root canals
exactly
there's few things that can strike fear
into a human being than the word root
canal
and there is nothing that can stir up
more fear in a Christian than the prospect
of having to talk about Jesus
to someone who is not a follower
of Jesus yet
we can put it on the same scale as a root
canal
and more often than not
our fears keep us from witnessing
to others about Jesus
there's the fear of offense
one of them is if I share the gospel with someone
tell about Jesus to this person
and they think I am
a real doofus and will have nothing
to do with me from there on out
I could lose a friendship
I could lose credibility with others
if I do at work
I could lose my job
I could be accused of being a narrow-minded bigot
which you don't want to be accused of
or it could just be really weird
like I share the gospel with my neighbor
and then the next day
we're bringing out the trash
on the side of the road
and we're looking at each other
and he's kind of like
what are you doing here freak show
it could also
be from a fear of failure
we don't witness to others
because we fear we don't know what to say
we fear that we're going to look stupid
we have this fear that
what happens if I say something wrong
and this person ends up in hell
because I've told them the wrong thing
man we can live in our fears
we can be ruled by our fears
but let me just drop something into your mind right now
what if
what if God
has actually placed you
into people's lives
so that you
would bear witness
about Christ
to them
and what if
that when they hear you
speak
of your Jesus
of who he is
and what he's done for you
and they hear that
God begins to draw them
to himself
and they come to repent
and believe
what if
God
wants to use you
to advance
his kingdom
what if
God has
actually
purposed
to use you
as his
witness
for his glory
over the last several weeks
we've been looking at
God's word
to know how to be a modern day
disciple of Jesus Christ
and we've been
defining discipleship
to Christ
as intentionally
living your life
for Jesus
every area
of your life
for Christ
that's what disciples do
because he's worth it
this morning
is the last installment
in this series
to live intentionally
for Jesus
means you will
bear witness
about Jesus
to others
to live intentionally
for Jesus
is to bear witness
to Jesus
to others
he's worth it
and his worth
overcomes
our fears
a witness
is a person
that testifies
to the truth
of something
that he or she
has seen
or heard
and maybe
maybe you've
witnessed
a car accident
before
and the police
come
and they
take
their statements
from the witnesses
who saw
what happened
I recently
got rear-ended
by
by Jockey
and Andreas
and I
had to give
a statement
or maybe
you've been called
to be a witness
in a court
of law
and as you
take your place
on the witness
stand
a clerk
comes up
to you
and asks
you some
version of
do you swear
to tell
the whole
truth
the whole
truth
and nothing
but the truth
so help you
God
and you say
I do
when we talk
about witnessing
we're talking
about testifying
to the truth
of something
we've seen
or heard
now at the
beginning of
the book
of Acts
the risen
Jesus Christ
commissions
all of his
disciples
to be his
witnesses
to whoever
wherever
to be a
21st century
witness
of Jesus
to be a
21st
disciple
of Jesus
is to be a
21st century
witness
to Jesus
to testify
to the truth
of who he is
and what he's
done for us
would you open
up your Bibles
now to Acts
chapter 1
and I'm going
to read through
6 verses
6 through 11
Acts is right
after the
gospels
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
and then
you're in
