Can I Get a Witness
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Good Morning everyone! It’s a little bit brisk out there in case you haven’t noticed, but thank God we’ve got heat and we’re still able to come together and worship the King!
Let’s pray.
So over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking about what does it take to be a witness.
And I’ve had conversations with some people, and it just seems as though we need to be reminded of what it is to be a witness.
I mean I can recall when I came to Christ it took a year for me to truly understand all that had was going on because realistically before that year had begun I didn’t know anything about Jesus. So through that time Jesus was working on my heart and in my life through the people around me to bring me to the relationship stage in my walk with Christ. And for some it can happen in a moment, for others its going to take time, but I tell you what, the greatest moment in my entire life was the moment I called my youth pastor up at 11 pm and came into a relationship with Jesus.
And when we think witness we generally think 2 different things - witness for Christ or witness of some thing - a crime, watching someone do a good deed, those sort of things - and many of us tend to get these 2 things as separate things.
But I want us to consider today that witnessing for Jesus is really not that different from witnessing an event - because if you’re a believer in Christ and live in a relationship with Him, you should have seen what Christ did for you - you witnessed it first hand, so you already have all of the elements for being a witness. In other words, the qualifications for being a witness is not the gift of evangelism, being the pastor, being a Sunday School teacher - it’s not even being a mature believer. The only qualification for being a witness is being in a relationship with Christ. That’s it. Tada, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you’ve put your trust in Him, you’re qualified.
So now that we’ve got that out of the way, for the rest of our time today what I want us to do is look at why we need to witness and the ways the early church began making disciples.
1. Why should I witness?
I get it, this set of verses may be getting old to look at by now, but what I want us to always do is keep our mindset on the Great Commission. So today what I want us to do is read Matthew 28:19-20 out loud together today - say it with me
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The reason why - because we’re told to make disciples. The very first step in making disciples is telling others about Jesus. Let’s take a look at some other verses that tell us why we should witness:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Go and bear fruit - make disciples
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
To turn people to Jesus, because we have an eternity focused desire for others to know Him.
The reasons are simple enough for everyone here to understand. We want to witness to others because we know what He did for us and we know what the future holds for those that don’t know Him, and we wouldn’t wish that on our worst enemy. Or at least if we understand that those who don’t know Him will spend eternity in purpetual torment - think the worst thing that ever happened to you and multiply that by 1,000.
2. Where do I witness?
How many here like to go door-to door? Not me. Some may, and it’s still an ok thing if you are able to do that sort of thing - approximately 30% of people in a survey are OK with you making a Gospel presentation at their door.
How many here think that just inviting someone to church is an effective method of witnessing? I think we’ve already talked about this one before, but while some will come to a saving relationship with Jesus in the church, this method of witnessing is even less effective than door-to-door.
So where do we witness?
Well, where was Jesus call when He called His disciples to Himself? They were witnesses of Him doing things everywhere He went. Fishermen on the sea shore. Tax collector collecting taxes. Under a tree. On a road to hunt other Christians. Jesus went wherever whenever to call people to Himself.
Let’s look at two occasions where the Gospel was proclaimed by men in scripture and consider these occasions.
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
So in both of these situations we see Philip and Peter in at least a mindset of prayer called by God to go where He calls. And they go. We need to be listening to the Holy Spirit for every opportunity to spread the Gospel.
I think many times we think we’re not adequate enough or people won’t respond or what ever. And you know what - maybe they won’t respond to you, but sometimes you’re just the seed sower and sometimes you’re the harvester.
We were at a revival service where one of the things that was taught was simply when you go our to eat, as your server is bringing you your food or when they ask for your drinks - in either case before you pray to eat - ask the server if there is anything you can pray for them over. You can simply say something like this - “sir or ma’am - or better yet get their name - we pray before every meal, and we’d like to pray for you. Is there anything I/we can pray for you about today?” and just leave it at that. Some may say they’re good or don’t need prayer, but you’d be surprised how many people will tell you something going on in their lives. And follow through -pray for them, you could even pray for them while they are still there.
If you do choose to go this route, I will say this - don’t forget to tip. And tip well - as in appropriately.
You’ve planted a seed at least - and some may just come to Christ right there - in either case, meet people right where they are!
The bottom line is that if God tells you to go, then GO! Quit letting satan get in your head and just GO. God will bless you just for being obedient!
But pastor I don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism. I don’t know how to talk to people.
Here’s a secret - I don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism either. And I am an introvert - as soon as we’re done here I go home and recharge.
There is no secret. There are multiple ways. And I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not going to go door knocking, because I don’t feel effective at that, but I tell you what, there are some here today that can probably go straight door knocking and Jesus will grab ahold of their hearts and not let go.
A couple of weeks ago we had a young man in our office here at the church that was needing physical needs to be met. His partner had left him here, stranded, with no support system in place. And because of the message from last week the church was able to meet his physical needs, and in the process I talked to him and I asked just how much he knew about Jesus and the Church. And in the process I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him to let him know that there is a way to meet his eternal needs and to know the One who is able! Did he pray right then and there to know Jesus? No! But I tell you what, a seed was planted.
We’re not always going to be the harvester. Sometimes we’re the sower, sometimes we’re the waterer, sometimes we’re the fertilizer, but in all cases we’re called to spread the Gospel far and wide!
3. To who do we witness?
And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”
God called both of these men to witness to people who were in extremely high places - high enough that I imagine that they could have been persecuted to the full extent.
We get scared to witness to people who are on a level playing field with us, but these 2 men were called to witness to men that were high up on the ladder that we look at.
Now these are extreme circumstances. And salvation was coming to all people of the day, not just the high officials. The main point here is that God called fisherman to be disciples who made disciples and these men weren’t afraid to follow God wherever He leads from the common people to the high officials we see here. We are called to be His witnesses wherever we go and to share Christ in all we do.
