01-20-19 Morning Worship - Seven Principles for Developing a Bold Witness

John is a book that describes to us who Christ is what Christ has done and one of the the key things that John is really driving home is he wants you to believe the message of Jesus. He wanted his readers to pick up the the letter and enter to understand that this man that were talking about that walked on the earth. That was put to death several years ago is this letter was written many years later this man that is still serve to turn the world upside down. Here's what I know about him. I walked with him. I touched I talked to him a hug day. We we don't we had life together for three years. Here's his story. I don't want you to believe it.

Let's go to first. I want to look at 1st Peter. 1st Peter says this and this is a verse that really drives me and I returned to it every once in awhile and I'm reminded of what drives me day in and day out first is not the first versus the rest of it, but I'm going to cover the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now who is there to harm you? If you are zealous for what is good. But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake you will be blessed have no fear of them nor be troubled. But in your hearts honor Christ the lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asked you for a reason for the hope that is in you yet. Do it with gentleness and respect.

Always be prepared. to give a reason hope that is within you what hope do you have to be prepared to give a reason for that?

Anyone who asks now, here's the thing that really convicted me as I kind of ran across this verse again this week. What's the last time someone asked you about the hope and yourself? My answer to that was I don't really remember the conversations. I strike up about faith and religion and Christianity or many times in years past the best. I don't feel and you're going to hear the pastor. If you can't do it I sure can't do it. That's what that's our mentality about it, right? But I don't have people running to me asking me things like when you read Peter the context of what he's expecting people to be asking why you are different. I've had people ask me that before but it wasn't about my religion and my faith, right?

Why is that? Why is that well?

A good question that I want us to answer that today and I want us to not so much focus on understanding why people aren't asking us that but I want us to focus in on a big idea. I got one big idea that I want us to go to I believe that every single person in this room based off a scripture. That means you every single one of us. Can become bold in our witness for Christ?

That tends to bring up a couple of different emotional thoughts one. hair and Dread to Here we go. Again. The pastor's up there telling me I need to go out and go door-to-door and tell people about Jesus and three. A little bit of excitement. I'd like to do that. I love to be known as the one that can share my faith and tell people about Jesus and and if people just falling out crying cuz I never heard such a great testimony, right and the teenager that we never actually experienced this but I've seen it where they bring in the the guy that did drugs for 45 years killed his own dog hated everything of life within the Lord turned his life around now, he stands before you proclaiming the truth and you're like I want to be that guy.

Anything realize what you're saying, but I want to be that guy in the new guy that these emotions all come up in these spots all come up when we begin to talk about our Witness. What we're going to see in John 15 is Jesus as telling him. I'm preparing you. For what is coming and you see this sense of I'm going to give you boldness and it's not all about the the four spiritual laws and the evangelism explosion the gospel. Those are tools that build a pond. The boldness and joy and excitement that come from the spirit of God working in you. So I want us today to understand in to see that this is what the Lord God wants in us and an Evidence of that is in John 15. We will go back we're going to start in verse 18 today, but we got to look at Birth 16. I'm going to read this to you. Jesus tells them this year new Apostles. You didn't choose me. Well that first thought was yeah, I'm sitting here fishing you said, and I decided to come with you know, Jesus tells him what really happened. You did not choose me. But I chose you and I appointed you that you should want that. You should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.

We got okay. Great Rick. That's the apostles. What about us? Will that same truth applies to us? What does he tell us what it called to us and fusions you were chosen before the foundations of the world to what to be holy and blameless you were chosen to bear fruit and to keep fruit in and out to abide in that fruit not where you only not where you just chosen to be plucked out of the fire and Drug along to heaven and then thrown into heaven and then everything becomes glorious know you were chosen you and me were both chosen just as the Apostle and a pointed to a task to be the church.

So this big idea is that we all have it within us. To be bold in our witness for Christ not just about these programs of witnessing but proclaiming to the world. Hope that is within us. Why do we have hope what is hopeful? What is what is different?