Acts
and as you're
turning there
let me just
give you a
little heads
up as to
what's been
going on
here
the passage
that we're
about to
receive
to read
it's a
dialogue
we're going
to see
the disciples
ask Jesus
something
Jesus is
going to
respond
by saying
something
and then
these two
angels
come out
of nowhere
and ask
another
question
it's really
interesting
but all
this happened
40 days
after Jesus
has been
raised
from the
dead
and so
Jesus
has been
raised
he's been
appearing
to his
disciples
in various
places
and now
we come
to this
they've
gathered
together
on the
Mount
of Olives
outside
Jerusalem
so when
they had
gathered
Jesus
and his
disciples
they
the
disciples
asked him
the risen
Lord
will you
at this
time
restore
the
kingdom
of
Israel
and
Jesus
said
to
them
it's
not
for
you
to
know
times
or
seasons
that
the
father
has
fixed
by
his
own
authority
but
you
will
receive
power
when
the
Holy
Spirit
has
come
upon
you
and
you
will
be
my
witnesses
in
Jerusalem
and
all
Judea
and
Samaria
and
to
the
end
of
the
earth
and
when
he
had
said
these
things
as
they
were
looking
on
he
was
lifted
up
and
a
cloud
took
him
out
of
their
sight
and
while
they
were
gazing
into
heaven
as
he
went
behold
two
men
stood
by
them
in
white
robes
and
said
men
of
Galilee
why
do
you
stand
looking
into
heaven
this
Jesus
who
is
taken
up
from
you
into
heaven
will
come
in
the
same
way
as
you
saw
him
go
into
heaven
this
is
God's
word
here's
how we're
going to
proceed
this
morning
I'm
going to
kind of
slow
down
and
walk
you
through
that
passage
again
I
want
you
to
see
some
things
and
then
I'm
going
to
make
the
point
of
the
passage
it
has
to
do
this
passage
and
bring
it
to
bear
into
our
21st
century
context
so
let's
start
with
this
story
40
days
following
Jesus
resurrection
the
risen
Christ
is
gathered
with
the
disciples
Bethany
Mount
of
Olives
outside
of
Jerusalem
verse
6
the
disciples
ask
Jesus
a
question
remember
these
disciples
are
all
Jews
from
the
northern
region
of
Israel
called
Galilee
and
they
say
Lord
will
you
at
this
time
restore
the
kingdom
to
Israel
that's
a
very
interesting
question
now
remember
at
this
time
Israel
was
still
under
Roman
rule
in
occupation
and
so
here's
what's
going
on
in
the
disciples
minds
Jesus
has
been
raised
from
the
dead
we're
watching
and
hearing
now
a
risen
king
the
Messiah
and
so
what
they're
thinking
is
he's
the
guy
he's
the
Messiah
so
maybe
now's
the
time
when
the
Messiah
comes
kicks
the
Romans
out
and
sets
up
his
reign
in
Israel
and
so
they're
expecting
that
the
land
of
Israel
to
be
liberated
from
foreign
occupation
these
disciples
are
asking
a
question
that
goes
something
like
this
it's
more
of
a
statement
hey
it's
time
to
get
these
foreign
occupiers
out
of
here
and
restore
the
true
kingdom
with
Jesus
as
the
Messiah
king
to
the
land
of
Israel
they
have
an
ethnocentric
geographic
understanding
of
the
kingdom
of
God
they're
thinking
that
Jesus
is
going
to
bring
the
kingdom
just
for
them
the
kingdom
is
about
them
one
could
say
they
could
be
making
the
kingdom
of
God
into
their
own
image
and
it's
just
not
limited
to
the
first
century
here
in the
21st
century
we
have
a
tendency
of
thinking
that
the
kingdom
of
God
the
saving
reign
of
Jesus
should
look
like
us
should
look
like
the
way
we
look
it
should
be
here
and
so
Jesus
in
verse
7
responds
to
their
question
and
let me
just
tell
you
up
front
he
doesn't
tell
them
what
they
want
to
hear
he
doesn't
answer
their
question
the way
they
wanted
him
to
answer
it
Jesus
begins
in
verse
7
it's
not
for
you
to
know
times
or
seasons
that
the
father
has
fixed
by
his
own
authority
in
other
words
