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Witnessing for Christ
Song: Lift up Jesus, he is King of Kings Introduction “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 28:19-20). We live at a time when the world is becoming more atheistic and ironically many people are seeking fresh meaning to their purpose of existence. We His children have been given a universal mandate to reach out to the lost world and bring them to the Lord. And we must conscientiously fulfil this mandate. ‘All Christ’s faithful have the obligation and the right to strive so that the divine message of salvation may more and more reach all people of all times and all places’ (Code of Canon Law page 35 Can. 211). “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) God created all in His own image and likeness; and it doesn’t matter how far some have gone into the world they are still the images of God. They may have yielded themselves as instruments for evil in the hands of the devil, but they are still creatures of God. These are the other ‘sheep’ that must be brought back to the right pen (enclosure). “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” (Matthew 18:14). Yes our God is a God of justice but he is also a loving God. He is ever willing to forgive and embrace the lost. His ultimate desire is to see that all his children assemble one day sometime in his kingdom. So he is doing all he can to bring the lost back to himself. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God love his children so much so that he has refused to condemn anyone or let go. He is a patient God and his arms are wide open waiting to embrace those who come back to him. Friends the world has not come to an end because God is waiting to save you. You have not died yet because God doesn’t want you to die in your sins. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). A life without Christ is a life without peace and fulfilment. So what you call enjoyment now is only but frustration and emptiness. Come to Jesus and have abundant life! The Parables i. The Parable of the Lost Sheep 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:3-7). ii. The Parable of the Lost Coin 8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:8-10). iii. The Parable of the Lost Son 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' “(Luke 15:11-32). For this reason the Lord sent out his disciples on evangelism and even now he is sending you and me. Let us make the most of every opportunity to preach the gospel. We need to be creative and responsive. We need to reach the world by words and deeds. 1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. (Luke 10:1-4). Jesus Sends Out the Twelve 1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' (Matthew 10: 1, 5-7). Do you have the conviction? Can you give what you did not have? Can you witness for someone you did not know? Are you convinced in the person that you are serving? You need to have the faith that you are on the right path. You can’t be halting between two opinions and still say that you are convinced. You need to be unwavering. Moses literally wanted to know the Lord and be convinced that it was God sending him when he asked him for his name should he go and meet Pharaoh. 13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " 15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. 16 "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. (Exodus 3:13-16). St. Paul was convinced of the one who sent him and this was evident in his ministry: “ 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;” (Philippians 1:21-23). “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7). You are Bible that others are reading “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” (2 Corinthians 3:2). Your action speaks louder than voice. So live and behave as a disciple of the Lord. The disciples were first called Christians because of their way of life: “ 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:22-26). Conclusion Let us not be ashamed of witnessing for Christ in whatever form and wherever we are. 16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16). "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |