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Devotions from Gospel Chapel Ministries HOME SERMONS SERMON NOTES
WE NEED A WITNESS
"The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe." JOH 1:7.
The Lord uses His means, the Lord uses His servants; He uses them to bring forth the Word. He says that John the Baptist "came for a witness." Carefully read out text again.
Think about it: a witness is one who is called to testify, and that testimony is based on actual knowledge. The Lord has not called me to testify according to what I believe. He has not called me to testify to what is my philosophy, or to testify of what I think is true. No such witness is qualified as a witness before anybody’s court. The only way that I can be a true witness is to testify of that which I have personal knowledge. A witness cannot testify based upon any speculations, but only upon what he knows to be true.
The history of John the Baptist gives us the best definition of the character and the responsibility of a pastor's office that there is on record. The calling of any God-sent pastor is "to bear witness of the light," which is The Word of God. It is to unfold the Word of God, and to bear witness of The Word.
No pastor may seek a following because of his calling. He is not to testify of himself, nor about himself, but he is to preach Christ. Do you see why it so dangerous that you follow a man because of his calling and conversion? A man may not testify of himself. He must testify of that Light. He is to preach Christ.
1 CO 1:22-24 says, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness." (1 CO 1:22-23) The Jews require a sign, in other words, "I want to know on what authority do you speak. Who gave you this authority? Who are you?" They want to fix some attention on the man. They’re seeking for a sign. However, we came to preach Jesus Christ "…crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 CO 1:22-24)
Where do you find witness, or evidence, that the Lord has called me into the ministry? The answer is found in the answers to several questions. Has Christ become the power of God as a result of my preaching? Do I preach Christ crucified? Do I cause men to turn from their sin and to stand upon the Word and to turn unto God? Is that the fruit of my preaching?
The Lord Jesus tells us you’ll know the false prophets by their fruit. It’s very important we understand the true evidence of a true call. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (MAT 7:15-16)
The Lord Jesus tells us you’ll know the false prophets by their fruit. It’s very important we understand the true evidence of a true call. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (MAT 7:15-16)
Look at MAT 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." There’s the Gospel message that has to go forth. They that do, that hear and do, are those who turn from their wicked ways, and the alienation of their minds, which is manifest by wicked works. There must be repentance; there must be a change of mind and a change of attitude. Is that the fruit of the preaching? If it is, that man was sent by God. We don’t look at the man. We’re looking at his fruit. Does it turn men to the Word? Does it turn men to following the living God?
Christ, who is The Word, is wherein all power and authority lays. There’s no authority in a man, it all lays in Christ. "Christ [is] the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1 CO 1:24) Christ - The Word. That’s where all authority lays.
JOH 1:9 says, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Every man’s conscience is a reflection of that true Light.
As a faithful witness exercises his spiritual calling, the flock over which God has made him overseer will worship God in the Spirit and in Truth. Then the Holy Spirit will own their work and accompany it with His blessed office.
How do I know if a man was sent from God? Does the Holy Spirit accompany his work? Is his work used by the Holy Spirit to turn people from serving sin to serving Christ? Does it lift up the Lord Jesus Christ, that they glorify Him? Amen.
Rise up O men of God!
Have done with lesser things,
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O men of God!
His Kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up, and make her great!
Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
Our sermons and devotions are a ministry of Gospel Chapel located in Conrad, Montana. We also have a daily devotion and sermon notes on-line. We pray this devotion has been a blessing to those who read it. Thank you.