I
can't
tell
you
if
this
is
that
time
it's
not
for
you
to
know
you
don't
have
security
clearance
from
the
father
only
he
knows
one
thing
you
can't
miss
from
this
statement
is
that
the
father
the
first
person
of
the
trinity
is
exercising
authority
over
time
he
has
fixed
the
times
and
the
seasons
according
to
his
authority
time
serves
the
father's
purposes
and
then
in
verse
eight
Jesus
answers
their
question
not
with
a
yes
or
no
or
not
with
a
hey
here's
the
time
he
answers
their
question
with
mission
but
you
will
receive
power
when
the
Holy
Spirit
has
come
upon
you
and
you
will
be
my
witnesses
in
Jerusalem
and
all
Judea
and
Samaria
and
to
the
end
of
the
earth
the
disciples
the
Jewish
disciples
were
not
expecting
this
they
were
expecting
the
risen
Messiah
to
be
kicking
out
the
foreign
occupiers
and
restore
his
messianic
kingdom
reign
to
ethnic
Israel
within
the
geography
of
Jerusalem
but
what
he
tells
them
is
I'm
not
kicking
them
out
I'm
not
kicking
the
Gentiles
out
I'm
sending
out
you
to
the
Gentiles
I'm
sending
you
out
to
proclaim
my
saving
reign
for
all
to
hear
including
the
Gentiles
to
the
end
of
the
earth
he's
not
kicking
the
nations
out
he's
sending
his
disciples
out
on
mission
and
this
mission
is
going
to
start
in
Jerusalem
which
is
the
city
the
capital
of
Israel
and
it's
located
in
the
region
of
Judea
and
then
north
of
Judea
is
Samaria
and
then
beyond
all
that
are
the
ends
of
the
earth
Jesus
is
saying
hey
gang
I'm
going
global
with
the
saving
reign
of
God
and
you're
going to
need
the
Holy
Spirit
to
do
what
I've
commissioned
you to
do
and
then
in
verse
nine
there
are
no
time
for
questions
Jesus
commissions
his
disciples
and
then
we
read
and
when
he
had
said
these
things
as
they
were
looking
on
he
was
lifted
up
and
a
cloud
took
them
out
of
their
sight
after
telling
them
that
he
is
going
global
with
his
saving
reign
and
that
he
has
just
volunteered
his
disciples
to be
the
promotional
force
he
then
splits
he
takes
off
and
he
takes
off
in
the
most
memorable
of
ways
now
if
you
want
to
learn
how
to
make
a
memorable
exit
from
a
party
look
at
it
right
here
he
basically
says
okay
I'm
sending
you guys
out
on
a
global
mission
to
expand
my
saving
reign
and
he
basically
does
a
mic
drop
at
that
point
and
then
he's
like
taken
up
lifted
up
and
what
we
see
from
these
verse
nine
is
that
he
gets
on
a
cloud
escalator
of
sorts
that
lifts
him
up
and
out
of
the
sight
of
his
disciples
into
heaven
he
ascends
bodily
into
heaven
and
is
now
at
the
right
hand
of
God
a
position
of
authority
have
you
ever
released
like
a
red
helium
balloon
before
kind
of
a
balloon
release
and
you
let
that
thing
go
and
you're
watching
that
red
balloon
go up
into
the
blue
sky
and
you
just
keep
on
watching
it
watching
it
and
you're
like
I
think
I
still
see
it
I
think
I
still
see
it
and
then
it
kind
of
disappears
you
can't
see
it
anymore
verse
10
they're
still
gazing
into
heaven
as
Jesus
is
ascending
when
this
other
surprise
happens
out
of
nowhere
two
men
are
standing
by
them
in
white
robes
I
was
with
a
couple
guys
yesterday
and
we're
kind
of
joking
about
this
it's
like
they're
looking
up
into
the
sky
and
then
all
of a
sudden
two
guys
are
like
whoa
like
where'd
you
guys
come
from
they're
dressed
in
white
the
last
time
two
showed
up
was
40
days
earlier
on
resurrection
Sunday
at
the
empty
tomb
and
they
asked
a
question
why
are
you
looking
for
the
living
among
the
dead
he's
not
here
he
is
risen
these
are
two
angels
and
you
can't
help
but
wonder
if
they're
the
same
two
angels
that
were
at
the
empty
tomb
and
here
they
are
in
verse
10
proclaiming
the
ascension
of
Jesus
they
proclaim
the
