Witnessing for Jesus

June 10, 2018

Sales people must be thoroughly familiar with their company’s products. If a sales person continually says, “I’m not sure about that. I’ll have to find out about that,” you don’t feel very confident about the company or the product. This is why salespeople go through training and they practice their presentations. They learn how to present the product in the clearest way that will enhance the product’s strengths.

We are witnesses of Jesus. Wouldn’t it have been helpful if the New Testament writers had included a very clear, concise presentation of the gospel? Then we could memorize it and practice presenting it. Unfortunately we don’t find that in the New Testament. But this morning as we look at Lk.10 my hope is that we will gain insight for how we can be effective witnesses of Jesus. From Lk.10 I see that there are three essential foundations for being an effective witness for Jesus.

I. A CHRIST-PREPARED UNDERSTANDING. Lk.10:1-4

In v.1-4 Jesus is preparing 72 people to be witnesses. Imagine that you happened to be one of the 72 selected by the Lord to participate in his mission. You are not one of the 12 apostles. You are just an average follower of Jesus. Suddenly you feel out of your element because you have never done this before. So as Jesus gives instructions you are carefully listening. You want to be as prepared as possible. You are a little relieved because you hear Jesus saying that you are going to be traveling in pairs. Great! This isn’t a solo mission.

But then you hear Jesus’ first instruction in v.3. “Go your way; behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” “Wait! What did you just say, Jesus? ‘Lambs in the midst of wolves?” Let us not be under any illusions about what witnessing for Jesus entails. We never quite know what we might encounter. In fact, we might encounter wolves who want nothing more than to devour our lives and the gospel message. All the powers of hell want nothing more than to keep people from Christ. In our country we do not fear outright persecution yet. But many do experience various kinds of opposition. It is an ever present reality. As followers of Jesus we can expect to be treated no differently than Jesus was treated. So when we embrace Jesus as our Lord and King, we are signing up for potential persecution.

In v.4 Jesus gives another instruction. He says, “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals.” In other words, this mission is grounded in faith. From my reading I learned that it was common for traveling preachers and teachers to carry a knapsack. It allowed them to be a bit more independent. But the mission of Jesus is not meant to be independent. Jesus intends for us to be dependent upon God for all things. This is one reason why he sent the Holy Spirit. As witnesses for Jesus we do not rely upon gimmicks and rigid methods. We rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide us and provide what is needed. We never know when the opportunity to witness for Christ is going to come to us. So we go in faith every day, asking the Lord to lead us.

Again in v.4 Jesus says, “and greet no one on the road.” Why would Jesus give this instruction? It seems as if he is telling his disciples to be rude. But that isn’t the point. I believe Jesus is teaching us that the mission of being his witnesses in the world is urgent. It’s not urgent in the sense that we must be rushing. Rather it is urgent in the sense that the gospel is concerned with matters of life and death. The many beautiful people that we know, family members, friends, co-workers, all need Jesus.

Not everyone who professes to know Jesus has this sense of urgency. I don’t know why that is, except that many of us are just as caught up with the things of this world as the people of this world are. There are professing believers who do not understand that Jesus has commissioned all of his followers to be his witnesses. They do not think of Jesus as their King and so there is little sense of the need to be obedient to their Lord and King in this matter.

Before we take the first step on mission with Jesus, these are things we need to keep in mind. We are his representatives in the world. Through the Holy Spirit he will guide and direct us as we are dependent upon him. This is a matter for prayer every day. “Lord help me today to be aware of the people around me and to be ready to speak a word for you. Amen”

II. A CHRIST-LIKE LIFE. Lk.10:5-9a

Believers were first called Christians at Antioch. The term basically means “Christ follower.” The name caught on. After all, that is what we are. We are followers of Christ. Presumably this means our lives reflect the character and teachings of Jesus. When it comes to living and witnessing, our overall character and conduct is important.

In v.5 Jesus gives instruction on how we are to present ourselves to the world. He says, “Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.”

Do you remember how Jesus introduced himself in Nazareth? In Lk.4 Jesus was in the synagogue and he read from the scroll of Isaiah. He read verses that applied to him and after reading Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The very next verse says, “And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” Jesus presented himself in a gracious way, the way peace.

