This past week was the first part in a two-part series about where I believe God is bringing us as a church. In the past I have used phrases like, “we are called to be Christ’s Witness” and “make disciples.” I believe those to be the two greatest priorities of the church today. And while if I stand and say that in front of a group of people I may get a lot of people who shout, “Amen” and agree with me, few “regular Christians” understand how to do those things.
Sunday was a call to be a “witness” for Christ. A long time ago I heard Tony Evans say that we are to be the “preview to Heaven.” He was referring to a preview of a movie. Like Tony, one of my favorite parts of going to the movie is to get there in time to see the previews for the upcoming movies. They are typically the best parts of the movie they represent. A good movie trailer can entice a crowd to want to see what the whole movie is about. It can even cause an excitement for the upcoming movie. What Tony Evans was saying is that we should live our lives in such a way that we represent the best parts of Heaven. When people see us, they should want to see the rest of the movie. They should want to learn more about our life and more about the hope that we have. That is what Christ means by “be My witness.”
The Apostle Peter challenged us to be prepared to share that hope at a moments notice. I love 1 Peter 3:15, “Set apart Christ as Lord in your heart that you may always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have in Christ Jesus our Lord, but do it with gentleness and reverence.”
How can we do these things if we are not grafted into the “true vine” of Jesus? Where would we find the strength to persevere, take bold stands, rejoice in trials, worship Him in sadness, and to just put up with some people? Let’s be honest, apart from His strength we are not equipped with that kind of power. But when we choose to live attached to the “true vine” our nature is changed. Our displeasure turns to joy, our resentfulness turns to hope, and our nature is changed. That is the greatness we are called into! We don’t have the strength on our own to “be Christ’s witness.” However, when we allow our lives to be grafted into the “true vine” our lives are transformed. We see things and people from a different perspective. Our vision is no longer on this world, but it is centered on a Kingdom that is not of this world. Do you want to be “Christ’s witness?” You must start by grafting yourself into the “true vine.” Wake up each day and make a commitment to tune your heart to the Heart of Christ. When your kids are in a bad mood, or your co-workers become your trials, remember you were called for greatness. Live for that greatness and allow the “true vine” to supply your strength, patience, wisdom, and perseverance.
Simply Craig Yates 