resurrection
bodily
now
they're
proclaiming
hey
he's
gone
up
look
at
verse
11
men
of
Galilee
why
do
you
stand
looking
into
heaven
this
Jesus
who's
taken
up
from
you
into
heaven
will
come
in
the
same
way
as
you
saw
him
go
into
heaven
and
what
is
that
way
he
went
into
heaven
on
a
cloud
he's
going
to
come
back
on
a
cloud
and
what
that
is
a
veiled
reference
to
the
day
fixed
by
the
father
in
which
the
risen
son
of
man
returns
from
the
right
hand
of
power
coming
on
the
clouds
of
heaven
to
be
given
dominion
over
all
people
and
all
things
for
all
time
Daniel
7
13
through
14
and
when
he
comes
he's
going
to
bring
judgment
he's
going
to
make
all
things
right
and
there's
no
doubt
that
we're
talking
about
Jesus
this
Jesus
who
was
taken
up
from
you
into
heaven
will
come
in
the
same
ways
as
you
saw
him
go
on
the
clouds
all
authority
basically
these
two
angels
are
saying
to
Jesus
disciples
hey
guys
stop
looking
up
in
the
air
it's
time
to
get
down
to
business
the
same
way
he
went
up
is
the
same
way
he's
going
to
come
back
now
go
wait
for
the
Holy
Spirit
to
come
and
send
you
out
so
40
days
after
the
resurrection
the
risen
Christ
commissions
his
disciples
to
be
his
witnesses
to
all
people
everywhere
the
kingdom
of
the
Messiah
the
saving
reign
of
God
isn't
just
being
limited
to
be
proclaimed
to
all
people
regardless
of
their
ethnicity
regardless
of
their
location
God
is
seeking
to
do
a
global
work
of
gathering
people
to
worship
him
through
Jesus
after
saying
these
things
Jesus
of course
is
taken
up
in
a
cloud
into
heaven
the
rest
of
the
book
of
Acts
is
the
outworking
of
Acts
1
8
we
see
in
chapters
1
through
7
the
early
church
empowered
by
the
Holy
Spirit
preaching
the
gospel
to
Jerusalem
and
then
in
chapters
8
through
12
we
see
the
early
church
empowered
by
the
spirit
making
Jesus
known
to
all
Judea
and
Samaria
and
then
in
chapters
13
through
28
we
see
the
early
church
empowered
by
the
spirit
proclaiming
Jesus
to
the
ends
of
the
earth
so
here's
the
point
here's
why
this
is
in
our
Bibles
returns
we
his
church
bear
witness
to
him
to
all
people
everywhere
that's
the
point
until
he
comes
back
we
are
to
be
witnessing
about
Jesus
to
others
the
church
is
the
witnessing
community
of the
risen
Christ
it's
who
we
are
and
it's
what
we
do
so
if
you're
a
disciple
of
Jesus
and
you're
seeking
to
live
intentionally
for
him
you
will
be
witnessing
to
him
you
will
be
telling
others
about
him
and
it's
the
worth
of
Jesus
that
will
overcome
your
fears
time out
Mike
wait
come
on
over
here
Mike
for
a
second
I
just
need
to
talk
to
you
come
here
buddy
what can
I do
for you
are you
telling me
that as a
follower of
Jesus
I need
to actually
talk to
people
about
you
seriously
I need
to open
my mouth
up
and I need
to identify
with Jesus
and talk
to them
about
Jesus
seriously
it's
not
me
who's
telling
you
I'm
telling
you
but
it's
Jesus
who
has
commissioned
you
he's
commissioned
you
as
his
disciples
to be
his
witnesses
to speak
the truth
of who
he is
and what
he's
done
I mean
Matthew
28
Jesus
is giving
all
authority
in heaven
and earth
and he
says
go
therefore
make
disciples
of the
nations
and the
way
that we
make
disciples
of the
nations
begins
with
witnessing
to
others
about
the
person
and
work
of
Jesus
Matthew
5
Jesus
tells
us
the
church
to be
salt
and
light
in a
decaying
and
dark
world
we
are
to
show
and
tell
the
gospel
I'll
never
forget
my
second
grade
teacher
at
Roaring
Brook
Elementary
School
in
Avon
Connecticut
her name
is
Mrs.
Ball
and I
had a
crush
on her
the size
of
China
I
could
smell
her
perfume
down
the
hall
that
serious
stuff
right
there
she
was
59
and I
loved
her
Mrs.