When it comes to witnessing for Jesus we are to be people of peace. We are people who are filled with the God of peace through the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to see that in the New Testament the gospel is always referred to either as the “gospel of God,” or the “gospel of Christ.” Once Paul called it the “gospel of your salvation, and once he called it, “the gospel of peace.” Believers are people of peace. We are not people of violence or coercion. We are people of peace. And as people of peace we seek to speak peace to others. When we are in conversations we want to bless others with the presence of Jesus who is present in us. In your reading of the gospels, note how Jesus approached people. As David Fitch writes, “Presence proceeds proclamation.”

If our peace is received it will bless the person we are with. If it is not received our peace, our blessing will not rest upon that person. I take it to mean that we then move on until we find someone who receives our peace.

In v.7-9 Jesus says, “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it.” This is interesting because Jesus seems to be teaching that we should take a posture of submission and service. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are guests in the world. We are to be open to relationships as they unfold. We are not in charge. We are not in control. Christ is Lord and is already present. As we read these verses, we don’t get the sense that Jesus intended his disciples to go knocking on doors. He says, “Do not go from house to house.” Witnessing takes place in the context of relationship. And relationships take time.

In v.9 Jesus tells us to heal the sick. We are people who seek to have ministry among unbelievers. I wish I could heal the sick, but I have never had that kind of ministry. If God has given that ministry to you. Use it! But let me put it this way. We are to be people who use whatever ability, talent, or skill that we have to serve others in the name of Jesus. Is there a good you can do? Do it. Do what leads to peace, to wholeness, and reconciliation.

Of course all of this implies that we are people who reflect Jesus in our living. Witness is not just about proclamation. Proclamation is framed by a life that is being transformed by the Holy Spirit.

III. A CHRIST-FILLED MESSAGE. Lk.10:9b-12

In v.9 Jesus continues by instructing us to say, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Let me ask: Is this the way you begin when you share the gospel? Do you say, “Hey I want to tell you that the kingdom of God has come near?”

James and the Apostle Paul are the earliest writers of New Testament documents. Paul’s expression of the gospel message reflects the way that the early church presented the Gospel.

What I want for us to see is that when Paul and others communicated the gospel, it was focused on Jesus. I point this out because we often make the gospel message about ourselves. We usually begin a gospel presentation with the fact that we are sinners. We have a sin problem and from there we move on to talk about how Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. If we believe in Jesus and pray the sinner’s prayer we will be saved and go to heaven. But that is not how Paul shared the gospel. You see, the gospel is not about us. The gospel is about Jesus. It is the good news about Jesus.

In Rm.1:1-5 we read, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.”

When Paul talks about the gospel he situates it in the Old Testament. He focuses on Jesus and does not reduce the gospel message to our sin problem and the death and resurrection of Jesus. He includes the ascension, the fact that Jesus has been declared to be the Son of God in power.”

In his book, “Salvation by Allegiance Alone,” Matthew Bates identifies eight events that comprise the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1) Jesus preexisted with the Father. 2) Jesus took on human flesh, fulfilling God’s promises to David. 3) Jesus died for sins in accordance with the Scriptures. 4) Jesus was buried. 5) Jesus was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 6) Jesus appeared to many. 7) Jesus is seated at the right hand of God as Lord, and 8) Jesus will come again as judge.” In his book Matthew Bates shows how this outline is found in Paul’s writings, and in the life and teachings of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There is only one gospel message.

So the point here is the gospel message, the good news is not about getting my sins forgiven by trusting in a plan of salvation. No. The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, who lived, died for the sins of the world, who rose from the dead and who now reigns as Lord and King, reconciling all things to himself. When we present the gospel, we tell the story of Jesus. Faith is our response of trust and allegiance to King Jesus. Justification is a result of placing this kind of faith in Jesus.

Because the gospel is about Jesus and how we can enter into a saving, life-giving relationship with Jesus, it is not a message that we should try to rush through. We are not like insurance salespeople, trying to sell a plan. We are followers of Jesus seeking to help others become followers of Jesus. So the better we understand who Jesus is and the more we cultivate being in relationship with Jesus and his people, the better we will be able to be his witnesses.

My goal in these last few messages has been to help us see that being a witness for Jesus is more about who we are as followers of Christ in this world. It has more to do with presenting Jesus than trying to convince others that they are sinners and need to pray a certain prayer. Our spoken witness is to flow out of our relationship with Jesus and knowledge of Jesus rather than a memorized presentation. We are presenting a person, not a product. My hope is that if you are a follower of Jesus you will make it your aim to be his witness. Amen

Being A Grace-Filled Witness

June 3, 2018

Ambassadors have an interesting career. Ambassadors represent their own country while living in another country. They seek to promote the best values and customs of their homeland in a foreign land.

