Witness to Life

April 13, 1997 AM

"We are witnesses" Acts 3

The resurrection of Jesus did not just bring him to life from the dead. That same mighty power brought a new kind of resurrection life the disciples. The disciples found that they could share this new life, and that same mighty power began to bring into being a living fellowship we call 'the church.'

The Living Word of God Himself was the source of this great power. But the Living Word used both the spoken and the written word. Words. Not just talk, but incarnate words. There were miracles, certainly. There was a great deal of love, and that was and is essential. But there were also words.

1. The WORD came through words of witness. Peter said, "We are witnesses of the resurrection." After the miracles. After the people's attention was turned to see the life the disciples enjoyed— then "We are witnesses!" There is fascinating power in hearing someone tell first hand when an important thing has taken place in that person's life.

   Peter told the people what he knew for himself. This was first generation knowledge. Peter knew the scriptures and used them. But what gave the words "bite" was the first-hand certainty. "I know," Peter could say. "I was there!"

2. There WORD Himself came and illuminated the words of scripture. In Luke 24 in two different places we are told that the risen Savior explained the Old Testament scriptures as existing to testify of Him! On the Road to Emmaus Jesus "expounded the scriptures." Here in the end of the chapter Jesus "opened their understanding to see that the scriptures exist for the purpose of putting us in touch with God through Jesus Christ.

   John 5:39 is a text I love: "Search the scriptures, " Jesus told the educated cynics and nay-sayers. "It is in them you think you will find eternal life; it is instead in them you will find ME!" Jesus IS eternal life. Apart from Jesus the Bible is a book of wisdom and history up for interpretation. But as a handbook on Jesus, the Bible becomes a means of grace, and the chief avenue for knowing about God in Christ.

3. These two "words" are still what the Living WORD uses! The Bible used to lift Jesus up— and the personal word of witness: "This is what I know!"
   1. First, a word of encouragement to you. You don't have to do it by yourself: sharing the word is always a team effort in the final analysis. Peter said, "WE are witnesses, and so is the Holy Spirit!" Paul plants, Apollos waters, God makes the living seed grow and grow— and what you can't do and I can't alone— we can, by God's help, begin to do better together.
   2. Second, another word of encouragement. This sharing/witness business is always a process. Life takes a while to germinate. Every step along the way is important. A new life in Christ may begin with as simple a thing as a kindly smile with a prayer behind it! The one who finally leads a person to pray "Lord have mercy on me a sinner" is not more important than the one who took in a meal when a husband or wife was in the hospital. It all is part of the word-of-life-process.

Finally— and here's the 'punch line' of this message: I believe every one of us can have a part in passing along the word that brings Life! I want to do better, and I need you! You want to do better, and we need each other!

We might begin by reviewing how we read the Bible. Jesus is still willing to open our understanding so we can see how much people matter to God— so we can see Jesus in His Book! Let's renew our focus in Bible reading: read to find Jesus! Read to draw nearer to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to do the very same thing the disciples experienced: open our understanding to see Jesus in the written word.

But I am especially interested in that personal word: Peter said, "We are witnesses!" And do you know— we still are! and here's the 'punch line' of this message: let's use our personal stories!

Do you know Jesus? I believe you do! How well do you know Him? How well do I? Not as well as we would like, maybe. But we do know Him!

How would you introduce Jesus to a friend? "Jack, meet Jesus! Jesus, meet Jack!" Don't you wish it were that simple? It isn't, usually— people aren't used to people who have invisible Friends that they go around talking to all the time. (But isn't that who Jesus is at least some of the time?)

Your witness will be as real as Jesus is real to you. Finally—Don't mix up simple reality as you know and experience it with romantic stories of someone else's dramatic conversion.

[[The powerful witness of the early church flowed from their personal experience of a Risen Lord in their midst. John's letter begins with a description of that personal experience, and then John says "the reason we are telling you about this experience we are having is so that you can have it too." In the passage for this morning, John tells us very clearly that the power of having such an experience with the Risen Lord will have an impact in our everyday lives "Those who are right do right."

So now listen again to the offer Peter makes "Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee . . ." Put those words on your own lips. "Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee . . ." What is it that you have? What is it that I have? Is the root of our Christian identity to be found in the fact that we can say the Creed, or that we know some favorite hymns, or that we are recognized in the local church of our choice? Or is the reality of our Christian identity wrapped up in our experience with the Risen Lord?]]

I wish you would do me a favor: this week get some place where it is quiet and begin writing out your own story of how you know Jesus. You might bring in something like Psalm 4 "I was at a place of need and I asked for help— and Jesus came through" You might not. But make it personal to you. Don't despise your own story because it isn't like Emergency 911. Think about how Jesus has changed your life. Think about what life would be if you didn't know Him. If you have the courage, share your stories with your prayer group or parents or children. I'd love to read some of your stories. Don't try to sound like Harmon Schmelzenbach or Mother Teresa. Admit where you have weaknesses. But praise the Lord for his grace in your life.

Then get ready— write it out in simple, non-theological language. Don't use stain glassed words. If you will get ready— God will give you the opportunity to say, "You see, I have this Friend ..."

If we do this it doesn't mean we will now be a dynamite, apostolic church in great revival and renewal. But it just might be a small step in that direction! And I believe it just might please our Lord.

Will you pray with me?

O God, whose Son our risen Lord made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: and who opened to them the scriptures so they could begin to see your great plan of salvation, Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see how He is at work in our own lives, and open our mouths to tell what your grace anables us to see for ourselves of Him who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn # 532 Little Is Much When God Is in It