1. Classic Christianity
Witness

2. Classic Christianity (Review)
PRAYER
Prayer is an open line of communication – from God to us and us to God.
God is not silent and he invites us to pray to Him.
Not simply talking to God but communing with God.
5 points of prayer: the privilege, particulars, providence, proviso and power.

3. Classic Christianity (Review)
2. WORD OF GOD
The Bible shows us Jesus, renews us in Jesus and equips us in Jesus.
Challenge: read the bible with Jesus as the focus rather than our own selves
Not simply about behaviour modification but real life transformation.

4. Classic Christianity (Review)
3. FELLOWSHIP
Why fellowship? Because we are told to, because we are not alone and because we are on borrowed time.
We are called not to forsake, neglect, abandon, avoid meeting with one other.
Fellowship is important because we can be a part of others receiving God’s best
The world will be able to see the Glory of God as we invite others into our genuine fellowship.
This is in turn becomes our WITNESS.

5. What does witness mean? To Witness
To see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception

8. What does witness mean? To Witness
To see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception
To Be A Witness
Someone who attests to a fact or affords evidence.
Someone who testifies (to declare, profess, or acknowledge openly.)

9. To witness vs. to be a witness
God is calling us to be ACTIVE in our faith and not passive. God is calling us not just to witness but TO BE A WITNESS

10. How can we be an effective witness?

11. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Why should we be witnesses?
Jesus commands us to

12. Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

13. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Why should we be witnesses?
Jesus commands us to
We believe in Jesus

14. 2 Corinthians 4:13-15
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

15. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Why should we be witnesses?
Jesus command us to
We believe in Jesus
The world needs Jesus

16. Romans 3:23-25a
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith

17. Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

18. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Understand the POWER of our witness = Holy Spirit

19. Acts 4:8-20
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

20. Acts 4:8-20
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.

21. Acts 4:8-20
 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

22. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Understand the POWER of our witness = Holy Spirit
By the power of the Holy Spirit:
Anyone can be a witness
Anyone can be a witness anytime
Anyone can be a witness anywhere

23. Acts 1:7-8
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

24. Bill Crowder
‘As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses of what Jesus has done in us and for us. To point people to Christ, we don’t need to be able to explain every theological issue or answer every question.
What we must do is explain what we have witnessed in our own lives through the cross and the resurrection of the Savior.
Even better is that we don’t have to rely on ourselves alone to do this. As we rely on the Spirit’s power, we can point a hurting world to the redeeming Christ. With His help, we can witness to the life-changing power of His presence in our lives!’

25. How to be an effective witness
Understand the PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Understand the POWER of our witness = Holy Spirit
Understand the PROOF of our witness = Our Life

26. John Poulton
‘The most effective preaching comes from those who embody the things they are saying. They are their message…Christians…need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily, not words or ideas…Authenticity…gets across from deep down inside people…A momentary insincerity can cast doubt on all that has made for communication up to that point… What communicates now is basically personal authenticity.’

27. Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

28. Characteristics of salt
High potency
Our strong personal relationship with God should:
Create spiritual thirst
Add flavour to other’s lives

29. John Stott
‘When Christians care for each other and for the deprived, Jesus becomes more visibly attractive’

30. Characteristics of salt
High potency
Our strong personal relationship with God should:
Create spiritual thirst
Add flavour to other’s lives
Hold back moral decay
Close proximity
We need to be in contact with what we are trying to effect

31. Characteristics of light
Clear communication
We need to be able to spiritually illuminate others:
By living out God’s teachings
By explaining the Gospel with precision and accuracy

32. 1 Peter 3:15-16
15 But in your hearts revere 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

33. Food for Thought The PURPOSE of our witness = Jesus Christ
Do you have assurance and confidence in the person of Christ?
Are you willing to obey his command to go and make disciples?
Do you understand the need and the urgency for the Gospel all over the world?

34. Food for Thought The POWER of our witness = Holy Spirit
Do you feel inadequate to be a witness for Christ?
Will you depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform you?
Will you seek to be His witness every time and everywhere?

35. Food for Thought The PROOF of our witness = Our Life
Does your life declare the glory of God?
Are there inconsistencies in what you believe and how you live?
Are you prepared to be a witness for Christ?