Witnessing: A Command Or A Choice?

(Transcript Of CD#69)

Let’s open up this Bible study with some questions to make us start to think:

“Agree or disagree” – Witnessing is not merely an activity it’s a way of life?

“Agree or disagree” – Christians don’t do witnessing; they are a witness good or bad?

1.4 million people die each year, that is one person dying every 20 seconds around the clock.

1 million abortion are performed each year in the U.S.

Q. Ask yourself: if others were only as concerned about your soul as you are about theirs, would you be saved at this moment?

Let’s cover a true story that should give us some perspective about the importance of sharing the Gospel.

At the time of the great Chicago fire(1871) that destroyed 4 square miles, the entire city rose in flames. The residences fled for shelter in the waters of Lake Michigan. The flames came closer to the waters edge, but eventually died out there. D.L. Moody found refuge in the chilly water. Near him was a young lady sitting at the waters edge. She had her head in her hands weeping hysterically wailing in uncontrollable sorrow.

Trying to comfort her, he said: “Young lady, young lady! Get a hold of yourself, you are safe now, the fire can’t reach you here. Listen to me young lady you are saved”!

Through her tears the young lady sobbed out this reply: “ yes I am saved, but I did not bring anybody with me”.

Q. Why witness now?

A. John 4:35-38 says, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

36  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

• Ez. 3:18-19 says, “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

19  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

“You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day of your life by the deeds that you do and by the words that you speak forth.”

The people around you read what you “write”: distorted or true? The question is; what is the Gospel according to you?

Q. Do you say to God: why me or use me?

A. Proverbs 11:30 says The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

• Isaiah 6:5-7 says, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.”

When our sin is took away look at the next verse, this should be our response:

• *Isaiah 6:8 says, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

What is Isaiah had said: “Here I am Lord, send someone else” or “Lord, there he is, send him”. “I’ve already done my bit for you God this week, I got up early and interrupted my Sunday morning sleep just to go to church”.

Let’s look at some scripture that show us as Christians we have a command to witness, it’s not a choice! Turn your Bibles to the Old Testament, the book of Psalms.

• *Psalms 145:4 says, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”

We are commanded by God Almighty to tell of His works to those around us. Not just tell (praise in English) but ”shabach” in the Hebrew meaning to address in a loud tone. Our everyday life should shout the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is what is wrong with the world today Christians have lost their witness. Look at the younger generations and see what their testimony.

• *Psalms 145:10-12 says, “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.”

In verse 10 we have different Hebrew word that praise was translated from yadah. Yadah means to use the hands, to worship with extended hands. You and I are God’s creation, one of His works so we should praise Him. We can do this in two obvious ways: one being in our worship time with Him, and secondly with our actions of everyday life. I’m speaking of the work we do with the power of our hands. From verse 12 the English word “known” was translated from the Hebrew word yada. Yada means to know by seeing. This shows it’s our everyday living (see 1 Peter 2:12-15 & Deut. 4:5-6) testimony that people watch. Our everyday “living testimony” is so very powerful and can be without words. In other words it can be a silent witness (see 1 Peter 3:1-4).

Let’s go to another scripture where God is speaking through Isaiah about His church. Turn to the great book of Isaiah now:

• *Isaiah 43:10 says, “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.”

We are to be God Almighty’s witnesses, translated from the Hebrew word ayd meaning a witness, a testimony, and a recorder. This means we are to record in our minds what our Lord has done for us. We don’t do this for Him but rather for us! This builds our faith in Him so He can work even more in our lives. We understand this better by studying the word believe. It was translated from aman in the Hebrew. Aman means to build up or support, to foster as a parent or a nurse, fig. To render firm and faithful. Our Father always builds us up with what we need when we need it. We want others who need a parent, a nurse etc.… to know this about our Great God!

Let’s go to the New Testament for some witnessing scripture. Please turn to the book of 1 Peter.

• *1Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

As Christians we are to sanctify (make holy) the Lord God in our hearts. In other words we are to put the Lord just where He belongs, first in our life. When God Almighty has the proper place in our life we are led by His Holy Spirit. With His leading we can witness at the proper time.

Q. How are we to witness to those around us?

A. In meekness and fear, we are to be mild in our attitudes and our words. Speaking with emphasis on reverence and respect to our Lord God Almighty.

We are to always be ready or from the Greek fit or fitness.

Q. What makes you fit or prepared to do something?

A. EXERCISE! The more we exercise the more fit we become in our lives. I’m not just speaking of the physical but of the mental awareness to follow the Lord and witness.

EXERCISE YOUR TESTIMONY!

EXERCISE THE WORD IN YOUR LIFE!

EXERCISE YOUR FAITH!

Repetitions build strength that leads to endurance in the trials of this life. We cannot make it through tomorrow without preparing today.

If we are truly in remembrance of where our Lord brought us from then we’ll witness. Just think where we’d be if someone had not witnessed to us, LOST! We must be so grateful and full of joy we want others to have this forgiveness.

