Witness – Chapter 27 – Personal Revival Manual – Catch the Glorious Fire

 

27. WITNESS

from “Catch the Glorious Fire” by Ps Paul Quadros

 

The
bible says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you, you shall be my witnesses.”
(Acts 1: 8).

The
Holy Spirit was given for those who obey him. (John 14:15-17, Acts
5:32). And the prime purpose for this impartation was to be a
witness, becoming a witness is part of our obedience. As the power of
the Holy Spirit increases in our lives, the love in our hearts for
the Lord and one another also increases. As a result, we begin to be
compassionate to people and gradually develop the same kind of
compassion that Jesus had. As it is written, the Spirit of the
sovereign Lord is upon me, he has anointed me to preach the good news
to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, and to set the captives free.
(Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19)

 

Since
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, he has commissioned us to do
the same. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-8). Hence, our primary
purpose to live on this earth should be to fll His purpose. That is
why he said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew
6:33).

 

It
is evident that the power and fire is given to us, so we can be
witnesses that will bring glory to Him.

 

Even
our ministerial gifts like the five-fold ministries mentioned in
Ephesians 4:11 must also result in advancing His kingdom on this
earth. It is difficult for us to abide in the Lord and bear much
fruit, without becoming a disciple who brings glory to God. We must
also be able to go out and make others disciples. (John 15:8, 15:16)

 

The
result of our abiding is to bear fruit that starts from the fruit of
repentance (Matthew 3:8) to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Just as the
fruit on the tree is not for the tree, but instead for others to eat,
as it is written, their fruits will serve for food and their
leaves for healing
(Ezekiel 47:12, Revelation 22:1,2); so
also, the fruits and gifts that we have are primarily for others

(1 Cor 12:7).

 

In
Ezekiel 47:1-12, we see the river finally enters the Dead Sea (could
be symbolic of humanity), and wherever the river flows everything
will live. (Ezekiel 47:9) We therefore understand when we become
witnesses in obedience to the flow of His Spirit (river flowing into
the dead sea of humanity) we become fruitful for His Glory (like
fruit trees in both banks of the river) when we reap the harvest by
becoming effective witnesses, we gather fruits unto eternal life ( A
great reward in heaven John:4 )

 

To
bring this life to the humanity around us we must learn to be in the
fullness of the Spirit. Jesus is our great example.

 

He
loved us more than he loved himself. He came down as man and gave His
life. Hence we must love our neighbors as ourselves so that we
are even willing to lay down our lives to see them saved. Jesus did
not remain in heaven, but he loved us so much that he gave His life
to save us so that we can also be taken to heaven. So also by His
grace, and through His power, we could share His life (even sometimes
when our lives are in danger) to take people to heaven with us. When
we bring heaven into people’s hearts we are able to enjoy the joy
of heaven on this earth. (John 15 – 9-17)

 

It
is because of His grace and His victory in us that we are able to
have the heart for the lost. Through the victory that our Lord has
given us through the cross, we are able to be victorious, especially
when we carry the Lord’s burden for the lost souls (Luke 15:1-31).

 

Sometimes
we may go through different kinds of struggles in our life, or
family, or ministry, or even in the world. But he who overcomes these
struggles and still maintains his heart for the lost truly
demonstrates the Lord’s victory through his life. As we see the
Lord admonishing the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3.
Encouraging the church of Smyrna to be faithful (Revelation 2:10),
and appreciating the church of Philadelphia for keeping his Word, and
not denying his name (Revelation 3:8). And also correcting or
rebuking the church of Ephesus for losing their first love
(Revelation 2:4), but giving all the churches an opportunity to
overcome. The bible says, through Him we are more than conquerors
(Romans 8:37).

 

When
we learn to walk in the Spirit, and remain obedient to the great
commission, God begins to use us as a witness wherever we go. Since
He is in control, and all humans move and have their being in him
(Acts 17:26-28), he orchestrates the circumstances around us in order
to give us a divine appointment with people whom he has prepared for
salvation. Hence we must be alert, and be willing to be His witnesses
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

That’s
why it is important for us to offer our lives everyday as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing, and constantly renewing our minds so
that we might know His will and walk in it (Rom 12:1-2, Colossians
1:10).

 

Peter
is a good example of how the Lord promoted him from the business of
merely catching fish, to the business of becoming a fisher of men.

 

In
Luke 5:1-11, we see how Jesus ministered to the multitudes and at the
same time was mentoring Peter. Peter’s character and response must
have definitely contributed in making Jesus say to him, “Simon,
don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10).

 

From
this we understand that for starters Peter was willing to make his
boat available in spite of being tired (he had not slept the entire
night), hungry, and discouraged (he did not get any fish). But he was
still obedient to the Lord’s instruction to put the net into the
sea. He was also able to seek help from others to help him (attitude
of unity or team spirit, vs.7). And last but not the least he was
even able to assess (examine) himself after the catch (Luke 5:8).

 

When
Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying. “Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
(Luke 5:8)

 

All
this led to the final climax where Jesus said to him, “From now
on you will catch men”
(vs. 10)

 

I invite you to build a faith community together with me. Join my social media channels and let’s connect, especially if you want freedom or fullness in Christ.

My Telegram has a ministry channel. On Tiktok I have many videos and new ones regularly.

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