To be in love is a wonderful experience. Do you remember the day you told others about your love for your spouse? When your spouse answered your proposal, you were on cloud nine. You called everyone, sent emails to your friends, wrote letters to people-you let everyone know of your joy. You could not contain your happiness.
If you are not in love, you won’t tell anyone. Something very similar happens in our relationship with Jesus. We will want to tell everyone about Him. It is impossible for Salvation and Witnessing to exist apart from each other. This happens because the Holy Spirit is working in your life. When a person has experienced conversion, the Holy Spirit takes control of your heart and you will witness to others about Jesus.
John 1:37-42
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
Jesus deliberately turned around and asked: “What are you seeking?” The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Then Andrew had an automatic reaction and fell in love with Jesus. Andrew became a witness right away which is a sign of true conversion. Andrew had to find someone he could share Jesus the Messiah with and witness to them. Andrew went to his brother and shared Jesus.
This is an example of what Jesus is asking of us. We have the greatest news in the entire world. The most fantastic message of the Bible is Jesus the Messiah and salvation is available to all men. God wants us to understand Jesus is coming again. People are out there that need to hear about Jesus. The testimony of a friend is far more powerful than a stranger. Sharing Jesus is a lifestyle and a culture. Evangelism means you are telling the Good News. Evangelism is a way of life.
God has given us the opportunity to witness. One hundred and two Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower to have opportunity to practice their faith. Jesus gives me an opportunity and I will tell someone about Him. I can share Jesus with a friend, a neighbor, a worker in the office, a student at school, or people I meet in business. You can share what Jesus has done for you. God has asked you to get people ready to live in the Promised Land.
The Pastor’s role is to preach and teach how to win people for Jesus. Just be a friend and introduce others to your friend Jesus. Andrew did not have to be trained, he brought his brother to Jesus right away. Just tell people the practical things. Share how Jesus has delivered you from any life problems. Invite your friends to church and Bible Study. Be warm and friendly with each other. Study the Bible together in your homes as it is impossible to keep Jesus a secret.
This kind of love is tender and compassionate and draws people to you. Here is a true story. A doctor was driving along the road one day and by the side of the road there was an injured dog. The doctor stopped and had compassion and took the dog to his house. He cleaned up the dog, set the broken bone the dog had suffered from, and cared for the injured animal. The dog loved the doctor. The dog got well and one day disappeared. One day the doctor heard a scratching noise at his door. There was the dog with another dog that had a broken leg. The dog that had gotten well went out and shared the compassion of the doctor with other dogs.
Witnessing is the key to keeping your Christian witness alive. When we are in love no on has to tell us how to be in love.
Revelation 2:4-5
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
If we are unwilling to witness or share our experience with Jesus with someone else, it means we are lost. It is impossible for a saved person to not witness for Jesus. When you witness you save your own soul. Here is another true story.
A man was traveling outside on a cold winter day and started to freeze from exposure. This man heard the moaning of another traveler that was also freezing. The first traveler took the second man to safety and in so doing stimulated his limbs and warmed himself up enough to stay alive. The first travelers vigorous efforts to save another man saved his own life. The same thing with someone who loves Jesus.
It is impossible to stay quiet about Jesus. I may have not been witnessing before, but I want to learn how to witness to others.
This was the sermon preached by Pastor Korter at Bellingham on Sabbath, 5. February 2011.