In 2Cor.5:20, Paul writes, “we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” As we are thinking about the fine print of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, we want to continue to focus on the reality that we are witnesses of Jesus.

If we see ourselves first as ambassadors for Christ in this world it shapes our whole presentation to the world. We don’t just represent ourselves. We represent Jesus Christ. This morning I want to say that Christian witness flows out of grace-filled living in the world.

I. WISE ACCOMMODATION. 1Cor.9:19-22

In order for God to reveal himself to mankind in a way that we can understand, he has to accommodate himself to our human limitations. This is why God entered into the world in the person of Jesus Christ. God became man in order to reveal himself in a clear way. Jesus embodies the fullness of God’s goodness, love, humility, mercy, grace, power and justice for all to see.

Before ascending to the Father Jesus made it clear that his followers would be his witnesses in the world. On the day of Pentecost Jesus sent the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into Christ-like living and to empower our lives for witness. So here we are, empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we might be witnesses of Jesus.

Just as God accommodated himself to humanity, so there is a sense in which we as witnesses of Jesus accommodate ourselves to the world in order that we might win unbelievers to Christ. We accommodate ourselves so that we do not put up any needless barriers before the gospel. In 1Cor.9:19-22 Paul writes, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

In these verses Paul makes it clear that he accommodated himself to various people groups in order to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. In writing this, Paul is not saying, “Hey, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” No, he makes it very clear in v.20-21 that while as a follower of Christ he was no longer under the Jewish law, he did understand that he was under the commands and teachings of Jesus. So in whatever ways Paul accommodated himself to people of various ethnicities and cultures, he did not compromise his obedience and loyalty to Christ.

So what is Paul talking about here? Well, I believe that as Paul interacted with various ethnicities and cultures, he went to great lengths to not cause offense. As long as a custom or practice did not compromise his obedience to Jesus and the gospel, he didn’t worry about it.

As you may remember Paul was sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. But as a Jew, Paul was a devout Pharisee. Circumcision, Sabbath observance, and eating kosher foods were very important to Pharisees. These are the primary markers that separate Jews from Gentiles. But when Paul became a believer in Jesus he recognized that these boundary markers were of little consequence for knowing Jesus. Those boundary markers may have even continued to hold some personal value for Paul, but he understood that a person does not have to become Jewish in order to know Christ. And so, Paul felt free to associate with the Gentiles and eat whatever was put before him. In Gal.3:28, Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In his commentary on 1Corinthians, Craig Blomberg writes, “The world’s religions and cultures include many such practices that at times may be intertwined with anti-Christian spirituality but that in many settings are not. These include ceremonial foods, days, festivals, dress and grooming, forms of recreation, social functions, and so on. Where participating in any one of these would inherently compromise the gospel, Christians must refrain. Where abstaining would inappropriately distance believers from their non-Christian friends and neighbors, they should participate.”

As we think about what it means to be a witness for Jesus, I see here that an important part of being a witness is being in relationships, friendships with unbelievers. We don’t just hand out tracts and drop gospel bombs on people. We seek to engage and live life together with our friends and neighbors. Witnessing is part of who we are, not some activity that is a requirement of our religion. We are not like Jehovah Witnesses in this. We are Christ’s witnesses. We are seeking to show in our lifestyle what following Christ looks like.

Now this is not always so easy to discern. We have to think about what is and isn’t truly part of being a follower of Jesus. We need to ask the Lord to give us wisdom in these matters. As witnesses of Jesus we are not trying to get people to follow rules, rather we are seeking to live out and talk out the life of Christ that is in us.

II. ATTRACTIVE CONVERSATION. Col.4:5-6; 1Pt.3:15

In Col.4:5-6, Paul writes, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Before we say anything about our conversation, let me point out that being a follower of Christ is always front and center in our thinking and living. When I lived in Cameroon, West Africa, I was always very much aware that I am from the United States. I was always aware of this because the way people live in West Africa is quite different from how people live in the United States. After living in Cameroon for a while, I did become more comfortable, after all there were also many similarities because we are all humans, but I was never as comfortable as I am living at home in the United States.