When we witness a live event, or a football pass or touchdown that seems impossible, or when we have something important happen in our lives, we want to share that news with others, and we will without hesitation.
Look, I’ll share information about my truck to anyone. I’ll share about my naval career to anyone. Why shouldn’t I share Jesus at least on par if not more than those!
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
Have we forgotten our first love? Have we elevated those events in our lives to be higher than Jesus, who should be the highest event in our lives?
What was the biggest decision you ever made outside of Christ? I’m here to tell you it pales in comparison to the event where you came to know Jesus relationally!
4. How do we witness?
And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch and met him right where he was and conversed with him. He saw where the man was, met him where he was, and explained what he was reading - and then shared to Gospel of Jesus with him. It was a relational conversation, and it led to the Ethiopian coming to Christ.
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
Peter again, meets them where they are - and he wound up with an audience rather than just the one he thought he was going to see.
Now bear in mind, both of these men were eyewitnesses to the events around them. But Pastor, how do we witness? What’s the secret? And I’m going to give it to you - Know Jesus and tell others about Jesus. You want the best way to witness that I’m aware of? tell them your story. Get to know the person - relationally - and tell your story - It just goes something like this:
You know what has really changed my life? It’s Jesus. See, I used to think that if you were good you’d go to heaven, and if you were bad you’d go to the other place. And in all of that thinking, the thing that always nudged me at the back of my mind was how much good did I have to do, how much bad was too much, and how can I be sure. But then someone told me about Jesus and I went from a hopeless cycle of attempting to earn my way to heaven to a relationship with a loving God who just wants us to give it all to Him. And now I have hope and I know my life is secure in eternity - and it’s freed me from the hopelessness of fear and guilt.
We’re not giving them a sermon, we’re not guilting them into it - and it doesn’t really matter if it’s a perfect story. It’s your witnessed event of what Christ did and it’s the easiest most effective tool most of us have, because let’s be honest - it’s a lot easier to witness to someone something that happened to you than it is for you to tell them about a story that is recited from someone else. Are there key elements? Yes! but it doesn’t have to be worded perfectly because that’s why the Holy Spirit is involved - both in you as you are witnessing to them and in them as they are being witnessed to!
And if you know the Roman’s road great. If you don’t just remember A-B-C.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
A - admit that you’re a sinner. B - believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead. C - Confess Jesus with your mouth.
It’s going to take practice, so my suggestion is write down your testimony and revise your testimony to the extent where you can effectively communicate it at least as well as you can the events of tonight’s game. Practice it in front of a mirror.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Make God number 1, make His will our will, and love those that are around you enough to be eternity minded and want them to know the only one who can change their eternity destination.
And tonight some or many of you will either have people over to your home to watch the game or be at someone’s home to watch the game. And tonight Jesus may just call you to talk to someone and to talk to them about Him.
It’s a challenge, it’s different, and I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that they’re going to accept Jesus. They may not ever come over to your house again, they may not invite you over again. But Jesus isn’t calling you to be the most popular guy or gal in town. It may just be that you’re planting the seed that eventually leads to them coming to a relationship with Christ. And when we focus our minds on an eternal focus, and we focus on the fact that the one Jesus has called us to will be eternally either with Jesus or in eternal torture, we begin to see the larger perspective.
Let’s pray.
God, I pray that we will live for you, because Jesus is Lord and we surrender whatever we hold back to Him. As you keep praying today, I want you to really take a moment and just be really quiet before God and reflect on your walk with Christ. Would you say that you’re connected and faithfully following Jesus? Does that lead to engaging the Word and learning with others? Has that led to any multiplying yet?
We cannot get this wrong. This world has nothing to offer - those people who you’re afraid will scoff, those neighbors who would do you wrong, those who would do you harm for your faith- none of that eternally matters. The only thing that matters is Jesus, and that means we must surrender our pain, our feelings, and our ties to this world - we must surrender it all to Him.
Father I pray that those who have been through trials and have been weakened, Lord I pray that you rekindle their strength - to walk upright, and knowing that you are with them every single step of the way. Father I pray that you would show them the fruit of their labor, and Father I pray that you will give them the vision that it is You we labor for, it is you we show compassion for, it is you we love others for - as your Word tells us
Matthew 25:35–36 ESV For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
And as you remain in prayer recognize this, that Jesus said, 'Not everybody who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of God, but only those who do what the will of my Father is.' He'll say to many, 'You called me Lord, but I didn't know you.'I want to ask you this, are you in a living, loving relationship with God? Maybe you’ve been a churchgoer for years, but you don’t know God personally. Maybe your family were believers or took you to church or you think you’ve got a relationship from family ties - but you still feel like there’s something missing - and that something is a living relationship with Jesus Christ. And there are those of you who recognize that you really don't know God and you want to. Today we're going to call on His name Jesus, the Son of God born in a manger without an earthly father so He didn't inherit the sin nature, so that He could be our Savior, becoming sin on the cross, shedding His blood, dying, and being raised to life so that anyone who calls on His name will be saved. That's why you're here.
If that’s you, if God is calling to you to draw into a relationship with Jesus, answer Him today. If you don’t know how to start, you can simply pray something like this:Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. Lord I believe that you came to free me from the bonds of sin and hell, and Lord I thank you for what only you could do. Lord I choose you, to follow in all that you are and to walk in the Spirit in a relationship with you, and to spend eternity with you. In Jesus name, amen.
Father, thank you again for this body, and Father as you are speaking to those here today, I pray that they will follow you where you lead, that they will become engaged in your word and with other believers, multiplying your love and your disciples as you have called us to do.