Feb 22
6
New Testament Reading: Acts 1:1-11
“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:1–11, ESV)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 18:1-12
“Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, ‘I have been a sojourner in a foreign land’), and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, ‘The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh’). Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. And when he sent word to Moses, ‘I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,’ Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.’ And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.” (Exodus 18:1–12, ESV)
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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.
Introduction
The theme of the previous passage is warfare. The theme of the passage that is before us today is witnessing. From warfare to witnessing – isn’t that an interesting transition?
In the previous sermon, I said that Christian sojourners must engage in spiritual warfare. In this sermon, I will say that Christian sojourners must witness. At first glance, these two activities seem to be very different and unrelated, but upon closer examination, we will see that the two things are tightly linked in the outworking of God’s plan of redemption. Victory in warfare must result in witnessing.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not speaking of ordinary warfare here. I’m not talking about the kind of warfare that is fought between the common nations of this earth – but spiritual warfare – warfare that has to do with the spiritual conflict between Satan and those who belong to him by birth, and Christ and those who belong to him by faith. There is a battle that rages in the spiritual realm. Yes, it does manifest itself on earth. But it is, in the end, a battle for the souls of men and for the glory of God.
The story of scripture may be described as a story about this spiritual war. It began with the temptation of man in the garden. The treason of Adam was the spark. The declaration of war was made by God himself when he declared to the Serpent that one would arise from the offspring of the women who would crush his head. Until then – until the full and final defeat of the Evil One – there would be conflict, or warfare, between those who belonged to God by faith, and those whose allegiance was with Serpent.
Old Covenant Israel’s wars, as earthly and natural as they were, must be viewed as spiritual wars. They were holy wars, for they were divinely sanctioned. They were fought, not for selfish gain, but for the glory of God. They fought, not for the expansion of borders, nor for the procurement of personal wealth, but for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth and for the accomplishment of his program of redemption. The wars of Old Covenant Israel were holy wars, for in those days the LORD was fulfilling the promises that he made to Abraham concerning his offspring possessing the land of Canaan to become a great nation with kings to govern them. And we know that the purpose of this was to prefigure the kingdom of God on earth until the promised Messiah would emerge from this people to atone for sins, to defeat the Evil One, and to usher in the Kingdom of God with power.
Here I am reiterating what was said in the previous sermon. When we consider the wars of Old Covenant Israel we must see them as unique and as holy, for the LORD commanded these wars. He fought for his people in a special way. These wars, unlike all other wars, had something to do with the accomplishment of God’s plan of redemption in Christ. From this nation, the Messiah – the skull-crushing seed of the women – would be brought into the world. And until then, this nation would be preserved in Canaan. There the kingdom of God would be prefigured. There the Israelites would guard the precious and very great promise of God. There they would worship the LORD as they lived in covenant with him. They were God’s holy people. The wars that they fought were holy wars, for these wars, unlike all other wars, were about the advancement of God’s kingdom, the accomplishment of his plans and purposes, and were for his glory. It is no wonder then, that victory in warfare gave way to witnessing. After the Exodus, and after the victory that Israel won over Amalek, Moses witnessed, or testified, concerning the mercy and grace of God towards Israel, and of his greatness.
Brothers and sisters, if Moses was moved to witness, or to testify, concerning the grace and greatness of God after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and Joshua’s victory over Amalek at Rephidim, how much more so ought we be moved to witness, or to testify, concerning the grace and greatness of God now that he has delivered us from the domain of darkness, bondage to sin, and the fear of death through Jesus’ victory over the Evil One on the cross?
I alluded to this in the previous sermon. Now would be a good time to state it explicitly. Jesus is the Greek pronunciation of the Hebrew name, Joshua. Joshua was a type of Christ. It was through Joshua that God worked the victory for Israel over Amalek. It would be Joshua who would lead Israel into the promised land. I am saying to you that Joshua and the victories won by him, foreshadowed the Joshua to come, his victory over Satan himself, and the leading of his people, the Israel of God, into The Promised Land, the new heavens and earth – it was Jesus the Messiah who accomplished these things.