Turn to Mark5:1-17 and please study this man who was possessed by evil spirits. This man was called legion for the number of evil spirits perhaps. A Roman legion consisted of about 6,000 thousand men. Needless to say our Lord had mercy on the man and healed him. Let’s look at the man’s attitude after the Lord had mercy on him.

• *Mark 5:18-19 says, “And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Jesus Christ told the man to witness in detail to his own people. Tell them just where you were and where the Lord has put you now!

• *Mark 5:20 says, “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

This man was obedient to the One who gave him life again. This man became a preacher of the Gospel unto a 10 city region. The word publish was translated from the Greek word kerusso. Kerusso means to herald as a public crier, the divine truth, the Gospel, a preacher. Don’t you find it interesting that this man witnessed in Decapolis. Deca means 10, and 10 in Biblical numbers means testimony, law. God’s Word is so perfect.

Q. Do we always tell people what things Jesus has done for us personally?

Q. When you think about speaking of Christ to others, how do you react?

A._ I find it difficult to speak of such a personal matter.

_ I do not speak unless someone asks me.

_ I find it easy to talk to my friends about Christ, but not people I don’t know.

_ I find it easy to talk to strangers about Christ but not close friends or family members.

_ I often talk to people about Christ and enjoy the time.

Q. How do you think Peter and John would have answered that question?

A. Acts 4:20 says For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

One of the main concerns from Christians; I have noticed is fear of not knowing an answer to a question. Fear in reality is faith in reverse. Fear is placing more faith in the lies and threats of the devil than in the promises of God Almighty your Father! We are flesh and blood and we can’t know everything. We will make mistakes and fall short but we can only try our best. When we try our best God counts it good enough. It may not be in man’s eyes but it is where it counts. We can’t tell someone something we don’t know. Just start with Jesus Christ as your Savior. Tell people about the saving Grace of God and you can’t go wrong. For documentation see next verse:

• *1 John 1:3 says, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

The key word here is seen, it means to discern clearly. This is a saying that means to tell people what “your experiences are in Christ Jesus”! Don’t get in over your head just tell what’s in your heart.

Q. Why should we tell others about Jesus?

A. Jesus Christ is our mediator, the go between for us with our Father. See the following:

• 1 Tim. 2:5-6 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

Let’s look at another example from God’s Word at how important it is for us to witness. Turn to the book of John please; we are going to cover the full thought here:

• *John 1:29 says, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
• *John 1:30 says, “This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
• *John 1:31 says, “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”

Q. What does Israel mean translated instead of just transliterated?

A. He will rule as God. If the Lord is going to be manifested in our lives, we must let Him rule and reign in our lives! When we call Jesus Christ Lord it’s more than just a title. The name Lord is translated from the Greek word kurios. Kurios means supremacy, to be supreme in authority. We must submit ourselves to the One who has all authority.

• *John 1:32 says, “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him.”

This word abode should be translated “to stay”. These words “bare record” is translated from the Greek word marturoe, meaning once again: to be a witness, i.e. to testify.

Q. What is our testimony saying to all of those in our world?

• *John 1:33 says, “And I knew Him not; but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon Whom thou shalt see the spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist tells only what he knows personally, no second had stuff here. In our court of law hearsay is inadmissible evidence.

Q. Can we testify in the Lord’s courtroom?

• *John 1:34 says, “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

John could offer this first hand testimony because he had experienced this himself.

• *John 1:35-36 says, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”

Noticed here that it states John stood. John was making a stand for what the Lord God had revealed to him. This is another important point for us to follow.

I love this part here; as Jesus “walked” and John stated: Behold the Lamb of God!

Q. What can those around you tell by your walk?

The disciples are not mentioned specifically being there the first day of John’s testimony. More than likely they were there with John as he taught the Pharisees and the people. So we see how important it is for us to plant seeds by our testimony when our Lord directs. The disciples did not receive his testimony the first time. Let’s see if they did the second time:

• *John 1:37 says, “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”

John testified here once again and this time the disciples truly heard. We can’t give up the first time our testimony falls on dry ground. Wait for the Holy Sprit to give you the unction again and to prepare their heart and testify again. This word “followed” from the Greek means to be in the same way with. We know from John 14:6 that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. They heard John’s testimony and are on the “way” to eternal life.

• *John 1:38 says, “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou?”

They called Jesus Christ Master meaning their instructor, and teacher. Too many times we take instruction from the wrong places. Don’t you find it interesting that they wanted to know where Jesus stayed.

• *John 1:39 says, “He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”

Our home is one of our biggest testimonies that people see. Ask yourself: what do people see from my home? The #10 in Biblical numbers means law or testimony, speaking of the tenth hour.

• *John 1:40 says, “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.”

If we fully translate the name John it means “God’s gift”. Praise God for the gift that brought forth the knowledge of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. In like manner Andrew means “manly”, Simon means “hearing” and Peter means “a piece of the Rock”.

