We are Chosen to be Witnesses to the Truth

• Chosen by God to be a Witness - As we speak of being a witness, it is with the understanding that the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the faithful witness, as 2 Tim 2:13 reminds us, “... he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself”. In the phrase, “God hath chosen the weak things of the world”, we notice that the word “weak” signifyies “no strength”. Rom 5:6 pictures our hopeless and helpless state, apart from God’s gracious salvation: “For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly”. It is God who empowers and motivates the believers to send forth the Gospel as we see in 1 Pet 5:10: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”. As we think for a moment about the Body of Christ on earth at any given time in history, it is indeed mind-boggling that God could call, equip, and send out these individuals to be His ambassadors, orchestrating all the minute details flawlessly in accordance with His perfect will as Isa 43:8-13 announces. We marvel that God uses sinful, weak human beings as His vessels to carry the glorious message of the Gospel to a world that is spiritually lost and shrouded in sin. 2 Cor 4:7 declares, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”. 2 Cor 12:9-10 teaches, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. 2 Cor 13:4 further adds: “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you”. Those of us who are saved, by God’s grace have the amazing privilege to live out our lives in this world, as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, every child of God acknowledges the simple truth of Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do”.

Rev 1: 4-7 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

Isa 43:10-12 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.”

1 Cor 1:26-31 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

1 Cor 3:6-7 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

• We are Not Eyewitnesses Yet Witnesses - 2 Pet 1:16 and 19-21 is a remarkable declaration: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty… We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed...”. In the above passage Peter makes the point that what he saw with his physical senses was far less reliable than “a more sure word of prophecy”, which is a reference to the Bible, God’s Word. Most believers who have ever lived were not eyewitnesses of the Lord as were the apostles according to Acts 4: 33, “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all”. Nonetheless, John 17:20 makes this remarkable declaration: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”. We who have believed their report – God’s Word – are in turn commanded to share the truth we have received with others in obedience to the “Great Commission”.

1 Pet1:11-12 “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

Acts 3:13-15 “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Luke 1:1-4 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”

John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

• Witness to the World - Lord Jesus commanded His followers in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. This is the supreme task that never stops until we see the Lord coming in the clouds of glory. What exactly is the Gospel, you ask? The whole Bible is the Gospel, and the Gospel is all about God’s salvation plan. A summary of the Gospel is found in John 16:8: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”. Man is utterly sinful, or wicked. Because we were originally created in the image of God, we are completely accountable to God for every aspect of our lives; and God has to punish all sin. The only escape route is the one that God Himself has provided through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus would have to endure the fires of eternal damnation in order to secure the salvation of each of His Elect. Only this sinless Lamb of God – the Lord Jesus Christ – could provide the righteousness that one needs to enter into Heaven. Col 1:5-6 also affirms God’s purpose to redeem a people for Himself, by means of the Gospel. In Mat 24:14 we read this statement: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come”.

Acts 26:16-18 “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Col 1:5-6 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.”

Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel [Elect of God], and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

Rev 14:6-7 “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Mat 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Everybody is a Witness – What Kind Are You?

• A False Witness shall NOT be UNpunished - Every human being is a witness, and their lives are a testimony, or the evidence, of what kind of witness they really are. We find this statement in Exo 20:16: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour…”. Exo 23:1 is associated with those who are wicked and unrighteous, which is referring to all who are unsaved. Consequently, the sin of bearing false witness must be punished, as we see in Pro 19:9. We must bear in mind, however, that all sin must be punished by God’s infinite and righteous justice; and the type of punishment that God has in view is eternal damnation. Those who make idols are also spoken of as witnesses and are associated with spiritual blindness or deadness. However, we are equally guilty as they are because we have fashioned similar idols in the darkest regions of our own depraved hearts, as Eze 14:4 declares. What is even more alarming about this reference is that it is not portraying the “heathen”, but rather those of “the house of Israel”. In other words, “the house of Israel” typifies those who are members of the earthly, institutional church who claim to have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. False Gospels and doctrines, not under authority of the Bible, are idols, because they have formed a God, other than God of the Bible. People who bring them are False Witnesses.

Exo 23:1 “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”

Mat 15:19 “For out of the heart [unsaved] proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies…”

Pro 19:9 “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”

Isa 44:9-10 “They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?”

Eze 14:4 “Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel [typifying denominations and congregations] that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.”

