Will you please turn to the book of Revelation? Revelation Chapter 1—just one verse, Verse 9.
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.
Let us have a word of prayer.
Dear Lord, how we want to praise and thank Thee. The people such as we are are so privileged that we may be able to sit with Thee and eat with Thee. We praise and thank Thee for all that Thou hast done for us. Thou hast captured our hearts. We are forever Thine.
May Thy will be done in each and every one of our lives. We are here, Lord. What a price—such a price Thou hast paid for us. Oh, dear Lord, speak, and we will follow. In Thy precious name, amen.
We have just had the Lord’s table, and my thought was how good it will be that, as we are partaking in the Lord’s table, we enter into the marriage feast of the Lamb. And that is our blessed hope.
We have been sharing together on God’s testimony. I believe, brothers and sisters, now hopefully we are all convinced that there is nothing more important to us Christians than God’s testimony.
We are bought with a price. We do not live for ourselves. What is our aim? What is the meaning for us to live? It is the testimony of Jesus.
The testimony of Jesus tells us Who Jesus is. And because of what He is, this should not be just a theory to us; it is life to us. If He is the Beginning and the End, and the Living One, then He ought to be the first of our life and the last of our life.
It ought to be that we who live live no longer ourselves; it is Christ Who lives in us. So whatever our Lord Jesus is, that is what we ought to be, because it is He Who lives in us. And this is the testimony of Jesus.
This morning we would like to share together on this matter of the way. How do we enter into the testimony of Jesus? We find in the Scripture that there are those who have the testimony of Jesus. Now, are we among those people?
If indeed we do have a desire to have the testimony of Jesus, then where is the way? How can we enter into it, brothers and sisters?
In recent years, I deeply feel that it is not a matter of how much we know. It is not a matter of theological approach. But I deeply feel that it is time that we shall approach the whole matter from the practical standpoint.
In other words, how can we experientially enter into the testimony of Jesus? Or, to put it another way, in what practical way can the testimony of Jesus become our testimony?
When you read Revelation Chapter 1, the Apostle John said, “I am your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Jesus.” John, our brother, was exiled to the island of Patmos. For what? It is said, “For the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus.”
The word of God refers to all that we find in the Old Testament, and the testimony of Jesus is what we find in the New Testament. So, in other words, John was exiled for one reason: because he had the testimony of Jesus.
So I think we can learn from him, in a most practical way, how we can enter into the testimony of Jesus.
I believe, brothers and sisters, we all remember that among all the disciples of our Lord Jesus, he was one of the first who followed the Lord Jesus. In John, we find that he was a disciple of John the Baptist.
We know that at that time among the Jewish people, there were some who were really waiting for the Messiah to come. Even though, as a nation, it seemed that the whole nation was waiting for the Messiah, unfortunately most people were waiting for the Messiah for the wrong reason—for political reasons.
But there were a few among the Jewish people who were really waiting for the Messiah to come. Not only were they waiting, but, as a matter of fact, they were preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
So even though John was a fisherman, he was not an ordinary fisherman. We find that in his business they had hired servants. In other words, they knew the high-priestly family. So John, in a sense, was most unusual. But he had a heart for the Messiah.
So when John the Baptist came preaching, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent,” John responded. He became a disciple of John the Baptist.
One day, while he was standing with his master, the Lord Jesus passed by. John the Baptist pointed to the Lord Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
Immediately John left John the Baptist and followed our Lord Jesus. He and Andrew were the first that followed the Lord. The Lord turned to them and said, “What do you seek?”
Brothers and sisters, they did not want more teaching. They wanted Him. So they said, “Where dwellest Thou?” In other words, “We want to stay with You.”
During their time of staying with the Lord, they knew that the Lord was the Messiah. So John the apostle was among the first who followed the Lord. He became a disciple of our Lord Jesus.
Among the apostles, he was the last one who died. So he had a long history with the Lord. Not only that, but we know from the Scripture that of all the disciples, he was the closest to the Lord.
