The Witness

Reading: John 4 and Acts 1:8

Are you ready for the word of the Lord? Grab a hold of your Bibles. The book of John, chapter 4.

"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples, he left from Judea and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore being weary with his journey sat thus on the well, and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water, and Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink. For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. Then said the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans."

And verse 10:

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

Our focus scripture for this month is Acts 1:8:

"But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Look at your neighbor. Say, "Neighbor, the witness." I'm going to talk to you about the witness.

Prayer

Father, I need you now. Help me, Lord, that I may speak your word with great precision, great anointing. Have your way. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable. Give us a word that will change life. Let burdens be removed, yokes be destroyed. In the name of Yeshua, the Christ, the Son of the living God. Amen.

The Year of God's Power

Our theme for this year is that this is the year of God's power. And this particular month, we're going to be looking at God's power to witness.

The Bible lets us know in Matthew 28, the Great Commission given to us all:

"Go ye therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

That means every ethnicity. It has been the commission of the church that we should go and teach people. We're supposed to win people for Christ.

"He Must Needs Go Through Samaria"

I'm going to use John 4 as a backdrop. The point that jumps out is this: Jesus needed to go through Samaria.

If you understand a little bit about this, you'll see we are looking at a cultural and social barrier. It was customary for the Jews on their way to Judah not to go through Samaria, because there was tension between the Jews and the Samaritans. These two peoples did not get on. The irony is that they were actually related to each other — connected, but with the Samaritans being treated as a lower class.

And Jesus, the Bible says, was weary. I like that. He was tired. And I would suggest to you, he was tired and fed up of going around.

Tired of Going Around

I want to talk to the people who've been going around some stuff. Some of us are dealing with family issues — tension where you're supposed to be family. Just like the Jews and Samaritans, some folks can't talk to family members because history says, "We don't get on."

Touch your neighbor. Say, "It's going to get better."

When we have these family issues, we start going around stuff, going around people — because confronting some situations is what actually helps us deal with them. The text tells me that Jesus was weary of his journey. He'd been going around for a long time. This time he decided he was going to stop going around and confront the situation.

Some of you have been going around because you don't want to deal with the situation. Nobody in the family wants to deal with it. And some of the things you're going around have got nothing to do with you. You were birthed into the family and there's an issue, and somehow you've been caught up in it. "Oh, we don't go over there. We don't talk to them." But wait a minute — they're family.

I come to make the announcement: your season of going around is over. This is the season to confront.

There comes a season in your life where you've been avoiding things based upon other people's issues. And you get to the point where you say, "You know what? I'm tired. I must go through Samaria. I must deal with the situation."

It's only when you get weary, only when you get tired — "I'm sick of being sick, I'm fed up of being fed up, and I'm tired of being tired" — that you come to the point where you say, "Enough is enough. I'm confronting the situation."

Four Barriers Jesus Confronted

Jesus is dealing with challenges associated with the history between the Jews and the Gentiles. There are a couple of things we have to look at.

1. Cultural Hostility

The Jews and Samaritans had a longstanding animosity between each other. So it was natural for them to avoid traveling through Samaria due to deep-seated prejudice.

We have to deal with this spirit of "I don't like you, you don't like me" — and half the time you don't even know why you don't like each other. That's the funny thing. The spirit of hostility produces a kind of behavior that stops you from connecting with people you're supposed to connect with.

You've got to be careful when people get into your psyche and stop you from connecting with people who you're destined to connect with.

2. Social Stigma

Jesus, a Jewish man, is going into Samaria not only to deal with somebody everybody says he shouldn't deal with, but he's also breaking the norms by communicating with somebody from Samaria at the well.

One of the things you've got to realize: when there is an assignment on your life, you cannot allow people to control your way of doing things. When God has an assignment on your life, you are going to do things that will obviously cause a backlash, because some people want to keep you in a certain box. But you've got to learn to break the barriers.

Look at somebody, say, "I'm tired of going round. My assignment is to break these cultural barriers."

The UK is probably the most cosmopolitan place in the whole world. Not everyone is going to be the same as you, but it should not stop you from connecting.

What kind of prejudice are you carrying? Sometimes you're carrying something because somebody taught you something or said something about a certain group of people, and you never took the time to really find out who they were — you're judging them based upon somebody else's experience.

3. The Gender Barrier

Jesus is going into Samaria to talk to a woman from another nation whom his people are not supposed to get on with. He is a Jew, and Jews are not supposed to have these kinds of conversations — much less with a Samaritan woman.

The Bible lets me know he gets to speak to this woman because the disciples had gone to buy food. God is allowing certain people to get out of the way. I'm not talking about you getting upset with people, but there are seasons that God will shift some people out of your life for a moment so that you can walk into your assignment. There are people who will try everything they possibly can to stop you from walking into your assignment.

The Lord made sure that all of those disciples — who would have gotten in the business, who would have given their two cents — were sent shopping.

Take a moment and praise God for the people who have gone for a season of your life. I know you miss them, but right now certain people can't be around because of the assignment.