Again I ask, if Moses was eager to witness concerning the earthly deliverance and victory that God had worked for Old Covenant Israel, how much more should we be eager to witness concerning the eternal deliverance and victory that God has worked for his elect through Jesus Christ?
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Christian Sojourners Must Witness
So then, the first and main point of the sermon is this: Christian sojourners must witness.
In verse 1 we read, “Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1, ESV)
We were introduced to Jethro for the first time back in 2:18. In that passage, he is called by the name Reuel. After that, he is called by the name Jethro. Moses married Jethro’s daughter after he took refuge with him after fleeing Egypt as a relatively young man. Moses lived in Jethro’s clan for a very long time. He tended his flocks. In fact, this was what Moses was doing when then the LORD spoke to him in the burning bush and called him to act as the deliverer of his people.
Undoubtedly, Moses had told Jethro about the LORD God. I’m sure he communicated to him the same truths that are contained for us in Genesis. He testified that the LORD was the creator of heaven and earth, that he had created man upright and entered into a covenant with him, but that man fell. Surely Moses told Jethro, along with his wife and children, about the promises made to his forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And certainly, Moses reported to Jethro about the call of God that was upon him after his encounter with God in the burning bush. But up to now, there is no indication that Jethro believed in YHWH. The scriptures say that Jethro was the priest of Midian. He was concerned with matters of worship, therefore. He was viewed by his people as a spiritual leader. What exactly were his beliefs? Just how pure or false was the religion he promoted? We do not know for sure. But here it seems that the LORD got his attention. “Jethro “heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 18:1, ESV).
How did Jethro hear it? I suppose it could be that Moses sent messengers to him. But it may also be that word had spread to him concerning what the LORD had done to the Egyptians and to the so-called gods of Egypt. We know that word spread to the surrounding nations for other passages say that they trembled as Israel drew near to them. Jethro came to Moses having heard of what the LORD had done for Israel to deliver them and brought his daughter and grandsons, that is to say, Moses’ wife and children, with him.
Why was Moses separated from his wife and children? Commentators debate this. So think that there was some sort of break in the relationship between Moses and his wife. That would mean that perhaps even she was unconvinced that Moses was called by God, and then convinced when she heard the news of the deliverance of Israel. Others think that Moses had sent his wife and children back home for their safety, and called for them once things were settled. I lean towards the second of these two opinions.
Here we learn the name of Moses’ two sons along with their meaning. Verse 3: “The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, ‘I have been a sojourner in a foreign land’), and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, ‘The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh’).” Gershom sounds like the Hebrew word for “sojourner”. Eliezer means “my God is help”.
So then, Jethro journeys to Moses as they encamped at the mountain of God, this is, near Sinai, and he brought Moses’ wife and children with him. The scene is very sweet. It is a blessed reunion after a long time of separation. Moses must have been very pleased to see his wife and children, but the story focuses upon his interaction with his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. I think this is very significant. The point is not to downplay the joyousness of the reunion between Moses, his wife, and children, but to emphasize the interaction between Moses, the prophets and priest of Israel, and Jethro, the priest of Midian. “Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.” (Exodus 18:7–8, ESV)
In other words, Moses witnessed to Jethro. He testified concerning the redemption that the LORD had accomplished for Israel. Notice these things:
One, Moses’ witness was not forced but was natural. He greeted his father-in-law in an honorable way. He invited him into his home and spoke to him naturally while sitting around the table, as it were.
Brothers and sisters, we should be eager to testify concerning the redemption that Christ has accomplished for us, and in my experience, it is best when the testimony is delivered in a natural, instead of forced, way. Be friendly. By kind and hospitable. Develop relationships with others. “[H]onor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Two, Moses told the story of redemption. What exactly did he say to Jethro? We do not know for sure, but there is good reason to believe that what he said was set against the backdrop of the story of Genesis. As I have said, I think it is safe to assume that Moses had already communicated the message of creation, fall, and the promise of redemption to Jethro. And now as they met together in the tent near Sinai, I assume Moses told Jethro a story similar to the one that is now contained for us in Exodus 1 through 17. Are you following me? Moses is the author of both Genesis and Exodus (not to mention Lev., Num, and Deut.). And yes, we confess that he wrote the scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But this does not mean that these stories were not near and dear to his heart while raised in Egypt, while exiled in Midian while standing before Pharaoh, and while leading the people out of Egypt towards Sinai. These stories were in Moses’ mind and heart before he wrote them down, and here we see that they were on his lips too. He told Jethro all about what “the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake… and how the LORD had delivered them.”
