Empowered Witnesses: Sharing Faith with Authenticity
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new study focused on sharing our faith, inspired by Jesus' words in Acts 1:8, "You will be my witnesses." This is not a suggestion but a divine mandate for every Christian. Being a witness means sharing what God has done in our lives, while an evangelist actively seeks opportunities to proclaim the gospel. Both roles are crucial, but everyone is called to be a witness.
We discussed the importance of living out our faith authentically, as people are more likely to listen when they see genuine care and transformation in our lives. We also explored the difference between being a witness and an evangelist. A witness shares personal experiences with God, while an evangelist is more proactive in seeking opportunities to share the gospel.
We reflected on the challenges and excuses that often prevent us from being effective witnesses. These include doubts about our worthiness, fear of rejection, and feeling overwhelmed by the mission. However, we are reminded that we are not alone; the Holy Spirit empowers us to share our faith.
Practical steps were suggested, such as spending time with God daily to remind ourselves of our identity in Christ and praying for a tender heart towards the Holy Spirit's guidance. We also discussed the importance of using technology and everyday interactions as platforms for witnessing.
Ultimately, the call to be a witness is a call to be faithful, not necessarily successful. Our role is to plant seeds and trust God to bring the increase. By stepping out of our comfort zones, even just a little, we can make a significant impact for the Kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Mandate to Witness: Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 is clear: "You will be my witnesses." This is not optional but a divine mandate for every believer. Being a witness means sharing what God has done in your life, and it is a role that every Christian is called to fulfill. [02:56]
2. Authenticity in Witnessing: People are more likely to listen to your message when they see genuine care and transformation in your life. Authenticity in living out your faith is crucial. It's not just about what you say but how you live that makes you a credible witness. [04:52]
3. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: We are not called to share our faith on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us, giving us the courage and wisdom to share our stories. Spending time with God daily helps us stay connected to this power source. [13:41]
4. Overcoming Excuses: Common excuses like feeling unworthy, fearing rejection, or feeling overwhelmed are often tactics of the enemy to keep us silent. Recognizing these excuses and relying on God's strength can help us overcome them. [27:32]
5. Faithfulness Over Success: Our role is to be faithful in sharing our faith, not necessarily to see immediate results. Planting seeds and trusting God to bring the increase is our primary responsibility. Even small steps out of our comfort zones can have a significant impact. [35:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - Opening Prayer
[01:58] - Introduction to the Study
[02:56] - The Mandate to Witness
[03:53] - Living as a Witness
[04:52] - Authenticity in Witnessing
[05:53] - Difference Between Witness and Evangelist
[07:49] - Gifts of Evangelism
[09:47] - Examples of Evangelists
[10:51] - Sharing Personal Experiences
[11:32] - Daily Reminders of Our Role
[12:56] - Importance of Morning Devotions
[13:41] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[14:25] - Personal Testimonies
[15:23] - Prayer for Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
[16:09] - Sharing Faith in Everyday Life
[17:21] - Using Technology for Witnessing
[18:29] - Evangelist vs. Witness
[19:40] - Sharing with Christians and Non-Christians
[20:15] - Opportunities to Witness
[21:41] - Encouragement from Others
[23:10] - Gospel Handles
[23:55] - Missing Opportunities
[24:24] - Command to Be Witnesses
[25:02] - Forgiveness and Witnessing
[25:36] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[26:13] - God Knows Your Personality
[26:46] - Excuses for Not Witnessing
[27:32] - Belief in Heaven and Hell
[28:13] - The Narrow Way
[29:00] - Distractions from Eternal Things
[29:36] - Multiple Hearings of the Gospel
[30:20] - Caring for the Lost
[31:04] - Praying for God's Heart
[31:44] - Overwhelming Mission
[32:47] - Embracing the Weird
[33:36] - Reaching Those in Your Life
[34:43] - Faithfulness Over Success
[35:31] - Planting Seeds
[36:45] - Fear of Rejection
[37:27] - Embracing the Weird
[37:58] - Living for Jesus
[38:32] - Boldness in Witnessing
[39:16] - Feeling Unworthy
[39:58] - Immediate Usefulness
[40:46] - Power of a Changed Life
[41:31] - Different Testimonies
[41:55] - Using Your Testimony
[42:33] - Knowledge of God and the Bible
[43:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 - "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."
2. Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
3. Ephesians 4:11 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 1:8, what is the source of power for being a witness for Jesus? How does this power manifest in a believer's life? [02:56]
2. What is the difference between being a witness and an evangelist as discussed in the sermon? [05:53]
3. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers to share their faith, according to the sermon? [13:41]
4. What are some common excuses mentioned in the sermon that prevent people from being effective witnesses? [27:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses apply to modern-day Christians? What does it mean to be a witness in today's context? [02:56]
2. Why is authenticity important in witnessing, and how can a lack of authenticity affect one's witness? [04:52]
3. How can believers overcome the fear of rejection when sharing their faith, as suggested in the sermon? [27:32]
4. What does it mean to be faithful rather than successful in witnessing, and how can this perspective change the way we approach sharing our faith? [35:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate a reminder of your identity as a witness for Jesus into your morning routine? [12:56]
2. Think about a recent interaction where you had the opportunity to share your faith but didn't. What held you back, and how can you overcome that barrier next time? [16:09]
3. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. What is one practical step you can take this week to share your faith with them? [19:40]
4. How can you use technology and social media as platforms for witnessing? Share one specific way you plan to do this in the coming week. [18:29]
5. What are some ways you can step out of your comfort zone to share your faith? Identify one small step you can take this week to be more proactive in witnessing. [26:13]
6. How can you pray for a tender heart towards the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? Write down a specific prayer you can say each morning. [15:23]
7. Reflect on the idea of being faithful rather than successful in witnessing. How does this change your perspective on sharing your faith, and what is one way you can apply this mindset in your interactions this week? [35:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Mandate to Witness
Jesus' command in Acts 1:8, "You will be my witnesses," is not a suggestion but a divine mandate for every believer. Being a witness means sharing what God has done in your life, and it is a role that every Christian is called to fulfill. This mandate is not about having all the answers or being a perfect Christian; it's about being willing to share your personal experiences with God. The call to witness is a call to be faithful in sharing the good news, trusting that God will use your testimony to touch the hearts of others. [02:56]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life. How can you share this experience with someone this week?
