Can I get a Witness?

In this month of Black history, I want to take a second to highlight one of the great and sacred traditions that we have in the Black Church. Call and response. This form of rhythmic and most times musical expression finds its roots in the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa where in public affairs and religious rituals one person would make the call and the people would respond. When our ancestors arrived on the shores of America they were stripped almost completely of their heritage but not completely of their culture. We may have lost where we come from but not who we are. They would do call and response in the cotton fields or cutting sugar cane. While carrying a child on her back, and yet still filling her back up with cotton a mother would say, “guide me ova, oh though great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land” and the rest of the enslaved would respond with the tired yet melodic moans of the same words. This tradition was passed down through history to us. Even in the church experience we have call and respond from the pulpit. You know some (do a few end with “can I get a witness”). And the call to ask for a witness is not just so the preacher knows you hear them, but so that you know God hear’s you. That you understand that you have been through some things, that God has brought you out of some things, and you are willing to testify and share with someone else that God has blessed you. The call to be a witness from the preacher echo's the call from God to be a witness for God in the world that has refused to acknowledge God for who God is. Because it’s one thing to be a witness in church and say “amen” to the preachers and your neighbor, its something else entirely to be a witness in a world that hates God and hates you.

God has chosen us to be his witnesses. At our Jobs, in our families, in our schools, in our communities, in our social clubs, in our fraternities and sororities, at the store, at the mall, at the bar, on the court, on the field, in every place God sends you we are God’s chosen servants to be witnesses on his behalf.

God is fed up with Israel. They have sinned and end up in captivity. God wan’ts them to know that “don’t worry, you will have to go into captivity, but I still love you and have plans for you and a future for you. But I need you get get right and understand why I saved you.” I chose you to be my servant as my witness. So, God files a law suit on all the nations. God who is both the Judge and Prosecutor calls the nations together to settle the matter on who just who God is. (Exegete v. 8-9)

Heathen court? blind with eyes, deaf with ears.

1. Character Witness (v.10)

The first type of witness that comes to mind in reading this text is the character witness. This is the witness that knows God personally and can testify about how good he is. Not by way of what God has done but also because of who God is. “You are my witnesses declares the lord, and my servant...” But here is the thrust of the point I want to make, So that”... (as my witness) you may know and believe me” Let us pause there. God says your my witness for the purpose of knowing me believing me and understanding that I am He. You must know God!

It has become a regular occurrence in my life for people to speak to me in public and I don’t know who they are.

And not just know God but believe God. If you really know God you will believe him too. It should already be understood that there is a difference between believing in God and believing God. Billions of people believe in a god or even in our God but the difference between them and a witness is that those who believe God receive from God what is promised.

And If you know God and Believe God you will defend his character. Just like you would wan’t somebody to defend you.

2. Eye Witness (v. 11-12)

The second type of witness we need to be is your favorite, I know. Its the eye witness. Once again God establishes his qualification to enlist us as a witness. That He is the LORD, Yahweh. He is the covenant making and keeping God is Israel. And there is no savior besides me. He is already getting into something, because referring to himself as the only savior lets them know at least one of two things: either I’m going to save you from this captivity, or, God is saying I’ve already saved you from something that creates precedent for further deliverances. I’ll put it real simple; if he did it before he can do it again. “it ain’t no secret what God can do, what he’s done for others he’ll do it for you” So, God says, “it was me who declared and saved and proclaimed” if you go back to verses 1-3 he uses poetic imagery to remind them that you were once slaves in Egypt but I redeemed you and called you, I led you through the water and parted that sea, then after that I led you across the Jordan river.

I have done miracles in your existence so you have seen what I can do. You have seen me predict every aspect of you life, you have seen me fight you battles, you have seen me provide food when you where hungry, you have seen me give water when you were thirsty, you have seen me heal the sick, you have seen me raise the dead, you have seen me do so much, and as my witness you need to tell somebody what you have seen! (Tell somebody....Run)

And when I did it, there was no other god there. So, nobody but God should get the glory.

3. Expert Witness (v. 13)

The last type of witness is the Expert Witness. a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case. In this case God gives us the expertise that qualifies him in his eternal sovereignty. God bottom lines it church, “He says, From eternity I am He” The sovereignty and glory of God begins chronologically in our estimation with his pre-existence. What do I mean? If God didn’t exist before time and space began, he could not create time and space. If God wasn’t before the beginning, than he couldn't be there in the beginning. If God wasn’t God in eternity past, God could not sustain us for eternity evermore.

Then there is a warning of Judgment. “There is none who can deliver out of My hand” When God holds court his verdict will be a verdict justice. God said bring em out. Bring the deaf with ears, and the blind with eyes. Because in the world’s courts you can have eyes that work and not look, and have ears but but ignore the truth.

Just like we saw with this impeachment trial. People with eyes not wanting to see the truth, people with ears not wanted to listen to the truth.

Oh but God says, let them have their little witnesses and see if they can declare what I have. It won’t matter because remember Pharoah? He thought he was getting away with it. He thought he had the power. But when God lays down his verdict there will be no escape for the Pharaohs of the world. And God is asking for someone who is willing to say “I know what my God can do. He is love, he is kind, merciful, but my God is a Judge and he is on his way and the only way to escape this judgment is to make Jesus your choice.” I’m an expert witness because I read in his word....(Run salvation scriptures ending with the cross)

So, I have just one question. Can I get a witness?