What personal benefits do we receive when we witness?
(Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 15:1-32; 19:10; John 7:37-38; 2 Cor. 5:14-20; 1 Tim. 2:3-6; James 5:20) Blog June 28-July 4, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: This quarter we will consider what the Bible teaches about sharing our faith. This is not a theme for unbelievers but rather a subject of supreme importance for us who believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world. As his friends and servants, we desire to join him for the eternal salvation of those who know him not.
Who? (Acts 1:4-8; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-15; 1 Tim. 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:1-2)
1. Who does Jesus expect to be his witnesses? His disciples (unbelievers may inadvertently point people to God, but it is believers whom Jesus expects to continually testify of him).
2. What requirement does Jesus expect his disciples to have before witnessing for him? The baptism (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit.
3. What geographical limitations did Jesus put on witnessing? None, but he did instruct his disciples to begin nearest to where they were & then expand, even “unto the uttermost part of the earth”.
4. What racial guidelines for witnessing does Paul give in Romans 1? That we should begin first with our own race & with those who profess to believe in God such as Jews Muslims, cult members, & unsaved Catholics).
5. Does God have a predetermined elect section of humanity who will be saved whether we witness to them or not? No, Peter, Paul, & John all make clear that God’s desire & will is that all men be saved & that Christ died for all & that we witness to ALL.
Motives (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 15:1-36; 19:10; 24:45-49; John 20:21; Acts 8:4; 2 Cor. 5:14-20; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 4:7-8)
6. What primary reason for witnessing did Jesus give to his disciples in each of the four gospels? The command to “Go, witness!”
7. How does Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 express Jesus’ commission to witness? “And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
8. What did Jesus say at Zacchaeus’ house for Christians who desire to follow their Lord’s example? “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”.
9. According to the three parables recorded in Luke 15:1-32 what motive for witnessing does Jesus give? To bring rejoicing to God & all the holy angels.
10. What does Paul say motivated him to witness? Christ’s love for him demonstrated by dying for all humanity making everyone no longer just a person but now a purchase of Jesus.
11. When we appreciate what Jesus has done for us what other motive besides his love for us will move us to witness for him? Our love for Jesus[RM1] [RM2] .
12. In Second Corinthians 5 and 6 what terms does Paul use that should make us want to be fellow witnesses with him? He says we can be “co-laborers” & “ambassadors” for Jesus.
13. What motivated the believers in Jerusalem to leave the comfort of their ghetto and go out to regions beyond? The persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen.
14. What other means has God used to enlist the services of believers in outreach? He struck Saul down & spoke to him directly, an angel told Philip to go to the Ethiopian eunuch, the Holy Spirit was not given to believers in Samaria until the apostles came down from Jerusalem, Peter had to be given a triple vision in order to evangelize the gentile Cornelius, Barnabas went to Tarsus to call Paul, & the Holy Spirit spoke to the church in Antioch so they would send out Paul & Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
Consequences (Luke 6:38; 15:1-32; 2 Cor. 6:1-10)
15. Besides bringing joy to God and the holy angels who else receives joy when a sinner is brought to faith. The person witnessing & the person converted & not just in this life but throughout eternity.
16. When we witness to others what personal benefits do we receive besides joy? By sharing in Christ’s work our characters are developed & our selfishness is diminished.
17. What does James say will be hidden if we turn a sinner to Jesus? A multitude of sins.
18. Throughout the book of Acts what always followed genuine witness for Jesus? Personal suffering, opposition, & persecution.
19. When a person or church is content to minister only to their own, what results? Their witness becomes stagnant – so like Paul we should continually advance into new fields (foreign countries & difficult fields are often neglected).
20. How does the apostle Paul apply what Isaiah in his 49th chapter wrote about the Messiah and Israel? He applies to God’s people today the statement: “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”