A Living Witness
Acts 1:8
Series: Spring Life
March 25, 2007
Material in this message was adapted from the SpringLife materials distributed by the Wesleyan Church genral Headquarters
Introduction
In one of the many Peanuts animated specials Charlie Brown seeks advice from Lucy’s psychiatry booth. He drops his nickel into the jar and proceeds to tell Lucy his problem. Lucy asks Charlie Brown about his fears and then proceeds to list them off one by one. After each fear or psychosis Charlie Brown says that that one doesn’t seem to address his situation. Finally Lucy gives him the fear of everything. Charlie Brown screams: “THAT’S IT!”
What are some of things that you are afraid of?
Fear of heights
Fear of talking in front of people
Fear of snakes
Fear of closed in spaces
When you hear the word evangelism do you get nervous? Be honest now. There are some legitimate things to be nervous about especially if you’re not an outgoing person. Most of the time we get nervous because we have the wrong mental impression or the wrong idea of what evangelism actually is.
What do you think of when you think about evangelism?
Someone screaming to convince people to either turn or burn
People going around the neighborhoods and knocking on doors
Somebody forcing people to take leaflets or flyers
Evangelism is not really any of those things. Those are methods and evangelism is about the timeless message of Jesus. Evangelism flows out of a heart for people and a heart for Christ’s Kingdom. Evangelism flows out of having a proper focus on the reality of heaven.
With that in mind, let me ask you an important question: what is heaven going to be like? There are three important realities about heaven that we need to keep in mind when we witness.
1.) Heaven will be filled with the presence of God
It may sound a bit cliché but heaven is where God is. The fullness of His divine presence dwells in heaven.
2.) Heaven is filled with the power of God
Heaven is the place of the divine display of God’s matchless power. We will see the magnitude of God’s might.
3.) Heaven is filled with the people of God
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
When John has his revelation of heaven, notice that it is filled with so many people that no one could possibly count them all. The truth is that heaven is filled with the people of God. This is the promise of eternal life that Jesus gives.
I cannot imagine how awesome heaven will be. Can you imagine what it will be like to just be in heaven? How would you feel seeing people in heaven because you helped them discover a relationship with Christ?
This is our motivation to share our spiritual journey with others. This is the motivation to be the witnesses that Jesus wants and needs us to be.
I want to look at one of the most pivotal verses about the topic of witnessing. If you have your Bibles, open them to Acts 1:8
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."
One of the reasons that I believe this is one of the most pivotal verses about witnessing is because of it’s timing in the ministry of Jesus. As Luke records this for us, he makes one thing abundantly clear. When Jesus says this to the disciples, it is His last day on earth with them. Jesus lays out a bold and dynamic vision for changing the world.
1. The people of Christ’s vision
The first area of Christ’s vision involves people. Notice what He tells the disciples before anything else - you. Jesus makes it clear that they will carry out the vision and make it a reality. Jesus was telling them that they would be the ones to carry on the work of the Kingdom. They were going to be the people who would complete His vision in the world.
Has anything changed from that day until now? Absolutely not
As believers, we have a continued mission to complete. Your work is only done when you die or when Jesus comes back. Our mission to catch the vision of Jesus and carry on its work until it is completed.
2. The power behind Christ’s vision
The source of power to accomplish the vision of Christ is the Holy Spirit. There is no way to accomplish the work of Christ without the Holy Spirit.
Christ reveals the power of the Holy Spirit because the Spirit was His partner in ministry. Just think about what the Spirit did in the life of Jesus.
• Pre-birth: The Spirit conceives Jesus in the womb
• Pre-ministry: The spirit protects and anoints Jesus like a dove
• Ministry: The Spirit gives Jesus the power He needs to live a sinless life
• Post- death: The Spirit raises Jesus from the dead
Jesus promises the disciples something extremely special
1. The presence of God within them
2. The person of God with them
3. The power of God through them
3. The philosophy of Christ’s vision
You will be my witnesses
A witness is one who gives testimony based on what they know. This is from either experience or eyewitness account. This is not hearsay, rumor what someone else saw or experienced but what the witness has experienced.
What have you experienced with or through Christ?
Salvation
Deliverance
Divine presence
Jesus tells the disciples that they will be His witnesses. This means several things.
Knowledge of the Truth: The word witness comes from an Old English word wit which means to know. This is not what I think but instead what I know. We know the Truth and the Truth sets us free.
Deeds not just words: A witness is more than just a verbal testimony but also by our actions. We show Christ by our actions and we tell of Him through our words.
Supreme Loyalty: The Greek word for witness is matures. This is the same root for our English word martyr. We are called to be loyal no matter the cost.
4. The plan of Christ’s vision
This means that we cannot sit around and keep the message of Jesus to ourselves. We have to go out and share the knowledge with others. This has been a problem for the church as a whole because we have become content with being keepers of the aquarium rather than fishers of men.
Jesus told the disciples that they would need to go spread the news of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. There are some principles that I believe we can take from this and apply to Mt. Orab.
Jerusalem: This is your community or your neighborhood
Judea: This is your region or state
Samaria: This is your nation or country
Ends of the earth: This is an impact on the entire world.
We must start where we are and move forward. Going to those who are around us and then moving on to make an impact elsewhere.
Three Key Things to Remember
1. Realize that everyone has some degree of fear
99% of Christians have some level of hesitation when it comes to evangelism. There is a certain degree of fear in telling non Christians about our faith.
The problem stems from two key concerns:
1.) Lack of knowledge about Christian beliefs
It would surprise you how many people go to church and even
2.) Lack of knowledge about evangelism
Many times people do not know where to begin in discussing matters of faith
2. Just start by loving people
Throughout the gospels, Jesus shows us the power of loving people. Jesus made a habit of showing love, especially to those who were outcasts in society. Love is one of the benchmarks of the Christian faith. Jesus told the disciples that the world would know them because of their love.
The simple truth of this is seen in the nature of the church itself. Christ loves the world through His people. We are a living witness to the love and power of Jesus. He uses us to display His divine love to a lost and dying world. We change the world one life at a time and love them into the Kingdom of God. It’s that simple.
3. Be open for opportunities to have spiritual conversations
Life is filled with divine appointments if we are sensitive to God’s leading. God will set up opportunities for you to speak with those around you about issues of faith.
Spiritual conversations are simple. Just speak about what your life was like without Christ and then tell about the difference that Christ has made for you. Witnessing is simply sharing what you have experienced with Christ.