Brothers and sisters, do you know the story of redemption? It is treasured in your mind and heart so that you can tell it to others? If we hope to be an effective witness to others regarding the redemption that is ours in Christ Jesus, we must know the story of redemption. And may I suggest to you that it is best to start at the beginning when speaking of the redemption that is ours in Christ? It is very difficult if not impossible to understand the truth about who Christ is and what he has accomplished without the backstory. And so testify to the hope that is in you by starting with creation and the fall. After that, you may tell people about God’s gracious plan of redemption. Moses had the promises of God concerning Christ. And he witnessed God’s redeeming power displayed before his very eyes. But we have something greater. We have the fulfillment of those promises. We have received the good news about the accomplishment of our eternal redemption through the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Christ Jesus our Lord. Tell that story, friends. Tell people about creation, fall, and redemption. Our redemption was prefigured in the Exodus but realized in the cross of Christ. Tell people about that and urge them to repent and believe upon the Messiah.
Three, Moses told Jethro about “all the hardship that had come upon them in the way…” What hardships? Well, they must be the hardships that are recorded for us in the pages of Exodus! I am thinking of the lack of faith regarding water and food, the grumbling, and even the threats against Moses’ life from the people of Israel as they grew discontent and angry. Included in these hardships must also have been the assault of Amalek. “The LORD had delivered” Israel from Egypt and from all of these hardships. It was the LORD who did it, despite Israel’s weakness, and here Moses testifies to the LORD powerful provision.
Brothers and sisters, when you witness, do not be afraid to highlight the hardships that you have endured and to place emphasis upon your weakness and your failings. The truth is this: we are weak, but he is strong. And when we testify concerning the salvation that is our in Christ Jesus, we must tell the truth. Moses told the truth about Israel’s lack of faith, their fear and his, the weakness of their military, and the weakness of his own arms. We ought to give glory to God by doing the same – by telling the truth regarding our weakness and God’s strength, our unworthiness, and God’s abundant grace.
Will you witness? We must.
Old Covenant Israel was to witness. They were to call the nations to repentance as the glory and power of God was manifest in and through them.
New Covenant Israel is to witness too. But New Covenant Israel does not have a land of their own from which they call the nations to come and worship. No, the church is to go to the nations. This is what Christ said to his disciples at his ascension: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, ESV)
We must witness, brothers and sisters. We must be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. We must pray for opportunities, look for opportunities, and take them when they come. We must tell the truth about creation, man’s fall into sin, and the redemption that God has accomplished for us in Christ. We must urge men and women to turn from their sins to Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of life eternal.
Christian sojourners must witness.
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To Witness Faithfully, Christians Sojourners Must Contemplate, Comprehend, And Cherish The Significance Of The Victory That Christ Has Won For Them
The second point of the sermon is really a sub-point to the first, and it is this: To witness faithfully, Christian sojourners must contemplate, comprehend, and cherish the significance of the victory that Christ has won for them.
I’ve drawn this second point from the enthusiasm that I sense in Moses to testify to Jethro. This enthusiasm is evident, it seems to me, in Jethro’s response, which we will come to in just a moment. Jethro was moved by Moses’ testimony to rejoice, to bless the LORD, and to worship.
Though the text does not say it explicitly, I think it is strongly implied: Moses was blown away by what the LORD had done for Israel. He marveled at the thought of the great act of redemption that was accomplished through him and before his eyes.
We should not forget that it was not long before this that Moses was reluctant to be used by the LORD. When God called him he pleaded with the LORD to send someone else. But think of all that Moses has witnessed from his encounter with the LORD in the burning bush through to the defeat of Amalek at Rephidim. As he contemplated it, his mind must have been blown. As he thought of the significance of these events in light of the promises made to Adam and Abraham, he must have stood in awe. When Jethro, his father-in-law, and the priest of Midian come, he could not wait to tell him the good news. And I am saying that it was because Moses himself contemplated, comprehended, and cherished in his own heart the significance of the victory that the LORD had worked for Israel that he was so eager to share the good news with others.
I think the same thing can be said for the first disciples of Jesus. They were deeply discouraged and dejected when Christ was crucified and buried. They went away to their homes defeated. But when Christ rose from the grave in victory, and when he showed them from the scriptures how he was the fulfillment of all the law, the prophets and the Psalms, their hearts burned within them. As they consider the victory that Christ has won, and as they contemplated the significance of his resurrection in light of the promises previously made, then they were moved to witness. Stated differently, it was only after comprehending the marvelous goodness of the good news that the first disciples of Jesus were moved to testify to others concerning what the LORD had done.
Have you ever received good news, brothers and sisters? I’m not talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ here, just ordinary good news – good news about a job promotion, the improved health of a loved one, a pregnancy, or an engagement – that kind of good news. There is something about good news that excites the heart and stirs within us a desire to share it with others. You know this is true. What is the first thing you want to do after receiving good news? You want to tell someone! Good news has this effect on us. It excites the heart and compels us to share!
The point I am making is this: Christian sojourners will witness – they will be eager to testify concerning the redemption is ours in Christ Jesus – only when they come to see the good news of the gospel as the good news that is. Yes, we may witness sporadically for a time being motivated by a sense of duty. But the one who has contemplated Christ and his work, who has comprehended its significance and its goodness, and who truly cherishes it in their hearts – this one will feel compelled to witness. I think it can also be said that this one will witness to others with the right attitude. They will testify concerning Christ with an attitude of thankfulness and love towards God for the marvelous grace that he has shown to us in Christ.
Christians sojourners must witness, this is true. And certainly, we may witness being driven by a sense of duty – I suppose it is better to speak of Christ to others out of a sense of duty than to not speak of him at all. But it would be far better if we spoke enthusiastically of Christ because we ourselves are overwhelmed with the kindness of God towards us. It would be better if we witness being driven by a sense of awe and gratitude towards God concerning his grace.
So I ask you, brothers and sisters, have you contemplated the gospel? Have you contemplated it in the past, and do you contemplate it regularly to this present day. Do you think deeply about the promises of God and of their fulfillment in Christ Jesus? Do you ponder the glorious grace of God that has been shown to us in Christ Jesus? It will only be after we contemplate, comprehend, and cherish the significance of the victory that Christ has won for us that we will feel that natural urge to share this good news with others.
It seems to me that this is what Moses experienced. He marveled over the grace of God and over the redemption that he had witnessed. And felt the natural compulsion to testify to his yet unbelieving father-in-law, Jethro. May the same be true of you and me as we ponder Christ crucified and risen, and the hope that is ours through faith in him.
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To Witness Faithfully, Christians Sojourners Must Contemplate The Judgment That Awaits All Who Are Not United To Christ By Faith
The third point of the sermon is also a sub-point to the first, and it will be very brief. To witness faithfully, Christian sojourners must also contemplate the judgment that awaits all who are not united to Christ by faith. Our text for today does not say this explicitly either, but I think it is safe to say that Moses was moved to witness to Jethro because he loved him and was concerned for his eternal destiny.
Moses knew, just as Abraham did, that salvation from sin was received through faith in the promised Messiah. Moses knew that the Israelites redemption from Egypt was not the full and final redemption that the Christ would accomplish, but was a small step forward, a partial fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, and a foretaste of the salvation that was to come. When Moses witnessed to Jethro he was not merely emploring Jethro to believe that the LORD had rescued Israel from Egypt, but to believe in the LORD who had redeemed Israel, for the LORD had also promised to provide a Savior who would one day defeat the serpent, providing eternal salvation from sin and its consequences.
