Daring To Witness Series

Daring to Witness

Acts 1:8

September 24, 2006

Morning Service

Introduction

The story is told of a barber who wanted to witness about his faith to others. He took a class like Evangelism Explosion and was trained on questions to ask, things that needed to be said to lead people to Christ. One of the questions was: if you died right now would you be ready to meet God? So he began thinking of ways that he could get people to listen to him. Then it occurred to him that when customers were sitting in the barber chair, it was a perfect time to witness. The barber decided the next day he would try his new tactic.

A man came into the barber shop and asked for a shave and a haircut. The barber prepared to shave the man. He put lather on his face and got the razor out. Just before the barber started to shave the man he worked up the courage to start the evangelism plan. The barber turned to the man, razor in hand and asked: if you died right now, would you spend eternity with God?

The man was so scared that he jumped up from the chair and ran out of the barber shop with the lather still on his face.

You are meant to be a witness! Your life is meant to show the work of Jesus in you. You are a living, breathing testimony for Jesus. Your life is a witness to others.

A witness is one who communicates the truth

A witness is someone who by explanation and demonstration gives audible and visible evidence of what he has seen and heard without being deterred by the consequences of his action - Stuart Briscoe

Witnessing is at the core of Christianity. Being a witness means being seen and point to the Truth. It is part of being a follower of Jesus. Can your faith be a priority in your life, if no one knows about it?

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." Acts 1:8

Why most people do not witness?

1.) Lack of knowledge - Don’t know how

The biggest reason that most people do not witness or share their faith is simply that they don’t know how. The church as a whole has done a poor job in preparing people to be contagious about their faith. We have failed to show people how easy it is to share their faith with others. Often, we believe that we have to have the right words, the right plan or the right system. Let me tell you something, there is no one way to share your faith. I believe that we need to approach different people in different ways with the same message.

Your best tool in witnessing is your own personal story. Tell others what God has done for you. Being a witness means that you tell the truth. Before you can even consider yourself a witness for God, you must speak the Truth. How do we do it? Your life is filled with moments that God has helped you and each of those moments can be used to share your faith. Tell others what God has done for you and then share the message of the Gospel. The good news that Jesus died for our sin and that He lives today.

2.) Lack of courage - Don’t have the guts

The second biggest reason that people do not witness is because of fear. There are some people who are simply gutless when it comes to sharing their faith. You don’t witness because of your color. I am not talking about race but the fact that people are just plain yellow. You know what you need to say but when the time comes you back down.

In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering – Howard Hendricks

Fear can rob us of a proper perspective. We can allow fear to paralyze us. We can let fear steal away our potential for God’s Kingdom. If you back down every time that you are afraid to share, you will never do it. The only way to overcome fear is to do that which you are afraid to do.

3.) Lack of concern - Don’t realize the need

Reggie Dabbs served as the emcee for the Promise Keepers conference. One of the things he said stuck with me. When he was talking, he said that all of the men in that stadium were brothers.

The attitude of most Christians today is that of Cain after he murdered Abel. When God asked Cain where Abel was, what did he say – Am I my brother’s keeper? Often, we believe that we have no responsibility to those around us. God has placed you where you are to make an impact for Him.