We ARE WITNESSES
Nike's "We Are All Witnesses" Campaign featured this 110x212 ft banner in Downtown Cleveland Ohio.
This kicks off a new series called, “Faith Goes to School”. Over the next four weeks, we are looking at the ways we share Jesus practically with the world around us.
In 2005 Nike unveiled a slogan and marketing campaign by unveiling a 110-foot high by 212-foot wide billboard located adjacent to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Featured on it it is a picture of LeBron James doing his infamous chalk, pregame ritual and these words, “We are Witnesses”
Even as a teenager in Akron Ohio it was apparent that LeBron was destined for Basketball greatness but his work ethic and dedication would propel him much farther than just his talent alone. NBA Fans have witnessed Lebron’s: 20 All Star Appearances (NBA Record), 20 All NBA selections (13 first team), in his career James has scored 40,474 points (NBA Record), Received 4 MVP awards and lead his teams to 4 NBA Championships.
The idea of being a witness is something used throughout the whole of scripture. Jesus told his followers in Acts 1:8 that they would be his witnesses and make his name a global phenomenon.
Later in the book of Acts we encounter the story of Steven, who was elected as one of the first deacons to serve the church. While he begins to do ministry, he quickly meets opposition and ultimately death.
Just as Steven was a witness for Jesus, so are you and I. The difference is he has finished what God has for him on this earth and we have not. God want’s to use us to be a witness and take his good news to our schools, city and world but we need to understand before Steven preaches Jesus, he follows Jesus. Before he shares the message of Jesus he shares the method of Jesus.
Being a witness is more than what we say or post on social media, it’s living a life of faith and faithfulness for God and infant of others.
As Stevens did, our lives should (1) Bear Witness to our Faith. The members of the early church had been impacted by their encounters with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I wonder in our world today if the same could be said of us? The sad reality is that man people want to be identified as people of “faith” but don’t ever live by faith.
I want my life to be marked by the encounters I’ve had of a faithful, powerful God. Just as Joshua made a marker to help the people remember God’s power in Joshua 4, I want my testimony to be of someone who was changed by the things God did for them.
I love the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. It is such a powerful example of how Jesus works.
After feeding this crowd there are 12 baskets left over, the same number as the number of disciples. Jesus tells his friends to go to the other side of the sea of Galilee but on the boat ride there they hit a storm.
In their panic these guys looked to the waves, looked at the sky, looked at the water coming over the sides of the boat but they forgot to look down, because if they had looked their they would have noticed 12 doggie-bag-sized reminders of the last time Jesus showed up in an impossible way.
My prayer is that I would live in a manner that doesn’t make sense to the world but that those around me would know I serve a big God.
I believe, just as Stevens did, our lives should (2) bear witness to our faithfulness. Stevens story ends in Acts chapter 7 with him being murdered by an angry mob. Even in the face of persecution and death Steven looks to Jesus. He stands in the face of trial and is a faithful witness of Gods power.
We need witnesses! We need people who will share their experiences with Jesus. We need to live lives exemplifying faith and faithfulness, trusting God’s Spirit to do the rest.
