The Christian Life as a Witness

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Lets take a moment here.

These two people (andrew and another person) have heard John the Baptist say that Jesus is the Lamb of God.

So they decide to look into this bold claim. And so they follow Jesus, not in the sence of becomeing a disciple, but in the sense of observation.

Jesus percives them following him and ask a wonderful question, to these observers: “What seek ye?” - what are you looking for?

And their response is mind blowing! They dont say, we are looking for salvation, for new life, for liberation, for freedom, for healing, for deliverance - none of thse things.

They simply reply: “Where dwellist thou?” ie: Where are you staying? in other words: What are we looking for? We want to see your home, not the buiolding, but your home life.

These two people are intreged with Jesus and to they are going to make up their mind on wheather Jesus is legitimate or a fraud based on how he lives his daily life at home.

The Christian Life as a Witness

Nothing has changed. We as Christian make the claim everyday that Jesus Christ is Lord, our proclomation is very intregeing, to may unbelivers, but before those unbelievers becomes disciples, they will first become observers - and now its not Jesus they are abserving - Its You!

And they are not watching you for the 11/2 hoiurs you are at church, They are watching you at home, at work at leasure.

They dont care how high you lift your hands, or how well you know the words to the songs, they are not observing you at Church, they are observing you everywhere else.

Matthew 5:16 AV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12 AV

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 NLT

12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

1 Peter 3:2 AV

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Titus 2:7–8 AV

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Philippians 2:15 AV

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Witnessing For Jesus

Whats the difference between evangelism and witnessing?

Evangelism is the active persuit to share the truth about Jesus with an unbeliever.

Witnessing is the active example that Jesus is the Truth.

You see, if we really have come to know God in a personal way and he dwells within us by his Holy Spirit nd we are born again and the Word guides us - then all this is going to have a radical impact on our life - see last week evening sermon.

I know that, you kn ow that, AND UNBELIVERS KNOW THAT!!!!! And so if Jesus is who you say he is, if you are who you say you are - then they have a right to see the evidence of you claims. And as observers, if they see no evidence of Jesus at yourt home, they why would belive he is in youjr heartr?

And so they watch

What are they watcvh for?

Matthew 5:16 AV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Good Works - They are looking for evidence of An Almight God at work in your life, specifically:

1 Peter 2:12 AV

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1: Living an honest Life.

This is not just a matter of speaking the truth, but it invloves making an honest living as well. A christian who takes back hand deals, goes off the record, earns a living off greay area’s all this ruins a christians witness.

Open accounts, open internet histories, open cell phones - the chiuld of God has nothing to hide, they have privacy but not fear of bei9ng caught out.

1 Peter 3:2 AV

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

2: A Chaste Lifestyle

Here is a word that bearly gets used nowadays. It means “simple and restrained”.

It is the last thing you think of when you see the lifestyle of TV preachers and megachurch pastors, with their fast cars, big houses and rolex watches.

Now it does not mean poor, it simply means restrained. In Other words, if you have something, dont flaunt it just enjoy it.

If we make the claim that Heaven is our home, then accumulating massive earthly treasures for the sake of just being rich or showing off terribly damages our witness.

Titus 2:7–8 AV

3: Uncorrupted, grave, sincere and sound speech

Did you know that the words that come out of your mouth show the condition of your heart?

Jesus said: our of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks.

So it only makes sense that if you go arpound saying That Jesus is in your heart, it will affect your speech.

Your speech will be uncorrupted.

Ephesians 4:29 AV

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

swearing and foul laungage are not only a sign of limited inteligence but of a corrupted heart as well.

This is true when you are with colleges, friends, but especally with your spouse. And dont make the “i was angry” excuse cause im not buying it.

In 15 years in all our aurgumets me and kim have NEVER sworn at each other or called each other a name.

4: Blameless and Harmless

Did you know that Jesus was harmless?

Isaiah 42:3 AV

3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Harmless is the opposite of hrtful or threatening.

There are people who live their life in a way as to hurt people and who when they get upset threaten people - there is always the threat of retribution.

This is totally ungodly behavior!

Now this does not mean that you never hurt people, because often the truth does hurt. But if you have to hurt someone by speaking the truth you can still do it in a way as not to cause extra hurt.

Ephesians 4:15 AV

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Let me make this as plain as possible: Christians dont threaten. Christians dont bully. EVER!

Jesus commaned as to be as harmmless as doves, but i have many so called christians that stalk around like hungry vultures.

RECAP!

A totally honest and unashamed life with no dark secrets, a life lived in the practive of self control, speech that reflects the glorious nature of God and a a life lived as harmless as a dove.

How id your life as a witness? How is your home? Can people see Jesus at home? Because if they cant see him with you private - then they will never believe you in public.

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