BE
AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS
BREAD
1 You
know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and
been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared
to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does
not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as
men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to
please men but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NIV)
14 As one
who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in
itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
15 If
your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in
love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider
good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and
drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves
Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore make every
effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:14-19 (NIV)
18 For it
is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord
commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)
15 Do
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not
need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
7 Serve
wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord
will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)
15 Be
very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the
Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
18 Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.” Matthew
28:18-20 (NIV)
31 So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to
stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- 33 even as I try to please
everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,
so that they may be saved. 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (NIV)
6 Whoever
claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Never, for fear
of feeble man, restrain your witness.” C.H. Spurgeon
“A witness in a
court of law has to give evidence; a Christian witness has to be evidence.” Geoffrey
R. King
“Taking a stand for Christ is increasingly unpopular in our pagan
and pluralistic society. If you believe that God created the world, that
He is a God of both love and holiness, that Jesus died and rose again for our
sins and is the only way to heaven, and that we have a responsibility to take
that message to a needy world – those beliefs will vilify you in many
segments of our society. Our world is determined to intimidate,
marginalize, and silence Christians. But our goal isn’t popularity; it’s
to know Him and make Him known. We
shouldn’t be needlessly offensive, but we shouldn’t be afraid of the ‘offense
of the cross’. These are exciting days in which to bear a witness for our
Savior!” Robert J. Morgan
“To be a
witness…means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God
did not exist.” Emmanuel
Suhard
“Every Christian life ought to be a force
among men, a witness for Jesus and an influence for blessing and good. I know that there
are few people like Billy Graham, whom God calls to do great things for Him.
For men like me, and
perhaps you, the best thing that we can do in the small time allotted to us in
this world is to live out a genuine, simple, beautiful, strong Christian life. In
our little measure we can repeat the life of the Lord Himself, doing in our
imperfect way a few of the wonderful things He would do if He were Himself in
our place.” Wales
Goebel
“Witnessing is not something we do; it is something we are.” Anonymous
“Anyone who
witnesses to the grace of God revealed in Christ is undertaking a direct
assault against Satan’s dominion.”
Thomas Cosmades
“The purpose of
the church in the world is to be the worshiping and witnessing spearhead of all
that is in accordance with the will of God.”
Donald Coggan
“Jesus reminds us that we do not belong to this world. We have been sent into the world to be living witnesses of God's unconditional love, calling all people to look beyond the passing structures of our temporary existence to the eternal life promised to us.” Henri Nouwen
HEART SAVOR
·
I am to always
walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
Without fleshing out what I believe to be true, my words will fall on
deaf ears.
·
To be an
effective witness it must be demonstrated and then heard.
·
I am
never to fear the Truth of God’s Word.