When our Lord Jesus called him, you remember that our Lord gave some nicknames to His disciples. To the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, the Lord gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder.”
Now we are all familiar with thunder. When thunder strikes, it is terrible. Why did the Lord call James and John the sons of thunder?
If you look at John, you find that he was a very quiet person, a very reserved person. We would call him an introvert. It seemed as if he was always very quiet, but he was very watchful.
He kept everything in his heart. He pondered deeply. He was not a shallow person. He was not a talkative person. He was not an outgoing person. Rather, he was reserved and kept to himself, but he was deep.
But the Lord Jesus knew him and said that he was a son of thunder. In other words, we should not be deceived by his outward quietness, for actually you find things were being stored up within him. And when he struck, it was terrible. And that was John.
Now, brothers and sisters, I do thank the Lord that the Lord built every one of us differently. Not only are our outward appearances different, but even our souls are different.
I often think: look at your face—only a small area. How many features are on your face? Very few. Yet God can place all these few features in a small area, and everybody is different. No one is the same. God really loves variety.
Brothers and sisters, not only are our physical appearances different, even our souls have a shape. Every soul has a different shape. Some souls are extroverted, just like Peter; he liked to talk. Others are introverted; they keep to themselves and are quiet. Some are very quick; some are very slow.
We are all different. Brothers and sisters, our God loves variety. He does not want to uniform every one of us. So that is why we should not imitate one another. Be what God has made you to be. That is beautiful and wonderful.
But whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, the source is the same: Adam is the same. There is no difference.
When you read the Bible, you must be very sympathetic with Peter, because you find that our Lord Jesus dealt with him very severely. Why? Because he was so outspoken. He was always trying to be the first to speak, and he would be the first to be disciplined.
So when you read the life of Peter, you find that he was a person deeply disciplined by the Lord. Oftentimes, you are sympathetic with him: “Peter, keep your mouth shut, and you will be all right.”
But here you find John. He was very quiet. He moved around almost unnoticed, but everything was in his heart. He was a son of thunder.
You remember the story in Luke Chapter 9. When our Lord Jesus was traveling, there was a person who cast out demons in the name of the Lord, but that person did not follow with the disciples as they followed Jesus.
John came to the Lord and said, “Lord, we found a person casting out demons in Your name, but he does not follow with us, so we forbade him.”
In other words, you find he was very exclusive. “You have to follow the Lord with us; otherwise, you are out.” And the Lord said, “He who is not against you is for you.”
Then our Lord passed through the villages of Samaria, and one village would not receive Him. You know that the Jews and the Samaritans had nothing to do with each other, especially when one was traveling to Jerusalem.
Usually, when the Jews traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem, they crossed the River Jordan and traveled on the other side until they came to Jerusalem. But our Lord Jesus passed through Samaria, and that village would not receive Him.
You see John and James—how zealous they were for the Lord. They came to the Lord and said, “Look, this village did not receive You. Will You allow us to call fire down from heaven to consume them?”
Outwardly, they were zealous for the Lord, but actually you find their hearts. So our Lord Jesus said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” This is a wrong spirit, because the Lord came as a Lamb. That is His spirit. Here you have a spirit opposite to the spirit of the Lord.
You also remember that among the disciples, even though their backgrounds were not very high, they had been quarreling among themselves all the time. They were thinking, “Who is the greatest among us?” Even at the Lord’s table, you find they were still contending over who was the greatest.
Then you find how the two sons of Zebedee called their mother out. Humanly speaking, their mother was an aunt to our Lord Jesus, and the word of an aunt has some authority.
At the last trip of our Lord Jesus to Jerusalem, they got their mother out and came to the Lord Jesus. Their mother said, “I have a request. Promise that You will answer me.”
I think she was a little bit ashamed of asking for special treatment, so she asked the Lord to sign a blank check. Thank God, our Lord never signs a blank check. So the Lord brought it out and said, “Now what do you really want?”