• *John 1:41 says, “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”

The word first here was translated from protos meaning here foremost in order or importance. After Andrew (manly) received from John (God’s gift) the knowledge of who Christ was the first thing on his mind was to witness! Andrew wanted to share the Good News with someone else that he loved: his brother. God is love and when we accept Jesus Christ as Savior that love fills our heart.

Hold your place in the first and turn to:

• *John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; “as” I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, “if” ye have love one to another.”

As we have done fore stated the Lord Jesus Christ said He loved us and then He showed that love with action! As His disciples we are to emulate our Teacher.

Go back to the first chapter please:

• *John 1:42 says, “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”

This word brought was translated from ago meaning to lead. Andrew had received knowledge of the Lord and the first thing on his mind was to lead, lead his brother to Jesus Christ. Andrew was motivated by love, which caused him to witness. Think about all that Peter did after he came to the Lord Jesus Christ. Andrew’s witness made all of that possible. Just think how things could have been so different if Andrew had kept silent.

Let’s keep on following the disciple’s example here:

• *John 1:43-44 says, “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.”

Here we have Christ going out into Galilee (the heathen circle) and finding Philip. Here is another example for us just go to one and start there. Once again don’t get in over your head, just be faithful. Don’t you find it interesting these were from Bethsaida? Bethsaida fully translated means “fishing house”. This makes me think of when Christ told these fishermen that He would make them “fishers of men”, more on this later in the study.

• *John 1:45-46 says, “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”

Philip goes to Nathanael with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Philip tells Nathanael about the Lord and immediately Nathanael finds fault with the testimony.

Q. Sound familiar?

A. Sure it does, the same thing happens to us. We tell someone about Jesus Christ and they start talking about hypocrites in the church. Can any good thing come out of that church? Understand where I’m coming from? Look what Philip says, come and see.

Come and see, come and see for yourself! Don’t listen to hearsay, gossip, the opinion of others, come and see for yourself!!! We are human and we will always fall short but our Lord will not! Tell them to come and look for themselves and then they will know the truth and the TRUTH will set them free.

Let’s see what happened:

• *John 1:47-49 says, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold and Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile(deceit).Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence thou knowest me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

Praise the Lord for this teaching example here for us! Nathanael was given the chance to come and see if the Lord was real. After he had come to the Lord, heard the Lord’s words he believed in the heart and confessed with the mouth (see Romans 10:10).

Let’s go ahead look farther at the examples of these disciples. As promised we are going to deal with the fishers of men mentioned earlier in this study. Keep in mind that we are insufficient to witness. We must have the Lord’s guidance and direction in order for us to be productive, fruitful.

Turn to the Gospel of Luke please:

• *Luke 5:1-3 says, “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the Word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.”

Q. All that we have, all that we are belongs to our Lord, He owns all (Psalms 24:1 & 1Cor 10:26). The question is if He asks to use our possessions, to use us , how will we respond?

A. We have freewill in this life but it’s so very temporal and lacking.

• *Luke 5:4 says, “Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

In your home study time look at how backward this would have seemed to Simon. These men were professional fishermen, this is how they made a living. Simon’s knowledge taught him there was no way in the daytime that they could catch any fish by casting into the deep.

Please keep in mind here we are speaking of witnessing, of fishing for men. This will become more clear as we move along in the next few verses.

Q. Are you willing to listen to our Lord even if it seems contrary to the norm?

• *Luke 5:5 says, “And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have  taken nothing: nevertheless at thy Word I will let down the net.”

Simon says Master we have worked hard all the night and have not caught even one fish. You and I must follow Peter’s example and be obedient to the Lord’s Word and let it bring light. When we love the Lord enough to be obedient He will see that we are fruitful.

• *Luke 5:6-7 says, “And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they begin to sink.”

Here we see what can happen when we listen to our Lord and act with obedience. The head knowledge told them it was impossible but the heart knowledge of faith allowed our Lord to work. Go is no respecter of persons and if we have a true and obedient heart He will bless our work for Him! If we have the faith there is no telling what God Almighty will do through His willing servants.

• *Luke 5:8-11 says, “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had take: And so was also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook (lay aside) all, and followed Him.”

You and I have been called into the Great Commission and need to follow all of these examples. Sure when we come into the power of the Lord we like Peter see ourselves in reality.

You realize don’t you, that we are in a war. There is no in between you are either on God’s side or Satan’s! This word catch is translated from zogreo. Zogreo means to take alive, make a prisoner of war. We must not give any ground to the enemy only take! There is nothing more important than you and I doing our part to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation. Let’s end this study with some scripture showing that fact:

• *John 14:15 says, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”
• *John 20:21 says, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.”
• *Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

I pray that you will consider these verses of scripture and lay to your heart. I want to encourage you just to be as faithful to the Lord as He is to you. Don’t look around you to see if you are doing well look to Him, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we have helped you please write us, we need to hear from you. You must know what joy it brings us when you write this ministry.

GAP Ministries

 

REMEMBER GOD’S WORD WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!