Sharing the Good News
The good news is good news.
Everything else fades in comparison to the Good News.
Would you keep the cure for cancer a secret? Would you let a friend die in a fire?
Over 150,000 people die each day and nearly 2/sec. into a Christ-less eternity.
Nearly 4,000 by the time I’m done sharing.
How can we keep silent?
You are already sharing every day!
How many of you spoke with someone about a class, an interest, a TV show, a sport last week?
Mt.12:34 - “...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
What would you think if you had never heard me talk about Erin?
If I am not sharing the good news I have to evaluate where my heart is at.
The more you love God the more you won’t be able to keep from talking about Him.
If you aren’t sharing, focus on connecting with Him.
We are all already sharing so much about so many things every day.
We believe so many lies about evangelism and these turn evangelism into a “monster” in our minds.
I need to “demystify” the good news and develop a natural lifestyle of being open about what I love most, sharing God’s love and plan of salvation with those around me.
My Goal: Share the good news every day!
The 10 evangelism lies Christians buy into:
We have each believed some or all of these at some point - but you don’t ever have to believe them again.
Lie # 1 - You must have the gift of evangelism (hospitality, giving, encouragement, etc).
Many don’t share because they don’t feel like they are capable.
On the job training - practice!
Lie # 2 - Your personality, looks, style, actions and such validate the gospel and make it relevant.
Lie #2 - Many don’t share because they feel they aren’t a good enough Christian.
That’s the whole point of the good news!!!
Lie #2 - Also, many people don’t share because they don’t think they have all the answers.
You never will! Do your best to prepare and then trust Him.
Lie # 3 - You must be friends first.
No biblical example.
Practically impossible - how long would it take us to befriend everyone at FLC?
Lie # 4 - You have to earn the right to be heard.
Jesus did that 2000 years ago.
Lie # 5 - They don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care.
They need both!!!
Love them and share with them.
How loving is it to let them go to hell?
Lie # 6 - God doesn’t want us to offend anyone.
Have good boundaries...share in a loving and truthful way and then trust results to God.
If they get offended that is not your problem.
Lie # 7 - Good works are evangelism.
Good works are good and God tells us to do them but they are different than evangelism.
Both / and not either / or.
Lie # 8 - “Preach always, use words if necessary.”
Falsely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.
There are good Mormons, Bhuddists, witches and atheists - good works don’t give people the way to eternal life.
Words are necessary!
Rom.10:13-14 - “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Lie # 9 - Older people are stuck in their ways and won’t trust Christ.
On the contrary, many have never been more desperate.
Lie # 10 - The gospel is unattractive, repulsive and people don’t want to hear the good news.
Rom.1:16 - “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”
Those are the lies, here’s the Truth.
Mt.9:36-37 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
Depravity is evidence they are desperate and searching.
The hotter the desert the thirstier people will be.
Jn.12:32-33 - “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”
Mt.13:1-9 - DCC - what kind of farmer plants seed on the road, in rocks and in weeds? We’re called to be “seed chuckers not soil specialists.”
I need His heart for the lost - Remember Mt.9:36!
Pray for the lost and ask God for His heart for the lost.
Share often.
Enjoy working together with God out of love for Him and others (1 Cor.3:9).
Philemon v.6 - I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Nothing is as exciting as seeing God work through you in an eternally significant way!
James 1:22 - Application is KEY - Practical steps to take ACTION.
Acknowledge God’s call.
Take the initiative to share in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) then trust results to God.
Success = faithfulness. (Most people take 6 times before trusting)
Connect with God (and be empowered by His Holy Spirit).
Train yourself and others for the battle - (you must kill the status quo).
Come up with a game plan (Acts 17:2).
Know your transition questions.
Use good tools - Testimony worksheet, 4L, Soularium, Vantage, Trash Club, etc.
Practice, Practice, Practice!!!
Intercede intentionally and specifically.
Divine order - make a top 10 list.
Outreach Opportunities - reach your sphere of influence.
Col.4:5 - Recognize and make the most of opportunities.
4 Sound barriers (Meet, conversation, gospel, decision)
Evaluate & progress.
Network with other believers doing these same things.
Take ACTION in each KEY area:
Natural, Body and Ministry.
Reach your whole sphere of influence.
Rom. 15:19b - “So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.”
Paul along with the Thessalonians who fully reached Macedonia and Achaia, reached all of the Northern and Western borders of the Mediteranean.
Acts 19:10 - “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”
Steve Shadrach quotes Walt Heinrichsen, in the Fuel and the Flame, saying, "If you are at college for any other reason that to be a missionary for Jesus Christ, you are there for selfish, sinful reasons."
I am so proud of each of you.
Let’s win this campus for Jesus guys.
The 3rd Greatest Command - Mt.28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Who’s responsible? You!
GC = Multiplication
Evangelism is just the 1st step of discipleship!!!
