How many of you witness?
Why do you witness?
Why do Christians not witness?
Scared of talking to people about your faith.
2 Timothy 1:8 and Romans 1:16 encourage us not to be ashamed, but to partake of the power of the Gospel for it is the means of salvation for all.
Feel as though you don’t know enough.
You as a witness are called to tell only what you have seen, heard, and experienced. (Acts 22:15) If you feel inadequate, then you should, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) And you should take comfort in the promise in Scripture, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” (Luke 21:15)
Why does the Christian witness?
What is the fundamental motivation of the witness? (Love)
Romans 3:23 says that all are sinners, and Romans 6:23 declares that the penalty for sin is death. John 14:6 points out that Christ is the only way to avoid hell. The reason we witness is because we do not want to see people that we love go to hell. 2 Corinthians 4:3 says that if the Gospel is hid, it is hid from the lost.
Romans 10:14-15 says, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
When Lisa asked me to speak to you guys today, I began praying that God would tell me what He wanted me to talk about. By the end of the day, God gave me a message. Today is the 3 year anniversary of one of the most important days of my life. It serves as a memorial to me. Here is why I witness:
Why I Witness: Evangelism and missed opportunities
On October 16, 2002 I walked in to work and learned of the tragic death of my 16 year old cashier named Aakriti Kushwah. She died on October 14, 2002 unsaved, of carbon monoxide poisoning, along with her father. Only her mother and her younger brother survived, barely. It was a very sad day. Often, I think of her and wonder how things could have been different if I had been bolder, more unafraid in my witness. If I had not hesitated and missed the opportunities, would she be in heaven today? Only God knows.
Shortly before she died, she mentioned in conversation to a fellow believer that she felt very strongly that she would die young. What do you say to that? The believer choked, got scared and self-conscious. The believer stood in silence, having the gift of life, she stood in silence. What if, what if instead of doing nothing, she had responded to Aakriti by asking her if she was ready to face death? Maybe things would have been different, God only knows.
The point is this: Sharing the Gospel is scary; but when we let fear silence us we declare by our actions that we would rather someone die and go to hell than speak up and challenge someone with the Gospel. This is unacceptable to me, what about you? Is that the way you want to be? When Aakriti died, I felt like a knife had been stabbed through my heart. For the first time ever, I felt the burden of the Gospel for the lost. It finally hit home. I felt the personal responsibility that I have for the salvation of those with whom I have contact. If the Gospel is going to save lives, it must be shared by us.
Folks, I can’t bear the thought of being responsible for one more person going to hell! I can’t, and I won’t! I don’t blame myself for Aakriti, but at the same time, I don’t want to forget what she taught me. I remember, and I go tell.
How do you tell? I tell people that you have to be Rooted in Christ, Grounded in the Word, and Centered in the Will of God. First, you study. You have to know the Word. Second, you organize your thoughts and your own testimony. Third, you have to walk strong. And last, you have to be focused, focused on Christ every day.
1 Corinthians 9:14 says that we should live the Gospel if we are to preach it. This is the primary means. When we live out our relationship with Christ, Rooted, Grounded, and Centered, then people around us will feel and see the difference in us. They will come to us many times. But when they don’t, we should be looking for the opportunities to go to them. Only two verses later Paul says, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16)
Posted by GodzScout at October 3, 2005 05:20 PM