IT IS SINFUL AND SHAME NOT TO BE THE LORD’S WITNESS!

by Dr. Othello O. Caturan

Excerpted chapter from the self-published book [“YE SHALL BE MY WITNESSES”:The Divine Imperative of the Lord Jesus Christ (Biblicist’s Sermons on Gospel Missions) by Dr. Othello O Caturan , Christ’s Bible Gospel Global Missions Outreach, Publications, 2018 ]

Preface

I have dedicated this publication to the New Testament churches, both in the United States ( Upstate New York and New Jersey ) and in the Philippines, that the blessed Lord allowed us to pioneer and to help establish them, by His grace and mercy, despite all our imperfections, weaknesses and unworthiness.

These biblical truths and insights from God’s words are stirring principles that need to be emphasized in our walk with God in these perilous days of deepening apostasy; while waiting for that blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

May this humble publication only be to the praise, blessing , honor and majesty of our Lord and Redeemer- the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the glory of the living God- our heavenly Father. Amen

OOCaturan

The Biblicist’s Sermons On Gospel Missions

Part 1

Table of Contents

Chapter Preface

1. The Divine Imperative of the Lord Jesus Christ 6

2. Justification by Faith 16

3. “Ye Are Even My Witnesses” 24

4. The Heart of God 32

5. The Harvest of Souls 42

6. Why Are We Not Winning Souls For Jesus Christ? 51

7. The Certainty of Christ-Centered Faith 58

8. The Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in The Light of the Book of Revelation 69

9. The Wisdom of Winning Souls To Jesus Christ 78

10. The True Disciples’ Challenge of That Blessed Hope 86

11. True Reasonable Service In The Lord 100

12. Are We Born of God? 112

13. “ Surely I Come Quickly” 123

14. The True Disciples of the Lord 137

15. The Importance of Living in the Light of the Judgment Seat of Christ 152

16. Press On To The Mark of the High Calling of God 157

17. The Abundant Life 167

18. Prepare To Meet Thy God 178

19. The Doctrine of Prayer as Taught by the Lord 194

20. What Is Your Heart’s Treasure? 201

21. “Yea, So Have I Strived To Preach The Gospel” 215

22. The Necessity of Fruit-Bearing in the Christian Life 220

23. “Examine Yourselves Whether Ye Be In The Faith” 227

24. “Ye Ought To Walk and Please God” 235

25 Certified Biblical Christianity 240

26. It Is Sinful and Shame Not to be The Lord’s Witness 246

Lord Jesus Christ Bible Discipling Gospel Mission Publications,208

The Lord Jesus Christ:

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31-32

Back Cover:

Dr. Othello O. Caturan is the missionary surgeon -pastor under the auspices of Lord Jesus Christ Bible and Gospel Churches in New Jersey and New York and the Philippines. He is founding President of Lord Jesus Christ International Missions Foundation Incorporated in New Jersey. He started as the founding President of The Fellowship of The Great Commission of Fundamental Bible and Gospel Churches in the Philippines. At present he is also the President of Lord Jesus Christ Bible Gospel Medical Missions for Global Outreach to the Poor.

He is married to Felinda “Leni” Toribio Caturan, missionary nurse, with their children Stephen Paul, Katrina Caturan Boutrus married to Dr. Steve Boutrus, Johannah Caturan Pornan married to Pastor J.P. Pornan with children Jonathan David and Josh Caturan Pornan….He is also a missionary of Lord Jesus Christ Bible Gospel Church in Monroe and NJ, and also of Lighthouse Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas, and Community Baptist in Garfield. He is a visiting lecturer in the local Bible schools in Tagbilaran City, Danao City, Pasil, Cebu City and other local Bible schools of local churches in the Philippines.

He is currently residing in San Antonio, TX. He and his wife, Felinda,( “Leni”), are active members of Lighthouse Baptist Church. He is also involved with establishing ministries in Nursing homes and Memory Care and Assisted and Independent Living in San Antonio, TX.Prior to his move to Texas, he was involved in evangelistic Bible studies, discipleship classes, and church planting in northern New Jersey & Orange County, New York from 1996 to early 2015 with three indigenous, independent, Bible-believing fundamental Bible churches established in these areas.

