Rsbc
Sunday Night
The book of Isaiah
January 13, 2002
Subject: “Ye Are My Witnesses”
Text- Isaiah 43:8-13
Intro: In this message tonight I want to speak to a number of things concerning being a witness for the Lord. The word “witnesses” in any language means to give evidence in things.
A witness is sworn in a court of law to tell the truth and nothing but the truth and he or she is ask to sware by God. We know that because of human nature that many witnesses lie on the stand for one reason or another.
A good witness will always regardless of cost because of truth set forth the most clear a distinct set of facts. A witness must be able to tell the truth based upon clear knowledge of what he or she has witnessed.
There is a difference in witnesses for the Lord than witnessing for a court of law; the difference is a clear difference. You see the difference in the message before I am very far into it.
I.. “ THE AUTHORITY OF THE WITNESS: 10 “ SAITH THE LORD”
The Lord confirms once again to his people the great and profound job they have in witnessing for him: (Isaiah 44: 8 ) No need for fear, no need to be afraid, the reason is clear there is no GOD beside me.
1. The bible warns about being a unrighteous witness: Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2. God made it clear in the 10 commandments: Deuteronomy 5:20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. So our authority to witness is to the truth, God gives no man or woman authority to witness nothing less than the truth... You know how many preacher do the opposite..many.
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II... “THE GREAT AND TREMENDOUS BURDEN CLEARLY LAID UPON THE WITNESSES OF THE LORD: VS 10
1st. Know and believe me:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We must believe his word:
Psalm 106:24‑25 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: 25 But murmured in their tents, [and] hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2nd. Know and believe and understand: verse 10 & 11
It is clear in this verse that they must understand that he exist “I AM HE” note that there is no GOD beside him and none after him. What a witness is to do understand the reality of GOD:
a. This understanding of GOD must come from the Lord himself:
When Joesph was lifted up out of prison to be asked to interpret Pharaohs dream listen to what Joesph told him: Genesis 41:15‑16 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Job prayed to GOD: Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
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David confirmed that in order to witness we must understand: Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
Before men could witness to the resurrection of Christ he opened their understanding:
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:46‑47 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Paul told Timothy these words: 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
John said: 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
III... “THE LORD’S CONFORMATION TO THEM CONCERNING HIMSELF: VS 11-13
1st. No saviour beside me:
Through out the Bible the Lord claims to be our saviour, through out the Bible men have written that they had been given faith to believe that Christ is the saviour. In the New Testament the message of the angels:
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The men that the woman at the well had witnessed to said these words:
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John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard [him] ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
2nd. What he did:
a. He saved
b. He shewed
c. He delivered
Close: We have a mandate from the Lord that we are his witnesses tonight leave this service with a story to tell. A gospel to affirm, a saviour to exalt, a hope to proclaim...