• A True Witness Speaks according to the Word of God - The Bible has also much to say about a true witness. We also read in Pro 15:4 that truth is also associated with spiritual life. Truth, associated with the Bible, as typified by a “wholesome tongue”, or “pleasant words”, leads to spiritual “health”, or salvation, as Pro 16:24 maintains. May all of us examine ourselves in the light of the Bible to see what kind of witness we are today.

Acts 4:20 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Isa 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Pro 12:17 “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”

Pro 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”

Pro 16:24 “Pleasant words [the Word of God] are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

• In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses shall Every Word be Established - In Deu 19:15 we read, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” We can see the practicality of this type of law, but there is also a reference here to the nature of the Triune God, as 1 John 5:7 underscores. Thus we see that the Godhead affirms Its witness in every God-breathed word and letter of the Bible, God’s Holy Word, which Matt 4:4 affirms.

1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record [witness] in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

2 Cor 13:1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

Matt 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

• The Witness of God the Father about God the Son, Jesus Christ - Psa 110:1-4 is a beautiful illustration of God the Father acknowledging God the Son’s deity and mission. Psa 110:4 is also quoted in Heb 7:17. In John 5:9-11, Six times in these three verses the same Greek word for “witness” or “record” is repeated thus emphasizing the fact that the Gospel about the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ is for all peoples of the world.

Deu 32:4 “He is the Rock [that Rock is Christ], his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

Psa 110:1-4 “The LORD [God the Father] said unto my Lord [God the Son], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Heb 7:17 “For he [God the Father] testifieth, Thou [God the Son] art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1 John 5:9-11 “If we receive the witness [G:3141] of men, the witness [G:3141] of God is greater: for this is the witness [G:3141] of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness [G:3141] in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record [G:3141] that God gave of his Son. And this is the record [G:3141], that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

• The Witness of God the Son - In John 18:37 we learn of the dialogue between the Lord Jesus and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, “I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice”. In John 5:31-32, 34, and 36-39 Jesus also affirms that His claims to deity were rooted in the Father, in the works He did, and in the Scriptures themselves.

John 18:37 “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

John 5:31-32, 34, 36-39 “If I bear witness[G:3140] of myself, my witness [G:3141] is not true. There is another that beareth witness [G:3140] of me; and I know that the witness [G:3141] which he [God] witnesseth [G:3140] of me is true… But I receive not testimony [G:3141] from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved… But I have greater witness [G:3141] than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness [G:3140] of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness [G:3140] of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify[G:3140] of me.”

• The Witness of God the Holy Spirit about God the Son, Jesus Christ - John 15:26 describes the work of the Holy Spirit: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me”. We also read in 1 John 5:6b: “... And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth”.

John 16:13-15 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

• The Witness of God's Word, the Bible - In Acts 14:17 we find a statement that illustrates God’s universal care for His creation in general and mankind in particular. Such a witness does indeed give evidence that God exists, as Rom 1: 20 indicates. However, God has not only revealed Himself in creation, and He has given us a Book – the Bible – which He has written, that lays out His will for mankind, as we see from 2 Pet 1:21. May God cause us to recognize that His witness – the Bible – is the Law book that He has graciously bestowed upon the human race to learn the truth about who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.

Acts 14:17 “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

Rom 1: 20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

2 Pet 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Deu 31: 26 “Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.”

2 Pet 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify [G:3140] of me [Lord Jesus Christ].”

A Man's Foes Shall Be They Of His Own Household

• God's Word brings divisions in the unequally yoked families and a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.

Matt 10:34-38 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."

Matt 10:21-22 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

1 John 3;13,15 "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

• Because we are not of the World, but God has chosen us out of the World, therefore the World hates us

Matt 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

John 15:18-20 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

John 16:2-3 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."

• If we suffer for Righteousness' sake, happy are we. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad

1 Pet 3:14-15 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

1 Pet 4:14-16 "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."

Matt 5:11-12 "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven [reward is eternal life]: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

• We follow after our Master who set us an example

Matt 10:24-25 "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

• In nothing terrified by our adversaries. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.

 
Php 1:28-29 "And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"

Matt 10:26-28 "26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him [God] which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

• With all boldness we ought to speak the word of God.

Acts 4:29 "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"

John 9:18-25,30-34 " But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 24Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 30The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out."

Acts 8:1-5 "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them."

