Discover the theology of Christ in the book of Colossians – where Jesus is the ultimate solution to every question and challenge. He reigns supreme, fulfills every need, and gives us new life. We pray that this series on Jesus will lead to an overflow of obedience that ripples through our hearts, homes, community, and, ultimately, the world, all for the glory of Christ.
The Path of a Fearless Witness
Speakers
Tonderai Bassoppo-Moyo
Associate Pastor
Notes
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:2-6 NIV
Definitions:
A -
WITNESSING vs EVANGELISM
“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.”
Acts 1:8 ESV
Witness = martus, bearing a testimony of faith in Christ, steadfastly and even in in the face of suffering or unto death
Euangelion = “gospeling”, going forth with the announcement of good news
The Great Commission is a call for all believers to be witnesses, going about gospeling.
B -
THE GOOD NEWS vs THE GOSPEL
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15 NIV
Good News = Gospel
HALLMARKS OF SOMEONE ON THE PATH OF A FEARLESS WITNESS:
You will find them…
1 - Engaging in Prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should…”
Devote yourself to…
A - being watchful & thankful
B - praying for us, that God may open a door
C - praying that I may share clearly, as I should
2 - Engaging through Open Doors
Because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
1 Corinthians 16:9 NIV
3 - Engaging with Clarity
To the Non-believer: case for divinity
Key text: Acts 17:16-34
To the Believer: case for doctrine
Key text: Acts 19:1-7
To the Religious: case for deity
Key text: Acts 26:1-29
4 - Engaging with Wisdom
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:15-17 ESV
Ours is not a Kingdom that is marked by geographical borders, it rests in the hearts of man who have responded to the call of a loving King.
One of the markings of this Kingdom is that it grows and expands.
This is what you’re called to do!
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
-
Sermon Series || Colossians Series - The Path of a Fearless Witness || Colossians 4:2-6 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
The Great Commission is a call for all believers to be witnesses, going about gospeling. When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone?
If you want to live a life that is a product of the gospel, you have to pray. In order to be a fearless witness, we need to be engaging in prayer, open doors, clarity and wisdom. Are you praying, asking for open doors every time you go out to the grocery store, the gas station, the mall, the playground?
For the non-believer, remember you are making a case for divinity, a case for the existence of God, a case that there is someone or something that is higher than us and allows the existence for things here on earth. Read Acts 17:16-34. Now how would you witness to a non-believer? Remember, their response is not our responsibility, our obedience is our responsibility.
For the believer, you are to make a case for doctrine. We are to be in discourse of the doctrine, that is how we witness to one another. How are you witnessing Jesus to your fellow believers? Read Acts 19:1-7.
For the religious, it is a case for deity, the deity of Jesus Christ. When was the last time you shared your testimony? Read Acts 26:1-29. Now how would you witness to a religious person?
Ours is not a Kingdom that is marked by geographical borders, it rests in the hearts of man who have responded to the call of a loving King.
One of the markings of this Kingdom is that it grows and expands.
This is what you’re called to do!Will you answer the call?
-
-
-
-