4. Religious Difference

The Samaritans had different beliefs and practices regarding worship, and it led to theological debate. This month, as we're dealing with a lot of evangelism, I want us in the body of Christ to know this: you're not supposed to argue with somebody and fight them based on their religion.

In fact, I've found that most Muslims who've turned to Christ did so because they had an encounter with Jesus Christ.

No man draws anyone to Christ. Christ does the drawing. A lot of us have made the gospel become a matter of dispute because we feel we need to argue about everything when it comes to people who don't believe what we believe.

• The greatest witness is your life.
• The greatest witness is your testimony.

Don't argue with people. Stand up with the glory of God in your life and begin to love people. What people are really looking for is the love of God in your life. For God so loved the world — and the world needs love. Love is God and God is love. When you have the love of God, it dispels all kinds of criticism.

I've had people say, "I don't believe in what you believe." I've had people say, "I don't even like you." But by the time I finish with them, the Holy Ghost with me, the power of God in me, changes the atmosphere. They don't have to believe what you believe. Just stand on what God says and show the very essence of who God is.

The Woman at the Well

Jesus is starting a revolution, and he's about to set up a witness — a woman whose name we don't even know.

The Bible says this woman comes at 12 midday to draw water. There's something wrong with that. When I went to Jamaica, I realized — and my parents come from the country — that by 5 a.m. the whole of Jamaica is up. Those of you in Africa know what I'm talking about. Country folks, before they had taps, would go to the spring or the well early in the morning. I've never known anybody to be collecting water at 12 midday.

So I see something in the text: this woman is coming at noon rather than when all the other women come in the morning. She's making sure there's hardly anybody there. I see the spirit of avoidance. She thinks this is the best time to come. And to her amazement, when she arrives, there's a man sitting at the well.

Jesus picks up a conversation: "Give me a drink."

She's like, "Wait, wait, wait. Why you talking to me, Jesus? I'm a Samaritan, you're a Jew — we don't have dealings with each other."

Jesus answered:

"If you knew the gift of God, and who is talking to you right now, you would give him the drink."

And the woman said, "You're asking for a drink and you don't have anything to draw with. Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well?"

Jesus turned around and said:

"Woman, if you drink from this one, you're going to thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water I shall give him shall be in him a well springing up."

And the woman said, "Sir, this sounds good. Give me something to drink."

Exposing What Was Avoided

She didn't know Jesus was going to start the flow of the conversation. He said, "Go call your husband."

Now, this woman has been avoiding some stuff. She says, "I don't have a husband." Jesus turned to her and said, "You're right. In fact, you've had five. And the one you've got at home ain't even yours."

Talk about avoidance. This man is blowing up her whole life and exposing everything. And the woman said, "Sir, I perceive you are a prophet. You just spilled up my whole life. I came here for avoidance, and now you've just opened everything up."

God is going to allow you in this season to start dealing with things you've been avoiding. You cannot get deliverance until you confront the things you have been avoiding.

Changing the Subject

Then the woman says, "Let me change the subject, because this man is talking too much of my business." She goes into the theology that divides Samaritans and Jews:

"Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."

Because of prejudice, the Samaritans weren't allowed to worship in Jerusalem. "Since you're a prophet, let me change the subject."

Jesus says:

"You worship, but you don't know what you worship. We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

It's no longer going to be about a place. It's going to be an attitude.

She Became the Biggest Witness

After she confronted Jesus, and Jesus spoke into her life, she became a witness — the biggest witness in Samaria. She began to tell everybody:

"Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?"

If anybody could talk about men, this woman could. And everybody in the city must have known her — that's why she was avoiding. She said, "Come see a man which told me the truth. And guess what? He must be the Christ." She became the big witness.

The Bible's Legal Language

Our Bible is written from two perspectives.

One is agriculture. Agri means land; cult means to look after. It's not a bad word. The only problem with a cult is that they look after you so much, you stop looking after yourself. Any time we're doing agriculture, we're talking about land, production, animals, food, and clothing. The first revolution we had was an agricultural revolution.

The second, especially in the New Testament, is a legal system. In the Old Testament, God is the righteous judge. When we hear the word judge, we also hear judgment, and laws, and rulership. Laws require a judge, and a judge requires a court system.

Think about the words we hear in our Bible:

• Judge
• Advocate
• Mediator
• Adversary
• Prosecutor
• Testimony
• Witness

A witness is somebody who testifies on behalf of a case, who was privy to what happened — they saw or heard something, and they come on the witness box to testify on behalf of somebody who's been accused.

All legal systems in the country and around the world are based upon our Bible. That's why when you go into court they ask you your plea — guilty or not guilty. Before you testify, they give you the Bible and ask you to say:

"I do solemnly declare that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God."

Because getting in that box, you're getting ready to testify.

You Are a Witness

When the Holy Ghost comes upon you, the purpose is that you're going to be his witnesses. You have been put on the earth as a Christian filled with the Holy Ghost so you can be a witness.

Look at somebody, say, "I'm a witness."

We're in the courtroom right now. And there is an accuser — that accuser is called the devil. When God asked Satan, "Where have you been coming from?" he said, "I've been going to and fro in the earth" — looking for someone to make an accusation against. The Bible says Satan has been like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He makes accusations against you and the God that lives in you.

