Witnessing for Jesus

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON VI 
WITNESSING FOR JESUS

Law of the Spiritual Court-room

I. Christ Witnessed Unto His Father

1. For what cause was Christ born?

"To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world; that I should bear witness unto the truth." John 18:37.

“He did not command the disciples to do this or that, but said, 'Follow me.'"Acts of the Apostles, p. 18.

"On His journeys through country and cities, He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the people. . . . They saw Him in every phase of life." Acts of the Apostles, p. 18.

2. What shows that it was not merely the testimony of words, but His life that was the real witness of Jesus?

"The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me." John 10:25.

II. Christ's Followers are His 'Witnesses’

1. What promise did Christ give His early church before He departed from them?

"Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." Acts 1:8.

In the court-room of the universe we are not judges but witnesses. "A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God."Desire of Ages, p. 280.

2. What shows that the witness plan has always been God's ideal?

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God." Isaiah 43:12, last part.

"This also we shall be in eternity.” Education, p. 3081.

3. Is it true that our witnessing in this life is merely preliminary to our eternal witnessing in the great beyond?

"That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:7. 

"The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; . . . the science that will be the study of God's redeemed throughout endless ages."Education, p. 126.

III. How We Can Witness for, or against, Christ?

1. What great science should we study?

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.

"Great is the responsibility of those who take upon themselves the guidance of a human soul."Education, p. 280.

"The highest of all sciences is the science of soul-saving. ... For the accomplishment of this work, a broad foundation must be laid. A comprehensive education is needed." Ministry of Healing, p. 398.

"He who begins with a little knowledge, in a humble way, and tells what he knows, while seeking diligently for further knowledge, will find the whole heavenly treasure awaiting his demand. . . . The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself."Christ's Object Lessons, p. 357.

2. How can we witness for Jesus?

"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark 5:19.

3. What great promise does God give us?

"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life." 1 John 5:16.

"One petition offered up to God in faith has more power than a wealth of human intellect."Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 279.

4. How personal will be our witness of Jesus?

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:16.

"lf we are Christ's, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and s we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences."Desire of Ages, p. 83.

"Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience, of the mercy and Loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love. When mind and heart are filled with the love of God, it will not be difficult to impart that which enters into the spiritual life." Prophets and Kings, p. 317.

5. Is it possible to deny Christ?

"But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:33.

"They may deny Him by shunning life's burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him

by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them. And 'whosoever shall deny me before men,' He says, 'him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."'Desire of ages, p. 357. 

6. How joyful should be our witness?

"Rejoice evermore." 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10.

"Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James 1:2. "In everything give thanks." 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

"True religion brings man into harmony with the laws of God, physical, mental, and moral. It teaches self-control, serenity, temperance. Religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, and sanctifies the judgment. It makes the soul a partaker of the purity of heaven. Faith in God's love and overruling providence lightens the burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing fountain of happiness."Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 600.

7. If we feel our inadequacy, what has God given to us? “Exceeding great and precious promises." 2 Peter 1:4.

"He rejoiced in the consciousness that He could and would do more for His followers than He had promised."Acts of the Apostles, p. 23.

"Although they feel the magnitude of the work, and are led to exclaim, 'Who is sufficient for these things?' yet they will not shirk from labor and toil, but will labor earnestly and unselfishly to save souls." Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 152.

"He will guide His people and give skill and understanding in the work they are called to do. In answer to earnest prayer, He will give wisdom to those who strive to do their duty conscientiously and intelligently."Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 61.

When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change, wonderfully change the most hopeless, discouraging outlook. He will do this for the glory of His name." Prophets and Kings, p. 260.

"Do not neglect earnest prayer that you may possess a lowly mind, and that angels of God may go before you to work upon the hearts you are trying to reach, and so soften them by heavenly impressions that your efforts may avail."Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 53.

8. In order to make us witnesses unto Him, what promise is left us?

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." Acts 1:8.

"It is not always the most learned presentation of God's truth that convicts and converts the soul. Not by eloquence or logic are men's hearts reached, but by the sweet influences of the Holy Spirit, which operates quietly yet surely in transforming and developing character. It is the still small voice of the Spirit of God that has power to change the heart."Prophets and Kings, p. 169.

"There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God." Southern Watchman, August 1, 1905.

Reflection 

Will you join the author in the resolve to be a positive witness of the truth as it is in Christ, rather than a judge or a prosecuting attorney? Kindly look at the certificate of membership appearing in the back of this manual, and decide whether you would like to become a member of the "I Know Something Good Fellowship." If so, you may remove the certificate at the perforation, and frame it, after you have affixed your name to the pledge.

"Help those who have erred, by telling them of your experiences. Show how, when you made grave mistakes, patience, kindness, and helpfulness on the part of your fellow workers gave you courage and hope. "Ministry of Healing, p . 49.