The Power Of an Effective Witness

As we get ever so close to celebration Sunday, the Lord quickened me to share on the power of an effective witness. The bible says He that wins souls is wise(Prov 11:30) I think at times when not careful and cautious its easy to get caught up in hearing about how to build up our emotions, how to walk in divine health and on how to prosper in everyway everyday. Now you already know by reading past blogs for anytime that I'm all about it!!! Its because Gods all about it! He says that its his very wish that all be in health and prosper even as our soul prospers(3 John 2) and he says that he takes pleasure in the prosperity of his saints(Psalm 35:27) I want to give him pleasure, how bout you? Matterofact the book of revelation says we were created for his pleasure(Rev 4:11) The thing is that we must keep things in balance. Its important that we allow our lives to be a witness to others about the grace and goodness of God that leads men to repentence(Rom 2:4) God has given me some keys to be an effective witness. We serve a ressurrected Lord, the tomb is empty!! Its the only tourist attraction that people line up for miles to see nonething! Because HE LIVES we can face tommorrow and be triumphant. However there are many that have never recieved him. Have you like ever heard someone say Have you found Jesus? I like saying have you recieved Jesus? The reason is because He was and will never be lost! Why must he be recieved? Its because theres a very real place called Hell that very real people who reject Jesus go! The book of Luke gives an account of a rich man that DIED. First of all notice what Jesus said, he DIED! God said through the mouth of Paul its appointed unto man once to die than the judgement(Heb 9:27) Yes God wants us to be healthy and fulfill length of days, however if the Lord tarries just a half day his time, we WILL die. The question is where you'll be. When george washington knelt down in the snows of valley forge you were not, when the forefathers penned the declarartion of independence you were not, when alexander the great was rulling you were not. There was a time you were not, BUT there WILL NEVER be a time when YOU WILL NOT BE! Jesus goes onto say that after the rich man dies he lifted his eyes in TORMENT(Luke 16:23) Hell is a place of complete horror. Jesus said a CERTAIn MAN, this was not a parable, it was a true story! Jesus said its a place where the worm dies not and the fire is NEVER QUENCHED(Mark 9:43-48) Jesus said its a place prepared soley for the devil and his angels(matt 25:41) The question than could be than Why do people go there? Simple answer THEY DECIDE TOO! This is one of the reasons the preaching of the gospel is so IMPORTANT! Jesus said that this GOSPEL MUST BE PREACHED FOR A WITNESS TO EVERY NATION(Matt 24:14) In closing lets discuss these keys of effective witnessing. Number one, Character. Character is what we do when no onelse is looking. The Lord spoke to me awhile back and said Brian, "Christianity is a life of consistency" it means to honor our oaths, and to stay the same in private as in public. Thats character! The bible talks about two men that exemplified character, the first is Nathanial. The head of the church himself commended him saying that he was a man of no guile(John 1) the second is Danial. The bible says that danial had an excellant spirit(dan 6:3) He purposed in himself not to be defiled by the kings meat(Dan 1:8) Why? Because he was a person of character. When were not, we ski down the slippery slope toward hyprocicy. It simply means to "playact" its never intending to be what their pretending to be. When people see danials consistency in our lives will it witness to people? ABSOLUTELY! People are not down with phony bologne!!! Number two, Converstaion. The bible says Let thy conversation be holy(1 Peter 1:15) The word conversation is the word lifestyle. we have all heard the statement "People would rather SEE a message rather than hear one any day. People are more into our walk than talk. Jesus washed the FEET of his disciples(John 13) Why? Because its our walk that gives our words weight! Jesus said Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works glorifying the Father in Heaven(Matt 5:16) When our lifestyle is in agreement with God we'll be like a mirror in the face of individuals. When were at the work place and hit our hand and begin praising instead of cursing that testifies! Jesus said when our salt loses savor its good for nonething but to be trodden under the foot of men. The greatest testimony is the power of a transformed life! As we renew our minds with the word are lives will be more conformed into the image of his dear son. It will undeniable and irrefutable! number three, Compassion. The bible says that when Jesus saw the needs of the multitudes he was MOVED with compassion(Matt 9:36) People dont care how much we know until they know we care! When we reach out in compassion it shows people the heart of Jesus. God is LOVE(1 John 4:8,16) Many people may not always understand God, but they do love! This is what everyone is hungry for. The worlds definition of love is self love. i love you as long as you are doing for me. When we become a Christian the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the HolyGhost(Rom 5:5) When were in it the world knows that we are his disciples(John 13:35) Number four, Confession. The first three points could be categorized as lifestyle evangelisim. However that alone dont get the job done. Jesus said if we CONFESS him before men, he;ll confess us before the Father(Matt 10:32) Men are saved through hearing words. In the book of Acts The angel sent for Peter in Joppa to preach the gospel to Cornealius(Acts 10,11). Why? The reason is God has given this assignment to men not angels. The bible says How can we believe on him we have not heard, and how can we hear without a preacher?(Rom 10:14) We must as the opportunity present itself confess the name of Jesus before people boldly and unashamed! The bible COMMANDS us NOT TO BE ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ(Rom 1:16) We must be willing to confess Jesus NO MATTER WHAT! In the book of Acts Peter & JOhn were cast out of the temple for preaching in the name of Jesus(Acts 4) There maybe people that will be offended by you talking about Jesus. Which one would we rather offend God or man? If not you than who? If not now than when? Jesus said SAY not ye there are yet four months, and than cometh harvestI SAY unto you LIFT UP YOUR EYES and look uno the fields for they are white already for harvest(John 4:35) We hear about the great outpouring all the time. Have you ever thought about the fact that we are like already in it RIGHT NOW! Jesus said SAY NOT yet four months than cometh harvest. We are in HARVEST RIGHT NOW! Jesus said we are to PUT IN THE SICKLE(Mark 4:29) Jesus said ye SHALL RECIEVE POWER after the HOLYGHOST COMES UPON you to be my WITNESSES!(Acts 1:8) We already have his word and the power of his spirit, what are we waiting for? Next, the Church. We need to invite people to church. When was the last time that you did? Its an awesome place for the preacher to do the witnessing lol! Finally, Courage. Remember the wizard of Oz? The lion was the one that was looking for courage. How bizzare! When people see us having the courage of Christ in the midst of a contrary condition it testifies! When your in a situation where you dont bend bow or burn and stand ramrod straight it testifies! It sows that you KNOW WHOM YOU BELIEVE!