UP
PRESERVE THE CULTURE
3. SALT AND LIGHT character of Christ
Look like Jesus
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
WE CANNOT DIVORCE CHARACTER FROM DEEDS
4. BE A FAITHFUL PRESENCE
WHERE DOES HE CALL THE DISCIPLES TO GO?
NO PLACE WAS COMFORTABLE
Jerusalem!?!
o What happened in Jerusalem 50 days earlier?
- Jesus was crucified.
Do you not remember that this the city where you were crucified?
o They do not like Christians in Jerusalem, neither the Romans nor the Jews
o Jesus even said,
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
o You want us to go there!?!
o But this is where Jesus is sending them
o We find out in Acts 2 that this is where the disciples go and Peter, Peter who denied jesus gives the first sermon of the church and power of the Holy Spirit descends upon them and 3000 people come to Christ
Judea
Let the secret out in Judea
- Jerusalem was the major city
- Judah was a major tribe inside Israel.
- Again this area is full of Jews who do not like Jesus, but this is where God is calling them to be a witness in word and deed
- The Gospel moves forth
Samaria
- Go forth and let the secret out in Samaria.
- Samaria!?!
- Jesus Jewish people don’t like Samaritans and they don’t really like us either.
o Tell the people who you don’t like and they don’t like you about the love of God….
Tell you enemies about Jesus
- This is the place in Acts 8 Stephen is martyred killed in Samaria.
Ends of the Earth
- The secret is to be told to the ends of the earth, the rest of the world. The secret is to get out.
- The word of God continues to ends of the Earth
- Acts 10 Peter goes to the Gentiles
o The secret mystery of the Gospel is that the Gospel is to be proclaimed amongst the Gentiles
- Paul is a religious Jew is converted and lets the secret out all over the middle east and Europe.
- For many of us in this room the reason we are here in this room right now is because Paul did not keep the secret to himself.
o We have life because of Paul!!!
Why would they go to these hostile places?
PEOPLE NEEDED TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS IS LORD
JESUS SAYING TO US CHURCH YOU CALLED TO LET THE SECRET OUT
WHERE IS JESUS CALLING YOU TO GO?
WHERE IS JERUSALME, JUDEA, SAMAERIA, ENDS OF THE EARTH
TAKE SAME STEPS
IT STARTS INTERNAL AND THEN MOVES EXTERNAL
PRAY FOR BOLDNESS AND DIVINE OPPORTUNITY
Baby steps
In today’s world, it can be challenging to witness in public spaces, especially if you fear backlash. Focus on small, intentional acts of kindness that reflect Christ's love. For example, if you're at a coffee shop, pay for the order of the person behind you and leave a note that says 'God loves you.' This act of generosity serves as a tangible, non-verbal witness to your faith and opens up conversations when they ask why you did it. This helps combat the fear of public rejection by showing others the love of Christ without overt confrontation.
What are some practical ways you can start sharing your testimony with others or the reason for the hope that you have? 1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
How can you be a light in your school, community, or workplace to transform the perspectives of those around you?
What steps can you take to be more intentional about witnessing in your daily life?
In what practical ways can you 'be salt and light' in your community as encouraged by the sermon?
At work, you might feel that sharing your faith could jeopardize your relationships or career opportunities. However, you can start by living out your faith authentically. Be the person who displays integrity in all your dealings, treats colleagues with kindness, and offers help when others are stressed. For instance, if a teammate is struggling with a project, extend your support without seeking anything in return. This silent witness can create curiosity about your faith opening natural conversations about faith over time.
In your public life, whether at the gym, volunteering, or in community activities, you may feel hesitant to mention your faith. Practice small acts of kindness—such as helping someone carry heavy bags or complimenting a stranger—while subtly mentioning your church or faith-based community involvement. For example, when someone thanks you for your help, respond with, 'I learned the value of helping others from Jesus.' These casual conversations can plant seeds of interest and invite deeper discussions about your faith when people see your genuine attitude.
At home, being a witness can feel daunting, especially if your family holds different beliefs. Start by modeling unconditional love and respect, even during discussions. Share what God is doing in your life during dinner conversations or family time, tying it to relatable issues like school or friendships. Additionally, suggest a family activity like volunteering together at a local charity, and discuss how these acts reflect Christ’s love. By living your faith authentically, your witness can encourage family members to explore their own relationship with God.
