HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS

If you have your Bible with you this morning, will you turn with me to ?

— READ TEXT —

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”” (, NASB95)

These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.”

John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”” (, NASB95)

— PRAY —

Amen — Now, the title of my message this morning is HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS. — and I’d like to use John the Baptist as our example.

But before we begin, let me ask you a question — Do you know what it means to be a witness for Jesus?

Well, a lot of people would say that being a witness for Jesus means living a godly life.

* I don’t smoke, or chew, or date girls that do.

* I don’t curse, or drink, or use drugs.

* I’m a good husband and father — or wife and mother — and our family attends church every Sunday. — That’s our Christian witness!

* And to that I say — Amen.

But church, if that’s all you ever do — then more likely than not people are just going to look at your life and say — “Well so-and-so sure is a good and moral person.”

Imagine for a moment if that was John the Baptist’s view of what it means to be a witness. — He would have lived a good life, but he never would have proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah and he never would have fulfilled God’s call on his life.

In we read that John…

John 1:7 NASB95

He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.

“He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.” (, NASB95)

Now remember, a witness is someone who TESTIFIES about what he knows to be true. — And you can’t testify if you don’t open your mouth to tell people about Jesus.

says that…

John 1:15 NASB95

John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ”

John 1

And tells us… “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”

tells us… “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”

Church, living a godly life is great — but at some point you must attribute that life to God. People must know why you are a good and moral person. — And to do that, you must open your mouth and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.

Now, some people might say that mentioned a preacher. — So, that’s the preacher’s job. — But church, we are all called to preach the good news just as we’re all called to bear fruit.

Turn with me real quick to .

Jesus says…

— READ TEXT —

Jesus says…

John 15:16 NASB95

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

Now, let me ask you another question. — What does it mean to “go and bear fruit”?

Well, some people might say that it means to grow spiritually, or to grow in the “fruit of the Spirit”. — And to that I say, amen — but again, it’s more than that.

John 1:19–34 NASB95

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

— READ TEXT —

John 1

Church, the Christian life is not a spectator sport. Jesus did not “choose you and appoint you” so you could stand by and watch the world go straight to Hell.

“This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

On the contrary, His words in tell us to…

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Church, the fruit that will “remain” — the fruit that will last forever — are the people who respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 12–21: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Friends of Jesus Have Been Specially Chosen by Him

The Christian life is not a spectator sport; Jesus did not choose believers to stand idly by while the world continues on its way to hell. On the contrary, His explicit command is, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19–20; cf. Luke 14:23).

When believers proclaim the gospel, those who respond savingly to it become fruit that will remain forever (cf. 4:36; Luke 16:9)

They are the next generation of believers. — And Christ has called all of us to bear that kind of fruit.

° They are the fruit that will last forever.

* And Christ has called all of us to bear that kind of fruit.

So, the first step in HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS is to RECOGNIZE GOD’S UNIVERSAL CALL.

Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

SO, HOW WE TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.”

“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”” (, NASB95)

Let’s pray this morning as we begin.

The title of my message this morning is HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS. — and we’ll be using John the Baptist as our example.

Now, God has called us all to bear witness for Jesus and to do that, we must all open our mouth’s and be prepared to proclaim Him as Lord — just like John the Baptist — which leads us to John’s example for HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS.

Turn back to if you would. — And let’s begin by looking at verses 19-28. — Our text says…

All of us must open our mouth’s and proclaim Jesus as Lord.

Now, that leads us to John’s example for HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS. Turn back to if you would. — And let’s begin by looking at verses 19-28. — Our text says…

— READ TEXT —

John 1:19–26 NASB95

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

John 1:19-26

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.

He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

““It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” (, NASB95)

John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

““It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.” (, NASB95)

Now, when John the Baptist first appeared on the scene — Israel had been waiting for a prophet for roughly 400 years — so they obviously had some questions.

They wanted to know who he was and why he was going around baptizing people. — And when his popularity began to grow, they really became concerned.

Could this be the Messiah? — Will he cause problems for us? — What’s his deal?

Well, when we begin to tell people about Jesus — people are going to have questions for us too. — So…

Now, one of the biggest fears of those who feel convicted to witness for Jesus is — “What if someone asks me a question I don’t know the answer to?”

