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November 10, 2019“Our United Methodist Membership Vow: Witness”Long ago, when I was an adult but a baby Christian, there was a woman at my church named Edith. She was in her 80’s, but as busy as someone decades younger. She helped with lots of things at the church, but her biggest ministry was prayer. She prayed for everyone she knew, all the time. If they were hurting, Edith prayed. If they were in a transition, she covered it in prayer. If they had something to be joyful about, Edith celebrated with them in prayer. I know this because she told me, multiple times, that she was praying for me. And when any issue I had was resolved, Edith sought me out to tell me prayers had been answered.I didn’t realize it at the time, because I was a baby Christian, but Edith was a witness for Jesus. She acted in prayer, but then she told others about it, and all her words pointed to Jesus. She was a witness to the power of prayer, and her witness turned others toward Christ. You will recall that in this Stewardship season, we have been looking at how we use all our gifts according to our United Methodist membership vow to support our church through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. Today we focus on witness, which is probably the least understood part of the vow.To get a fix on it, let’s start with Acts 22. This chapter tells Paul’s version of his conversion from Pharisee intent on stamping out Christianity, to disciple intent on spreading it. He explains that he was on his way to Jerusalem to round up some Christian prisoners when he was struck blind by a bright light. God spoke to him, calling him to discipleship. Paul tells us what happened next:“A man named Ananias came to see me.?He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.?He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.“Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors?has chosen you to know his will and to see?the Righteous One?and to hear words from his mouth.?You will be his witness?to all people of what you have seen?and heard.?And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized?and wash your sins away,?calling on his name.’ v. 12-16, New International VersionThe word here for “witness,” as in much of the New Testament, is the Greek word martur?ō (mar-too-rey?-oh). It means “to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something.” And this is what Paul did for the rest of his life. He had seen, heard, and experienced Jesus Christ, and from that moment on he was a witness to that experience everywhere he went.Paul is probably the most effective witness Christendom has ever had. Through three missionary journeys, he spread the good news to people across a large swath of Asia and Europe. He wrote or inspired 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, contributing to the faith of literally every Christian from the second century on. He has been responsible for teaching every generation of believers since then how to live a Christian life. Yay Paul!But….part of Paul’s witness is that he reminds us of our calling to also be witnesses. Hear his words in Romans 10: 11-15 (New International Version):As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”?For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all?and richly blesses all who call on him,?for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord?will be saved.”How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them??And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”Did you hear that? How can people believe if they haven’t heard of Jesus? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? Pause for just a second and think about what that means for your faith life…I think it means that just like Paul, we are called to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus. This is our job description as disciples. We affirm to the world what we have seen, heard, and experienced of Christ. Whatever way Jesus is working in us, we keep pointing to it and saying, “Jesus!” to anyone who will hear!It’s not about being a great theologian, or preaching to people. It is about living consistently with the gospel and, just to be clear, saying so.For example, if you’re talking about weekend plans at work, mention that you’re going to church. “Jesus!” If you’re going through a rough patch and someone offers you sympathy or support, speak your truth about how God is walking with you. “Jesus!”When someone asks you to give to a charity and you do so, they will almost certainly thank you. That’s your opportunity to say, “God has really blessed me. This is just giving back a little.” “Jesus!”When a friend shares a trouble they face, offer to pray for them. “Jesus!”If anyone shows any interest in the way you keep pointing to Jesus, share your story of faith. And…be ready with a story! Think of one now—of a time when God really came through for you, or guided you, or supports you daily, or speaks to you through scripture, or has acted in your life. “Jesus!”And then, be ready to encourage them toward the same relationship with an invitation to worship, Bible study, WNA, or coffee and conversation.Today is stewardship Sunday. The big question for today is: How is your money going to be your witness? How will you point to Jesus with your treasures?Your response will determine how this church witnesses Christ to our community. More than 30 youth are going to be headed out on mission next summer. We can’t be Jesus to them without your offerings. We are teaching children, feeding people, supplying needs, acting as a haven of peace to those who need it. “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” Your gifts are the only way it’s possible for us to point to Jesus every week. Your giving empowers the witness of all our ministries. But what empowers us? Jesus. Jesus was the perfect witness of God. He came so that all might see, hear and experience God through him. And he witnesses to us today, right here and right now, in worship, in prayer, and in every moment of our lives. This is why we keep pointing to him with all we do and say. As he is present to us, we are called to be present to our neighbors with his love and grace. Keep pointing! “Jesus!”References: The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Red-Letter Edition, by James Strong. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001. See the Greek Dictionary, p. 156, entry #3140. church.html ................
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