The Joy of Witnessing
Luke 15:1-10 

Just the joy it brings ought to make an ardent soul winner of every Christian. It is a joy, not a job; a delight, not a drudgery, to win souls.

Think of the "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10). There is such a magnitude to witnessing that it brings joy into heaven itself. Whether this joy is of God the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ or the Christians who are already there or all the hosts of heaven, we do not know, but it certainly merits our best efforts to effect such tremendous results.

What joy there is for the one who receives Christ. There is joy in salvation! David cried out to God, "Restore unto me the joy of they salvation" (Ps. 51:12). Who can forget the joy that lights up a face when one comes "out of darkness into his marvelous light: (1 Pet. 2:9)? Remember the joy that flooded your heart when you received the Lord Jesus as our own personal Savior? A Christian wants his friends and loved ones to have this same joy.

When "Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them" (Acts 8:5) and many believed, God records "there was great joy in that city" (v. 8). There always is when people come to Christ. Whole nations have experienced a new joy such as was brought to Wales under the great Welsh Revival. As a pastor, I have seen a church suddenly come alive with joy as we have had people receive Christ Sunday after Sunday in the services. This joy is certainly needed in many churches today.

There is joy in witnessing, not the least of which is the joy that comes to the Christian who wins another to Christ. The psalmist says the one who sows the precious seed in tears "shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6j). Witnessing is sowing. Joy is reaped as souls are reaped for Christ.

The angel said to the shepherds at Christ's birth, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10). The gospel brings great joy to all involved. Are you spreading and receiving your share by witnessing?