WITNESSING

Rev. Thomas Tyree, Jr., Pastor, Grace Bible Church of Costa Mesa, California

Copyright © 1995-2014 Rev. Thomas Tyree, Jr., All Rights Reserved



Introduction

All believers in the Church Age are mandated to witness to anyone who has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We, as believers, are all ambassadors for Jesus Christ here on earth. Also, witnessing, or personal evangelism, is not related to our spiritual gifts that each believer receives at Salvation, but a part of our full-time Christian service for the Lord.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Holy Spirit Is the Sovereign Executive of Witnessing

The Holy Spirit is the sovereign executive of witnessing as seen in Ephesians 2:1, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and John 16:8-11.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (Ephesians 2:1)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:8-11)

Salvation doctrines are our weapons in witnessing. The Gospel is the power of God with reference to salvation per Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18. The Gospel is the CALIBER of our weapon.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The Bible is the absolute standard for Truth as seen in 2 Peter 1:12-21. The Bible is the ACCURACY of our weapon.

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:12-21)

The Bible is the source of the Gospel per Luke 16:28-31 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The Bible is also the ARSENAL from which our weapon comes.

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luke 16:28-31)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The Bible is "the Mind of Christ" as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:16. Jesus Christ is the DESIGNER of our weapon.

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

The Bible is divine power as stated in Hebrews 4:12. Divine power provides the IMPACT of our weapon.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

The Bible never returns void as stated in Isaiah 55:11. Specific verses and doctrines in the Bible are the AIM of our weapon.

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

The Bible or the Word of God endures forever as stated in Luke 21:33 and 1 Peter 1:25. The eternal Word of God provides the PERMANENCE of our weapon.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Luke 21:33)

but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:25)

The believer is the agent of witnessing as stated in Acts 1:8, Ephesians 6:15,20, and 2 Timothy 4:5.

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." (Acts 1:8)

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15)

for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:20)

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

The mental attitude that the believer should have while witnessing is presented in Romans 1:16.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

The motivation for witnessing is presented in 1 John 2:2, Proverbs 11:30, and Romans 10:1.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

The principle of prayer in witnessing is presented in Ephesians 6:18-20.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20)


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