But ladies and gentlemen, there is a witness. Come on up to the witness box. Testify. Let the world know that you have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of the power of God, now you're on the witness box. Testify and let the devil know: "I am a witness."

From a Mighty Long Way

Some of you right now — God brought you from a mighty long way. People don't know. They see you in a suit, they see your hair done, but they don't know how far you've come. You've come from a mighty long way because Jesus washed you in his blood, sanctified you, and turned you from darkness to light. The reason you're here is because you're a witness.

It's time for you to testify. I know we don't have testimony service like we used to. Look at your neighbor, say:

"Neighbor, God has taken me from a mighty long way. I'm not what I used to be, and I'm not what I want to be, but I'm so glad I'm saved."

Some of you, the devil tried to stop you. Some of you, the devil tried to kill you. But because of the Holy Ghost, he has been protecting the witness. It's called witness protection. The devil don't like you, but you're still going to testify.

My Testimony

I don't know what your testimony is, but my mother had cancer. The doctor gave my mother over to die. But my mother could not die, because I wasn't born yet. I am a miracle. My mother was healed from cancer. And after she was healed, my sister was born and I was born.

Can I testify? God is a healer. He heals from cancer. God is a deliverer. He delivers you from all kinds of disease.

Tell the judge:

"He woke me up this morning, started me on my way, put food on my table. I should have lost my mind, but he picked me up, turned me around, and placed my feet on higher ground."

How We Win the Case

Here's how you win the case. The Bible tells us:

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."

The blood's already shed. And by the words of your testimony — where's the accuser? The courts of heaven have made a decree: case dismissed. You are saved by grace.

"You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses."

But Bishop, I'm Nervous

"Bishop, I don't know if I can witness. I'm not used to confronting people."

Can I tell you how? You need the power first. "You will receive power after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you." When he comes upon you, then you can be his witness.

Could it be that the reason you're struggling to minister is that you haven't yielded to the power? All of us are assigned. It's not just for the outreach team and the evangelism team. Every one of us.

• Who did you invite to church today?
• Who have you witnessed to?

Witnessing is not just about grabbing a mic on a Super Sunday and giving a testimony. That's great. But the greatest witness you can ever give is your life — who you are — and testifying to people about the love of Jesus Christ in your life.

• Do the people in your workplace know you're saved?
• Or do you camouflage yourself?
• Is the same language coming out of the people in the workplace the same language coming out of your mouth?
• Are you a witness?

"Well, Bishop, I like to testify, but every time I testify, I get under attack." That happens to witnesses. But if you pray in the Holy Ghost, you have witness protection. He will guide you into all truth, and he'll bring things to your remembrance.

A Challenge to the Church

This month, I'm going to challenge all Ruach City Church to go and be a witness. Be a witness to your family. Be a witness to your friends.

You say you've got the Holy Ghost. One of the evidences of the Holy Ghost coming upon you is that we shouldn't have to beg you to be a witness. The Bible says, "And ye shall be." It's automatic.

When the Holy Ghost came in the book of Acts, the whole world changed. Demons were scared. Soothsayers and witches whose businesses were running got shut down. The blind, the lame, and the sick got healed.

I want the Holy Ghost to come back in the church. I want us to release the power of God back in our church. Church has become a place of lecture and stimulating people. I ain't got no problem with you being stimulated educationally — but after you speak to my mind, speak to my spirit.

"You shall receive power."

Altar Call

I want to pray for those who say, "Bishop, I want to be a witness. I want Jesus in my life. I've been coming to church, but I really need to make a decision."

A lot is going on in our nation. Things are not getting better. I have never seen government panic so much. A person that doesn't have Jesus will panic. But how many of you know that our life is in God's hands?

If you're saying, "Preacher, I'm not saved. I'm not born again. I've not made a decision. But today, I want to be a witness" — would you come?

If you know someone needs Jesus, hold them by the hand. Say, "I'll follow you." Do not leave this place without making a commitment to serve the Lord. Jesus is calling you.

I come against the spirit of stagnation and the spirit of fear. God's not giving you the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind.

I was telling them at Streatham that in Lambeth yesterday a young boy — about 25 — was killed. Another lady, 70 years old, just passing by, got shot. You don't know what God's been keeping you from. You haven't been keeping yourself. God's been keeping you. You don't know what this prayer might be protecting you from.

Ask somebody next to you: "Are you saved?" If they say yes, no, or "I don't know," bring them up. Say, "Come, let me pray with you. I'll come with you." This is why we're here.

The Bible says:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

If you confess, he'll come into your life and change your life. Welcome to the family of God. Say this prayer with me — and maybe someone watching online, you need to say this prayer too:

"Dear Lord, I come before you now. I am a sinner and I need you in my life. Your word says if I confess my sins, you're faithful to forgive me of all my sins. And so today, I make a decision to serve you. Now, Satan, I don't belong to you anymore. I'm washed in the blood of Jesus, and I'm now saved, in Jesus' name. Amen."

Do you believe that prayer? Welcome to the family of God.