She said, “My request is, when You sit on the throne”—because they thought the Lord was going to Jerusalem to be crowned—“let my two sons, one sit on Your right and one sit on Your left.”
No wonder the other ten were indignant. Our Lord said, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am drinking?”
Without knowing what the cup really was, they said, “We are able.” The Lord said, “Yes, you shall drink the cup. But to sit at My right and at My left is not for Me to give; it is for My Father to give.”
The other ten disciples were indignant because they had been outmaneuvered.
So, brothers and sisters, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, before God you are the same, because it is the same Adamic life that is in us.
Do not think that because John was such a lovely fellow, he was not disciplined too much by the Lord. Nevertheless, you find that the Lord dealt with him very seriously.
Why do I mention this? Because the way to have the testimony of Jesus is a way of discipleship. And discipleship means being under discipline.
I know this word discipline is something we do not like, especially in our time. We want everything to be free. Even parents are not allowed to discipline their children, and teachers are not allowed to discipline the students. Let everyone grow freely.
But, brothers and sisters, if you read the word of God, you find discipline is essential. If you love your children, discipline your children. Without discipline, we are not able to be saved from Adam. We are not able to follow the Lord. This is the only way.
So what is the way to have the testimony of Jesus? It is not a way of sitting in a chair and being brought to heaven. That is another way.
The way is: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow the Lord.
I know this is not a popular way. I know people do not like it. Naturally speaking, nobody loves discipline. We want to be our own, stand on our own feet, and stand for our rights. That is what we are.
But, brothers and sisters, the only way to have the testimony of Jesus is through the cross. Without the cross, there is no crown.
So, dear brothers and sisters, even though it is unpopular, the word of God makes it very clear. This is the testimony. Are we traveling on it?
I believe, brothers and sisters, we are all familiar with the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 28. Before our Lord ascended to heaven, He gave His church a Great Commission.
Thank God, because of this Great Commission, we find how people went to different countries to preach the gospel of grace, to seek and to save the lost.
But, brothers and sisters, I am afraid we have misunderstood the Great Commission that our Lord has given to the church. True, evangelism is basic, because if people are not evangelized and have not believed in the Lord Jesus, how can you disciple them? How can they be disciples?
Today, brothers and sisters, we make believers and disciples two different kinds of people. You can be a believer and not be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. But if you read the Bible, you find believers and disciples are one and the same thing.
If you believe in the Lord Jesus, if you have received Him as your Savior, if you have enjoyed all the salvation that He has given to you, does it mean that it makes you more self-centered, more for yourself?
On the contrary, because we have received such mercy and grace from our Lord Jesus, brothers and sisters, what is our response?
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Brothers and sisters, we who have been saved have no right to live for ourselves. Whatever profession you may have, you live for Christ. You are His disciples.
So the Great Commission is: go to the nations and disciple them. Not merely evangelize them. Evangelizing is included, but it is not the final goal. What God wants is disciples from all nations.
Brothers and sisters, what do you mean by discipling? I am afraid there is so much misunderstanding about discipling.
I remember in the 1960s of the last century, there was quite a movement in America called the charismatic movement. Many people were saved.
I remember that in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there were seven dear brothers—gifted brothers who loved the Lord. The Lord began to reveal to them one thing after another, and they were so capable that whatever the Lord showed them, they tried to make it work.
At one time the Lord showed them discipleship, and when they knew about discipleship, they put it into practice. They began to put one person above another, and one acted as the lord over another as a disciple.
It spread over the whole nation, crossing denominations. If you were put under your master, there were different stages, and these seven were at the top—the apostles. They controlled your life, everything in your life: not only your spiritual life, but your daily life, your family life, everything in your life.
Brothers and sisters, it caused such a problem in the charismatic movement that it nearly split it up. Why? Because they were not discipling people to Christ; they were discipling people to man.
I often say our souls are so precious to our God. He will not commit any soul to anybody else. He alone is responsible for our souls.