Day 2: Authenticity in Witnessing
People are more likely to listen to your message when they see genuine care and transformation in your life. Authenticity in living out your faith is crucial. It's not just about what you say but how you live that makes you a credible witness. When others see the changes in your life and the love you have for them, they are more open to hearing about the source of that transformation. Authenticity builds trust and opens doors for deeper conversations about faith. [04:52]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you demonstrate genuine care and authenticity in your relationships today?
Day 3: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
We are not called to share our faith on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us, giving us the courage and wisdom to share our stories. Spending time with God daily helps us stay connected to this power source. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we find the strength to overcome our fears and doubts. The Holy Spirit guides us in what to say and how to say it, ensuring that our witness is effective and impactful. [13:41]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: How can you make time today to connect with the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance in your witness?
Day 4: Overcoming Excuses
Common excuses like feeling unworthy, fearing rejection, or feeling overwhelmed are often tactics of the enemy to keep us silent. Recognizing these excuses and relying on God's strength can help us overcome them. We must remember that our worthiness comes from Christ, not from our own abilities. By trusting in God's promises and stepping out in faith, we can overcome these barriers and be effective witnesses for Him. [27:32]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Identify one excuse that has been holding you back from witnessing. How can you rely on God's strength to overcome it today?
Day 5: Faithfulness Over Success
Our role is to be faithful in sharing our faith, not necessarily to see immediate results. Planting seeds and trusting God to bring the increase is our primary responsibility. Even small steps out of our comfort zones can have a significant impact. It's important to remember that success in witnessing is not measured by the number of conversions but by our obedience to God's call. By being faithful, we allow God to work through us in His timing and His way. [35:31]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."
Reflection: What small step can you take today to be a faithful witness, trusting God with the results?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What do you think it means to be a witness for Jesus? Okay. Part of that is telling others about him, right? Living a life of a Christian. Sharing your faith. Any other thoughts? Yes. Amen. Romans 1. Don't be ashamed of the gospel that saved your soul. Right? Don't be ashamed of the one who died for you." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A witness tells you what they've seen. If on the way to church here, God forbid, you witnessed a car accident, you and so the police officer stopped you and said, what did you see? And then you just share from your perspective what you saw you're being a witness, right? And so if you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you just share what God has done for you. From your perspective, you're sharing your story." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are not called, and we're going to talk about this more, but we are not called to share our faith on our own. We are called to share our faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. And what that means is as you meet with God, as you spend time with Him, and as He answers prayer and He works in your life and you hear His voice and all of these different things, you're going to have a story. And that's going to, it's going to make you so excited to be a Christian when you start seeing Him working in your life." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do you really believe what the Bible says about heaven and hell and that real people are going to hell? Like, do you really believe that? Is that hard for you to grasp that there are real people going to a real hell and once they're there, they never get out? It says so in the Bible, but do you believe it? Not everybody goes to heaven. In fact, the Bible seems to say that relatively few go to heaven." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You're not called to reach the whole world. You're just called to reach the people that God puts into your life, right? The ones that God puts in front of you, those are the ones that you're called to be a witness to. And so it's kind of like that story of the kid that's throwing the starfish back out into the ocean, right? Well, it mattered to that one. And it mattered to that one. But look at all the other starfish. Well, just do what God calls you to do." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so one of the gifts, one of the gifts that he gives to the church is evangelists. And these are people that have a supernatural gifting from God that they just can't go a day without sharing the gospel. They have to share it. And they're proficient at it. They're pretty good at it. And there are those. Do you know somebody like that? Billy Graham is a good example. He's a good example of an evangelist, yep." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you see yourself as Jesus' witness? Like on a daily basis, do you think of yourself that way? Sometimes. Yeah, sometimes. I think that is, that's a very honest answer. Sometimes we do, and sometimes we forget, don't we? Sometimes we forget that I'm a witness and you get busy, you get all kinds of stuff going on in your life, and the next thing you know, you know, you're not being too great of a witness, like Bill said. But if you're a Christian, then this applies to you. You are a witness for Jesus Christ every day." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What keeps you from being a better witness for Jesus? So, here's just a few things that I came up with of excuses that I've heard from other people's mouths and excuses that I've heard from my own mouth over the years. Number one, do you really believe what the Bible says about heaven and hell and that real people are going to hell? Like, do you really believe that? Is that hard for you to grasp that there are real people going to a real hell and once they're there, they never get out?" (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And He, and this is really important and we're going to come back to this many times over in the next few weeks. God knows you. He made you. He knows your personality. He calls us to sometimes step out of our comfort zone, but He also knows who you are. And so He may call you to take a step outside of your comfort zone, which He oftentimes does, but it'll be one step from where you are." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What keeps you from being a better witness for Jesus? Is it that you feel unworthy to share the gospel because of your sin? Oh, that's one of Satan's biggest tricks. If he can just keep you thinking that you're, that there's no way that you should be sharing your faith because of what you've done, then he's got you. Right? But Jesus assures us over and over again, your sins are forgiven, washed away. God is not even considering them. You might be, but he isn't." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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