Ball
had a
time
what's
called
show
and tell
and so
me and
my students
would bring
things in
to show
and tell
our
classmates
and I
brought
in
my
85
pound
long
hair
German
shepherd
her name
was
Jody
and I
brought
Jody
in
who
is
my
joy
and my
classmates
carefully
pet her
and I
got to
tell
about
my
dog
it
was a
joy
show
and tell
Jesus
is calling
us
to show
and tell
about
him
our
joy
so when
we bump
into a
passage like
Colossians 4
6
let your
speech
always be
gracious
seasoned
with salt
so that
you may
know how
you ought
to answer
each
person
the
presumption
is we're
in
proximity
to
non
Christians
and they
have
questions
about
our
lifestyles
and that
we need
to know
how to
explain
why we're
living
lives
distinct
from
everybody
else
and so
when
Paul
says
you may
know
how
that you
may know
how to
answer
each
person
Paul's
not saying
hey
would you
guys be
ready
so that
if someone
comes up
to you
and asks
for directions
to the
Mars Cheese
Castle
you'll be
ready to
answer
them
that's
not what
we're
talking
about
here's
what
we're
talking
about
we need
to be
able to
give
an
explanation
for why
our
lives
are
distinct
from
everybody
else
so if
we have
people
coming up
to us
and asking
hey
why are you
so happy
all the
time
it's an
opportunity
to bear
witness
show
and tell
Jesus
if we
have
someone
come up
to us
and say
hey
I
notice
you
don't
lie
anymore
opportunity
to show
and tell
Jesus
hey
you're
not
sleeping
around
anymore
show
and tell
Jesus
hey
you're
not
smoking
weed
anymore
show
and tell
Jesus
hey
you're
not
you're
not
flipping
out
and
freaking
out
and
getting
angry
all the
time
anymore
show
and tell
Jesus
we give
a reason
an explanation
we know
how to
answer
people
we listen
to what
they say
we listen
to what
they ask
and we
respond
by showing
and telling
about Jesus
very appropriately
1 Peter 3 15
but in your
hearts
honor Christ
the Lord
is holy
always being
prepared
to make
a defense
to anyone
who asks
you for
the reason
for the
hope
that is
in you
our lives
are to
be
distinct
we are
to do
the good
works
God
has
called
us
to
and
then
the
people
who
see
it
are
to
give
glory
to
our
father
in
heaven
Matthew
5 16
so
what I
want
to
help
you
see
here
is
the
point
is
until
Jesus
comes
back
we're
to
be
witnessing
about
Jesus
all
who
live
for
Christ
will
testify
to
Christ
now
I
thought
about
asking
you all
to raise
your hands
with this
who
is
scared
to
talk
to
others
about
Jesus
just
two
of
us
do
you
know
what
that
means
when
we
raise
our
hand
and
say
yeah
it's
scary
for
me
to
think
about
sharing
the
gospel
with
my
boss
or
it's
scary
to
think
about
sharing
the
gospel
with
my
neighbor
who's
living
with
his
homosexual
lover
it's
scary
to
me
do
you
know
what
that
means
it
doesn't
mean
we
don't
share
the
gospel
it
means
we
need
courage
it
means
we
need
boldness
it
means
we
have
an
opportunity
so
for
the
remainder
of
our
time
I
want
to
encourage
you
from
this
text
I
want
you
to
see
five
encouraging
truths
from
Acts
1
6
through
11
that
ought
to
motivate
witness
in
your
life
here's
number
one
be
encouraged
by
the
sovereign
control
of
your
heavenly
father
in
chapter
1
verse
6
the
disciples
say
so
when
they
had
come
together
they
asked
him
Lord
will
you
at
this
time
restore
the
kingdom
to
Israel
and
Jesus
says
it's
not
for
you
to
know
the
times
or
seasons
that
the
father
has
fixed
by
his
own
authority
what
kind
of
being
has
the
authority
and
the
power
to
determine
times
and
seasons
who
does
that
a
being
who
is
sovereign
over
all
time
and
whose
time
does
his
bidding
that's
who
that
is
and
let
me
just
let
you
know
God
is
not
just
sovereign
over
time
he's
sovereign
over
all
things
listen
to
Acts
17
25
to
26
this
is
a
sermon
that
Paul
was
preaching
in
Holy
Spirit
boldness
he says
God
himself
gives
to
all
mankind
life
and
breath
and
everything
and
God
made
from
one
man
Adam
every
nation
of
mankind
to
live
in
all
the
face
of
the
earth
having
determined
periods
times
and
the
boundaries
of
their
dwelling
place
where
they
live
that
they
should
seek
God
and
perhaps
feel
their
way
toward
him
and
find
him
so
the
one
who
determines
times
and
seasons
also
determines
when and
where
people
live
so that
they can
somehow
find
him
do you
know what
this means
God
has placed
you
at this
time
and at
this
place
to help
people
find
him
to bear
witness
to him
think about
the apartment
you live in
or the
neighborhood
you're
in
or the
townhouses
you live
in
think
about
God
stacking
the deck
of all
those
residents
with you
as his
witnessing
ace
he's got
you there
for a
reason
and it's
not just
that he's
placed
you there
God
has placed
everybody
else
around
you there
as well
he's
sovereign
over
it all
and so
the walk
away
is this
God
has
placed
you
already
in
a
mission
field
it's
your
neighborhood
it's
your
school
it's
your
club
it's
the
gym
you
go
to
the
coffee
shop
you
frequent
it's
woodman's
or
festival
these
paths
that
you
live
out
your
life
they
are
intersecting
with
other
people
and it's
all
under
the
sovereign
care
and
purpose
of
God
so
you
know
what
that
means
we
don't
need
to
do
drive
by
evangelism
we
don't
need
to
go
knock
on
a
door
and
try
to
get
through
the
gospel
as
fast
as
we
can
and
get
the
door
shut
in
our
face
and
just
feel
good
about
ourselves
because
we've
delivered
the
goods
we've
got
people
all
around
us
already
waiting
seeking
so
get to
know
their
names
as
the
weather
warms
up
and
as
you
find
yourself
outside
more
and
your
neighbors
are
outside
move
towards
them
get
to
know
their
names
start
getting
to
know
their
stories
and
as
you
get
to
know
their
names
and
their
stories
you
get
to
share
life
with
them
because
they're
going
to
want
to
know
your
name
in
your
story
and
your
story
has
a
hero
and
his
name
is
Jesus
and
it's
just
a
matter
of
time
before
you
start
to
show
and
tell
them
to
them
so
the
first
thing
that
should
encourage
you
is
God's
sovereign
over
it
all
and
he's
placed
you
where
you're
at
for
a
reason
to
be
his
witness
second
encouragement
be
emboldened
by the
empowering
presence
of the
Holy
Spirit
the
Holy
Spirit
is
the
second
person
of
the
Trinity
and
he
indwells
each
of
us
for
a
variety
of
reasons
now
do
you
remember
that
the
disciples
on the
night
that
Jesus
was
betrayed
when
they
were
in
the
garden
do
you
remember
what
happened
to
the
disciples
they
heard
the
crowd
coming
to
arrest
Jesus
and
they
bolted
they
abandoned
Jesus
in
fear
they ran
they
were
afraid
but
in
Acts
2
the
fulfillment
of
Acts
1
8
takes
place
they
received
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
the
Spirit
of
God
on
Pentecost
is
poured
out
on
the
early
church
all
of
his
disciples
men
and
women
boys
and
girls
all
disciples
in
that
upper
room
the
Holy
Spirit
was
poured
out
on
them
and
the
cowardly
disciples
were
all of a
sudden
transformed
and they
were
made
into
by the
Holy
Spirit
courageous
Spirit
empowered
proclaimers
of the
crucified
and risen
Christ
we see
it
in
Acts
chapter 2
in
Peter's
first
sermon
boy
that is
bold
it's the
Holy Spirit
emboldening
him to
preach
Christ
it's a
dramatic
change
from
where
they
were
just
40
43
days
before
cowering
running
hiding
afraid
the
difference
is the
Holy
Spirit
and the
moment
Christian
you
believe
in
Jesus
you
were
indwelt
by
that
same
Holy
Spirit
he
resides
in
you
and
he
is
willing
and
he
is
able
to
empower
you
to
be
a
bold
winsome
witness
for
Christ
to
all
around
you
but
I
need
to
tell
you
this
as
well
the
Holy
Spirit
just
does
not
come
on
us
just
to
make
us
bold
do
you
realize
the
mission
that
Jesus
has
called
us
to
is
humanly
impossible
we
in
and
of
ourselves
are
unable
to
change
someone's
eternity
we
cannot
make
someone
transfer
them
from
the
kingdom
of
the
domain
of
darkness
into
the
kingdom
of
the
beloved
son
we
can't
do
that
we
are
unable
to
revive
someone
who's
spiritually
dead
and
bring
them
back
into
spiritual
life
we
can't
do
that
what
we're
able
to
do
is
faithfully
proclaim
the
gospel
message
and
as
the
gospel
message
goes
out
the
Holy
Spirit
gets
done
what
only
he
can
do
bring
people
who
are
spiritually
dead
and
raise
them
from
the
dead
and
give
them
spiritual
life
to
take
people
living
in
darkness
and
bringing
them
into
the
glorious
light
of
our
savior
so
not
only
do
we
need
boldness
because
we're
afraid
we
need
the
Holy
Spirit
power
that
changes
people
we're
not
going to
depend
upon
our
presentations
we're
not
going to
depend
upon
our
techniques
we're
going to
depend
upon
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
working
in
and
through
us
to
convince
people
of
their
need
for
Jesus
so
here's
the
application
we do
what the
first
century
church
did
we
pray
we
pray
for
boldness
we
pray
for
the
Holy
Spirit
to be
poured
out
afresh
we
pray
the
Holy
Spirit
will
accompany
our
witness
and
convince
people
of
their
sin
and
spotlight
Jesus
and
bring
them
from
death
to
life
and
not
only
that
we
ask
others
to
pray
for
us
for
those
of
you
who
are
life
group
as
you're
heading
towards
the
summer
be
asking
hey
life
group
folks
would
you
be
praying
for
me
because
I
really
want
to
be
sharing
the
gospel
with
my
neighbor
her
name
is
this
would
you
start
praying
for
me
and
for
my
neighbor
praying
for
opportunities
that I
can
show
and tell
Jesus
to
her
in
Ephesians
6
and
Colossians
4
Paul
asks
these
churches
to pray
for
him
for
boldness
and
clarity
and
speaking
about
Jesus
to
others
let's
do
the
same
don't
just
pray
for
yourself
pray
for
opportunities
to
boldly
engage
others
for
Jesus
you
know
what's
going
to
happen
here's
what
happened
you
get
to
share
Jesus
with
somebody
else
and
you
walk
away
you're
like
that
was
awesome
what
a
privilege
I got
to
share
the
good
news
here's
what I
want to
impress
upon
you
the
effectiveness
of our
witness
is not
dependent
on our
presentation
the
effectiveness
of our
witness
is
dependent
on
Holy
Spirit
power
we
must
be
dependent
on
him
third
be
courageous
because
the
unstoppable
advance
of the
kingdom
of
heaven
let me
just
sum
up
this
way
Jesus
says
I
will
build
my
church
and
the
gates
of
hell
shall
not
prevail
against
it
you
see
it
played
out
in
Acts
the
gospel
spoken
by
the
spirit
and
power
church
is
unstoppable
Jerusalem
Judea
Samaria
to the
ends
of the
age
to
fellow
Jews
and
then
to
Samaritans
and
then
to
Gentiles
with
tremendous
response
unstoppable
gospel
powered by
the
spirit
through
his
church
unstoppable
I
have a
question
for you
do you
believe
that the
holy
spirit
who
empowered
the
first
century
church
to
proclaim
an
unstoppable
gospel
is the
same
holy
spirit
empowering
the
21st
century
church
to
proclaim
the
same
gospel
to
this
people
me
too
fourth
be bold
in your
witness
because the
return of
Christ
is one
day
closer
remember
those
angels
hey guys
stop looking up
there
he's going to
come back in the
same way he went
on the clouds
he's coming
back
let me put it to
you this way
the day
that Jesus
returns
is the
last day
you will be
witnessing to
Jesus
do you know
why
everyone will
see him
everyone will
see him at
that time
on that day
there's no more
need for public
witness
because he
has come
your days
of witnessing
are numbered
he's coming
back
be faithful
be bold
when we talk
about the
second coming
of Jesus
it should
sober us
it should
cause us
to loosen
our grips
on the
things of
this world
and narrow
our focus
on what
matters
most
worship
of God
his fame
spread
through the
nations
application
his return
is one day
closer
not one day
farther out
it should
sober you
embolden you
focus you
finally
be a bold
witness of
Jesus
because he's
worth it
he is worth
it
acts
1-8
you shall
be my
witnesses
not witnesses
to ourselves
not witnesses
of Wisconsin
not witnesses
of an old
building
witnesses
of a living
Jesus
there are two
things that go
into
a compelling
witness
awe
over who
he is
and gratitude
for what
he's done
let me just
say it this
way
the reason
why we're
afraid of
witnessing
is not a
technique
problem
in the words
of Paul Tripp
it's an awe
problem
our view
of Jesus
is too
small
so let me
remind you
of a couple
things
Colossians 1
15-20
one of the
most awe
inspiring
descriptions
of Jesus
in your
Bible
he is the
Lord of
creation
and the
Lord of
redemption
take a
look at
it
it is
amazing
Revelation
19
Jesus
shows up
on a
white
war horse
and he's
got four
names
faithful
and true
because his
word always
proves true
he's got
another name
that nobody
knows himself
because he
himself is
beyond
comprehension
of any
of us
he's the
word of
God
the ultimate
final
revelation
of God
and he
is the
last name
King of
Kings
and Lord
of Lords
