Lesson 11 – Called to Be Witnesses

 

Lesson
11

 Called to Be Witnesses

The first 6 lessons that we have studied were designed to give us a better understanding of the effects of the fall of Adam, and of God’s remedy to restore fallen humanity to a place of justification and regeneration. Then, having been born again of the water and of the Spirit, we learned that we had become citizens of the kingdom of God and members of the body of Christ. In our last 4 lessons we discovered who we are in Christ and that we must be totally committed to that new identity. Next, we learned that we must build a close relationship with Jesus, and finally we learned about defending ourselves against the wiles of the devil, as well as using our God-given offensive weapon –the word of God to put to flight our enemies.

In today’s lesson, we are going to see what we can learn from scripture about the highest calling of every Christian.The last words Jesus spoke before He ascended to heaven were the following:

 Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  

Our personal testimony is the divinely ordained method of reaching lost men and women. We need to understand that it is not only licensed ministers that have been called to preach the  gospel message, all Christians are called to be witnesses and part of our witness should include declaring the gospel message.

Jesus Christ wants every true disciple to use the “one on one”, or “face to face” method of telling others about believing and obeying the gospel message, and about what happened to us when we believed and obeyed the gospel.

What It Means to Be a Witness for Christ

Being a witness for Christ means exactly what it says – being a witness! If you are ever called to  be a witness in a court trial, all you are expected to do is to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  It doesn’t mean that we have to be defense lawyers, prosecutors, judge or jury – we are expected only to tell the truth about something we have come to know which has a direct bearing on the possible outcome of the case; but we are not personally responsible for the final verdict! That’s the way it is with being a Christian witness, and once you realize this, it will immediately take away much of your fear and shyness in witnessing.

Paul had this to say about how God’s plan in reaching the lost works:

1Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

You don’t have to give everyone you come in contact with a 12- week Bible study, just let God’s anointing rest upon you as he puts His words in your mouth.

  

Never Be Ashamed to Be a Witness for Christ 

Rom 1:14-16 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  

Try to Find Something in Common with Everyone You Meet  

1Co 9:20-22 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  

There are multitudes of unsaved souls all around you who are desperately in need of your personal witness, so, when you pray, ask God to lead you to people who are hungry for a spiritual change in their lives, and then allow God to give you wisdom and clever methods (wiles) to create doors of opportunity to give your testimony.  

      Col 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.   

Let Your Light Shine Before Men

 Always remember that people are watching you to see if your lifestyle matches your profession of faith and the words of your testimony – so don’t give them any reason to doubt your witness,  or it will lose its power! 

Mat 5:11-16  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, andglorify your Father which is in heaven.

  Conclusion 

Let’s close today’s lesson by having two volunteers play the roles of a Christian who has just met someone and is trying to gently turn the conversation into a witnessing opportunity. Remember to apply some of the things we covered today.