Witnessing
Witnessing
Witnessing
MATTHEW 21:28-32
C. LESSON FOR US
1. Do we possess the moral courage:
a. To invite a sinful and doubting world to examine our personal lives
to discover Christ?
b. Let us be honest with God and ourselves. What would others
discover in us if they were invited to search our lives?
c. Would they discover the power of God unto salvation? Or would
they find a form of godliness but a denial of a living experience?
2. Why is it that in spite of our Bible knowledge we have so little to offer to
a sin-sick world?
a. Is it because we do not live as close to the Lord as we ought to?
b. Or is it that we lack the dynamic faith to draw divine strength and
vitality from the storehouse of divine grace?
c. These are not idle questions, but rather an attempt to find a reason
and a remedy for our weakness!
"WHAT IS THAT IN THINE HAND?"
EXODUS 4:1-4
B. CHRISTIAN SURETY
1. Implied in our opening text:
a. Our love and affection for our brother will lead us to become
responsible for him.
b. "I will be surety for him" -
(1) Abraham for his nephew and his family in Sodom - Gen.
14:11-16
(2) Moses for Israel - Ps. 106:23
(3) Paul for Onesimus - Philemon 8-14
(4) Judah for Benjamin - Gen. 44:18-32
(5) Christ for us - 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1-3
2. That means that we all make ourselves responsible for the safety of our
brothers:
a. ". . . of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto
thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame forever" - Gen. 43:9
(1) Jonathan for David - 1 Sam. 20:2
(2) Job for his family - Job 1:5
(3) Paul for the believers - 1 Cor. 9:19
b. That takes love, born from above - 1 John 2:8-11; 4:8
c. That was the motive of Christ in becoming surety for me - Gal.
2:20; Rev. 1:5
3. We will, if need be, step into the breach caused by sin:
a. That is what Moses did for Israel - Ex. 32:32
b. That is what Paul did for his son Onesimus - Philem. 1-14
A. "I BEAR THEM RECORD THAT THEY HAVE A ZEAL OF GOD, BUT NOT
ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE" - Rom. 10:1-3
1. Every time I read these words by Paul, I think of the great potentials of
"zeal":
a. It was zeal that fired Saul of Tarsus to persecute the Christians -- ".
. . breathing out threatenings and slaughter . . ." - Acts 9:1
b. It was zeal that made him say ". . . I am ready not to be bound
only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 21:13
2. Zeal is dynamo either for good or for bad, depending on the basic motive:
B. SANCTIFIED ZEAL
1. When our knowledge of God and His Word takes hold of us and motivates
our life to a point where holy fervor impels us to give all to God's cause, that is zeal for
God:
a. It may, at times, be misguided zeal, as in the case of Saul - Acts
22:3, 4
b. It was true and God-directed zeal when the life of Jeremiah
became aflame with power - Jer. 20:9
c. It was sanctified zeal that made John the Baptist a burning and
shining light - John 5:35
2. Living faith and love of the truth are two great generating forces to create
holy zeal in our lives:
a. ". . . I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is
able . . ." - 2 Tim. 1:12
b. This explains why the martyrs of our Lord defied the flames of fire
and sang hymns of praise to God unto death - Heb. 11:20-40
3. Love for perishing souls is still another motive for godly zeal:
a. ". . . I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my
brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" - Rom. 9:3
b. "Now if thou wilt not forgive their sins . . . blot me, I pray thee, out
of thy book . . ." - Ex. 32:32
4. How do men get holy zeal for God?
a. When the Holy Spirit rests upon them.
b. Think of the day of Pentecost - Acts 2
c. Sensing the lateness of the hour in which we live will also generate
energy in our soul to be zealous for God.
d. Holy zeal cost Stephen his life - Acts 7:60
e. Knowledge of existing dangers will cause men to be full of zeal for
God - Num. 14:6-9
B. LET US NOTE
1. A false conception of spiritual truth:
a. The disciples entertained the idea that the promotion in God's
kingdom depended upon favoritism.
b. But the Bible reveals that such promotion is based upon character -
Dan. 12:3, 13
c. The concept of the disciples was based upon the same desires that
caused Lucifer to rebel against the government of Christ - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-18
2. It should be noted:
a. That selfishness is one of the main obstacles to greatness in God's
kingdom.
b. "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted." - Matt. 23:12
c. The requested advancement of the two disciples would have been,
if granted, at the expense of others.
d. That is not according to the golden rule - Matt. 7:12
3. The request failed:
a. Because it lacked fitness for such a high place.
b. Moses felt different when he was asked to lead Israel - Ex. 3:11
c. Saul, too, felt unworthy to be king over Israel - 1 Sam. 9:21
d. Normally, he who is best qualified for duty feels least fit for it.
4. Experience teaches that the way to high places means:
a. Large investments -
(1) Time - it belongs to the position.
(2) Energy belongs to the position.
(3) Sacrifice is a part of the position.
(4) Loyalty belongs to the position.
b. Choosing the hard places -
(1) The form and the place of a servant.
(2) Do what others refuse to do.
