Expert Witnesses For Christ

Turn Your Bibles to Matthew 4:18-20

Title: Expert Witnesses for Christ

Theme: Telling People about Jesus Christ:

Introduction: In a court of law, an expert witness is one who is recognized by others in their field as an expert. According to the law this expert is able to appear before a court of law and is able to justify his or her professional opinion under cross-examination.

An expert witness for Jesus Christ is able to appear before the court of the world and is “Always …prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask [him] for the reason for the hope that [he] has.” (1 Peter 3:15) Because of his preparedness he is able to give gentle answers out of respect, with a clear conscience, so that those who speak about him maliciously are put to shame because of his behavior. (1 Peter 3:16) Such an expert is prepared in season and out of season and he can give careful instructions on what he believes with great patience. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Those who are lost and bound by the flesh, the world and Satan are the ones who need to hear the testimony of a Christian who is an expert witness for Jesus Christ.

Proposition: I would propose to you that all who claim to be a Christian are witnesses. Some are bad and some are good and there are those who are experts.

Interrogative Sentences: Just how do we become an expert in witnessing about Christ? In what ways can we tell about Jesus? Remember when Christ was lifted up on the Cross and then raised from the grave and ascended into heaven He won victory over sin and death and gave a promise of His return. All men will stand before a court, either the Judgment Seat of Christ or the White Throne Judgment. Every child of God stands before the court of those who live in this world. What does the witness of your life say?

Why should we witness about Christ? Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32) (Thru the Bible; The Expositors Bible Commentary;

His death paved the only way for mankind to escape the judgment of God, therefore, Christians are called to bare witness to the saving grace found in Jesus Christ and to testify of His wonderful works especially His work on the Cross. (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Our key text holds a truth that is for all who will but surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Listen as I read Matthew 4:18-20, “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19)

Transitional Sentence: The first step to being an expert witness for Jesus Christ is to have a heart that is willing to respond when Jesus says “Come and follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19)

There are many expressions for “follow Me” in classical Greek. A true follower of Jesus Christ does not just hear His words and understand His life. He actually becomes a trainee in a sense, thus, striving to live out the Lord’s instructions in every part of his life. (The Expositors Bible Commentary)

Following Jesus, as it is understood from the whole of Scripture dose not give the thought of following Him from place to place. The disciple of Christ who follows Jesus has an immediate detachment from that present sphere of his interest to an attachment to Jesus as guide, friend and Lord. (The Pulpit Commentary) He seeks the Lord’s will, personally finding instructions on how to use his Spiritual gifts, God-given talents and resources in a way that will lift up the name and life of Jesus Christ for all to see.

Jesus used a term “follow Me” to Peter and Andrew in John 1:35-42. “Follow” (akoloutheo) meaning to be a companion or expressing a like-ness of Christ. (Vines New Testament Words) It means to cleave, to be united with Him, to be in close union with and to be conformed by His continued influence. (Practical Word Studies of the New Testament) This is an individual calling involving an abiding fellowship, not only for the sake of learning as a scholar from Jesus as Teacher (Matthew 8:19), but for the salvation of ones soul. This involves having a complete trust in and obedience to Jesus Christ. This cleaving comes as the results of allowing Him to lead in every part of a Christian’s life. (John 8:12;10:4,5,27)

Jesus teaches that a follower of His lives a life of self-denial and takes up his cross daily. (Matthew 10:38 Mark 8:34; John 12:26) Following Jesus denotes a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing His sufferings not just inwardly but outwardly if necessary. (Matthew 9:9,19,27) Such an outward fellowship with Jesus can only continue through spiritual fellowship with the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit.