Gathering Evidence
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We are all evidence gatherers.
We are all evidence gatherers.
Even the things we create gather evidence for us.
Google and all social media uses programs to listen and gather evidence on what you are interested in.
The enemy takes what God is doing and twists it for evil. The enemy has used these social media inventions to steer our attention away from Jesus and what He is saying.
So if the enemy is gathering evidence to what you want, what is God wanting us to gather evidence about?
We are all gathering evidence every day, but for what depends on who you are listening to.
1 Corinthians 1:4–6 (NASB95)
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
What is the this testimony concerning Christ confirmed in you?
There will be and are many confirmations and evidence of Christ in your life.
The first confirmation and evidence will be that Jesus Christ is alive and in your life.
Then He will give you evidence about more specific things about Himself and you.
Example:
Christ brings dead things to life.
The girl who was sick to death.
Lazareth after days was brought back to life
Jesus himself came back to life.
Other ways:
When someone is freshly saved there were dead inside but they came back to life.
When people get healed, you can sometimes see it in their eyes they come back to life.
When people hear God for the first time a light come on like they are coming back to life.
When God speaks to you there will always be evidence to confirm His words to you.
When I walk people through hearing their identity it life changing for many in that moment.
For most people it changes gradually as they start to see the evidence of what God says about them and about Himself.
The specific things that Jesus says about you and Himself will start to create a living testimony in you.
In order for this to have its intended effect on you, it is best to take a evidence gathering posture.
Even the disciples had to explain and give evidence for others to receive and have the same impact on them.
Acts 17:3 (NASB95)
3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”
If God says He is with you.
You are to look for evidence in how God is with you.
If God says He has your back.
You are to look and gather evidence in how Jesus has your back.
If God says He is your sure footing.
You are to look and gather evidence in how Jesus is your secure footing.
Example:
God has my back. I have had some really hard conflicts since then. I have had people leave my life that I have loved deeply. This appears to be evidence that God does not have my back. I have had at least three occasions where I can now see Jesus had my back. I was about to make a decision that would have me suffering daily if those people did not leave.
Was that God’s first choice? I do not know, but this I do know Jesus had my back.
To gather evidence of truth you need to hear truth from Truth first.
How would you know what to look for if you did not hear it from Jesus first.
The people who are struggling more than everyone else right now is the ones who are gathering evidence for lies.
We are all gathering evidence every day, but for what depends on who you are listening to.
What true is not more powerful than Truth.
If you do not have a fresh spoken word to you look in the bible and borrow some for now.
If Jesus did tell you something about Himself then look for more evidence of that in the bible too.
Closing:
You are commissioned to be evidence gatherers for Christ.
Be more intentional about what God has said in the people around us to help explain and help them gather evidence that is true.
Activation:
Jesus what is something You are teaching me about who You are?
Tell the person with you today what He said.
Holy Spirit would you highlight times that show evidence of this Truth?
Your commission is to gather evidence and help explain truth to the people in your life.
Your commission is to gather evidence and allow Jesus to explain Who He is in your life.
8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.