Yes, we need help. We need people to help us to Christ, not to help us to themselves. But it is Christ and not me.
In the early days, there were no schools as we find today. You pay a price and go to school, as if you employ the teachers and professors. But in the old days there was no such system.
If you wanted to learn a trade, what would you do? You would find a master—maybe a carpenter, or maybe someone else who was skillful—and you would sign a contract.
When you were apprenticed to your master, you did not stay at home. You left your home and stayed with your master as if you were one of the members of his family.
Usually during the first year, he would not even allow you to touch the instruments. During the first year, you stayed in his family. What did you do? You served the family. You swept the floor. You helped with the children.
You brought food to your master. You were as a servant in the family. You might say, “Well, I came to learn the trade. What has that to do with me?” No. Basically, this is how it must be.
Why? Because you are not just learning a trade; you are learning a life.
After you have finished your training, not only have you acquired the skill of your master, but you walk like your master, you speak like your master, and you act like your master. His character begins to characterize you. This is discipleship.
Brothers and sisters, we are not going to the school of Christ; we are going to the gymnasium of Christ. It is not just a mental exercise; it is a spiritual exercise.
Why is it that our Lord Jesus, in the Great Commission, says, “Go to the nations. Disciple them.” How? “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
I have to wonder why discipleship begins with baptism. People say, “Well, if I believe in the Lord Jesus, thank God I am saved. But why should I be baptized?”
Because in baptism, you give yourself up. When you enter into the water, it symbolizes that you have died with Christ. When you are under the water, you are buried with Christ. When you come out of the water, you are risen with Christ.
In other words, when you are baptized, you give yourself totally up. As you come out of the water, it is no longer you; it is Christ Who lives in you. You have surrendered your life, your rights, and your everything to the Lord.
Baptism is a declaration of faith. We declare that we are so constrained by the love of Christ that we give ourselves totally over to Him.
That is the beginning of discipleship, brothers and sisters. This is what consecration really means.
Why is it that the Bible tells us, “By the mercies of God”? The manifold mercies of God are described in Romans Chapter 1 through Chapter 11. Who can measure the mercies of God that have been poured out upon us? What is our response?
Present voluntarily, out of love, our bodies as a living sacrifice. Why our bodies? Because it is through our bodies that we live our life.
In other words, consecration is for every believer. No one needs to believe and not consecrate, because the very fact of being saved shows that we are no longer our own. We are His.
This is the beginning, not the end. Brothers and sisters, thank God, when we believe in the Lord Jesus, that is not the end; that is the beginning.
From that day onward, the Lord, by His indwelling Holy Spirit, will begin to work with us to put the old Adamic life to death and to put Christ Jesus in us, growing in us until we are transformed and conformed to His image.
Brothers and sisters, this is the way to have the testimony of Jesus.
This is the way that the Apostle John has gone through, and this is a way open to every one of us. Brothers and sisters, are we on the way?
Our Lord Jesus set us an example of how He lived on this earth, denying Himself all the time and submitting Himself totally to the will of His Father, even unto death—yes, the death of the cross.
The Lord said, “Follow Me.”
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Brothers and sisters, naturally we are all wild animals. We have our own thoughts, our own ideas, our own determination, our own will, and our own way.
We need to learn of Christ. How do we learn of Him? By taking His yoke. Then we shall find rest, you know. And this is discipleship.
So, dear brothers and sisters, hopefully every one of us here will answer the call of discipleship, give ourselves to the Lord, and allow Him to work Christ into us until we are conformed to His image.
I think this is the reason for our conference here. So may the Lord have mercy upon us. Shall we pray?
Dear Lord, Thou hast done all for us. What can we do for Thee? There is nothing we can do but to give ourselves over to Thee and allow Thee to work out Thy marvelous salvation, work out Thy purpose, until we are transformed and conformed to Thy image, to the praise of Thy glory. We ask in Thy name, amen.