The Power to Witness

DATE: 11th Sept 2011
SPEAKER: Ps Khor
SCRIPTURE: Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8

INTRODUCTION:
THE MISSION: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

THE PROMISE: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

God’s heart beats with missions and so must ours. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus left His disciples with a mission and the promise of His Presence &.Power.

THE PROMISE: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

THE MISSION: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)


THREE WAYS OF WITNESSING:
1. LIFESTYLE – at home, at work, in school, in our neighbourhood and amongst our family and friends. By the way we live or through our behaviour we are sending a message. But important as it is, it is NOT ENOUGH.

Are you conscious of the unspoken messages you are sending out?

Do you get upset or offended easily? Are you able to control your anger?

Our lives must bear the fruit of the Spirit of LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE KINDNESS GOODNESS FAITHFULNESS GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL! These fruits will bear witness to the life of Christ in us!

2. GOOD WORKS – Eph 2:10 & Matt 5:16
Whatever we may do as our vocation let us be known for doing good work.
If you are a teacher, let it be known that you are a good teacher.
If you are a painter, be a good painter.
If you are a taxi driver, be a good taxi driver.
If you are a boss, be a good boss! Amen!

On top of that let us be a people known for the good works we do to the poor and needy.

Doing the above two things is great and is absolutely necessary BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH. We MUST STILL ....

3. PREACH THE GOSPEL – At home AND Abroad.

We must learn how to share the gospel and our testimony. We can give a tract. And we must make disciples. That means we must teach the whole counsel of God's Word to build up His church. But we must begin by presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Paul says, "Woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel"
He also proclaimed, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the power of God for salvation for all who believes".

Rom 10: 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?


HOW CAN WE EXTEND GOD’S KINGDOM:
1. GIVE OF OURSELVES to be a blessing, Live the more blessed life.
2. PRAY, GIVE, GO in obedience

AS WE GO OUT TO FULFIL GOD’S MISSION:
1. We will experience renewal and revival
2. We will have His Promised Presence – eg: the gifts of the Holy Spirit will flow
3. We will experience the pilgrim’s life – our focus will be “off” this world
4. There will be a more intense focus on God and His commission.
5. We will experience great joy – see harvest of souls
6. All will experience God’s blessings – those who go; those who send; those who pray; those we go to

THE ENEMY WANTS TO STOP MISSIONS:
1. BLOCK prayer, giving and going
2. Get the church BOGGED DOWN with internal problems
3. Get the church to just have an INWARD FOCUS to meet her own needs
4. Get Christians so busy that we have no time for missions
5. Get Christians fearful about going to missions
6. Block finances from being released into missions.

Are you aware of the enemy’s tactics?

CONCLUSION:
Don’t let the enemy stop us! Focus on God! Let Him empower us to preach the gospel with great boldness.