To the sermon Focus today is about developing a bold witness. We got seven principles for developing a bold witness or boldness and our witness for Christ and I want to walk through these 7 things that will a lot of it's funny cuz the first ones it's always read and pray right? You can't get past those read the Bible and pray that I'm giving you a heads-up what's coming, but I want to show you why that is. I don't want to just say go read your Bibles. I'll tell you one of the most convicting things to me is in my own household has been reading through the scriptures with a group online. That's and she keeps coming every day going did you know that's what this really excited and I think I want that excitement in the reality. I am right now. Do you think there's a direct correlation to that there is so principle number one read the scriptures and the reason I came to this because if you go and look at that challenge, you just read John first reread the Book of John assuming which is I'm guessing if you're like me this may be a bad assumption. Did you read the book of John as we've gone through it? Did you read it ahead if I had to ask a raise of hand probably about 10% of us did. Because what happens and I'm I'm telling you my own conviction if I worse when I sat in the Pew chairs, I would come eat Sunday going or what we're talking about today. Interesting that about 8 to 10 weeks into it a long time. When is chapter a long time I really don't know why cuz we just keep talking about different stuff and we treat each week is a a topical thing that I'm going to come in and get a few pieces of handful and a walkout eating it that candy is the spiritual goodness that will sustain me through the rest of the week in the problem is candy Done sustainus Right. We've got a feast on it. And we got to return to the store and buy something else for ourselves in the same way that we sustain Our Lives by continually preparing food. That is healthy for it for us. We got to prepare ourselves for Sunday read the scriptures between now and next week perform a habit in a pattern of reading and I challenge you to read back through John and witness Christ's deity that John Proclaim.

I know that I know think about it though. Literally just water not purified filtered water in a Brita or whatever other things they have any turned it into wine and John says I don't know about you, but that's pretty amazing. I didn't. The rest of the gospels we've been reading is actually a point of contention at our house right now. We have three or four children's books that were purchased for Christmas and birthdays recently Lottie has one and Luke as one is a debatable who's we're going to read tonight and sometimes we read both but one of them is the story of Jesus waking up from the boat and speaking to the storm and call me at Jesus spoke to the wind and the. The storm didn't just die away over time the storm ceased because this man stood up and spoke to it. Do you think then? If she wants us to be a witness for himself. He can do it for us. That's what reading the Bible does for us and reminds us. The Christ is God. It reminds us of his deity. It reminds us of his power and it reminds us of his love for us. That we are not just simply sitting off to the side spectating and Spectators watching what we got on the winning team. So I know we're going to see how this thing plays out. Rather Christ is working in us. That's the story he has for his Apostles. He doesn't give him all the high fives. His game is over. I'm going to go finish this one off hit that winning basket and then go to heaven. I'll come back later. You guys just hang out. He says telling you what about to happen the game.

I want it to be rough for you because I want to have victory in the church and the victory in the church comes through the church to living a life in Christ. Principle number one read the word of God start with John start this week and do it in the context of going what if this man that I'm reading about really did exist and what if he really did save me and what if he really did send his Spirit to come live in me and what if he really did call me to be a bold witness for him.