(3) Be in front in time of danger.
c. Serving instead of ruling -
(1) Our Lord set the pace.
(2) They who serve best will be best qualified to sit with our
Lord in the kingdom.
B. AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?
1. This question of Convict Number One proves to me:
a. That going through a form of worship is no evidence of godliness -
(1) Judas and his master - Luke 22:21
(2) Saul - 1 Sam. 15:13
(3) Simon - Acts 8:18-25
(4) The Pharisees - Matt. 23:27-29
2. That religion often serves evil-minded persons as a cloak to hide their evil
intent:
a. It is said that during the dark ages priests would kiss the cross
before they burned their victim.
b. How often have religious reasons been given for the zeal to destroy
Christian people, who may have differed with the persecutors.
3. The question of Cain before the highest tribunal makes it plain to me:
a. That we are responsible for our attitude toward our fellow men.
b. That was made clear to the prophet Ezekiel - Ezek. 3:17, 18
c. Paul, too, states our responsibility to others very clearly - Rom.
14:7; 2 Cor. 2:15, 16
d. A child of God will soon recognize a mutual responsibility.
B. I AM YOUR BROTHER
1. That is the language of the children of God:
a. "We be brethren" - Gen. 13:8; 14:14
b. "Our brother" - Gen. 37:27
c. "I am distressed for thee, my brother" 2 Sam. 1:26
d. "All ye are brethren" - Matt. 23:8
2. Joseph, a true pattern of the brotherhood of men:
a. He made himself known to his brethren -
(1) Open-hearted
(2) Without guile - Ps. 32:2
b. Nothing seemed more dangerous to Paul than to fall among false
brethren - 2 Cor. 11:26
3. This is in sharp contrast to pretense by false brethren:
a. Judas betrayed his Master - Matt. 26:49
b. Paul considered false brethren the most dangerous to his life - 1
Cor. 11:26
c. We are told to beware of them - Matt. 10:17
4. He had a forgiving attitude:
a. "Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves" - Gen. 45:5
b. "Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath
forgiven you." - Eph. 4:32
c. This attitude of forgiveness toward our brethren cannot be
terminated by us at any time and under any circumstances - Matt. 18:21, 22
d. This spirit of forgiveness is a test of discipleship - Matt. 6:14, 15
5. He sees the brighter side of his experience:
a. He sees that God had a hand in his experience - Gen. 45:6-8
b. Can we see the brighter side in our relationship with the brethren?
c. If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:28
B. UNSELFISHNESS
1. Is the price of brotherly love:
a. Abraham's attitude toward Lot - Gen. 13:8
b. Jonathan toward David - 1 Sam. 18:1-4
c. Joseph and his brethren - Gen. 45:4
2. Unselfishness will not seek her own:
a. Lives the golden rule - Matt. 7:12
b. The language of unselfishness is found in these inspired words, "If
thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand,
then I will go to the left." - Gen. 13:9
3. Our Lord expressed the Christian attitude of one to the other this way:
a. "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of
thee turn not thou away." - Matt. 5:42
b. "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive" - Acts 20:35
c. "Freely ye have received, freely give" - Matt. 10:7
d. "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord" - Matt. 10:25
e. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" - Matt. 22:39
f. "Love one another as I have loved you" - John 13:34, 35
C. OTHERS AND I
1. When I think of others and my relationship to them:
a. I must look at them in the light of Christ's relationship to them, "he
died for all" - 2 Cor. 5:15
b. That fact changes their standing and it places new responsibilities
upon me, "But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye
sin against Christ." - 1 Cor. 8:11, 12
2. When we see others in the light of Christ's relationship to them, it makes it
much easier for us to love them:
a. That is the way Paul looked at others - 1 Cor. 10:33; Rom. 14:13
b. This is true, in a very special sense, of members of the church - 1
Cor. 10:15, 16; 12:14-24
3. We shall think of them as being worthy of our respectful consideration:
a. Think of David's attitude toward Saul, who actually sought to kill
him - 2 Sam. 1:11-17
b. Or remember the specific instructions of our Lord in the sermon on
the mount - Matt. 5:38-48
4. Contrast the attitude of the following persons:
a. Abraham and his nephew Lot - Gen. 13; 14;
b. David and Saul - 1 Sam. 24:1-18
c. Our Lord and Judas
5. To consider others more and better than ourselves:
a. Takes the love of God in our own hearts. This is what is fading
away from many believers in the church - Matt. 24:12, 13
b. When the law of love motivates my life, it will surely affect those
with whom I associate.
c. This is the one great lesson that is understood easier than lived.
d. When I think of others, I must look at them in the light that heaven
sees me and them also.
BUSINESS HERE AND THERE
1 KINGS 20:40-42
A. A VISION OF GOD
1. Time and occasion:
a. "In the year that King Uzziah died" -- History of Uzziah - 2 Ki.
15:1-5
2. The vision:
a. "I saw the Lord"
(1) A change from the earthly to the heavenly glories.
