The POWER of a PERSONAL witness

I’ve been thinking so much lately about personal evangelism … wondering why it seems so much more difficult to lead people to believe in Jesus and turn to Him.  It seems to me like this has gotten steadily harder the last five or so years.  I’ve talked to many people about this – most seem to agree.  I know that I have intensified my evangelism efforts – but seem to have less results lately.

I wonder if we have forgotten the POWER of a PERSONAL witness?  In reading Acts 4 today, I am amazed how people heard the testimony of Peter and the other disciples and turned to Jesus.  It’s easy for us to assume that this is because things were different then – it was a long time ago.  The facts are, it was probably harder!  If we think our culture is against Jesus today  - we should have lived then!!  All of the religious leaders and public opinion at large saw Jesus as a heretic – a rebel rouser – someone to avoid – so much so that they killed Him.

Even after the religious leaders imprisoned Peter and the others – over 5,000 people believed their PERSONAL witness of who Jesus is and how He changed them and accepted salvation for themselves.

Why ??

• They were Holy Spirit anointed.  Acts 2 had just happened – they were filled and fully yielded to God’s power at work in them.  Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  We cannot underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  I wonder how much this holds us back…
• They fully believed the message.  They weren’t playing some of the mind games that many of us play.  They believed it so much that they were willing to die for it – at a minutes notice.  There’s power when we believe in something that much.  Do we really believe that Jesus is the only way to God?  Do we really believe that He is the answer that everyone needs?  Or… have we subtly bought the lie of relativism, pluralism, and tolerance?
• They shared it unapologetically.  Too often, I think we’re more afraid of what people will think and say than we are about the destiny of the person to whom we are speaking.  We care more about men’s opinion than we do Gods.
• They SIMPLY shared THEIR story – what God had done for them.    We have drastically underestimated the power of a PERSONAL witness.  People may argue whether the Bible is true – whether Jesus is God’s Son – even how to get to God – but  NO ONE can argue with YOUR story.  It’s yours – and especially in this world where everyone’s truth is seen with equal value we need to use this to our advantage.

Peter and the others had witnessed the resurrected Christ and told everyone they met about it.  Have you witnessed Him?  Has He changed your life?  Tell everyone what HE did for YOU – I think we be surprised at the results.

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