Think of it in those terms. principle number two Where you at? Prayer, right ask pretty simple, right? But I want it I want you to wake and today to what we're talking about chapter 15 verse 16 the second half of what we write a second ago. Remember is that I didn't you didn't choose me. I chose you he goes on to say that some of that whatever you ask in the father in my name. He may give it to you. Jesus literally literally looked at the apostles and said, hey, I chose you and appointed you now, whatever you go. Ask and what you needed to do the work that you're doing. Just ask the father and do it in my name and he's going to give it to you. Think about that statement we look at that we hear about ask and you shall receive knock and you shall receive no knock and it shall be opened unto you and go ask the father and then we get into debate. So if we try to explain a lot while you shouldn't ask for a car which we are at now cuz I had to do the other week. So it's but that's a different story. Right but you shouldn't you shouldn't turn these things into a twisting of a slot machine Aura of a candy machine why I asked and give a little bit I get something back then that's as far as we go with it. But I want us to go even further today to say God has put us on a mission. He wants to waken awaken our souls and send us out into the world. I said whatever you need to complete that mission just asked me. Now it is in the subjunctive mean and what does that mean in the Greek subjunctive? This is not a game there's indicative and subjunctive and all these various things and dicative. It's like a statement that this is happened or will happen is just a statement subjunctive. Is this more of a future concept or something that might happen. He's not promising to give you everything you asked for. It's probably not because he doesn't want to but because he knows us we start getting on a roll over to test this thing out right here. I might ask for a little something nice for myself, right? But God has said ask me for whatever you need. If you like bold as you're scared to death, then you need to be asking God to overcome that for you. Will you do it? I can't promise that but I can know we're being unfaithful if we're not asking him to help us if you don't know what to say and when to say it and you don't have any friends that are unbelievers, you know, whatever. It is the Lord. for help a completing this Mission never three principal sacrifice This is where the rubber really starts hitting the road for us verse 13 or chapter. 15 is funny thing is I said, we're starting at 18. We haven't even gotten 18 yet. But just bear with me verse 13 that this is proceeding all of what we're talkin about greater. Love has no man than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. We read that and rightly so we go good. That's Jesus telling us what he's about to do. He did he said greater love has no man than this then that he would lay down his life for his friends. And then he walked over the next coming days and weeks in a month to the cross. Submitted himself and Layton self out to death and resurrected and went to heaven now. That's a true statement Beyond just giving himself on the cross. We can have no greater love than returning for Christ than to sacrifice our own lives and our own desires for him.

Does no good to go to a cross it does no good to go to death. That's not what God Christ wants from us. He wants us to set aside our passions and our desires that are not in line with his Daddy says seek first what the kingdom of God seek first obedience to God seek first growth and propagation of the kingdom and everything else. You need will be added unto you know, what is also interesting that the catechism question was the chief end of man to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. So some of the good things of this life that we want may just be added unto us because God doesn't want us to be miserable in our sacrifice all the time can't guarantee. You'll be happy and your sacrifice not going to name it and whatever you ask where you get but what I can tell you that the lorises are giving you the word read it believe it. I told you to ask me for help do it and then if you really want to show for his love for Christ, we must sacrifice. Here's the reality though. I'm not probably high enough on this do we need a higher stage for the feel this way? But like I'm preaching down to you right to pay you last night that this is a convicting sermon. This is Rick airing all of it. I'm reading the scripture going. I don't know what they need. But this is what the Lord saying to me. This is a convicting sermon to me.

Is convicting to you join with me and let's transform it. Let's read. Let's ask. Let's sacrifice ourselves. The next four principles are about remembering something in the way that the Lord will strengthen December 4th. Remember that persecution is a sign of our relation to Christ. This is where we get to verse 18 if the world hates you. I want you to know something. That it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world the world would love you as its own but because you are not of the world but I chose you out of the world. There's that word again. We were chosen there for the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me. They will also persecute you.

It's helpful, right when you're doing something to know that there's a purpose behind it specially when that something is very difficult and hard.

persecution Make all suffering. But suffering is not necessarily persecution and I think it'll help to kind of divide those two concepts that are mine and what I mean by that is there just sent in the world some of our lives or you were just suffering from various thing from various ailments, whether it be a stubbed toe all the way up to some terminal illness that is stricken ourselves or someone in our family and any thing in between that's not persecution for loving Christ. That's just the reality that we live in a broken in a fallen world where the Lord is not completely eradicated all sin yet. What time does persecution the world hated Jesus Christ? This is the domain of darkness is the way it's described his stating things. This is his domain and he thinks he's in a battle for it. When really the Lord is just waiting and biting time for all of the people all of his people these chosen before the foundations of the world to come in. But as we wait, there will be times of persecution when we make decisions when we have to make decisions to stand firm on Christ. And you know, what part of being a bold witness we may receive persecution. And we're at a fear of that persecution happening. Sometimes we shrink back and then persecution doesn't have to be death on a cross. It can be people just kind quit talk. They're different layers and levels of persecution that happened. But when it comes because we love Christ and we're trying our best to be obedient to what he has called us to do. It helps us to remember that it is a sign of our relationship to him. They don't hate us. For any other reason than we are connected in United to Christ. So anything that comes our way that holds us back that Mason's maybe not get a little bit like get as much as we could have gotten out of some situation.

