When I emphasize the DO-ing part of evangelism I struggle. I struggle to just DO it. There are a million things I’d rather DO than go out and talk to strangers about something most of them don’t want to talk about.
Can you relate? I’m sure you can. For one reason or another you just don’t tell people about Jesus. Or at least regularly. Maybe it’s been a minute since you brought someone new to a church service. Take heart, I want you to be encouraged!
There are a few things I’ve been learning about how to BE a more effective witness. There’s no magic formula, but I think a change in our posture and a charge to our power will go a long way to making a greater impact in our world for Jesus!
Below is the audio to my sermon on this topic at The Village Community Church April 26, 2015.
The Commission
Let’s go back to the earliest message from Jesus on this subject to see what we can learn…
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21-22)
Just as those disciple were sent in the way of Jesus, so we are sent in the way of Jesus!
- I’m not sending you!
- Your pastor is not sending you!
- The church is not sending you! (although in one sense it is)
- It’s not some made up idea that sends you!
- Our Father who is in heaven has sent you and me, just as He sent Jesus!
Note that Jesus connects being sent with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. That’s resurrection power! And just like those disciples needed it, so we need it!
Power from heaven…
The power of the Holy Spirit was not just a breath to a certain few. It was promised to all who Jesus sends…
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit promise was POWER for witness! Who wants some of that?
What is a witness? Someone who sees or knows something has taken place, like an accident or a crime. A witness can testify about what happened!
Hmmm, sounds kindof what Jesus was talking about!
Christians are witnesses of JESUS! Not dispensers of Jesus information!
A few things to consider…
- Being a Christian is primarily BE-ing a witness.
- The power to BE a witness is given the Holy Spirit.
- BE-ing a witness is not primarily something we do. Being a witness is just that, BEing!
- If we DO witness-ing without the power, it’s just another religious DO.
- BUT…
- If we seek the power of the Spirit without BE-ing a witness, we miss the purpose of the power.
The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for Power
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16–19)
Power is needed most in our character, the inner being. The place we need to be touched if we’re going to love people who are different than us! Paul is calling for Jews and Gentiles to come together in ONE multiethnic body.
We need power to grasp the magnitude of God’s love, not just for us, but for the people around us who are different!
The purpose of the power is love.
God wants to use us to fulfill His mission on planet earth. He has SENT us into our neighborhoods, workplaces, families, & networks of friends. He has also deposited His Spirit inside us to empower us to live a Jesus centered life.
Not only does God want to use us to fulfill His mission. He will open doors on a regular basis to make sure it happens. He’s doing it all the time!
3 Ways to Witness with Power
1. Pray UP
Before you’re in a situation with non-Christians… get ready… PRAY! Ask God for the power to love, listen to, and serve them according to the need.
2. Pray IN
Pray while you’re with people. Ask God for power. Ask for discernment and wisdom. Especially to be a good listener (maybe it’s just me!).
3. Pray OUT
Pray as you walk away from meeting people. Pray for the person/people. Ask for opportunities to follow-up, to love them, listen to them again, and serve them.
Imagine the impact our witness can make this week as we pray UP, IN, and OUT of every interaction we have!