Acts 28:30-31 " And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

• If God be for us, who can be against us? we are more than conquerors through him that loved us

2 Cor 7:4-6 "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"

Phil 1:19-21 "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Rom 8:31-39 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or swrd? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We are Unprofitable Servants doing which is our Duty to do

• Our Savior Jesus Christ is our Door and we are Doorkeepers in the House of God.

John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Acts 14:27 "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

Matt 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Psa 84:10 "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

• We are Given the Keys to Heaven, in the Sense, We are used of God in Proclaiming the Gospel which has the Power to Bind Satan and Lose the Elect of God who are Bound by Satan.

Matt 16:18-19 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [representing all elect of God], and upon this rock [Rock is Christ] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it [against the eternal invisible Church of God built with living stones of all born again believers]. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth [bind Satan] shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth [lose the Elect of God] shall be loosed in heaven."

Matt 18:18 "[Jesus addressing his Disciples who represent all of the Elect of God] Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me [Lord Jesus Christ] ; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"

Acts 26:16-18 "[God addressing Paul who represent all of the Elect of God] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Isa 58:6 "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

• Our Savior Jesus Christ is our Master and we are Unprofitable Servants doing which is our Duty to do.

Luke 22:24-30 "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

John 13:12-17 "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Matt 23:12 "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

Luke 17:7-10 "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

Rom 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"

• Our Savior Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd who gave his Life for His Sheep. We are made Shepherds and we Ought to Lay Down our Lives for the Brethren and Occupy Ourselves with Feeding the Sheep.

Luke 19:12-13,16-26 "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."

John 21:15-17 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [agapao] thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [phileo] thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [agapao] thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [phileo] thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [phileo] thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest [phileo] thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love [phileo] thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

• Take Heed, Feed the Flock, Plow in Hope and Watch for the Bridegroom

Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

1 Pet 5:2 "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"

1 Cor 9:9-11 "For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?"

Luke 12:35-38 "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants."

Matt 25:10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."

Luke 13:24-27 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."

Are there Rewards and Crowns in Heaven?

• Parable of the Goodman of the House and Labourers

Matt 20:1-16 "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

• Servant attitude

Luke 17:7-10 "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

• Great is your Reward in Heaven. The Exceeding Great Reward is our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. God emptied himself of His Glory to give us—eternal life! What more can He give us? We are Saved by Grace Alone. If we count on our Works, then we are guilty of the whole law.

Mat 5:11-12 "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Luke 6:35 "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

Gen 15:1 "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

Rom 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Rom 4:4 "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt."

• Crown of Rejoicing - being in the Presence of the Lord

1 Thess 2:19-20 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy."

Rev 21:2-4 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

• Crown of Righteousness - Robe of Christ Righteousness in place of our Own Righteousness's which are as Filthy Rags.

2 Tim 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Isa 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

Isa 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

• Crown of Life - Eternal Life

Jam 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

• Crown of Glory - Glorious Spiritual Body

1 Pet 5:4 "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

1 Cor 9:24-25 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

1 Cor 15:52-54 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

Woe is unto me, if I Preach not the Gospel!

• Woe is Unto Me [I am damned], If I Preach Not the Gospel! Sharing Gospel is not Optional, it is a Commandment. If I am Reconciled to God, I am given the Ministry of Reconciliation. It is a Necessity laid upon me. We Faithfully Water and Plant and Leave the Result to God.

Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Isa 6:8 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

1 Cor 9:16 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

Luke 4:18 (quoting Isa 61:1) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me [Jesus], because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

2 Cor 5:18-19 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

1 Cor 3:6-7 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

2 Cor 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

• Witness of the Power of God. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation.

Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is quick [alive], and powerful [dunamis in Greek, dynamite], and sharper than any twoedged sword [can cut to Salvation or can cut to Judgement], piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Jer 23:29 "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?"

Isa 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it"

Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1 Cor 1:17-25 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

• Witness of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment. Sharing Gospel should include all these three elements.

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Acts 26:22-28 "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

John 16:8-11 “And when he [Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Acts 24:25 "And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."

• Sin - Inheritted from First Adam.

Rom 5:14 "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."

Isa 1:5-6 "Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: [picture of our sin sickness] the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment."

Heb 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

Jam 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

• Righteousness - the Righteousness which is of God by Faith

 
Gen 22:8 “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”

Luke 2:10-11 "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

2 Cor 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Phil 3:9 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

• Judgement - Eternal Damnation.

Psa 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Mat 23: 33 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

2 Cor 5:10-11 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."

Heb 2:3 "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"