Isaiah 43:8-13
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. [9] Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. [10] Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. [11] I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. [12] I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.
Definition of a witness
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.
Isaiah was warning Juda of Approaching judgment because of
1) Moral Depravity
2) Political Corruption
3) Social Injustice
4) Spiritual Idolatry
God Is fed up. In the Selected verses He is ready ....TO CALL THEIR BLUFF.
He Tells them, “To bring out the blind who have eye’s, and the deaf who have ears.” Now He’s not talking about those who have a disability. No..... He’s talking about those who have “HEARD” the Word, But.....wasn’t listening. and saw the miracles, But couldn’t see HIM.
They had made the decision, (That even though GOD, had Delivered their forefathers from pharaoh, Even though Jehovah Jireh , fed their forefathers Manna from Heaven, every morning during there Exodus in the wilderness, and had supplied all there needs according to HIS riches and glory. ) They made a decision to Worship other gods. Idols, false gods. Not the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not the one who saved them, protected them, made the death angel pass over them....THEY CHOSE A LIE.... OVER THE REAL THING. Now I don’t know about you, but....in my bible, the first command GOD gave to Moses was “Thou shalt have no other GOD before me” (Exodus 20:3) And today, we have the same problem, GOD’S Chosen People, Those whom he loves, and chastens much. They have made Idol’s, and are worshiping them...Money....JOB.......BASKETBALL PLAYERS....
Now The definition of an Idols is..
1) a. An image used as an object of worship.
b. A false god
2) One that is adored, often blindly or excessively
3) Something visible, but with out substance
In Acts 1:8 Jesus gave us a mandate for how and were to witness
You must have received the Holy Ghost.
You must see and realize what he has done for you.
Jerusalem (HOME)
JUDEA (NEIGHBORHOOD)
SAMARIA ( THE PLACES YOU THINK YOUR TO GOOD FOR)
ENDS OF THE EARTH (EVERYWHERE IN-BETWEEN)
The Marks of a Witness
A witness must have a first-hand experience of Christ. Hearsay is not acceptable in a court of law, nor in the court of this world’s opinion. People will listen only to what we have personally seen and heard.
A witness must be able to express himself verbally. We may witness effectively through our lives, our work, our relationships, our attitudes, our suffering and even our death, yet we must still “be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you.” We must do so “ with gentleness and respect,” and with the integrity of our lives demonstrating the truth of our words.
A witness will have confidence in the power of GOD. He relies on the power of the message of Christ and HIM crucified, and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. He knows that GOD can break through any defenses, and change any heart. This confidence will not be brash, but humble and sensitive, marked by much prayer. He knows that without GOD he can do nothing, but with GOD all things are Possible.
A witness will have compassion on the spiritually lost. He will care for them as individuals who matter deeply to GOD: made in HIS Image, redeemed by his SON, and to be indwelt by his SPIRIT.
A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they’re in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But How? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the unbelieving world is made up of a variety of people: young, old, rich, poor, educated, uneducated, urban, rural, with different race, personalities, values, politics, and religious backgrounds. It’s going to take more than one style of evangelism to reach such a diverse population!
So what is your style?
1) Confrontational? (Acts 2) Repent and be baptized, save yourselves from this corrupt generation.
2) Intellectual? (Acts 17) Paul debated with the philosophers on Mars Hill to convince them.
3) Testimonial? (John 9) One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!
4) Relational? (Mark 5) Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.
5) Invitational? (John 4) The Samaritan woman at the well begged the people of the city to come and hear Jesus for themselves.
6) Serving? (Acts 9) Dorcas impacted her city by doing deeds of kindness. Don’t ever think you’re a second class Christian because you don’t proclaim Christ like Peter or Paul. Discover your own method. Then get out of your chair and use it, for the Glory of God. Live by faith, not fear!!!
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