Our Christian Witness

Introduction

A long time ago I was given a subpoena as a witness in an assault trial. There was a rather rough family that hung out in the bar I worked at. One night one of the brothers got upset with the DJ and charged the DJ stand attacking him. The rest of the family jumped in and chaos ensued. The police and ambulance were called and the family, three brothers and their father were all arrested.

Fast forward a couple of months and here I was standing in a hall outside the courtroom getting ready to testify to what I had seen. I was terrified to say the least. These guys were known to hold a grudge and I was afraid of what they would do to those of us who testified against them. But I did it. They called my name, I walked up the isle of the court room, sat down and took my oath. I recounted all that I had seen and been involved in during that bar fight.

I believe the brothers were sentenced to some time in jail and the one who initiated the fight was given the most time. Shortly after that happened God made a way for all of our safety who testified and there were never any repercussions. But for a time I was scared.

When we are called to be a witness to something it generally comes with a sacrifice. For me in that situation the sacrifice was my safety and piece of mind. All who believe in Christ are called to be witnesses for him, so what does it mean for us to be witnesses and what are our sacrifice?

What is a Witness

As believers we are all instructed to be Christ’s witnesses here on earth

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Some are called to go and spread the Gospel

(Matt 28.19). Some are called to spread the Gospel “as they are going.”

aorist, passive, participle of πορευθέντες

More on that in a min.

Witness (μάρτυρες) is a legal term

It means literally one who testifies in legal matters

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament B. Use of μάρτυς, μαρτυρέω, μαρτυρία, μαρτύριον in non-biblical Greek.

The proper sphere of μάρτυς is the legal, where it denotes one who can and does speak from personal experience about actions in which he took part and which happened to him, or about persons and relations known to him. He may be a witness at a trial, or, in legal transactions of different kinds, a solemn witness in the most varied connections

Early on in Greek it became synonymous with telling about the pantheon of Greek gods

But it also means one who testifies even if it costs them their life = martyr

What is a witness?

combine πορευθένtες + μάρτυρες

our lives are changed so much, we die to our old self (Col 3.5) and we put on our lives with Christ (Col 3.1-2), that we testify to God by the lives we lead as we are going.

This is not necessarily a call to go out into the world, but a call to teach people about God in our current spheres.

As we go about our daily lives we show people who God is.

What Hurts our Witness

Earthly Nature (Col 3.5-9)

Paul often contrasts earthly things and spiritual things

Sometimes calls them desires of the flesh or Spirit

Here it’s earthly nature and heavenly nature

Idolatry, self gratifying actions (vs.5)

sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed

These are actions that place self above others

These are actions that place self above God

They make the self most important, not God = idolatry

Harmful actions, actions that hurt others (vs. 8-9)

anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying to one another.

These actions are meant to hurt other people

They are in direct opposition to the love of God

When we engage in any of these actions we look more like the world and less like those who are set apart for God

What Strengthens Our Witness

We strengthen our witness by being more Christ like (Col. 3.12-17)

Treat other people well (vs. 12)

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience

Care for other people (vs. 13)

bear with each other, forgive each other

Peace should be our first goal (vs.15)

treat each other with respect

do not seek to hurt one another

Do not try to undermine each other

Teach the truth (vs.16)

Teach the full message of Christ, not only part of it

Help brothers or sisters that have slid away from Christ

using psalms, hymns, and songs

Do everything you do for God

No matter what your task do it as if you were working for the glory of God

Conclusion

As believers we are called to be God’s witness here on earth and we do it through much more than our words, we witness to the power of God with every fiber of our being. So allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Put aside the old, and clothe yourself with Jesus Christ. Be the perfect witness God has called you to be. Let us pray.