We were all born into this world and we were comfortable living in the world. But at some point we turned to Jesus Christ. Our sins were forgiven. We received the resurrection life of Jesus and our citizenship was transferred into the Kingdom of God. So we are no longer citizens of this world. While we may still feel relatively comfortable living in this world, this world is not our home. We are aliens and strangers here. That is why I say that we are always mindful that we are followers of Christ. We are on display as citizens and ambassadors of God’s kingdom. We represent Christ and his kingdom reign

So this means that everything we do and say reflects upon Jesus. In Col.4:6 Paul focuses on our conversation. Our speech is to always be gracious. In other words our speech is to be attractive, pleasant, and winsome. Not only that, but our speech is to be as if seasoned with salt. It could convey the idea of purity in our speaking or zestfulness. We are fully engaged in the conversation.

Paul says we should speak in these ways so that we know how to answer each person. I take this to mean that even though we may not have an answer to whatever question is asked, we do know how to respond in the sense that whatever our response it will be gracious, seasoned with salt. In days past I used to find myself getting upset when the Jehovah Witnesses came by because to me they are spreading heresy and also because I would get impatient with them. They just keep going from scripture to scripture following the scripts they have been taught. Years ago I had to ask myself, “Wait! Why am I getting upset?” So if I do talk with the Jehovah Witnesses, I remind myself that it is not for me to try to convince them that they are wrong. Because I want to respond with grace, I always know how to respond. Whatever I say I want to say it graciously.

In other words, the goal of our witness is not to win an argument. It isn’t to prove that we are right. Nor is it to get a person to pray a prayer. The goal of our witness is to present Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and King. The goal of our witness is to show that Jesus is transforming our lives, including our speech.

And I also see that Paul talks about knowing how we ought to answer. This seems to imply that we have been asked a question. I don’t want to make more of this than is warranted, but there is the implication that it is not our duty to go around trying to engineer conversations about the gospel. We certainly are not to force other people to listen to our gospel presentation. As I am in conversations with people I try to listen for cues that might suggest they have an interest in spiritual things. If I sense an openness I might ask a question and based on their answer either move forward towards the gospel or not. The Lord is in charge of this, not me.

In 1Pt.3:15-16, Peter writes, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Our gracious speech is not to be filled with ignorance. Peter tells us that we ought to be prepared to give a defense to anyone who asks us about why our hope is in Christ. Notice again the emphasis on being asked about this. What was it that brought you to Christ? What was it that convinced you that Jesus is Savior, Lord and King? What has changed in your life as a result of knowing Christ? One doesn’t have to have a PhD in philosophy or religion or science to be able to give a reason for their Christian hope. We should be able to talk about the gospel in a clear way and according to v.16 our conversation is to be accompanied by Christian behavior.

III. KIND CONSIDERATION. Mt.5:16; 1Pt.2:12

In Mt.5:16 in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Add to this, 1Pt.2:12, which says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

We don’t often associate witnessing with doing good works. In the 19th century, German Baptist Pastor, Walter Rauschenbusch, became the father of the social gospel movement. Unfortunately in the social gospel movement, the gospel message often got set aside in the desire to address huge social problems. Ever since then, conservative Christians in the United States have been a bit leery of viewing good works as a part of our witness. However in Acts 10:37-38 Peter is speaking to Cornelius and he says, “you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Jesus did many good works in the name of God. He did these good works because “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Followers of Jesus seek to reveal the goodness of the kingdom of God in the way they engage other people. We simply seek to do good to others in the name of Jesus. And we seek to do good because God, who is good, dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Doing good works is what believers do. Our good works help to prepare the soil for the gospel.

Do you seek to do good to your neighbors? Do you seek to do good to your co-workers? Do you seek to do good to those who hurt you and say unkind things about you? Doing good, showing kind consideration to others is part of our Christian witness.

  Now it is possible to have an accommodating way about you. It is possible to speak in attractive ways and to show kind consideration to others apart from having any gospel witness. There are many nice people in the world. We are not just talking about being nice. We are talking about letting the gospel of Jesus Christ shine forth in our lives. We are people who are being transformed by the gospel. That transformation impacts our lives. Because we have received the life of Jesus we desire to share Jesus with all we can. Amen.

Witnesses of Jesus

May 27, 2018

As most of us know, Kevin Wood is a presenter of Abraham Lincoln. He works hard to be as authentic as possible. He studies Lincoln and memorizes Lincoln’s speeches. He purchases clothing that looks like that worn by Lincoln. He tries to speak in the way that Lincoln spoke.

