February 5
The Power of Bearing Witness
“And many people were added unto the Lord.” —Acts 11:24
Read Acts 11:19-30
Listening to a sermon does one of two things: it either hardens a heart or melts a heart. Even when you, in your own estimation, are quite serious, if a sermon does not move your heart you are being hardened under it. In our Scripture reading we see that the hearers of the gospel believed and repented. The declarers of the gospel in this text are unknown, but the Lord used them. They were members of a congregation who had fled after Stephen’s stoning. In a simple manner, they told the inhabitants of Antioch about the Lord Jesus and He blessed their witness. A simple testimony can be blessed. We too are called to tell our unchurched neighbours about the Lord Jesus. We must avoid talking about ourselves and “our” religion and point them to the Saviour who is the essence of our religion. But was it lawful for ordinary church members to testify as they did? Barnabas was sent out from Jerusalem to investigate how this took place. However, he did not examine the new believers, but instead sought to encourage them. He saw that their way of life was according to God’s standards and therefore encouraged them to remain close to the Lord. The fruit of this preaching was faith and repentance, “and much people was added unto the Lord” (v. 24). All this took place through the preaching of one sermon. What is the fruit of all the sermons you have heard in your life? Pray for the enlightening power of the Spirit, that you may understand the sermon and learn to bow before the Lord.
What is the purpose of a sermon?
This devotional was taken from “The Time of Your Life” a daily devotional published by the Youth & Educational Committee of the FRC. To order a printed copy of this book, contact: bookorders@frcna.org.