Witness
Come and See – Go and Tell
February 27, 2022
Pastor Mike Rippy
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone, and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:1-7 (NIV)
The Spiritual DNA of a Witness
✓ Discernment – Become Aware
So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (LB)
-6 – Resistant
-5 – Receptive
-4 – Seeking
–3 – Considering
–2 – Understanding
–1 – Ready
0 – New life in Christ
+1 – Belonging
+2 – Growing
+3 – Serving
+4 – Sharing
Witnessing is helping people discover that God is already at work in their lives – Sam Williams
✓ Intercession – Commit to prayer
Pray that the Father would draw them to Jesus - John 6:44 Pray against the spirit that blinds their minds - 2 Corinthians 4:4 Pray that they come to know God relationally - Romans 8:15 Pray that believers will enter into positive relationships with them - Matt 9:38
Pray for a revelation of who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Eph. 1:17
✓ Compassion – Show you care
As Jesus was passing through Jericho, a man named Zacchaeus, one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business (and, of course, a very rich man), tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So, he ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree beside the road, to watch from there. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name! “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick! Come down! For I am going to be a guest in your home today!” Zacchaeus hurriedly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “Sir, from now on I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I find I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much!” Jesus told him, “This shows that salvation has come to this home today. This man was one of the lost sons of Abraham, and I, the Messiah, have come to search for and to save such souls as his.” Luke 19:1-10 (LB)
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1 Cor 9:19-23 (NIV)
✓ Obedience – Be ready to share
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY:
➢ Begin a relationship with Jesus today.
➢ Take action on your PRAY – INVITE – BRING card. ➢ Sign up for our Next Steps class on March 13.
➢ Be baptized Sunday, March 27.