Witness like Jesus
Jesus tells us that God's spirit will bring power helping us to witness. We can witness by telling others about God and His son Jesus, by sharing God's healing power and by driving out demons in Jesus name, by loving others and by helping others in many ways, most of all we can witness by doing what God wants in every situation. As Jesus encourages witnessing, Jesus defined the word "WITNESS" by His actions. Unlike some self-promoting people in ministry today who claim to be building faith when they brag, Jesus never bragged about His ministry or what God was doing in His ministry. Remember God said "IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BRAG, LET HIM BRAG ABOUT THIS: LET HIM BRAG THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME". One time Jesus told a potential follower to "Go home to your friends … and tell them what wonderful things God has done for you; and how merciful He has been". Jesus directed people to God. The way Jesus witnessed resulted frequently in people "praising God". Jesus never accumulated money to help His ministry, rather at times He allowed some women to travel with them and support them out of their personal money. Truly Jesus practiced what He taught about allowing God to provide for Him as Jesus said, "do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive". When Jesus said, "you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for Me", we were not to be witnessing for ourselves or own ministry but witnessing for Jesus and following Jesus' example by leading people to God1.
A classic example, of the power Jesus referred to, was Peter's ministry. As you remember, Peter as a close follower of Jesus denied even knowing Jesus three times and yet after receiving power from God's spirit, Peter stood before the very men who had Jesus crucified and said without concern for his life "Jesus is the only One who can save people". Some of the people attracted to Jesus were well known like the man He called "an important teacher in Israel" and yet Jesus selected as His closest followers, men who were described as "unschooled, ordinary men". Jesus did not seek approval or endorsements from people. He lived by His statement that "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him". Jesus gave a witness that leads people to God2.
As followers of Jesus, in a real way we are all in ministry. Before we think critically of others in ministry that may not align with Jesus' example, remember Jesus encourages "do not judge others". Paul suggests that the ultimate purpose of our different ministry skills is "to prepare all God's people for the work" of ministry or Christian service, which lines up with what Jesus teaches. When Jesus commanded us to "go and make followers of all people in the world … Teach them to obey everything that I have told you", we find that everyone is encouraged to be in ministry. When we obey what Jesus teaches, we are in ministry. As people in ministry, maybe it will benefit us to privately examine our ministry3.
A Ministry Self Evaluation Test
A: When people quote what you say, do you feel personal pride or sadness because they are not focused on the teaching from God or Jesus you were trying to communicate?
B: Do you worry about money or do you focus on what God wants and praise Him for providing?
C: When you share from God or Jesus, are you careful not to offend others or do you feel bold and assertive by telling the truth?
D: When people get to know Jesus as a result of your ministry, do you feel pride and take credit for their decision or do you praise God for drawing them to Jesus?
E: When affluent, important or high profile people are attracted to you ministry, are you more excited than when homeless people or nobodies are attracted?
F: When people are excited and thank you concerning prayers you made being answered, do you accept their gratitude graciously or do you vigorously redirect their gratitude to God?
1. Mk 5:19; Lk 18:42; 8:2-3 (TL); Jer 9:24 (IC); Mt 6:25-33; Ac 1:8 (TE)
2. Lk 22:56-60; Ac 4:12; Jn 3:10 (IC); Ac 4:13; Jn 6:44 (NI)
3. Mt 7:1 (TE); Mt 28:19-20 (IC) .
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