Chapter Four

Why Witness

God has chosen us to be His witnesses. We are the only way the world will know who Jesus Christ is. Many times, as I share the gospel with people in the streets, I am amazed at how many people I speak to who have never heard the message of the Cross. Many of these individuals are of different ethnic origins. I have asked myself how could this be? How could anyone not have heard the message of the Cross? Other times we find people that have never thought about making a decision for Christ. I have noticed that two-thirds of those people we speak to say, by their own words, that they are lost and would go to hell if they died. This is the very reason we are in the streets sharing the gospel. We are there to reach that one lost soul. It is our privilege to communicate the message. Are you ready to accept Christ's challenge, and if you are not who will? Let's examine some scriptures below and see why we need to witness.

If we do not deliver the Good News, who will?

Romans 10
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We are not to hide the witness in our heart.

Psalms 40
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

We are asked to witness in the streets.

Psalms 144
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

We are asked to go and witness to the world.

Mark 16
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

I remember one of many times that I was witnessing in an impoverished area of a city and went door to door. We often notice the homes and know there are children living there by seeing swing sets or bicycles in the yard. Other times we see pictures in the windows, or the many tennis shoes on the front porch. As we looked at one house we saw an electric meter on the front of the home and it was not moving. It looked like the home was empty or abandoned. We knocked on the door and someone told us to come in. It is never a good idea to open someone else's door and go inside. Therefore, we knocked again and a man opened the door. He invited us into his home. He was cooking fried chicken on the stove. His gas was turned on but he had no electricity. He seemed so happy that we were there to visit him.

We shared with him why we were there and he was surprised. He said he had just asked God how to be saved. He said the Lord had been dealing with him about his life. He knew he needed to be saved but did not know how. When I extended my hand to pray with him he wiped the chicken grease off his hands and took my hand. This was truly a divine appointment by God. We need to remember that we are often an answer to someone's prayer. I was excited to learn that he had just prayed and we knocked on his door. According to the world's standards, this man had nothing, but I believe he had everything. He had a hope that somehow he would find Jesus Christ. The Creator of the Universe loved this poor man so much that He sent someone to him to share the gospel and to hug him. I was so thrilled to be an answer to this man's prayer. Although this man only had a pan of chicken he was willing to share all he had with us. Are we ready to share all we have with others? I will always be touched by this moment.

Sadly, the next home we went to had no heat. The man that came to the door had the coldest hands I have ever touched. There are people who are hurting in this world and we must allow our love to extend past ourselves. God is wanting to share His love with this world and he has chosen you to carry His love.

I am amazed that by spending a few moments with someone and showing a genuine concern for them, many times my witness will result in someone giving their heart to the Lord. I remember one occasion that I was led to two people in a public park. As I approached them, they appeared very uncomfortable. I followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and shared the Gospel with them, listened to their comments, and answered their questions. I soon discovered that I was talking to two gang members from Chicago. During the witness it seemed hopeless, I continued to press on as I was led. When I issued the invitation for them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, they prayed with me and a wonderful change appeared on their face. They were moved by the Holy Spirit and were looking down at the two New Testaments that I had just given them. One man looked up at me and said, "What do I do now with the rest of my life." I told them both to go back to the Chicago inner city with a new message and new mission. You see, they were radically saved and no longer drug pushers. One said that he knew what he was doing was not what he felt he was suppose to do, but it was all he knew. He said that now he knew God had a call on his life because he was always protected from danger and had an ability to captivate kids. He said he would share the witness of Jesus with the kids of his city. This was one of the most remarkable experiences that I have ever witnessed. Truly they both received a new heart.

We cannot wash our hands of a lost, sick world. We want to allow the Word to create a desire in our hearts to reach the lost. The most important thing is that we know the Lord and live our life for the Glory of God. God is more interested in who you are than what you do for Him. Your witnessing must be motivated from deep within and should be an overflow of your life in Him. God wants to enlarge our hearts so He can enlarge Himself in us.

Street University Lesson Four

Group Discussion

1. Discuss why the Holy Spirit needs people to share the gospel with others.
2. Discuss how someone like the gang member in our example could suddenly come to know Christ.
3. Discuss how your community can change as others come to know Christ.

Bible Study

1. Find an example in the New Testament when the gospel was shared with Saul. Discuss your thoughts why no one else had witnessed to Saul.
   Acts 9:17-20, Acts 9:1-2
2. Find an example in the New Testament where one person's witness had an effect on their entire city.
   John 4:39-42

Assignment

1. Spend time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the lostness of the people in your community and the need for those that would witness.