And, my response has always been — “Well, do you know anyone, outside of Jesus, who does have all the answers?”

What if someone asks me a question I don’t know the answer to?

Church, none of us have all the answers. We just do the best we can to be as prepared as we can. — And we need to remember that we should always be growing in our knowledge of Christ.

I know more about the Lord today than I knew yesterday — and I hope to know more tomorrow than I do today. — But a lack of perfect knowledge should never cause us to be disobedient to God.

Remember, God has called each of us to bear witness for Jesus.

* So, we prepare and then prepare some more.

* We don’t just read the Scriptures — We study the scriptures.

* We track down every rabbit trail and every cross references.

* We ask ourselves questions and we search for the answers in God’s Word.

Let me give you an example.

When I prepare for a Sermon or a Bible Study, I try to anticipate the questions you might have — so I asked myself those questions first. — Then I study the Scriptures to find the answers.

That’s why my Sermons and Bible Studies often have so many question in them. — I want us to find the answers together.

The two main questions in this morning’s sermon have been…

* Do you know what it means to be a witness for Jesus?

* (And) What does it mean to “go and bear fruit”?

And church, when you prepare to Witness for Jesus — you just do the same thing.

* What were some of the questions you had before you became a Christian?

* What are some of the questions you still have?

* Think about those things and then go and find the answers.

The real problem is that many of us aren’t studying the Scriptures. — Sure, we might read a quick little devotion once in awhile — but we’re not really studying the Bible. We’re just looking for something to make us feel better or to brighten our day.

But I’ll tell you what Paul told Timothy in . — He says…

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

And church, we must do the same. — WE MUST RECOGNIZE GOD’S UNIVERSAL CALL to witness for Jesus. — WE MUST PREPARE FOR THE QUESTIONS that will surely come. — And next…

As I said a moment ago… we can’t let a lack of perfect knowledge cause us to be disobedient to God. — But what causes us to be so fearful of not having an answer?

I think if we’re honest with ourselves — the answer is pride.

But, I want you to notice how John the Baptist answers the questions of the “priests and Levites” — no doubt educated men.

We don’t like the idea of being embarrassed or anything less than perfect. — But, I want you to notice how John the Baptist answers the questions of the “priests and Levites” — no doubt educated men.

When they asked him who he was in verse 19, he confesses — “I am not the Christ” and then in verse 23 he says — “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Now, why do you suppose he answered that way? — Why not just say, “I’m John”?

Well, first I think it’s because he had already anticipated their real question and was prepared for it. — And second, I think he wanted to deflect attention from himself and point the spotlight on Jesus.

I hate to admit it, but if I had been John the Baptist — I probably would have said something like…

* I’ll tell you who I am. — I’m the last of the Old Testament prophets.

* My birth was declared to my father by an angel of the Lord.

* The Holy Spirit empowered me for this mission when I was still in my mother’s womb.

* I’m the guy the Son of God called the greatest man to ever live.

* That’s who I am! — Who are you?

But church that’s not what John does. Instead, he points the conversation away from himself and fixes it on Jesus. — “I am not the Christ”

And when the “priests and Levites” ask him what right he has to baptize if he’s “not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet” — he says, in essence… “I’m not the one you need to know about. I’m just a lowly servant. — I’m not even worthy to unbuckle the sandal of Jesus. — He’s the one you need to know.”

“I’m not the one you need to know about. I’m just a lowly servant. — I’m unworthy to even unbuckle Christ’s sandal. — He’s the one you need to know.”

Exalting Jesus in John A Messenger of Hope 1:19-34

If I had been John, I would have probably said something like, “I’ll tell you who I am: I’m the last of the Old Testament prophets. My birth was declared to my father by an angel. The Holy Spirit empowered me for this mission when I was still in the womb. The Son of God called me the greatest man ever to walk the face of the earth [Matt 11:11]. That’s who I am! Who are you?”

Instead John points the conversation to Jesus. When they ask who he is, he tells them who he’s not. “I am not the Messiah.” John wants to make sure no one confuses him with Jesus. He doesn’t draw attention to himself but directs it to Jesus. When they ask him what right he has to baptize, he doesn’t defend himself. He points to Jesus, and when he points to Jesus, he says in essence, “I’m not the one you need to know about. I’m a lowly servant—unworthy even to buckle Christ’s sandal. He’s the one you need to know.”