What compelled Moses to testify concerning the LORD’s redemption? First, he himself marveled over the victory the LORD had won. Second, his true concern for the soul of his father-in-law. Stated differently, Moses was moved to witness by his love for God and his love for his fellow man.
Brothers and sisters, I have exhorted you to contemplate the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that you would see it as the marvelously good news that it is, and thus be compelled to speak of it to others. Now I am compelling you to contemplate the fate of those not in Christ. The scriptures are clear. Those not in Christ will be judged for their sins. According to Jesus, They will be cast “into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 22:13, ESV)
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The Goal Of Witnessing Is The Worship Of God Through Christ Jesus
The fourth and final point of the sermon today will also be brief. It is this: The goal of witnessing is the worship of God through Christ Jesus. We do not witness to convert sinners to believe in the existence of God. Nor do we witness to make men moral, nor to move them to have our political views. No, we testify to others concerning Christ and the victory that he has won for us so that men and women, boys and girls, would turn from their sins, believe upon Christ, and be reconciled to God through faith in him, to give him the worship that is due to his name. This is the goal of our witnessing. Yes, it is true. For it to happen the Spirit of God must work upon the hearts of men to regenerate them. But this is our aim – the worship of God – and so we pray that God would do his work in the hearts of men as we are faithful to do ours by telling others of the glories of Christ.
It is truly marvelous to consider how Jethro, the priest of Midian, responded to Moses’ testimony concerning the redemption the LORD had worked for Israel. “Jethro said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.’ And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God” (Exodus 18:10–12, ESV).
I have not left much time to consider these wonderful words. Perhaps I can bring out the glory of them by making five brief observations.
One, these words came from the lips, not of a Hebrew, but of a gentile, and not of one who had previously believed in the promises of God, but of one who likely remained skeptical up to this point. After hearing of the marvelous works of the LORD, he worshiped. God’s setting apart of the Hebrews was always with this goal in mind – to bring the gentiles also to himself.
Two, the words “he blessed the LORD” are significant when considered in the light of what God had said to father Abraham many generations earlier. “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV). Not long after this, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed [Abraham] and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18–20, ESV). Now it is Jethro, priest of Midian, who blesses the LORD.
Three, as Jethro contemplated what the LORD had done for Israel he said, “now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” This has been said before: the Exodus event was, among other things, a demonstration of the supremacy of God over arrogant Pharaoh and the so-called gods of Egypt. God has done the same thing in the spiritual realm through the life, death and resurrection of Christ. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15, ESV). “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods…”, Jethro said. And many have said a similar thing after witnessing or hearing testimony regarding the miracles of Christ and the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Now I know… that this was the Christ, the eternal Son of God come in the flesh. Now I know…
Four, this knowledge of Jethro did not remain in the head only, but penetrated the heart too, and resulted in worship. “Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God…” If we are to be faithful in our witnessing, we must urge sinners to do the same. They must turn from their sins. They must believe upon Christ. They must worship God through him as God has prescribed in his word.
Five, Jethro’s faith resulted in communion with God and with God’s people. “Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.” The significance of these words will become even more apparent as we continue our study through Exodus, but I’m sure you can grasp something of the significance of them even now. To eat before God with others signifies communion with God and with his people. This is signified every Lord’s Day as we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Through Christ’s broken body and shed blood, we have been reconciled to God by faith. Something of that is signified even here in Exodus 18 as Jethro offers a sacrifice to the LORD, and communes with God and with his people. It’s truly marvelous to consider, isn’t it?
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Conclusion
So much more can be said about our witnessing. In particular, more needs to be said about tactfulness, I think. But here I have attempted to address the heart of the matter. We must remember that Christian sojourners must witness. And if we hope to witness regularly and in the right spirit, we must contemplate, comprehend, and cherish the significance of the victory that Christ has won for us in our own hearts. We must also contemplate the judgment that awaits all who are not united to Christ by faith. In this way, we will be moved to witness, not by mere duty, but by a true love for God and our fellowman. Lastly, we must have the worship of God as our aim whenever we witness. Many other benefits come through faith in Christ, but our supreme aim must be the glory of God in Christ.