Because we're related to Christ and if we remember that it'll make it easier to stand strong when we know that there is a purpose for why we are doing what we're doing principle number 5. Remember this some are opposed to Christ by nature and we cannot change that. When we go out and we want to boldly tell people about the joys of Christ and then all the sudden we get into an argument oil. I didn't mean to get into an argument. I was excited about what Christ has done and there may be someone's belittling us or our are laughing at us or disagreeing vehement Lee with us. We got to remember this. That's what he told the apostles in verse 21 a 15, but all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know him who sent me and he's going to describe all the things they're going to do to him in a little bit but he says it listen and if I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for the for their sin. Whoever hates me hates, my father. Also if I had not done among them the works that no one else did they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have me and my father But the word that is written in their law must be fulfilled. They hated me without calls. The best section of scripture is a little confusing. So if Jesus didn't come the Jews weren't guilty of sin, and then what we know it can't be talkin about Original Sin. They would not have everyone that is bored as guilty of sin and deserving of death because we are in the lineage of Adam and Eve. So what this is talking about is it will listen to acts 17:30 in Ennis concert of the time is a big nurse the times of ignorance God overlooked but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. There was this sense that the times of ignorance God didn't just go before Jesus Christ, but they didn't have full knowledge and understanding of who Jesus was going to be. What is Paul call? I think it's a mystery. It's a mystery that God was going to take the Jews and the Gentiles join them together what called The Church all under the headship of a of a man called Jesus who would be the Christ the anointed one. The Messiah was all a mystery. So for those who have never seen that Jesus Christ existed it was the times of ignorance that got overlooked and understood that they did not put faith in Christ. But now that Christ had come those who have seen him and walked a bit with him and whoever them are guilty of rejecting the one truth Savior and Messiah of Jesus Christ. They were left in their ignorance of an opposition to God. They were these Jews who were who were who would never have come to the Lord because they were not of the chosen. He says, even your laws you go back into the Psalms The Book of Psalms in it, and it talks about there were those who would always opposed the Messiah the coming one? There's this idea that there was there was nothing that the apostles could do that. There are some who are opposed to Christ by nature and we cannot change that because only God can change that. So here's the thing. When we remember that truth when we believe that it and realize it that hey we're all born dead in our trespasses and sins or do whatever reason God chose some to save and the rest he left we can argue with God of whether that's right or good we can't really argue with God but I'm saying that's a different discussion scripture lays that out for us and for those he called out if we go back and then begin to proclaim the good news. There are some who are dead in our trespasses and sins that will not I cannot respond. Because in the flesh Corinthians tells us it is impossible to please God the the the word of the cross. The hope of the Cross is foolishness. We read in Sunday's go to those who are perishing.

Seems to me that it's silly than for us to a fear offending the unregenerate more than offending cries. Cuz what do you hear? What what hold you back from sharing Faith? Sometimes I don't want to scare people away from the church. I don't want to offend them offend them more than they're already offended.

You can't turn them away from the one that they hate and this is strong language. But Romans 5 says that you and me were once enemies of Christ and infusions has a beautiful picture but God. Intervened is essentially what goes on to the happen. the chosen and I left this intensive turn to us, but it's the Biblical term Those whom God has opened their eyes and awakened will not be offended by the god and I hope that is within you will encourage them. The hope that is in you will cause them to rejoice and your stories of hope. It is funny to make a David Chester was preaching the other week and talking about the homosexual community and how they're starting to convince people of their positions theologically by sharing stories personal stories. Cuz what can you say about their personal story what they feel I did it to you a minute ago, right when I said this sermons about me, I wouldn't like it really is but I'm no longer throwing mud at you saying listen to this do this you crazy people I'm saying look, this is where I'm struggling. Where are you? share the gospel that way what the Lord enough that it just flows out of us and don't fear offending those who are already enemies of the cross.

