04-08-2018 – Being Witnesses like John

4.08.18 ~ “Being Witnesses like John”
See Acts 1:1-5… Former book? Theophilus? [loved by God] (cf. Luke 1:1-4) Most
excellent? Title for a Roman Official, influential Gentile, lawyer defending Paul.
Luke provides a legal brief and testimony of Christ’s life, death, resurrection (Paul -
Felix Acts 23:26; 24:3; Festus 26:25).
There were 10 appearances of Christ recorded during the 40-days between His
resurrection and His ascension:
1. Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18)
2. The women leaving the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10)
3. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), one named Cleopas
4. Peter (1Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:33-34)
5. Ten disciples, Thomas absent (Luke 24:36-43; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25)
6. Eleven disciples, Thomas present (John 20:26-29)
7. Seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
8. 500 disciples on a mountain in Galilee (1Corinthians 15:6; Matthew 28:16)
9. James (1Corinthians 15:7)
10. The apostles at Christ’s ascension back into heaven (Acts 1:10-11).
See Mark 1:1-5… John called people to confess and repent of sin, as they were
immersed in water, so as to identify their need for forgiveness, basically saying,
"God help me, I'm a sinner!" 8, John’s baptism of repentance, is contrasted with
Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:3-4, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Spiritual baptism immerses [places] us into the Body of Christ by the Holy
Spirit, setting us apart as God's children, when we confess our sins and believe in
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12-13; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians
1:13-14; 1Corinthians 12:13).
At salvation we are spiritually placed into the Body of Christ, of which
(Colossians 1:18), "He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church."
See Acts 1:6-8… Jesus' followers wanted Him to rule over Israel now; Jesus tells
them the kingdom will come, but before it does, the gospel message of forgiveness
and salvation will be preached to all the world.
The followers of Christ are the ones who are to testify to the Truth of God's
forgiveness and eternal life through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.
See Acts 1:9-11… Jesus returns to heaven, His followers must wait for the power
and presence of God to come to them at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), when they would
receive God’s Spirit, equipping and enabling them to serve as eye witnesses of
God's divine plan and provision through Christ.
See Matthew 28:19-20… The Greek word used in verse 19 is matheteuo [make
disciples], with the meaning of believing, learning, and following; saving faith
brings obedience; if you believe, you will seek to behave!
Genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings immediate salvation
(death to life), immediate spiritual baptism (relationship with the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit), and immediate discipleship (believing, following, and learning
God's Word); for the purpose of going and proclaiming it to unbelievers, because
they won’t be coming to us.
We are to immerse those who confess Christ into everything the Bible says
about Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them God’s Word: equipping,
encouraging and exhorting them to serve God with their lives (Romans 12:1-2;
2Timothy 3:16-17).
True salvation obeys God's Word, honors the Father, exemplifies the Son, and
walks in the power of the Holy Spirit, reaching out with the Love of God - the
Message of Christ - to all who will hear and believe.
See 1John 1:1-3… John was an eyewitness to what Jesus said and did, including
His death and resurrection. John was not only an Apostle, but he was one of
Christ's most intimate followers and friends, along with Peter & James.
Notice how John states that he personally (and the other Apostles) has heard,
has seen, and has touched Christ during His earthly ministry - both before and after
His resurrection.
John says God came in flesh, providing forgiveness and eternal life. John
declares that we have genuine fellowship with the Father through Christ, therefore,
we believe, obey and teach what is recorded here.
1John was written 50-60 years after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension;
and yet, John has a vivid recollection of what Jesus did and said. How is that
possible? (see John 14:15-17, 25-26).
John’s first-person testimony about God’s Son in human flesh, is very
important, especially in light of all the false teachers of that day who arrogantly
and erroneously proclaimed about a Christ they did not know or believe in, let
alone had they seen, heard, or touched him; much like false teachers today who
teach heresy.
John 20:29-31, “‘Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ Jesus did many other miraculous
signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
You and I, as God’s people, are His ambassadors, our purpose is to testify to
others about Jesus Christ, as we prayerfully communicate with God, reading,
studying and applying His Word to our life, learning to trust Him for what we need
and thanking Him for all that He provides for us.
Everyone who genuinely seeks forgiveness for their sins has eternal life and
fellowship with God the Father through Christ the Son (see 2Corinthians
5:18-21).
God’s people are to be witnesses, as was John; we must be ready to share the
message of Christ with anyone and everyone who will listen.
God’s people are messengers; Christ is the Message. God’s people are “table
waiters” or servers, Christ is the Bread of Life and the Living Water, freely given.
God has provided all the necessary resources, so that anyone can know Him
personally and intimately:
The Bible records and reveals the truth of God’s plan, purpose, and provision
through Jesus Christ, for He is the only means of salvation.
John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through Me.”
The Holy Spirit convicts us that we are all sinners, in need of the Savior.
John 16:8-9, “When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin
and righteousness and judgment: because men do not believe in Me.”
The Believer testifies to God’s truth [the Bible] by the power of the Holy Spirit,
proclaiming that everyone who genuinely repents and trusts in Christ belongs to
God and is saved by God (see Romans 10:13-15).
Jesus said (John 10:27-28), “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and
they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
How does your personal witness [your life] reflect God’s presence, power, and
pleasure? Are you following and witnessing for Christ? Are you eager to do so?
1Peter 2:12, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse
you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He
visits us.” 15, “For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the
ignorant talk of foolish men.”
You and I will not (this side of heaven) hear, see, or touch Jesus, as did John;
but we are just as responsible to bear witness and testify about Christ as John did.
You and I must allow the truth of God’s Word to change us internally, if we
expect for the changes to have an effect externally, where people see us.
It is my prayer that, in the weeks and months to come, we will all increase in
our desire to know, to grow in, to stand upon, and to declare, the Message of God
through Christ to all who will listen; only God can give peace that surpasses all
understanding, only God can forgive sins, only God can grant eternal life, and only
God can enable and empower us to be His witnesses
1Peter 3:15, “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give
an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
And all God’s people said? Amen!

Pastor Mike ~ <‘(((><