When you look at Kevin dressed as Lincoln, you have to do a double take. The only thing that makes us realize Kevin is not Lincoln is the fact that this is 2018 and Lincoln has been dead for 153 years. However, Kevin does bear witness to Lincoln.

Before Jesus ascended to the Father he said that his followers are to be his witnesses. As we begin in earnest looking at the fine print of what it means to follow Christ, we begin with the idea that we are witnesses of Jesus. We bear the name and likeness of Jesus to the world. This is what we want to think about this morning. In this world, believers in Jesus bear witness for Jesus.

I. DO YOU BELONG TO JESUS? Acts 1:6-8

This might seem like an elementary question since we are a congregation of professing Christians. But when we think about witnessing for Jesus, it is an important question. In v.8 Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”

If you are involved in an accident and must go to court, your attorney will try to find eyewitnesses of the accident who might testify in your behalf. In that situation it is better if the witnesses are not related to you in any way. They are independent of you and have nothing to gain in testifying in your behalf. If they can corroborate your story they help to make your case to convince judge and jury to rule in your favor. Such people are your witnesses.

But when it comes to being a witness for Jesus, personal relationship with Jesus is vitally important. Witnesses of Jesus do not just speak in his behalf as independent, dis-interested people. They belong to Jesus. They belong to Jesus in a certain way. What does it mean to you to belong to Jesus? When you got connected with Jesus what was your understanding of that relationship?

There are many people who get connected with Jesus out of a desire to have their sins forgiven so that they can go to heaven when they die. If you had training in how to witness in the last 50 years, you were probably taught to ask a person, “If you were to die tonight do you know if you would go to heaven.” If a person wasn’t sure about it then we could go on to explain how we are all sinners and how sin separates us from God, but Jesus died for us on the cross and if we repent of our sin, believe that Jesus died for us, and pray a sinners prayer to receive Jesus as our Savior, then we will be saved and will go to heaven when we die. After all, Jn.3:16 says that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” So for many, being saved means having our sins forgiven so that we can have eternal life. Now, that is good as far as it goes, and many of us came to know Christ in this way.

However, I notice in the gospels that Jesus did not present himself in that particular way. And I also see that this way of presenting the gospel is not how Paul presented it. In fact I believe this presentation of the gospel reduces the gospel to a momentary transaction that takes place through a once and done prayer. And so there are people who because they prayed a prayer think all is well between them and God and do not give it another thought.

When Jesus came preaching, he called people with ears to hear, to repent of their current way of living and thinking, to count the cost and follow him. And while Jesus did die for our sins and rose again, the gospel story did not end with his resurrection. It continued with his ascension. He ascended to reign as Lord and King at the Father’s right hand. When the gospel is presented as a means of going to heaven when we die, there is a tendency to leave out the fact that Christ is Lord and King. We make the gospel to be more about ourselves than about Jesus. This presentation of the gospel makes discipleship to Jesus optional, giving rise to the idea that a person can receive Christ as Savior, but not as Lord and King.

Last week we read 1Cor.6:19-20 which says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Followers of Jesus belong to Jesus.

Jesus not only gave his life for us; he gives his life to us. His life is our life. We no longer derive our life from this world. In Gal.2:20, Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Paul tells us that when we die we will be with the Lord. The Lord is in heaven and so when we die we will be in heaven. But heaven is not our eternal home. God is going to make a new heaven and new earth. Peter writes in 2Pt.3:13, “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Christ, who rose from the dead and ascended to the Father, is the firstborn of the dead. He is the beginning of the new creation. And here is where it gets exciting for you and me. In 2Cor.5:17, Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Literally it reads, “If anyone is in Christ, new creation!”

Do you see what is happening here? The idea of being saved is not just about taking care of our sin problem so that we can go to heaven when we die. The idea of being saved is that when we embrace Christ as Savior, Lord, and King, we are given his new creation life to live out. We are becoming new creation people. Ideally, as our lives take on the character of Christ we show this world, which is passing away, what new creation people look like. Believers reveal in their living, heaven on earth.

If I only view Christ as someone who forgives my sin so I can go to heaven when I die, then I am free to live however I choose during the rest of my life on earth. Heaven is assured because I satisfied the requirement of belief and prayed the prayer. But that is not the gospel. And it will be very difficult to be a convincing witness for Jesus with that kind of understanding.

So I want to ask: Do you belong to Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord and King? Is the goal of your daily living to see Jesus Christ reflected in your character, conduct, and conversation? Are you living for Jesus? If not, why not? This is not about how well you perform. We all sin. This is about who is your king? Who runs your life? Who has your daily allegiance?

II. ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS? Acts 1:8

In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." During the days of my youth and young adulthood, I participated in numerous seminars on evangelism training like Evangelism Explosion. I learned how to ask clever leading questions. I learned how to present the Four Spiritual Laws, or Steps to Peace with God. I learned how to use the Roman’s Road and the bridge illustration. And I used all those methods with some effect.

Last week in prayer meeting I shared how when I was a student at Moody, we had to do door to door evangelism. The man who trained us demonstrated a technique to use. When the door was opened we were to put our foot into the opening. We also were taught to use a survey that tried to gauge where a person was at spiritually. Perhaps you were brought to Christ in one of these ways. God uses many people and many ways to bring others to Christ.

But because our witness for Jesus is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, the condition of our relationship creates a framework or platform for our witness. If Christ is the Savior, Lord and King of our lives, then he is the most important person in all of life. We love him and worship him and serve him and promote the good news about him to others. We do this because the good news is truly good news to us. We cannot do otherwise because Christ is our life.

If we are going to think about why we are not better witnesses for Jesus, I suggest we begin by asking ourselves whether or not knowing Jesus is as good as we say it is. Our life with Christ is the place to begin. If we don’t get this right, we won’t get witnessing right.

I’m reminded of a college student named Larry. Many years ago my parents were on staff at a well-known church in Boston. Larry was a student at Boston University. He came to Christ. He was excited and began telling his friends. I will never forget at one Wednesday prayer meeting when Larry gave a testimony. In his excitement he said, and I quote, “All my friends are saying, ‘What the hell happened to Larry.’” Well we all laughed. Larry didn’t know that he shouldn’t use that word in that way, especially in church. But we were all excited with Larry.

In the beginning of our walk with Jesus, we may have that kind of excitement at what Jesus is doing in our lives. It will affect our witness. But as we mature in Christ and go deeper with him, that will also affect our witness. But it should not diminish our witness. And that is what happens to far too many Christians. In 2Cor.4:4 Paul writes, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” But for many of us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God has grown dim.

Jesus does not have a small vision for his church. In v.8 Jesus envisions his church taking the gospel into all the world, to the end of the earth. He does not picture his church just making converts. Rather he envisions his church making disciples, calling people to become lifetime apprentices of Jesus. Nor does Jesus paint a picture of his church at home in the world. He told his disciples that they would be persecuted and imprisoned and brought before kings and governors. He said that when this happens this will be your opportunity to bear witness. And so it is even today. We are his witnesses

If you are going to move into a new housing development or apartment, you will be shown model houses or apartments to help you decide what kind of place you want to live in. Sometimes those model homes or apartments are staged. In other words, they have furniture in them to help you get an idea of what it would be like to live in those places.

When God sought to reach the world, he himself came in the person of his Son, Jesus. Jesus is fully God. When we look at Jesus we see God in all his goodness. While Jesus was on earth he spent a great deal of time teaching and training his disciples to carry on his mission of seeking and saving the lost. After his ascension he sent his Holy Spirit to indwell every one of his followers. So now God is present in us. Believers in the world are models of what it is like to know Christ. But we are not just models. We are alive in Christ. We are the real deal. God has put us on display in this world so that the world can see how good, how life changing it is to know and follow Jesus as our Lord and King. Do you belong to Jesus? Are you his witness? Amen

What's So Good About the Gospel?

April 29, 2018

On April 16-17 some 50 Evangelical leaders met at Wheaton College. The purpose was to discuss the state of Evangelicalism in these contentious days. In his opening address, Dr. Labberton, president of Fuller Seminary, noted that instead of sounding like good news, our proclamation of the gospel has begun to sound like fake news. He says this because he believes our presentation of the gospel has been overshadowed by our coveting political power. Instead of focusing on the gospel it appears that our real agenda is to have power.

Now regardless of our political persuasions, we all agree that the gospel is good news. And we don’t want to put up any barriers that would hinder others hearing the good news. But what is the good news? That’s what I want us to think about this morning. The presence of Jesus in the world enables all to have abundant life with God.

I. JESUS ENABLES US TO KNOW GOD. Jn.1:1-14

John 1:1 begins exactly like Gen.1:1 which says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In Jn.1:1 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John alludes to Gen.1:1 because John is writing about another significant beginning. John identifies a person whom he refers to as “the Word.” He tells us that the Word already existed in the beginning, the Word was both with God and was God,” at one in the same time. And this is an amazing statement that baffles the mind.