It hopes that we might have the joy of being a part of the Salvation of some. The sixth principle that we must remember remember God designed us for this verse 26 of chapter 15 and goes on to say but when the helper comes I'm sending you the Holy Spirit when he comes whom I will send to you from the Father the spirit of Truth and proceed from the father. What's he going to do? He will bear witness about May. First of all, the spirits go enroll in purpose is to go out and bear witness about Christ. How's it going to do that?

threw us right purse 27 and you also the spirits going to do it and you also will bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning first thing that happens Jesus goes before Pilate does the people flee I'm out of here. I'm not about to Bear aren't you one of those with Jesus? No, no, no. No.

They weren't really do it. So it was Jesus or Jesus's words wrong know he says when the helper comes you're also going to do this because you've been with me from the beginning. You've seen it all the Holy Spirit rushes in on Pentecost. Their wives are transformed and Peter boldly stands up and says I was with Jesus. And I believe everything he said and I believe everything that he did was true in his right and there was no trickery and it came from God and he has returned it to God and he says You must like me repent and turn to him. There was a boldness in a fire that was inside a Peter that came only by the Holy Spirit God designed us for this video. That was Peter displays talking to the Apostles of the apostles were fulfilling the purpose for which they were made and if you don't believe that go back to Shorter Catechism question number one, what is the chief end of man to glorify God? And enjoy him forever. Let the church know Mankind we believe was created to glorify God 1st Corinthians 10:31, whatever you do whether you eat whether you drink do all to the glory of God, even the unregenerate Wichita driver mines around that all of them all of us were created for the glory of God, so we must remember that our whole purpose in life and this is where it really gets defensive Force you were created for God, but I want to be able Thomas. You were created to follow the laws of God, but I want to follow my own laws. You were created for this you were falling from it and Jesus Christ is saving you because you stand in opposition to him right now to answers to that. Thank the Lord or not. I'm happy where I am.

God designed us. For this very purpose. and then

What happened to the Garden of Eden?

They were cast out of the presence of God. The spirit of God was taken from them. Just as it was removed from the temple as a picture. I've got Leavin. Zeke you'll give us this Prophecy in the temple that Brandon was reading about there's some debate about this but what I was taught in seminary makes a lot of sense if you go read it, it's not talking about a physical Temple that we're waiting to be built again. It's like three miles long or three. I mean, it's just too ginormous to really it's a spiritual Temple and what he's picturing. Is that there will one day be this time when God returns to the temple? To recreate a people who will live out and fulfill their designed purpose. We are at people. Holy Spirit has returned and on the day of Pentecost EK Madewell tennis and he have propagated himself from generation to generation. This is now go forth. And make known my name.

the seventh principle is that we must remember but this Holy Spirit was given to keep us from stumbling When we struggle. If you starting to go, okay, I'm kind of picking up what you're putting down, but I'm not just not sure I can do this. Not sure I want to chapter 16. I've said these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues and Dee the hour is coming when whoever kills you. He's going to think he's offering service to God when someone kills a follower of Jesus Christ a member of the church. They're going to think they are following God. We don't live in that world right now in re United States. That's what they were facing. And I will do these things because they have not known the father nor me, but I have said these things to you that when they're our comes. You may remember that. I told them to you by Jesus Christ is preparing the apostles to stand in the midst of horrendous. anxiety and persecution and fear He says when you have that bubbling up passion inside of you know, that is from me because I set my spirit and even though the world stands against you and you start to think but no church of the time the Jewish people were what the bat was the belt those were the people of Abraham and Isaac that was those were the people of God at the time of cording to the World when they reject you and tell you you are not allowed as one of us and you think but I'm worshipping the god of Abraham Isaac and Jacob when they turn against you remember that I told you this was going to happen and that passion in a burning in your heart is not bad gas. It is the spirit of God pushing you and urging you and strengthening you and working in you.

When he says that if they hated me.

