MS #25 ~ “Believer’s Testimony” April 1, 2013 – Posted in: News
Hello once again. It’s always a joy to observe the spring time with plants popping their heads up through the ground and birds singing. Solomon described it well, “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” SoS 2:11 & 12. But how wonderful to be the spring time for souls who have found Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives. And what a joy to have a part in this “ministry of reconciliation.” Thanks for your continued interest in our efforts here. Your continued prayers are valued as we endeavor to send His Word to many precious souls both here and abroad.
1 Cor. 3:7 & 8.
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“Believer’s testimony/witness to the World” – What does it encompass?
WHAT – “the great commission” – “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word (ministry) of reconciliation” 2 Cor. 5.18 – 20 “We pray in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.”
“the Gospel … preached unto you … how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures … He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures …” 1 Cor. 15.3, 4.
WHO – “… children of light, and the children of the day…” 1 Thess. 5.5, 8
“… now are you light in the Lord, walk as children of light…” Eph. 5.8
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5.14
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” Matthew 5.13. – cleansing, preservative, savor, thirst-quencher
“… who (have been delivered) from the power of darkness, and … translated into the kingdom of … the Son of His love…” Colossians 1.13
WHERE – those who are yet unsaved, without Christ in ‘the world’ –
“… these (whom Thou hast given Me) are in the world … they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world …” John 17.11, 16
“… cast your bread upon the waters…” Eccles. 11.1
- Our “unsaved” relatives, neighbors, colleagues, folks we see from day to day
WHY – it is incumbent upon us, as believers in Christ –
“… Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2.14
“… necessity is laid upon me… woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! … a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me…” 1 Cor. 9.16, 17
“For unto you it is given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1.29
WHEN – “… as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,..” Galatians 6.10
“… be instant in season, out of season…” 2 Timothy 4.2
“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand…” Eccles. 11.6
“… walk as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Eph. 5.15, 16
HOW – God equips the believer with everything he/she needs to be a witness for Him
- Believer’s ‘workout’ – “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil. 2.12, 13
- Christian’s armor – loins gird about with truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, prayer – Eph. 6.13 – 17 (is spiritual warfare included in the ‘great commission’?)
- Preaching – “… how shall they preach, except they be sent… so then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10. 14, 15, 17 “… it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Cor. 1.21 – Paul exhorted Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist” 2 Timothy 4.5
Note – Because of my involvement in gospel activities, this may be paramount on my heart, but there are many other ways in which to testify to the world –
- Love/kindness/compassion towards the people of God – “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” John 13.35
- Our response to trial, sickness, bereavement, loneliness, tragedy, etc. – “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1.29 “In the world you will have tribulation…” John 16.33
- Our response to undeserved treatment, imprisonment, etc. – “… the things which happened unto me have fallen out … unto the furtherance of the Gospel…” Phil. 1.12
- “… I am made all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.” 1 Cor. 9.22