this is
the one
whom we
bear witness
to
not a
little
Jesus
a big
Jesus
Lord
of creation
Lord
of redemption
faithful
and true
a name
no one
knows
the word
of God
King of
Kings
and Lord
of Lords
are you
lacking
boldness
in your
witness
worship
Jesus
see him
for who
he is
and let
your witness
be driven
by worship
all
of the
risen one
and it's
not just
who he
is
it's
what he's
done
gratitude
can you
believe it
it never
gets old
the second
person of
the Trinity
humbled himself
by taking on
human flesh
was crucified
on a Roman
cross
God's wrath
was poured
out on him
in full
for those
who were
sinned
against him
what has
he done
he's
rescued
you
and me
from the
power
and penalty
of sin
we've been
delivered from
the domain
of darkness
into the
kingdom of
the beloved
son in whom
we have
redemption
the forgiveness
of sins
the forgiveness
of all
of our
sins
he has
set us
free
from
slavery
to sin
he's
given us
a new
life
and a
new
eternal
destiny
do you
know what
happens
in the
heart
of a
sinner
who's
been
forgiven
much
she
loves
much
incredibly
grateful
and it
goes like
this
I'm so
grateful
for what
Jesus
has done
for me
I want
to tell
others
about it
so that
they can
experience
the same
grace
the same
freedom
the same
forgiveness
and deliverance
the same
joy
you see
Jesus is
our hero
he's the
one we
proclaim
and out
of great
awe
for who
he is
and deep
gratitude
for what
he's done
we witness
to others
around us
not because
we have
to
because we
want to
we're
compelled
to
could
you
imagine
calling
your mom
today
hey mom
happy
birthday
or
happy
mother's
day
sorry
yeah
you know
I've been
really busy
mom
and I
you know
the wife's
been riding
me to
call you
all day
today
to wish
you
happy
mother's
day
so
have
a good
one
gotta
get
back
to
clipping
my
nails
really
compelling
right
versus
hi mom
I am
so grateful
that you're
my mom
the older
I get
the more
grateful
I am
you have
made me
the man
I am
I want
to be
like you
mom
and thanks
for being
my mom
for still
being
my mom
gratitude
delight
blessing
joy
the first
one
obligation
duty
the second
one
gratitude
joy
blessing
let's
not
witness
to Jesus
out of
obligation
and duty
let's
witness
to Jesus
out of
gratitude
and awe
and joy
people
want to
know
how
do you
witness
to Jesus
what do
you tell
them
well you
tell them
how awesome
he is
and you
tell them
how grateful
you are
for what
he's done
for you
and he
offers them
the same
Acts 1
6-11
shows us
that until
Jesus returns
we his
disciples
must be
witnessing
about who
he is
and what
he's
done
that was
true of
the first
century
church
and it's
just as
true as
the 21st
century
church
a disciple
of Jesus
bears witness
to who
Jesus is
and what
he's done
out of
deep
awe
and gratitude
God
is
going to
save
people
through
our
witness
and the
Holy
Spirit
is
going to
use
us
the bottom
line is
this
Jesus
is worth
our
witness
and his
worth
overcomes
our fears
I want to
tell you about
two resources
that I think
will really
encourage you
there's a
book
it's called
the secret
thoughts of
an unlikely
convert
it's by
Rosaria
Butterfield
she was a
feminist
English
professor
at Syracuse
in a
lesbian
relationship
and she
engaged
with a
Christian
whose
faithful
witness
led her
to the
Lord
it is
a
wonderful
account
it is
so
encouraging
and
instructive
I would
commend
it
to
you
the
second
book
I would
encourage
you to
read
or
listen
to
is a
book
called
Gospel
Fluency
by
Jeff
Vanderstelt
speaking
the truths
of Jesus
into the
everyday
stuff
of life
particularly
part
five
the
gospel
to
others
he
is
so
helpful
in
instructing
us
and equipping
us
how to
speak
the
gospel
into
people's
lives
with
where
they're
at
but
make
sure
you
listen
to
the
four
parts
that
precede
it
because
they
show
you
the
worth
of
Jesus
as
21st
century
followers
of
Jesus
we're
to be
21st
century
witnesses
to
Jesus
let's
pray
Lord
Jesus
our
risen
king
you
are
worthy
and we
would
ask that
you
would
use
us
as
your
church
to
bear
witness
to
who
you
are
and
what
you've
done
empowered
by
your
spirit
for
the
glory
of
your
name
among
the
nations
God
would
you
help
us
to
witness
in
our
homes
and
send
us
to
the
nations
we
ask
this
in
Jesus
name
amen