We are Witnesses
“You are witnesses of these things.”
(The Gospel According to Luke 24: 48 NASB)
If you have lived long enough, then you have witnessed many sights, events, and relationships within your life. Time has a way of meshing all of these together; yet, when we need to pull out a memory of a sight, an event, or a relationship experienced, normally it is quite possible.
Consider for a moment—What is something you have seen with your eyes, maybe something quite beautiful or maybe a sight that is almost unbelievable?
Consider also for a time—What is an event that is readily available when you go into your memory, and with clarity, you see the detail as if it is a movie playing in front of your eyes?
Finally, consider and ponder—What relationship resonates deep with you, so that you can sense deep within your being how you felt when you first met, a feeling that remains as strong now as the day you recall in your mind?
SIGHTS.
EVENTS.
RELATIONSHIPS.
These are what make a life.
We are witnesses of these things we have experienced.
“Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
(The Gospel According to Luke 24: 45-49 NASB)
and He said to them,
“Thus it is written,
that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name
to all the nations,
beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold,
I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you;
but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
“Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,”
JESUS DID!
JESUS HELPED THEM SEE!
“the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
JESUS PROCLAIMED THE TRUTH!
JESUS COMMISSIONED THEM!
“You are witnesses of these things.”
JESUS GAVE THEM DIRECTION!
“I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
JESUS EMPOWERED THEM!
Once a person has heard the Gospel—
Once a person believes in Jesus—
Once a person accepts Jesus’ work upon the cross and in the grave as the Gospel Truth—
Once a person confesses his sins, seeking the forgiveness of God–
Once a person comes to know Jesus as his Savior—
Once a person is “saved” & becomes God’s child—
THEN JESUS TELLS US, “You are witnesses of these things.”
The morning was gorgeous, crisp, and great for walking. My heart was heavy though, as I prayed for the healing of someone I dearly loved. As I walked, talking with the Father, His Holy Spirit spoke to me, saying: “Send her a text.”
I knew exactly who He meant when He said with clarity: “Her.”
So I pulled out my phone, clicked on the WhatsApp icon and scrolled until I found her name. Then I prayed again, asking: “Lord, give me the words to type.”
God was Faithful.
The words came to my mind as I walked and typed.
Then I prayed, asking God to allow “Her” to receive my words, to really HEAR HIS GOSPEL TRUTH.
God was Faithful.
I continued walking, going just down the road and back toward my home. Then I heard the ding of my phone, alerting me to a new message.
God was Faithful.
“Her” response was not favorable to the message, but she chose instead to respond with what she had heard over the years. I remember praying: “Lord, help her hear You.”
She sent a final message, one that spoke to the core of my being, and one that I knew was totally wrong, fully against the GOSPEL TRUTH.
I knew that I could not leave the online conversation without responding, without gently attempting to speak to how she was wrong.
I knew that I needed to speak about heaven and hell.
I knew that I needed to speak about God’s love.
So I prayed & then pulled out my phone, clicked on the WhatsApp icon and replied, even praying as I clicked on “Send.”
We will face opposition as we go, as we tell others about Jesus.
Nevertheless—
- This does NOT mean we should not go wherever the Lord sends us to go.
- This does NOT mean we should remain silent wherever the Lord tells us to speak about Him.
- This does NOT mean we should not do, being the hands and feet of Jesus.
People are dying every day, stepping into eternity, unprepared to meet God.
THE GOSPEL IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION!
THE GOSPEL IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO BELIEVE IN JESUS!
“for
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 10: 13-15 NASB)
“WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?
And how will they hear without a preacher?
How will they preach unless they are sent?
Just as it is written,
“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”