(2) Moses on the mount - Heb. 11:24-27
(3) Paul in a trance - 1 Cor. 9:1
b. "Sitting on a Throne"
(1) High and lifted up - Dan. 7:9-11; Rev. 20:11
(2) His train filled the temple - 1 Ki. 8:10, 11
c. "I saw Seraphims"
(1) Each having six wings, with two he covered his face, with
twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
(2) One cried unto the other "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord
God of Hosts"
(3) The whole earth is full of His glory.
B. EFFECT OF VISION
1. Self-discovery: "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of
unclean lips."
a. Job had a similar experience - Job. 42:1-3
b. So did Peter - Luke 5:8
c. Saul of Tarsus experienced the divine glory - Acts 9:1-6
2. "Mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."
a. Seeing the King of glory will lead to real self-discovery.
b. The unprepared inhabitants of the world will understand the
signification of the divine glory, but too late - Rev. 6:15, 16
c. What an impression the vision of seeing the great King on the
throne of His divine Majesty must make upon poor mortals!
C. A VISION OF DUTY
1. Isaiah hears God's call to service: "Whom shall I send, and who will go
for us?"
a. He who reads the hearts of men, knew before hand who would
answer the call of duty.
b. But God wants volunteers for His service; He wants us to take a
personal interest in the service of soul winning.
2. Isaiah's response:
a. He was a changed man; he had a vision of the sacredness of the
ministry; he had been cleansed from all uncleanness.
b. He was willing and fully surrendered to God; that is the main
prerequisite for service--surrender - dedication!
c. Ponder, if you will, the deep significance of Isaiah's response to the
call of duty -
(1) He had a vision of God; that is basic to the service of the
Lord.
(2) He had a vision of himself; that is a must if we are to
realize our need for divine help to do acceptable service.
(3) He experienced a cleansing; that makes the difference in
fruitful service.
(4) He had a burden for lost souls; that was the impelling
power for him to say, "Here am I, send me."
3. Thus we learn these essentials for entering the service of the Lord:
a. A vision of God is imperative! "Where there is no vision, the
people perish" - Prov. 29:18
b. "We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is
there among us any that knoweth how long" - Ps. 74:9
c. A vision of the perishing souls, for whom Christ died - Ezek. 37:1-
14
d. A vision of a clean and sanctified life to be the representative of
the King of glory - Isa. 52:11
e. A vision of the Lord who will make us fit vessels of His grace to
bear the message of truth - 2 Cor. 3:6
f. Finally, it is wonderful to be called to serve the King of kings and
the Lord of lords.
THE CHRISTIAN DEBTOR
ROMANS 1:14
A. SIN AND THE EFFECTS OF SIN BRINGS WITH THEM BURDENS FROM
WHICH NO LIFE IS EXEMPT
1. Some of these burdens are personal; no one else, no matter how close he
or she may be to us, can bear them for us:
a. The burden of parenthood. Sorrows that came to Adam and Eve
when Cain killed his brother illustrate my point.
b. That was true of Job when Satan used the storm to destroy Job's
children.
c. David's sorrows when Absalom sought to kill his father to take the
kingdom.
d. Then we have the burden of sickness. Some of us have prayed for
God to remove a certain infirmity, our friends are sympathetic, yet they cannot help us.
2. Other burdens are brought upon us by the performance of our public
duties:
a. Moses was loaded with burdens from morning till evening - Num.
12:3
b. Paul speaks of the "cares for all the churches" - 2 Cor. 11:28
c. The higher the position, the greater will be the burdens.
A. MOTHERS' DAY
1. A national Memorial Day:
a. A time for the American people to pay their respect to the memory
of worthy American mothers.
b. A time for reflection upon the devotion and sacrifices of
motherhood.
2. The church of God has good reason to use this occasion to give emphasis
to the memory of God-fearing mothers in all ages:
a. Christ set the pace for Mothers' Day with His dying words,
"Behold thy Mother" - John 19:26, 27
b. The Bible chronicles the memory of God-fearing mothers.
c. Eternity alone will bring to light the life story of the mothers in
Israel.
B. IN REMEMBRANCE OF DORCAS
1. The story of Dorcas is full of pathos and inspiration:
a. She was full of good works.
b. And almsdeeds which she did.
2. She occupied herself:
a. Not to gratify self-interest;
b. Not to accumulate material wealth or fame;
c. But to relieve suffering; to aid the poor.
d. She worked for those, who were unable to compensate her for her
labor.
e. In all this she emulated her Lord and Master;
f. And came to live a life of service without compensation by men.
3. The church of God, in all ages, has been blessed by the life of Dorcas:
4. It brought into being:
a. The inspiration of Christian women to follow her example in
working for the poor and unfortunate.
b. That brought our Dorcas Society into being and into prominence in
our organization.
c. This blessed Advent Movement has been made that much more
useful and prominent by the unselfish ministry of thousands of dedicated Christian
women.
5. The humble ministry of Sister Dorcas indicates:
a. That living for others is the highest virtue anyone can aspire to.
b. No effort by men can give the satisfaction as does the unselfish and
loving ministry for the needy.
c. This is made very evident by our Lord's words as recorded in Matt.
25:34-40