The Command to Witness

The Sunday School lesson for November 10 is Witness - Believers must share their faith story with others. Yes, it’s a MUST - because of the Great Commission!

Matthew 28:18-20 NIRV - Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”

Mark 16:15 NIRV - He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.

This is something Jesus TELLS us to do - it’s not an option. All my life I have heard “you can talk about anything - BUT - don’t talk about politics or religion.” I now disagree with this statement. You shouldn’t force them, but the other person or people are willing, then feel free to be loving and diplomatic while you share your Biblical world view!

I recently had someone on social media tell me, ‘keep your religion out of politics.’ I respectfully disagreed with him and said that everyone has a right to vote their beliefs, whether it’s religion, secular or whatever. I explained that as a Christian and disciple of Christ, my worldview is shaped that way and when I vote I am going to vote for people that support my worldview. I told him I would expect him to do nothing less as well.

And remember, as you have heard me say so many times, when you commit to Jesus it is not a part time thing. Either He is Lord of all or He is not - there there is no middle ground. All includes how you talk to and treat others as well as how you choose to vote, volunteer, etc.

Not every conversation is a mini-sermon, but I stay open to share. If they don’t want to talk about it, fine, but it won’t be because I ignored it - it will be because they don’t want to hear it. That makes it THEIR decision and I’m not making it for them. Similarly, we’re called to live our witness openly.

Navigating Faith Conversations

The writer says, “when we share our faith stories, we are witnesses for Christ. What we say, how we say it, and the character of the person saying it combine to produce credibility.” Let’s break that down…

What we say - first of all, it should always be the truth! Remember, if you love someone you’ll tell them the truth, even if it’s not what they want to hear. If you just want to avoid an argument you’ll agree with whatever they say. That is not ‘truth.’

How we say it - it should always - ALWAYS - be with love. When I witness, I will ask them how many lies they’ve told, have their ever taken something that is not their own, looked on another with lust… This gets them to judge themselves and I’m not judging them, but at the same time I’m sharing the truth about the condition of their eternal soul.

Character of the person - I recently pointed out the passage about ‘sawdust’ or ‘a speck’ in your eye. To reiterate, how can I effectively help someone else with a sin problem when I suffer from the same. Or worse…

Matthew 7:3-5 NIRV - “You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend’s eye. But you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye. How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye’? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye? You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend’s eye.

Witnessing Through Everyday Actions

The passage next referenced is Acts 21:17-23:35. To paraphrase, Paul was falsely accused of teaching Jews to ignore their heritage and the mob attacked Paul. Paul identified himself as a Roman citizen and was able to speak on his own behalf. Rather than just declare that he was innocent and should be left alone, he turned it into a witness!

We should always strive to do this! If someone asks why you are doing something, give God the credit!

Buy a homeless person a meal? If they ask why, don’t say, “it’s the right thing to do” or “I wanted to help” or even “I was raised that way.” Say this - I am a disciple of Christ and He wanted me to.

Now they may NOT respond in a good way. They may even be under demonic influence and respond in a negative way or even lash out. But regardless, you are giving God the glory and planting a seed.

Are you being gentle or kind to someone? Say someone asks you why you are so easy to get along with. Don’t take the credit - say “because I have the Holy Spirit in me. God forgave me of so much - why should I treat anyone else bad?”

Of course use your own words in this. Not only will it be a witness and hopefully open a door, but it will be a reminder to you as well. As you hear yourself giving God and Jesus the credit, you are actually going against the internal evil - the sin nature - that you and I were born with.

Recognizing God’s Call for You

I want to share this part of the account.

Acts 22:6-9 NIRV - “I had almost reached Damascus. About noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice speak to me. ‘Saul! Saul!’ it said. ‘Why are you opposing me?’ “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,’ he replied. ‘I am the one you are opposing.’ The light was seen by my companions. But they didn’t understand the voice of the one speaking to me.

I wanted to point this out specifically because you may be reading or listening and have never heard this particular passage. Paul was blinded by the light from Jesus. Others there saw the light - the Glory of the Lord - and heard a voice, but weren’t blinded nor did they understand the voice. Why not? Because they were not the ones Jesus was talking to.

Let this also be a lesson to us in this way. God calls different people to different roles in the Body. Some He calls to lead as a pastor; others to evangelize; others to write a blog; others to tend to the elderly… The list goes on and on. Make sure of your PERSONAL calling. you may desire to do one thing but God is calling you to something else.

Or you may see someone else doing something that you’d really like to do and wish that God would let you do that. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do more for God, but remember that God has a role for YOU! That is your job and He wants you to do it.

A Challenge

Has it been a while since you sought God’s will in your life? Reach out to Him now. Open your heart and your mind to Him; to the Holy Spirit. I’m reminded of the song Jesus Use Me. Now that this is also an audio podcast I can share it.

The first time I asked God to actually tell me what He wanted me to do, it was while the Barnetts were singing this song. I went to the altar at the old Holy Hills Baptist Church building in Dyersburg and prayed. And I did NOT give God a multiple choice set of answers. What I did NOT do was say, “do you want me to do this thing I’m good at? Or that thing I wouldn’t mind doing?”

What I DID say was very simple - Jesus use me - tell me what you want me to do. Take my life, my breath, my energy - everything about me - and put me where you want me to be. Even if it’s to go to another country as a missionary, you tell me and that’s what I’ll do.

Now did I WANT to go off like that? Not at all, but I was so much more concerned with what Jesus wanted me to do that I didn’t hesitate to ask, even knowing that could have been the answer.

I also didn’t go to the altar as a show or so others could see me. As far as I was concerned, it was just me and Jesus. I was submitting my will to Him and didn’t care who else was around. Now I realize that other Christians were praying for me, just as I pray for others during an invitation time. And just as I am praying for YOU now.

Lord, if anyone is reading or hearing this and needs to ask YOU what to do, I pray that you will bind satan and the fallen ones and let that person have the strength to turn to You right now. I pray that you will hear their question and give a clear answer to that person. And I thank you for using me in this process and I give you Lord all the glory. In the name of Jesus Christ - Amen.

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Called to Witness: Living the Great Commission