Sermon Central
-
Fear Of Witnessing
Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 31, 2011 (message contributor)
FEAR OF WITNESSING
Leighton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., Page 15:
In preparing for this book, I have talked to a lot of people, and the fear issue comes up front again and again. What makes people hesitate to share their faith? Here are some of the fears that have been mentioned to me:
- "I am afraid I might do more harm than good."
- "I don’t know what to say."
- "I may not be able to give snappy answers to tricky questions."
- "I may seem bigoted."
- "I may invade someone’s privacy."
- "I am afraid I might fail."
- "I am afraid I might be a hypocrite."
Perhaps the most common fear, however, is that of being rejected. A survey was given to those attending training sessions for the Billy Graham crusade in Detroit. One question asked, "What is your greatest hindrance to witnessing?" Nine percent said they were too busy to remember to do it. Twenty-eight percent felt the lack of real information to share. None said they didn’t really care. Twelve percent said their own lives were not speaking, as they should. But by far the largest group was the 51 percent whose biggest problem was the fear of how the other person would react! None of us likes to be rejected, ridiculed, or regarded as an oddball.
(From a sermon by Mike Rickman, Whom Shall I Send, 8/5/2011)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
John Maxwell Tells A Story About 2 Boys On Their ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Harris on Sep 24, 2002
John Maxwell tells a story about 2 boys on their way to school…and –talking about their families.. One boy said—“I’ve figured out a SYSTEM for getting along with my MOM…. ...read more
-
At Last I Understood: In The Final Analysis, ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Sep 23, 2002
"At last I understood: in the final analysis, forgiveness is an act of faith. By forgiving another, I am trusting that God is a better justice-maker than I am. By forgiving, I release my own right to get even and leave all issues of fairness for God to work out. I leave in God’s ...read more
-
There Was A Little Boy Who Was Kneeling By His ... PRO
Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Sep 23, 2002
There was a little boy who was kneeling by his bed with his mom to say his nighttime prayers. He began to shout to the top of his lungs, “Dear God, I’ve been real good this year so please let me get a new bicycle for my birthday.” His mom said, “Son, God’s not deaf; you ...read more
-
A Little Girl Was Asked, "Who Does Your Mommy ... PRO
Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 23, 2002
A little girl was asked, "Who does your mommy love most?" The little girl replied without thinking, "She loves Johnny most because he’s the oldest...and she loves Billy most because he’s ...read more
-
A Doctor Called One Of His Patients Into His ... PRO
Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 24, 2002
A doctor called one of his patients into his office to deliver some very important news. "I have received the results of your tests and I have some bad news and some good news", said the doctor. The patient was quiet for a moment, sensing the severity of the announcement. "Let me have the good ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Evangelism Series
Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 29, 2009
There are many things that keep us from carrying out the commission of God, how can we overcome those things to fulfill the great commission?
-
Quiebra El Vaso Y Deja Brillar La Luz
Contributed by Craig Benner on Jan 8, 2009
La luz de Cristo quiere brillar por nuestras vidas. Batallamos con nosotros mismos muchas veces. Además, la tentación del hombre es hacer brillar su luz humana, y no la luz de Dios. La vida de Gedeón nos puede ayudar entender la importancia de obedienc
-
The Dynamic Duo (Evangelism And Deliverance)
Contributed by Mark H. Stevens Thd on Feb 19, 2014
LUKE 4:16-21 - Isaiah prophesied that Jesus earthly ministry would consist of PREACHING, HEALING, and DELIVERANCE.
-
Why Do I Keep On Preaching?
Contributed by Devon Witherspoon on Aug 4, 2007
Encouragement to those who going through trying to preach the word of GOD
-
