Isaiah 43:10 You are my witnesses, said the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he… I. TO BE WITNESS FOR CHRIST IS A SPECIAL DUTY OF ALL CHRISTIANS. 1. That is an unwarranted limitation which practically relegates oral witness-bearing to the ministry. The text was spoken to all Israel (ver. 2). 2. Christ and the Word of God claim the testimony of His people, humble and great; and the duty has been recognised and performed. (1) The case of the apostles (Acts 1:8, 22). The apostles' acceptance and discharge of this duty (Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:20, 33). In after years, when writing their epistles, they were still claiming to be witnesses (1 Peter 5:1; 1 John 1:2). (2) The case of Paul. He was ordained to be a witness (Acts 22:15). He, therefore, made such witness-bearing the work of his life (Acts 26:22). (3) The case of John the Baptist (John 1:7, 15, 32; John 5:33). This witness-bearing is the duty, not only of the great, but also of the humble. (4) The woman of Samaria (John 4:39). (5) The case of the fierce demoniac (Mark 5:19). (6) The command to every one (Revelation 22:17). 3. A query, Have you been witnessing for the Lord? II. EFFECTIVE WITNESS-BEARING. 1. It is essential for a witness to have some definite knowledge or experience, and to tell it. (1) Previous, therefore, to testifying for Christ, there must be an experimental knowledge of His salvation. (2) A witness must not only have an experience; he must tell it. He must tell it with the purpose of convincing by his testimony. This is not a difficult duty which can be performed only by the learned or the great or the wealthy, but one within the ability of every Christian, even the humblest. (Acts 4:13.) How easy it is to tell the things which have happened to us! How do men seem to delight in telling their experiences! Shall he alone, who is commanded to tell what "great things the Lord hath done for him," say "I can't," or "I won't," or "I am ashamed"? 2. The value of such testimony to a fact. (1) Naturally great and conclusive — more convincing than an argument, and the only way to reach many minds. (2) Yet altogether dependent upon the character of the witness. In the courts, the question is, Is the witness a truthful character? Much more must the value of a Christian's testimony depend upon his possessing a consistent, Christian character. 3. The help afforded by the Holy Ghost fur effective witness-bearing. (1) He gives courage and boldness in testifying. (2) He gives power and effectiveness. (3) He gives corroborating testimony (John 15:26, 27). III. THE HUMILITY AND THE HONOUR OF A WITNESS-BEARER FOR THE LORD. 1. How humble an appointment must this have seemed to the disciples who, full of anticipations of the establishment by Christ of an earthly kingdom transcending in its glory the kingdom of Solomon, were questioning which "should be greatest." Not to be a governor, or a judge, or treasurer, but simply a witness! Is this a position too humble for you? Do you look down upon it? 2. Yet what glory and honour belong to it! Into what company does it introduce us! Of Christ, the faithful and true witness; of the Holy Spirit, who shall testify of Christ; of the apostles, who were witnesses; and the martyrs. And in eternity shall those who confess Him here be confessed of Him. Those who suffer with Him for their testimony shall also reign with Him in His glory. (W. P. Swartz.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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