John goes on to explain that this one who is the Word, who is both with God and is God, created all things. What is more, he tells us in v.4 that in him was life. The life that is in him is so intense and powerful that it is the light of men. Of course we all know that light enables us to see. In v.5 this light is shining in the darkness, and in fact, overpowers the darkness. In v.9 we read that this light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. In v.14 we read that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” And finally, in v.18 we read, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.” This is the Prologue of John’s gospel. And there is no question but that John is referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the living Word of God. He is God in the flesh.

A central teaching of the Bible concerns the presence of God. From Genesis to Revelation we see that God makes himself present and desires for men and women to live and walk in his presence. God has been revealing himself since the very beginning of creation. In Heb.1:1-3, we read, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Jesus reveals God. He is God with us. In Jn.14:9, Jesus says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” In Jn.10:30, Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” Jesus is God with us.

And just to complete this thought, on that first Easter Sunday when Jesus appeared to his disciples, we read, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.” In Jn.16:7, Jesus says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” Jesus is referring to his ascension and to his sending of the Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer. In Jn.14:26, Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit seeks to ground us in the life and teachings of Jesus. God causes his presence to actually dwell in each of us who have embraced Christ by faith.

Out of love for each of us, God sent his Son, Jesus. The good news here is that by looking to Jesus we come to know what God is like. It is difficult for me to think that a person could read the gospels and come away with a negative impression about Jesus and the God he reveals. Jesus embodies the kind of justice we all desire. Jesus embodies the kindness that we want to receive and show to others. Jesus embodies the goodness and wisdom we all aspire to. Jesus embodies a loving heart that seeks to serve others and ultimately Jesus died in our place on the cross, bearing the guilt of our sins so that our sins could be forgiven. I mean, even if you don’t believe Jesus ever existed, you would have to conclude that if the Jesus of the gospels did exist that would be special. The good news is that through faith in Jesus Christ we come to know our creator God relationally and experientially. Through the Holy Spirit, God comes to live in us. This is amazing news that ought not to be taken for granted.

II. JESUS ENABLES US TO BE PART OF GOD’S FAMILY. Jn.1:9-12

The assumption made by many today is that we are all God’s children. And that is true in the sense that God created each one of us. Paul spoke of this when he gave his defense at the Areopagus in Athens. He said, “for in him [God] we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.” But in John’s gospel and throughout the New Testament the phrase, “children of God” refers to those who have come to know God through faith in Jesus.

Jesus was Jewish and he came to the Jewish people calling them to enter into the kingdom of God by becoming followers or disciples of Jesus. But we learn in v.10-11 that while Jesus was in the world, the world did not know him. In fact, he came to his own people, the Jews, and they did not receive him. This tells us that the basic posture of the people of this world, both religious and non-religious, is not inclined towards Jesus. When you stop to think about this it becomes clear that in seeking to reveal himself to humanity, God has a hill to climb. The people of the world are not particularly interested in God. And we learn why in v.12.

In v.12 it says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” To receive Jesus, to believe in his name, is to embrace him and all he says as the truth. It is to entrust one’s life and eternity into the hands of Jesus. It is to give complete allegiance to Jesus. Most people are not interested in yielding control of their life over to someone else, even someone like Jesus.

Everyone who is in the world belongs to a family and people group at least at the beginning of their life. Ideally, when you belong to a family you enjoy the privileges, mutual care and love between family members. Of course, there are a lot of broken families that bring much emotional destruction and pain.

Many people are drawn to watch the show, “This Is Us.” I don’t watch it because I can’t take the drama. But the show tries to portray the realities of family life. In the show we see how a family tries very hard to figure out how to get along with and love each other despite the hurts and disappointments of life.

Jesus came to this earth in order to make it possible for people to enter into God’s eternal family. In this family, God has covenanted to care for his children. Jesus is called God’s first born Son in the sense that he holds the position of honor, privilege, and inheritance that a first born son would have in that day. When a person receives Jesus they are brought into the family of God. According to Heb.2:11, Jesus is not just our Savior, He is our brother. And if Jesus is our brother then each of us are brothers and sisters in Christ. We receive the privileges, care, and love that are found in God’s family. The family of God is seen in the church of Jesus Christ. We who know Christ belong to each other.