They will persecute you because you are mine. He also goes on I didn't read this, but I'll read it now. If they kept my word. They will also keep yours. So not only where they'll be those who are opposed to us, but the holy spirit is here to keep us from stumbling from scandalizing. That's the word from falling away from Faith because there are those who will respond by faith. If we haven't found them, we just haven't asked enough. We haven't proclaimed enough. And let's go out and begin to do that now real quickly. What keeps us from being bold in our witness just like Jesus was telling them. Hey, here's what's coming. And here's what's going to stand against you. I want to give you three things real quick limited Faith know it. We don't work out for him, but I can't speak. You just don't trust me. limited zeal

nothing's really bad in my life right now. I'm good. I don't really want to do anything else as a third thing is limited love our laziness and a lack of faith flow from the idea that we really truly seriously. Don't care too much about those out there outside of our family's probably guilty And I'm having to admit that to myself now how we turn that around? The different world did you get so focused on being the best little congregation you can be that we forget there are people out there dying and perishing around us. That's why we're here. Lack of love for others will hold us back. I left those things not so that we can go yet. I've got all those but looks like I'm out. I don't have to do this. This is a warning that these are the things that will cause us to stumble but I promised you from this from God Almighty the Holy Spirit lives inside of you so that you will not scandalize the gospel and fall back.

Two more real quick. What is this? 10 minutes look like what does it look like when we have these things maybe we hold our tongues that work for fear of offending coworkers are being fired. You can we have to do that. Right? I'm not talking about ripping through the place and and holding a banner and beating people over the head would Peter say it with gentleness and respect. So you put these things together with respect and gentleness and love for the other people if we're sharing our own passionate heartfelt stories about what Christ has done for us and we're not beating people over the head and drum because we know the spirit is the one leading us and guiding us. We will overcome our tenant in there, but there's something about being timid. Keeping quiet when discussing moral issues for fear of Confrontation. I understand argue about it. I don't want to fight about it. I agree. I don't either with gentleness and love pray for opportunity. Don't go beat people over the head and prove. You're right constantly. gentleness and love Simply remaining silence out of ignorance. I don't know what to say to things. There's no excuse for ignorance in this world if that's your excuse and you haven't been here on Wednesday nights. You don't come every single Sunday of the year, which you go. It's not really possible it is. It really is sincerely it is and I know it's hard and it's difficult. But people from ages past would look at our generation today. And what on Earth are y'all doing? I'll leave that it with that is secondly keeping silence out of ignorance. You may not know every little detail of scripture. But you know what Christ has done for you share it talk about it Proclaim it and then lastly everyone in this room. I want to reiterate it. That's you. That's me can become bold in our Witnesses for Christ first seek forgiveness. If you were like me and we haven't seen forgiveness and ask for help repent and doing this. I haven't been doing it. Well, and I'm ready to start and then remember this Psalm 139. I'm going to close with this. So everybody that I've lost come back up pay attention Psalm 139. Beginning a verse for even before a word is on my tongue o'lord behold, you know it all together because you hem me in behind and before you in close me. Can you lay your hands upon me? You say God's spirit goes before us to prepare the hearts of the people that we will speak with him. He goes through for us is our protection. He comes behind us as our rear guard. When we do the work of the Kingdom. He is the one protecting to make sure that those fiery Arts fiery darts of the devil do not strike us from behind his hand closes in from top so that the missiles of the devil do not come and explode and destroy us he has hemmed Us in and is walking along with us just as he led the people of Israel with a fire by night and Cloud by day. He is guiding us and light leading us and holding us in caring for us and protecting us as we do his work. Such knowledge of God is too wonderful for me. It's high. I cannot even attained to it. Where shall I go from your spirit or where shall I free flee from your presence? We cannot get out of that hemmed in nature.

We can be disobedient. But we cannot mess this up. So if your fear of being bold in your witness for Christ is about not doing it quite right. We cannot mess it up. Holy Spirit won't let us mess it up. He's going to it was times when you don't even know what to say the holy spirit intercedes with chrome flames. We cannot mess this up.

What's that 2019 be a year of transformation for a body here Christ Community. Let's take all of our quiet personality. We all moved out of Springville to kind of get away from the hustle and bustle right some of us a lot of us. We're not necessarily the most rambunctious in your face people, but that's not what the scriptures are describing. They're describing humble people who have been transformed by Christ.