Title: Witnesses of All This
Contents
Sunday Sermon_090614
Title: Witnesses of All This
Text: Luke 24:44-53 (New Testament 141 pages)
“And he said to them, ‘This is what I said to you while I was with you, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. It is written that he will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. “Stay in this city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Jesus took them out to Bethany and stretched out his hands and blessed them. When he blessed them, he departed from them and [he was taken up into heaven]. [worshiped him] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, always praising God in the temple.”
Occasionally, we see a 'Find eyewitnesses!' banner on the street corner. In particular, there are many cases where people who have been in a car accident and have difficulties because no one has seen them seek witnesses. You can see how important the presence of a witness is legally by seeing that he will give a case to the witness each time.
Korea is evidence-first. When a lawsuit is filed, you can win only if there is provable evidence. If you have a heart but no physical evidence, you cannot win any legal battle. You cannot win a legal battle with just any argument. Evidence must be present to support the claim.
And we divide the evidence into two parts. They are called physical evidence and personal evidence. And human evidence is called ‘witness’. It is said that there is no superiority between physical evidence and human evidence, but it is said that the more important the issue, the more often the witness, which is human evidence, has the upper hand.
In the United Kingdom and the United States, the FBI or the police are mobilized to implement a witness protection program to protect the identity of witnesses. Because the validity of a witness is decisive, it requires personal protection. Witnesses are more important than we think.
To that extent, the most effective witness in law is the core of today's message. Because Jesus has called us to be his witnesses. Then we need to know what a witness is and why it is important. We need to know how to make you a witness of Jesus Christ.
This is because we can draw a picture of how we should live with the gospel in the future. We also need to know biblically what kind of life a witness is required of. Through today's Word, I pray in the name of the Lord that the blessing of learning and living the life of a witness of Jesus Christ will come among us. Amen.
Just as the state protects witnesses with legal effect by force, witnesses of the kingdom of God are also protected by God's power. Because you have to finish it to the end. God is also running a witness protection program among us who live as witnesses of Jesus Christ. That is the history of being clothed with power from above, which is recorded in verses 48-49 in today's Word.
God has called us to be witnesses. The content of that testimony is the gospel of Christ's cross, resurrection, and repentance through which sins are forgiven. God does not let the witnesses of this gospel carry out the work empty-handed. You don't leave it unattended. He will surely send out the power that is appropriate for the life of that witness. This is God's will.
It is the power of the Holy Spirit that God has given us as a witness protection program better than the FBI. Let's check the scene where verse 49 of today's text is fulfilled through the book of Acts. The first book Luke wrote is the Gospel of Luke, and the second book he wrote is Acts.
(Acts 1:4-5)
“They gathered together with the apostles, and commanded them, saying, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard from me.’ John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 2:33)
“God exalted Jesus with his right hand, and he has received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father and has poured out what you see and hear.”
It is the Holy Spirit that the Father has promised to pour out on those who live the life of a witness. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes, we will receive power and become witnesses of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Ultimately, the ultimate purpose of pouring out the Holy Spirit on us is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
We must obey this will of God well. Because it is an important word like the will of Jesus. This is because the history of the New Testament era is the work of God the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit must be revealed to those who live our lives as witnesses of Jesus Christ. This is normal for believers.
Also, the vitality of a witness is that there is something to see and hear. Because you cannot make a witness a person who has not seen or heard anything. The Apostle Peter, as a witness, tells the Bible about the importance of seeing and hearing.
(Acts 4:19-20)
“Peter and John answered and said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge whether it is right for us to speak of what we have seen and heard.”
And the important task of a witness is to ‘testify’.
(John 5:32)
“There is another who bears witness for me, and I know that the testimony that is bearing witness on my behalf is true.”
Jesus is also saying that the purpose of coming to this earth is “testimony”.
(John 1:7)
“He came to bear witness, that he might testify of the light, that all might believe through him.”
God the Holy Spirit also did the work of witness.
(Romans 8:16)
“The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
The mission of the disciples of Jesus was also the “witness”, which is the heavy duty of witnesses.
(Acts 4:33)
“The crowds received great favor when the apostles testified of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power”
The mission entrusted to the Apostle Paul was also ‘witness’.
(Acts 23:11)
“That night the Lord stood by Paul and said, “Be of good cheer; just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
The main task that God pours out the Spirit to do is the work of witness.
(Acts 15:8)
“And God, who knows the heart, testifies by giving them the Holy Spirit as to us.”
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive power and at the same time live the life of a witness. No matter where you are or what you do. The key is to be a witness. It is the testimony of the gospel. This is something that should always be in the realm of our lives.
We are witnesses receiving the witness protection program by the power of God. He pours out the power of God to boldly testify of the gospel. The power from heaven is given for the life of the witness. When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we can boldly live as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is preached through the testimony. It is spread to the ends of the earth through the testimony of witnesses. This is what happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. When the Holy Spirit gives you the power, you will have the courage to testify. All of this comes from heaven.
So, what do you have to testify to? The content of the testimony was recorded in two ways in today's text verses 46-47. The first is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The second is repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The cross, resurrection, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins are the core of the gospel we must preach.
(Acts 4:29)
“Now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant your servants boldness to speak the word of God.”
(Ephesians 6:19)
“And what I will ask for is, give me the word, so that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mysteries of the gospel.”
Then where does the boldness of evangelism come from? It is the boldness that the Holy Spirit gives. It is possible only when the Holy Spirit takes hold of me. If you are given the power of the Holy Spirit, you can boldly become a witness of the gospel. Ultimately, it is possible only with the help of the Holy Spirit. You must pray for this.
(Acts 4:31)
“When they had done their prayers, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly.
Dear saints, Now we are going to draw the conclusion of the sermon. God has called us to be witnesses. We are called to be witnesses of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be preached through me and your testimony. For that to happen, the words of verse 49 must be fulfilled.
It must be clothed with power from above. You must be clothed with ability. The Holy Spirit must come. When the Holy Spirit comes, the life of a witness begins. You have the courage to testify. Even though I am weak and I do not have the courage, if I hold onto the Holy Spirit, I will have courage. Hope arises. A strong belief arises. And the Bible says that boldness earns us great rewards.
(Hebrews 10:35)
“Therefore, do not forsake your courage, for this will bring you great rewards.”
(Acts 19:8)
“Paul went into the synagogue, and for three months he boldly preached and exhorted concerning the kingdom of God.”
(Acts 28:31)
“Preaching the kingdom of God, teaching all things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and without hindrance.”
Jesus also lived as a witness of the kingdom of God throughout his life. That is why he was obedient to the point of dying on the cross. And he was resurrected. We are preaching this gospel. I earnestly pray in the name of the Lord that the grace of living a blessed life as a witness of this gospel will come to all of us. Amen.