Men and Women, the good news of the gospel is that all who receive him, become part of the family of God. We are brought into his family through faith in Jesus Christ. We are the recipients of his love, grace and mercy. Through faith in Christ, we are home and look forward to being with the Lord in the new heaven and earth. Jesus enables us to be part of God’s family. That is amazing, good news.

III. JESUS ENABLES US TO HAVE ETERNAL LIVING. Jn.1:13

Verse 13 refers to, “children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Here John introduces the idea of the new birth, being born from above as we saw in Jn.3.

John makes it clear that this new birth is not something that comes about by physical means. We are not talking about physical birth here. We are talking about a spiritual birth. No race of people have an advantage over any other race of people when it comes to experiencing the new birth. While Jews were in a place of privilege as God’s chosen people, the Jewish people largely rejected Christ.

No, we are talking about receiving, through Jesus, a new life from above. It is an eternal kind life. It is not a life that begins when we die. It is a life that begins the moment we receive Jesus, believing in his name.

As we read through the gospel of John the nature of the life that we receive from God is fleshed out for us. In Jn.3, Nicodemus, who was confident of his religious standing, learned that even he had to be born again. It is the Holy Spirit of God who regenerates or makes us alive in Christ. In Jn.4, the Samaritan women who met Jesus at the well of Sychar, discovered that Jesus gives living water that quenches the inner thirst for love and acceptance and forgiveness. Again in Jn.4 we saw how Jesus healed the deathly ill son of a synagogue official. The son was some 20 miles away from Jesus. Not only that, but it says that this official and his household believed in Jesus. He put his faith in Jesus even though he was not in close proximity to Jesus. A person can enter into this new life from anywhere because God is present everywhere.

In Jn.5 we read about a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. His was a hopeless case. But Jesus healed him with a word. Jesus went around doing good, giving new life. In Jn.8 we saw the pitiful situation of a woman caught in adultery and treated badly by the religious leaders. They cared nothing about the woman. Jesus forgave her sin and treated her with the kindness of God, giving her a new life. In Jn.9 Jesus cured a man who had been blind from birth. Not only did he open the man’s physical eyes, but he opened his spiritual eyes and that man worshiped Jesus, having received a new life. And on and on we could go.

The good news of Jesus is that it is by faith in Jesus that we receive new eternal living through a relationship with God. In Jn.17 Jesus is praying. In his prayer he says, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Eternal life in being in a relationship with God. Jesus makes this possible through his life, death and resurrection. This is good news. No other religion has this kind of good news in which eternal living is received by believing on the name of Jesus. This life is a gift from God through Jesus. And if you don’t know God through faith in Jesus I want to invite you to turn to him today.

But I want to make a transition here in order to introduce a series of messages about life with Christ. When God in all of his love and goodness came in the flesh to dwell with us in Jesus Christ, things did not go well for Jesus. When light comes into a dark world, the world doesn’t like the light. And so Jesus was rejected, mistreated, and eventually crucified. The good news that we have been talking about promises eternal living while we are still living in this world.

Through faith in Christ we receive his resurrection life. We live as followers of Jesus seeking to be the light of Jesus in this dark world. Well, this has serious implications for those who know Jesus. I want to read Lk.14:28-32. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.”

I only want to point out that when Jesus offered to give forgiveness of sins and eternal life, he also called people to consider the cost of being his follower in this world. Because living in the way of Jesus is out of sync with the ways of this world, followers of Jesus can expect to be treated like Jesus was treated. In other words, there is some fine print that we ought to read before giving ourselves to Christ. That’s what we are going to be looking at in weeks to come. What is the fine print that we need to know? Amen

The gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed, good news. It is true news that is life changing. This past week I participated with a group of NAB pastors called, “Blue Ocean” (I can explain later). I met a pastor from Edmonton who told me how he came to Christ. He was an atheist. One day while sitting in his college Physics class, the professor was explaining how energy from space is bombarding the earth, but because of the atmosphere, only a small amount of energy actually reaches the earth. The energy that reaches the earth is just the right amount to sustain life. If it were more or less life could not exist. David started to think about that and he asked the professor, “So are you saying that the exact amount of energy needed to sustain life on earth is just by chance? She said, “Yes.” That is when David’s mind and heart was awakened to the existence of God. He didn’t know Christ but he came to believe in God and then did come to Christ. But as we will see, knowing Christ in this world is costly. Just as the gospel cost Jesus his very life, so it calls us to surrender our life and there is a cost. We must count the cost involved in following Jesus. Amen