Becoming a True Witness

Intro

Text - John 21.24

John 21:24 NKJV

24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

Background

When John wrote his own version of the story of Jesus he testified to its truthfulness

when he wrote about the crucifixion of Christ, he told of the blood and water than gushed through the side where Jesus was pierced - John 19.33-35

the apostles bore witness to the truthfulness of the story and gospel of Jesus

3 John 12

2 Peter 1.16

John 15.27 - you had been with me from the beginning

The Church was first made up of eye-witnesses - true witnesses!

Acts 3:14–15 NKJV

14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Acts 10:38–39 NKJV

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

The testimony of the apostles were true, because the saw with their own eyes.

The Main Point

The early church was composed of men and women who “witnessed” first-hand the life of Jesus Christ.

How can “our” testimony be true today?

Sermon Points

False Witness

Knowledge of the true story of the Gospel does not make one a “true witness”

some know, but would not tell the true story

some know the story but do not believe the story as true

Case story - the Jewish exorcists, and the 7 sons of Sceva

Acts 19:13–16 NKJV

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

True Witness

The True Witness of has the Witness Himself.

The Holy Spirit was given to bear witness.

John 15:26 NKJV

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

1 John 5:6 NKJV

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

The Holy Spirit is Christ in the believer.

John 14:18 NKJV

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Jesus is the faith and True Witness

Revelation 3:14 NKJV

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

The Holy Spirit empowers the believer for witnessing.

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The True Witness is known by his life of faith

Hebrews 11:1–2 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

NASB - “gained approval”

ESV - received commendation

The True Witness of Jesus Christ is known by his death.

Hebrews 11:13 NKJV

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

you cannot “die in faith” unless you stayed in faith all the way.

true disciples “abide”

John 15:7–8 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

the Holy Spirit was given to “abide”

1 John 2:27 NKJV

27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

1 John 4:13 NKJV

13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

The True Witness is by their confession during their lifetime.

Hebrews 11:13 NKJV

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

John the Beloved’s testimony

Revelation 1:9 NKJV

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

the souls under the altar

Revelation 6:9 NKJV

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

the Tribulation saints

Revelation 12:11 NKJV

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

they did not love their lives to the death

Conclusion

The believer’s “true testimony” becomes a means of his/her victory in times of trouble!