We Are Witnesses

What is a witness? A witness is someone who has first hand knowledge of the events that have transpired. What makes a good witness? In today’s society a good witness is one who has seen or experienced the events that have transpired. As Christians, we are called to be witnesses to Christ. The following is the gist of the message that God gave to me to give to my brothers and sisters at Dayspring Christian Fellowship Church in Junction City KS, on October 29th 2006.
Peter and John were found standing in the porch of the temple before a crowd of people. They had just healed a lame beggar who went throughout the temple, jumping and praising God. This got the attention of some of the people that had come on this day for worship. As the people came to Peter in amazement, Peter began to lecture (sermon) those gathered around about the history of Jesus. He boldly called them murderers and then proceeded to inform them about the power of Jesus. The power of change, the power of love, and the power over death. And how did he know all of this, his statement as recorded in Acts 3:15 "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this." (NIV, emphasis mine). Now, as Christians, we must boldly proclaim those same three words. WE ARE WITNESSES.
We may not have seen the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we have experienced the transforming power of the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ. We know what it’s like to be a new creation, we know what it’s like to be redeemed, justified, and sanctified by the power of the resurrection of Christ. So why then, do we remain silent.
The great commission tells us to go and to proclaim the gospel throughout the land. In the four gospels of the New Testament, in one form or another, the great commission can be found. We are to spread the gospel into all the nations. Beginning in Jerusalem and working it’s way out. The town you live in, is your Jerusalem. Begin by telling your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, your enemies, and your family about Jesus Christ and what he has done in your life.
If you don’t know what to say, start by saying what Jesus has done for you. No one can deny nor take away from you what Jesus has done in your life. What have you been delivered from? Porn? Alcohol? Adultery? Satanism? Getting involved with a Satanist? Homosexuality? Drug Addictions? Or from something else. Ignoring the family? Caring only for yourself? Unbelief? Idolatry in worship (Traditions that lose it’s significance)? Lack of faith? Whatever your sin, you have been delivered from it. Tell people about him and what he has done for you.
If you don’t want to tell people about your own testimony, for one reason or another, tell them about someone else’s testimony. Can’t think of anyone, tell them about me. I’m now a child of the living God, sanctified, justified, and purified, by the death and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith. I have been bruised, crushed, broken, but remade in the image of Christ. If that doesn’t work, tell them about other people you know. Josh McDowell was an atheist who absolutely wanted to prove to the world that Jesus never existed. Through exhaustive and extensive research, wrote a book titled Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Josh McDowell, became saved while trying to prove Jesus didn’t exist.
Tell people about Jesus. Look for a situation where you can optimally open up the love of Jesus for that person. Don’t walk up to them, grab them by the shoulders and shake them saying, "Do you know Jesus?" In any conversation where you are unsure of their knowledge of Jesus, just ask them, "What is your relationship like with Jesus?" or "How well do you know Jesus as your Savior?" Be kind to them and show them love.
Witnessing isn’t just about the words we use, it’s about the actions we do. St Francis of Assisi remarked, "At all times preach the Gospel, if you must, use words." We are more judged by what we do than what we say. The old saying is more true than what people tend to make it, "Actions speak louder than words." Don’t just say it. Do it. Don’t just say it. Show it. Don’t just say it. Live it. Be a witness for Christ in your actions and your everyday living. I’m not just talking about going to church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening and any time the doors of the church are open for service. Wherever you’re at, be a witness for Christ.
Show God’s love an applicable way. Do you know someone who is not involved in any church, has been dissuaded by "organized religion", or has completely tuned out the Gospel of Christ? Fix them a dinner and take it to them. Take them to the grocery store, or ask them if they need something to pick up while you’re there. Mow their lawn. Wash their car. Do something to show them that God loves them. All the while, you’re going to be witness.
Do you have an enemy? Do you have an antagonist at work? "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pay for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28) And how do you bless them and love them. By being a witness for Christ. This is one of those instances where your actions will speak volumes. If you are mistreated, pray for that person. Love that person, do things to help that person out. Show God’s love in an applicable way, witness to that person.
We are to go into the nations and preach the good news to all. It is not a Christians responsibility to prove Jesus lived 2000 years ago, but it is a Christians responsibility to show that Jesus is alive today. Proudly proclaim: WE ARE WITNESSES.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg

Take A Stand

Have you ever been near someone who appears to be indecisive? It can be very frustrating for you and for the other person. Whether it is in deciding what movie to see, where to eat dinner, what church to visit, or what socks go with a purple shirt and green pants ensemble. Aside from those minor indecisions, there is a stronger form of indecisiveness. What do we do with the laws that God has set down for us to follow and obey? Do we become complacent and not worry about what God says? Do we just stay in the middle of the road, for the fear of being labeled a "right wing Christian fundamentalist"? Do we therefore become like the Laodicean neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm.? It is time to take a stand for God and His righteous decrees and quit hiding our collective heads in the sand.
What happened to the Ladoicean church? Let’s look to God’s word for the answers. "So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about so spit you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16 NIV). Because they didn’t take a stand, Jesus politely told them that he would spit them out of his mouth. Jesus will have nothing to do with them. It is something he prophesied about. "Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers." (Mat 7:21-23 NIV)
There is a saying, "God said, I believe it, that settles it." The problem with that statement is we are saying that if I don’t believe it to be God’s word or law, therefore it isn’t settled. I say, "WRONG!" God said it, that settles it. If God made it law 2000 years ago, it is still law today. Notice I said God’s law not man’s law. "Your word, oh LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you." (Psalm 119:89-91NIV) If God said something is detestable to Him 4000 years ago, then it is still detestable to him now.
Murder is murder, adultery is adultery, stealing is stealing, no matter how flowery we put the language. We only deceive ourselves when we try to justify our own actions by using different language. It’s not murder, she had an abortion. It’s not adultery, it’s an open marriage. It’s not stealing, it’s enhancing my taxes for a better return. It is murder, it is adultery and it is stealing. If God said it is a sin, then it is a sin
The latest justification for sin is "I was born that way, or It’s genetic," or something to the equivalency of the nature of the person. Hogwash and nonsense. We are born with the disposition to sin. It is when we give in to the desire that sin is born. "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15 NIV)
So as a Christian, we need to take a stand. Fully grasp what God says is right and wrong. The extreme of sin is applauding and accepting the sin, rather than regretting the sin of others. Society tells us that we must be tolerant of other peoples differences. In one regard I accept that and fully understand that. Yet, when it comes to distorting the Bible and claiming that what once was sin is no longer sinful, I can not be tolerant. We are even warned against such behavior, "Although they know God’s righteous decrees that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those that practice them." (Rom 1:32) We can not continue to accept sin as OK. We must love the sinner, the ones who practice the sin, but not what they do. We can not continue to fool ourselves and say, "That is their nature, we must be tolerant and allow them to do what they want to do, even though it’s wrong." To give you an example as to how inefficient that is: Two young children (ages 4, 6) are playing together. The older child hits the younger child. If you use the logic that states, "That is their nature", then you wouldn’t punish the older child for his malfeasance. You would accept it as their nature. But, you don’t see it like that, the hitting of the younger child is wrong. Why then, do we accept the destructive behavior of others that we know will lead them to an eternity without inheriting the kingdom of God?
It is time, as Christians, to take a stand. Stand up for God’s laws. It won’t be popular and many people will ridicule you. But, it is better to stand for Christ than to stand for the world.
Know God’s laws and rebuke those with love. Know where God stands on issues of the day, and be not afraid to take a stand.
Have a blessed week
Daniel G Vandenburg