As a medical doctor in his native country, the Philippines, he is actively involved in Bible preaching and conferences, & medical missions overseas, mainly in the Philippines with side trip visits in Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal and Singapore. Few years ago he had the opportunity to visit an orphanage we helped and supported all these years. He is presently spearheading the organization, Christ’s Bible Gospel Global Missions Outreach To the Poor in obedience to the Great Commission of the Lord with the vision to involve more believers in this endeavor.

Prior to his move to the United States in the summer of 1992, he had the opportunity to serve the Lord in Leyte Baptist Hospital in Hilongos, Leyte (1981-April 1982), helped pioneer the work in Aklan Baptist Hospital in Caticlan, Malay , Aklan (May 1982-1986) served in slum missions with Jesus saves Missions/International School of Missions in Pasil, Cebu City (1987-1989), and was led by the Lord to help in church planting in Metro Manila Area (1989-1992).

At present he is devoting his time in writing books & pamphlets which are shared to Pastors/workers, Bible school students during his yearly visits in medical missions overseas. Highlights during yearly mission trips include visits to different churches, lectures to Bible schools, speaking in conferences, medical consultations, and performing surgeries with help of local town team of doctors, nurses, assistants, and volunteers. He devotes a month or two of these yearly trips to serve as “Relief Resident Physician/ Surgeon” in Leyte Baptist Hospital due to current shortage of Christian doctors serving in mission hospitals. ___________________________________________________

by Dr. Othello O.Caturan

_____________________

Text: 2 Timothy 1:7-14,, “ [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

[12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

[14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. ”

I.INTRODUCTION

A. The great apostle Paul was giving his encouragement and exhortation to the young pastor Timothy in his last letter I believe before he was beheaded by Nero probably about 66 A.D.

B. He was aware that Timothy was a timid person and not quite aggressive and outspoken in his personality. We need to be outspoken and zealous for our Lord as his witnesses because he was zealous to love us by dying and shedding His precious blood on that shameful death on the cross of Calvary.

Hebrews 12:2-3

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

C. The great apostle Paul wanted and desired in his heart young Timothy to be stirred spiritually in the service of the Lord.

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6

D. I would stir up you my brethren in being a genuine witness of the Lord in these last days because it is needful to all of us especially in these days of apostasy. 1. These days are no easy days of our faith. The abounding of false teachings and teachers today will make us uneasy to be complacent and not caring of this needful concern to fight the good fight of faith. We need courage to fight as a good soldier of the Lord against enemies of the pure gospel of the Lord. a. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ

II. DISCUSSION

There are seven-fold reasons why it is sinful and shameful not to be the Lord’s witness?

A. One, It is sheer cowardice and cowardly act not to witness – be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord in us. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Verse 7

Fear paralyzes us to be the Lord’s witness. Humanly speaking we do not want to be embroiled ourselves with conflicts, or controversy because of fear out of self-preservation and peace. Peter experienced this paralyzing fear when he denied the Lord Jesus Christ 3x “I know not what thou sayest…I do not know the man… I know not the man” after he cursed and swore.. Matthew 26:69-74 But we remember what the Lord says in Matthew 10:26-36. 3x the Lord says fear them not v 26; fear not them v 28; fear ye not therefore…. V31 The Lord the says. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” V32-33. Controversy will always be a part of being a true witness of the Master. ‘Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother-in law.” V 34 The book of Acts reveals to us the controversy that was noted on the part of the early believers witness of the risen Christ. As the writer of the Hebrews challenged the believers under persecution: “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Vv 12-13 It is a shame and cowardly because God has given us his power to be His witness- the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:2o- “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. According to the power that worketh in us.” It is a shame not to witness for the Lord because He died for us out His love for us. Romans 5:8- “But God commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It is a shame not to witness for the Lord: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

B. Two, It is an outright denial of God’s power, of His love and of His wisdom given to His people. 2 Timothy 1:7

1. To claim that we are true believers and fail to witness for the Lord is just saying that we do not trust the power of the Holy Spirit. It means also that we ignore the power of God in our lives. It also conveys the lack of acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit that we are adopted children of God.

2. If one does not witness for Christ this goes without saying that we have not experienced the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. Romans 5:5 ‘And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

3. If one does not witness for Christ it means we are not wise to obey His command. “He that winneth soul is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

C. Three, It betrays our true commitment to be a genuine a follower of the Lord in the midst of afflictions for the sake of the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:8

1. Our commitment to witness for Christ goes back to our commitment to the Lord to His challenge- “Follow me, and I will make you fisher’s of men.” Matthew 4:19 2. Our commitment to believe in the Lord means also our commitment to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29- “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” 3. Apostle Paul’s witness for Christ was an evident example of being committed to the Lord when he wrote: “But I would ye should understand , brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest a in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1: 12-13

D. Four, It is lack of gratitude and ignorance of the importance and magnitude of our salvation. 2 Timothy 1:9

It is the acme of ingratitude of our salvation , if we who claims to be His disciples, failed Him by our unwillingness and lack of zeal to be His witnesses. It is indeed ingratitude for the following reasons: 1.Who hath saved us is the Lord working in our lives for our redemption and deliverance from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:10,13 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse of the law: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them….Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

2. Our salvation must moved us to be His witness because He brought peace in our lives being reconciled to God. Ephesians 2: 13-16 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby”

3. Our salvation speaks of our names being written in the book of life guaranteeing and preserving our salvation of our souls from eternal damnation. Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

4. Our salvation is our eternal redemption through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered for us on that shameful death on Calvary’s cross.

Hebrews 13:20-21 “ Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 2:9-10 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

E. Five, It is lack of understanding of the nature of the holy calling of God in our lives as His holy witnesses. 2 Timothy 1:9

1. We are emboldened really to be the Lord’s witnesses if we understand our holy calling from God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. We are emboldened really to be the Lord’s witnesses if we understand our holy calling from God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love;” 2. Paul’s passion was to be the Lord’s witness even unto the last moments in His life. Acts 26:13-29

3. Our holy calling is to be the Lord’s witness in this dark world. Matthew 5:13-14

F. Six, It is not holding fast the sound words and commands of the Lord. 2 Timothy 1:13

1. Not to witness for Christ is showing ourselves that we are not “holding fast the sound words and commands of the Lord. It is actually plain disobedience to the Master’s words. Matthew 28:18-20 Luke 24:46-49 Mark 16: 16 Acts 1:8

2. Not to witness for Christ is showing our unloving attitude to the Lord.

John 14:23-24

3. Not to witness for Christ is just un-Christ-like even as Christ witness unto the Father while He was on earth. John 5:30-31

G. Seven, It is shameful to the Holy Spirit not to be courageous to bear reproach and suffering for Christ. 2 Timothy 1:14-18

Our salvation is absolutely kept and guarded by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It is in the person of the Holy Spirit that we are compelled to testify of our Lord Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit ministry is testify of our lord and exalt His name.

John 15:26-27 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me; and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

John 16: 13-14 “Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine; and he shall shew it unto you.”

2. The Holy Spirit gives us power to be the witness of our Lord and if we are not doing it we are not yielding and obedient to the Spirit of the Lord. It is shameful on our part not to do the will of the Spirit.

3. The book of Acts chronicled to us the bold witnessing of the early Christians as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit and they filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of the death , burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:29-31 Acts 5:40-42 Acts 5: 28-32

CONCLUSION

The fruit of being a witness is the winning of souls. It may be not at all the time but there will be a harvest of souls as a result of our witness. “The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few…” Matthew 9:37

Let me quote to you this exhortation of a soul-winner in the Lord:

“Christian, if you do not win souls, you are not right with God. You may be saved, but you are not a good disciple. You may be born-again into God’s family, but you are a poor, disobedient, willful child. If you are God’s child, then you are a disobedient one. If you are God’s servant, then you are an unfaithful one. If you follow the Saviour at all, you are afar off.”