I Just Wanna Testify!

Dear Crosswalkers,
God has given us each a life mission.  It is both a common mission that is for all followers of Jesus, and a custom mission, which is unique to us.  Here is the mission Jesus gave us:  “You will be my witnesses”  (Acts 1:8).  It is unique to us because we each have a story of what God has done in our lives.  In many ways, Crosswalk Church is based on this mission!  So today I want to share FOUR PRACTICAL WAYS TO BE A WITNESS in today’s world:

1.     Keep a Positive Attitude

We live in a negative world.  We live in a world where people have been beat up, abused, hurt, and disregarded.  We live in a world where many people love to be miserable.  People notice those who have a positive attitude.  People notice those who are different because they care.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may

become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked

and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as

you hold out the word of life.” – Philippians 2:14-16

This Bible verse says you will shine like stars if you can maintain a positive attitude.  If you really believe that God is in control, and that no one can take away the greatest thing in the world, your relationship with him.  Your joy will enable you to be a witness for Jesus!

2.     Do Quality Work

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Col. 3:17

You see, we can represent Jesus by what we say and by what we do.  Both are crucial.  God wants us to be audio visual Christians.  And sometimes your greatest testimony for the Lord will be to do your job well, with a positive attitude.  You may say ‘It’s so hard to be positive where I work.  I work in such a negative environment.’  I know.  No one said it would be easy.  But God will help you to do your best to represent him where you are.

3.     Invite Others to Worship with you

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him,

‘We have found the Messiah’.  And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 2:41,42

Do you know that the apostle Peter, whose name was originally Simon, came into the church because his brother invited him to see Jesus?  Most people in a church family are there because someone invited them.  If you invited someone to worship with you, what’s the worst thing that can happen?  The worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no.  The best thing is that you can help someone get right with God.

4.    Tell Others About the Good News

“If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus

has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” - Acts 20:24

This is a major challenge for most of us.  I’m pleased that our missionary on home leave, Angel Hernandez, is beginning  a new class called “Reimagining Evangelism in Your Lifestyle.”  Here telling others is simply inviting friends on a spiritual journey.  I want to encourage you to consider being a part of this class beginning next Wednesday evening!  Linda Jackson is also teaching a class for spiritual formation called “The Critical Journey.”  Both these classes will grow your faith.  Come early for dinner from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., and then the classes start at 6:30!

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John


PASTOR ED TAYLOR PREACHES THIS SUNDAY!
We are honored to have a gifted preacher return to our pulpit this Sunday!  Pastor Ed will be bringing an exciting message entitled, “When Moses Saw God!”  This would be a great day to invite a friend to worship!

JOIN US FOR OUR MILLION DOLLAR CELEBRATION ON SEPT 26!
Sept 26 is CROSSWALK’S MILLION DOLLAR CELEBRATION with an ALL CHURCH LUNCH after worship!  We will gather to praise God for what he has done for us during the past 10 years in allowing us to give over a million dollars to missions and over a million dollars to our debt repayment!  Dr. Al Vom Steeg will be our preacher, and we will have video testimonies from around the globe!  This will be a SPECTACULAR SUNDAY!