Getting The Facts Straight Series

So, for 3 more weeks here, we’re going to focus on what we need to get in hand to get this done. Last week we looked at your splangchna, your innermost feelings. Today, we’re going to focus on your brain.

Some people would like to leave out the head part out of this. After all, accepting Jesus is all about feeling different, or it’s all about what you do. My mind is all made up. Don’t confuse me with facts. But I’m finding in the Scriptures that there are some things you have to know.

Then, there are many followers of Jesus who say, “I just don’t know enough to help lead someone to Jesus. Leave that to someone who has studied or something.” It’s true there are some things you must know, but they are things that aren’t outside anyone’s grasp, including you or me.

So, this morning, I want us to make sure that we know the things we have to know. Here are 6 things you have to have a grasp on to help people be closer to Heaven…

1. Your personal need

If you’re going to point someone to Jesus, you have to start with the fact you need Jesus too. If you haven’t been convinced that you need a Savior, why would you think that anyone else needs to be convinced of that? Paul didn’t hesitate to remind the Christians of Corinth that they needed forgiveness through Jesus. He lists in I Co 6 the kinds of people who won’t make it to heaven – you know, adulterers, the covetous, swindlers, thieves, drunkards – and then he says,

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NASB)

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Don’t forget where you’ve come from. Did you need a Savior or not? Your personal need is one of the ways you can be reminded that you’re not alone in this. Others need Jesus just like you.

Ill – Have you ever been busy and suddenly realize that you’re hungry? Then, because you’re hungry, it registers in your mind that the person who has been working alongside you may have that same hunger. “Hey, I’m hungry. Are you?”

Our story should include that we were lost. It should include our testimony of the way we needed Jesus and He has met our need.

Won’t someone be quicker to listen when you say to them, “You remind me of myself. I used to have the same kind of struggle you’re having / the same empty feeling you must feel / the same kinds of worries that you’re facing.”

Until you’re honest about your personal need of Jesus, you won’t have in hand what has to be there to help someone else be closer to Heaven.

2. That this is all about God and bringing glory to Him

If you’re going to point someone to Jesus, you need to understand that the greatest reason for it is to bring glory to God.

Somewhere along the way the world has decided that God is very man-centered; that He’s basically there in Heaven, waiting like a table waiter to bring us what we want, waiting like a fireman to put out our fires, and waiting like a Grandpa to let us complain about the way our life is and then make us feel better. And when it comes to Heaven, well the reason God is there is to bring us into Heaven.