Sermons We See

 

In his poem “Sermons We See” Edgar Guest writes: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counsel is confusing, but examples are always clear. To see good put in action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done. Your lecture is very wise, but I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.

 I might misunderstand your advice, but there's no misunderstanding how you live. When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind, Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me, to become as strong and caring. One good man teaches many; men believe what they see. One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. Right living speaks a language which is clear to everyone.

Jesus told his disciples “it is better for you that I go for if I do not go the comforter will not come” (John 16:7).  Walking with Jesus physically on earth was good but he could only be in one place at a time. He could not be everywhere with everybody. In the book of Acts his geographical limitation ended and the spiritual presence began. Now all believers in the world are in the presence of Christ in daily life.

Before leaving the earth Jesus told his disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)  Stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). The baptism of the Holy Spirit was absolutely necessary for effective Christian witness. Jesus knew the mission ahead of them was impossible without the power that only the Holy Spirit can provide. 

Even though they had embraced the message they had to embody the power of the Holy Spirit. It is “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit (Zech. 4:6); with the Holy Spirit all things would be possible.  The Holy Spirit would open their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). The Holy Spirit would draw sinners to the Savior supernaturally (Luke 5:6-7). The Holy Spirit provides an explosive, life-changing dynamic when the Gospel message is proclaimed in His might. 

Ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things because of the mighty Spirit of God.  Paul told the Colossians “to this end I also labor, striving according to his working which works in me mightily (Col.1:29). An effective witness may clearly present the gospel, but only God can impart new life to a sinner. The power to save a sinner lies with the Holy Spirit, not with us. Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses to the world, in word and in deed. Our godly lives are the foundation for our verbal witness. Our works and words must spring from our inmost being, or they will have little efficacy. Thus we cannot witness effectively for Christ unless we rely upon the Holy Spirit to produce godliness in our daily lives and to use our verbal witness as we have opportunity.

The Holy Spirit empowers people with supernatural abilities. The change produced by the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples was more remarkable in their own lives than even in their service. The spirit of unselfish love was an example that could not fail to impress the skeptical and selfish world. They had  favor with all the people and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:43-45).

Peter the irresolute disciple who had a lot of self-confidence, run away at the threat of a servant girl (Luke 22:55-62). But the Holy Spirit power, transformed him into a fearless hero, who stood before the murderers of His Lord and charged them with their crime (Acts 2:14-41).  History books records that he died on the cross like his Master. There was a greater miracle in his personal life than in the wondrous power of his public testimony.

The "great grace" that was upon the first disciples was more wonderful than "the great power" with which they bore witness for Jesus. The heroic fortitude with which they endured unparalleled sufferings, "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus," (Acts 5:40-41) was an exhibition of power that no man can dispute and carried a weight of conviction that nothing could equalize.

They spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:8,12,31). Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and the Jews could not withstand the wisdom with which he spoke (Acts 6:5,10). Paul prayed that the Ephesians may be strengthened with might through the Spirit in the inner man; God by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." (Eph 3:16,21)

In other words there is an extraordinary power available to believers, a power that can accomplish far more than we ordinarily think or imagine. This is the power which the Church needs today to convince an unbelieving world. We can only enjoy the fullness of the Spirit, in so far as we use it for the work to which Christ has called us. Only in the fulfilment of the Great Commission can the Church realize the utmost meaning of the promise of Pentecost.

The power we need for witnessing is not just the power to speak the gospel boldly and clearly. We also need the power to live holy lives. Christians need to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). This results in the fruit of the Spirit  (Gal 5:22-23)in our lives  which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Living a holy, winsome life among unbelievers attracts them to the message of Christ. Members of the early church were known for their good works and people held them in high esteem (Acts 5:13). At the same time, they were obeying God’s command to “tell the people the full message of this new life” (Acts 5:20).  They had a combination of vibrant faith and vibrant sharing of the gospel.

Paul affirmed the same principle in Ephesians 4:1-3. He said “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Though called to boldly proclaim Jesus, we also have a clear call to live a life reflective of the message of Christ.

Paul exhorted Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Tim.4:16). Paul emphasized that Timothy’s lifestyle and preaching were both important in the effort to evangelize others. He told the Corinthians  they were living epistles, known and read by everybody; a letter from christ , written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts”  (2Cor.3:2,3).

We may be the only Bible that some in the world read. In every way we must make the teaching about God more attractive. We must adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10). A Christian should be the truth of God impersonated, living and moving among men in deeds. No matter where he lives, he will be watched by all. His character will be so much scanned and studied. So study the Scriptures for the world will study you.

Lifestyle evangelism can be a wonderful way to show faith in action in a world that needs to see what true Christianity looks like. It reaches people where they are and exposes God’s love in unmistakable ways. Not everyone is comfortable walking into a church building, but lifestyle evangelism is harder to resist. In fact, it usually piques curiosity; “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Jesus didn’t say “wait inside your church buildings for the lost to come to you”; He said “go.” We are commanded to go and show people outside the church that God cares and give them a reason to desire to come inside. However lifestyle evangelism is incomplete until the message of Jesus is spoken (Rom. 10:17). Lifestyle evangelism opens a person’s heart to receive the message once he or she hears it.

In Proverbs 11:30 we are told that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise”. A similar passage is found in Daniel 12:3 “those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever”. The word wins in Proverbs 11:30 can mean “attracts,” suggesting that the wise person attracts others to the “tree of life” produced by a righteous life; he draws people to himself.

A righteous person has life-giving influence in the way good fruit attracts one to a tree. By their righteous living, wise people attract other people and as a result, can turn many souls toward righteousness. James 5:20 puts it like this: “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death”.