And church, that needs to be our attitude when witnessing for Jesus. — It ain’t about us. — It’s about Him.

* It’s not about how much we know — It’s about who we know.

* It’s not about who I am — it’s about who He is.

The ultimate goal of every Christian and every church is to point people to Jesus Christ — yet many of us would sooner point a person to some earthly program, guru, or book before we would ever point them to Christ.

We might even try

The ultimate goal of every believer and every church should be to point people to Jesus. — So, WE MUST BE PREPARED TO ANSWER PEOPLES QUESTIONS THE BEST WE CAN. — WE MUST BE PREPARED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND EXALT CHRIST. — and finally…

* Church, w

* We need to quit worrying about our pride and just start pointing people to Jesus.

Our text says…

Exalting Jesus in John A Messenger of Hope 1:19-34

The great goal of the church is to point the world to Jesus Christ. We gather on Sundays to worship him and learn about him, but then we go out to share him with others.

John 1:29–30 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’

John 1:29–30 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’

John 1:29

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” (, NASB95)

So, WE MUST BE PREPARED TO ANSWER PEOPLES QUESTIONS THE BEST WE CAN. — WE MUST BE PREPARED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND EXALT CHRIST. — and finally…

Take a look at verses 29-34. Our text says…

— READ TEXT —

John 1:29–34 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

John

John 1:31–34 NASB95

“I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’

J

“I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.”

“I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”” (, NASB95)

Church, you may not have all the answers. — You may not know all the theological jargon — but you do know Jesus. — So, tell them about Him.

Notice how John says, “Behold, the Lame of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

* Tell people about how Jesus has taken away your sin.

* Tell them about how Jesus has removed your guilt and how that He’s changed your life.

* Tell them about how Jesus has covered you with His righteousness.

Notice how John says, “This is He on behalf of whom I said, after me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”

* Church, tell people about how you gave gave your life to Christ.

* Tell them about how He’s the most important person in your life.

* Tell them about how it’s a privilege to do His will because He is the living God.

Notice how John says, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.”

* Church, tell people what you’ve seen since you’ve become a Christian.

* Tell them how you’ve seen Jesus not only change your life, but the lives of your friends and family.

* Tell them how you’ve seen Him answer your prayers and heal your neighbors.

And finally, notice how John says, “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

* Church, testify that Jesus is Lord!

* Tell people that He is the only begotten Son of God.

* Tell people that He is the way, the truth and the life, and that no comes to the Father but through Him.

* Tell them that He is the unique and only begotten Son of God.

It really is that simple. Being a witness for Jesus isn’t rocket science. So, let’s not make complicated.

Simply RECOGNIZE THAT GOD’S CALL TO EVANGELISM IS UNIVERSAL. It applies as much to you as it does me.

So, let’s PREPARE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION PEOPLE MAY HAVE by studying the Scriptures together.

Let’s HUMBLE OURSELVES AS WE EXALT CHRIST.

And let’s SHARE OUR OWN EXPERIENCE WITH JESUS with anyone who will listen.

Church, will you commit with me to do that today?

Now, if our worship team will come to close out our service with a hymn — I’ll open the altars.

* Come this morning and pray for your lost loved ones.

* Come and pray for opportunities to share the Gospel.

If you would like to pray undisturbed — then I invite you to the altar on your left.

But if you would like to pray with Valenda or me about anything — then I invite you to the altar on your right.

Let’s meet at the foot of the cross.

HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS

INTRODUCTION

SERMON

I. WE MUST RECOGNIZE GOD’S UNIVERSAL CALL

II. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS

III. WE MUST BE PREPARED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND EXALT CHRIST

IV. WE MUST BE PREPARED TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE

CONCLUSION

HOW TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS

INTRODUCTION

SERMON

I. WE MUST RECOGNIZE GOD’S UNIVERSAL CALL

II. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS

III. WE MUST BE PREPARED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND EXALT CHRIST

​

IV. WE MUST BE PREPARED TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE

CONCLUSION