One Heart One Mind One Thing- Call Your Next Witness

“I will send you the ·Helper [Counselor; Advocate; the Holy Spirit] from the Father; he is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will ·tell [testify; witness] about me, ²⁷ and you also must ·tell people [testify; witness] about me, because you have been with me from the beginning.  John 15:26-27 (EXB)

“When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”  John 15:26-27 (MSG)

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all…  Acts 4:32-33 (NIV)

Disciples are not in witness ____________, but witness ______________.

3 REASONS I HAVE TO BE CONFIDENT AS A WITNESS…

1. I Am Not __________ On The Witness __________.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.  2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NIV)

And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  Luke 21:13-15 (NIV)

2. Everyone __________ For What I ________.

God has planted eternity in the human heart…  Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLT)

…I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.  John 10:10b (NIRV)

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors… 1 Peter 1:18 (NLT)

3. I Have __________ That Everyone __________.

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.  Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

A witness saves lives when he tells the truth; when he tells lies, he betrays people.  Proverbs 14:25 (GNT)

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32 (GW)

God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace.  1 Corinthians 14:33a (NCV)

He wants all people to be saved. He wants them to come to know the truth.  1 Timothy 2:4 (NIRV)

5 WAYS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FROM JOHN 9:

1. Simply Tell My ______________.

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. ONE THING I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

2. Present My ________ As ________________.

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” John 9:8-9 (NIV)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God… Acts 26:17-18a (NIV)

3. Prepare My ________ & __________.

The man replied, “He is a prophet.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁸ Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. John 9:17b, 25, 33, 38 (NIV)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15b (NIV)

Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting. Proverbs 18:13 (GNT)

4. Anticipate __________________.

To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. John 9:34 (NIV)

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16 (NIV)

5. Love ____________ More Than My ______________.

Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” ²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. John 9:21b-22 (NIV)

…For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. ¹¹ They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”  Revelation 12:10b-12 (NIV)

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:11, 20 (NIV)