Sermon by Rev. Cheryl Foulk (October 13) - "You Shall Be My Witness"

I had a friend who worked at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Pickerington. She said that her least favorite day to work was Sunday because of the “church people” who came in.  She found that they could be demanding, critical of her service and did not  leave very good tips.  She knew that they were church people because they often were carrying their Bibles and were talking about church activities.  As a believer in Christ herself, she was embarrassed! 

A common theme in the New Testament is that we are to be Jesus' witnesses in the world. For better or for worse, we are the models of what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.  How do we gracefully share  our faith in Christ?

Perhaps you have been confronted about your faith by a well-meaning believer.  Someone has witnessed in such a way that you feel that you are doomed unless you believe as they do.  I don't like those encounters. I don't want to be judged or manipulated.  We want to be   witnesses who encourage others to know God , and to explore the wonders of God's love.

How can we prepare to be a witness?   We don't have to memorize a script, or even give out leaflets. It is helpful if we are just aware of God's presence , and aware of people. Think about how God has been real to you! What you share from your experience and faith is valuable and needed by others. No canned speeches are necessary.

In the prior weeks, we have talked about the commitments of prayer, Bible reading, and worship. These practices are foundational to our witness: they teach us and encourage us to share with others.

                                  Witness through Kindness

Every day we encounter other people. How do we share our faith with them?    

A woman told that years ago she was struggling in her life. She   had just finished working  her second job when she ran into a convenience store to pick up some items.  She was physically tired and worn down by her circumstances.    As she was leaving the store an older man walked past her , opened the door  and held it for her.  She was so encouraged by this simple act  that made her feel that she had some worth!  It is still a sweet memory for her years later.   Our  witness  can indeed be a simple gesture of kindness.

It is a valid witness to smile at the cashier, to tell someone that they have done a good job, to hold the door open for someone else.

It was near Christmas, Bill had gone to get the  oil changed in his car. He overheard the attendant saying that he was hungry but he didn't have quite enough money for some food. When Bill was leaving, he   gave him a $5.00 bill and said “Merry Christmas.”  The guy  asked “Why would you do something like this?”   Bill told him that   Christmas was all about Jesus’ love and that it is always a gift.

I think of Jesus as noticing people around him .He drew them out, engaged their minds and hearts.  As disciples, we are called be attentive to the people around us, to listen to their stories, and if we can, share our own.

We all like someone to listen to us, to ask us how we are. If someone “really” wants to hear your story, how great is that!

A woman was getting a facial at a spa.  She asked the spa employee “How are you doing?” Employee answered:  “ I shouldn't be sharing about my sad life.”   She told her that sometimes it helps to talk about your problems.   Young woman shared that she was separated, job was not the best, and she felt the spiritual was missing in her life.    Woman did a lot of listening during that one hour appointment.   When she left she put the  tip in an envelope, and also wrote a note encouraging the woman to  call out to God, to seek and she would find, because God did care for her.

As God leads us, we can be generous with our resources and our time.

                           Witness through Relationships

You can be a witness  through your relationships with people you see often :  at work, at school, in the neighborhood, at the gym.

 You can  help a neighbor rake leaves and then listen as he shares about his loneliness since his wife died. 

 You can offer to pray for your co-worker who is facing an illness and cannot get the words out. 

You can invite a friend for coffee and as you catch up with each other, share how God's grace touched you through the funny antics  of your grandchild. 

                                    Witness through Invitation

You can invite someone to worship or another activity.

You can help connect them to our family of faith and here they may discover God's love

  Offer to pick them up and then sit together in worship. They may not be interested in Sunday morning, but are intrigued by the activities of Second Saturday.  Your personal  recommendation means   a great deal. You are the best publicity for our church.

A new mom named Sarah wrote about coming back to church with her husband and new baby. “We weren't drawn in by any slick brochure or fancy website.  It was community that got us to the altar... and community that has kept us coming back week after week. It was the community of young parents like us- friends we knew from preschool- that kept inviting us to church again and again. It was that community of intelligent and thoughtful people who welcomed my doubts...It was the community of loving and compassionate hearts who made room at the table...”

Along the way as you share about spiritual issues, you may be asked some hard questions such as  “With the world in such a mess, how can you have hope?”  “ Why did this have to happen to me?”  “After what I have done in my life, can I ever find forgiveness?”  ( That is when you say “I don’t know” and tell them to call Pastor Robert…)

Actually, that's when  you ask God to give you the right words for the situation, and you   share the best that you can. We are called to listen and learn from others. We don't have to have all the answers. 

Your story with all its faults can still help change someone else's story.  Know that you are just a part of all the ways that God is working in their lives.

We're going to watch a video now with Kristi Bope who is a member here at First UMC. Kristi graduated from high school this past June. Let's imagine that we ran into Kristi and asked her how things are  going. She in a very winsome way is going to tell us about herself.

Wouldn't you want to continue that conversation with Kristi?  In a very non-threatening way, she has shared her witness with us, she has told her story.  She has opened up all kinds of topics that could be pursued : why she likes worship, deciding on a career, and what really happens at choir!  

You have your own story of faith to share.   You have people to notice, and  to share about the important things in life. Jesus has invited us to let others know about the hope and salvation that he offers. You can do this!  Each morning we ask the question:  how can I be the most authentic witness to Christ today in Lancaster?

Let's look at the  Witness commitment slip .  I am going to read the various responses that you can choose from:

        

          1.    I cannot make a commitment today.

          2.    I will look for ways that God is real in my life each day.

          3.    I will be attentive and listen to other people and their stories

4.       I will pray for other people and for opportunities to share God's love.

5.       I will invite someone to come  to worship with me.

6.       I will invite someone to join me in a FUMC activity: Second Saturday,

Fellowship Dinners, small group, etc. 

7.       In conversation with others, I will share how God's love has made a difference in my life.

                           

          8.    To love others and show God's kindness will become a priority so that...

I will intentionally notice people around me ( family, friends, neighbors, strangers) and listen to what they have to share. I will look at others as God's children. I will  not be arrogant but attempt to be honest about  the ups and downs of my  life as a follower of Jesus. I will pray that we all will grow in our understanding and  in our faith and  love of God. I will take the responsibility of reaching out to others and inviting them to be a part of our church family. I will go out of my way to make a guest here feel at home,  Each day I will offer  to God my efforts of caring  for his children and then depend upon  the wonderful sufficiency of God's grace for each of us.

Take a few minutes  to make your choices;  choose as many responses as you want.  Keep this  slip as a reminder of your commitments today.

May God bless each of us as we offer our efforts to God !