Focus Passage: I Thessalonians 2:1-4
Supplemental Passage: Matthew 28:18-20 “The Great Commission” not “the great omission”.
Introduction: We love to talk about the weather or sports or our kids or about politics. But when it comes to talking about our faith, many of us cower like chickens running away from the Colonel. If we know Jesus, we have GOOD NEWS! It’s like a life ring thrown to the person drowning or a fire alarm to rouse the sleeping from a burning building!
I. Expect Opposition
a. You may not see immediate fruit (vs1)
i. Isa 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
ii. Ecc 11:1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.
iii. Story of Al Dollens
b. You may suffer (vs 2)
i. Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
ii. John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.
II. Be Confident
a. The Gospel means “Good News” - Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,
b. We have been entrusted with the Truth of God for salvation; there is no error or deceit; it is holy. (vs 3 & 4)
i. 2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
ii. 1Co 4:1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
III. Trust God
a. God calls us to be faithful.
i. 1Co 4:2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
b. Share with others because we love the Lord and because it pleases Him (vs 4)
i. Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
APPLICATION: Sheets included in bulletin: (reproduced below: Sharing Your Personal Testimony & Practical Evangelism.)
Invitation: Some people seem to think that a life-witness is good enough; that is, quietly living your life of devotion to Christ before others. It is NOT enough. Some people have a very good verbal witness, but their life-style witness hinders their verbal witness.
Today, I’m asking for a commitment from each and every person in here to share the Gospel with one person in the next week. If you would make that commitment to God, to me, to the church, and to yourself, raise your hand.
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Sharing your Personal Testimony
Practice – Work out what you are going to say so that you aren’t ever caught off guard. Have a long and short version for different situations.
Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and to work in the person with whom you are sharing.
Personal – Give enough details to help them understand where & why.
Be yourself – Don’t try to be more “spiritual” than you are. Just tell your story.
Understandable – Don’t use “churchy” words. Say “Bible” instead of “the Word”.
People who didn’t grow up in church don’t understand words like “atonement”, “sanctify”, and “redemption”. Don’t use phrases that aren’t in the Bible such as: Invited Christ into my heart, Accepted Christ, Gave my life to Christ, Christ filled a hole in my soul. “Believing” and “Trusting” are both Biblical words that describe the truth.
Witness – A witness is someone who tells what they saw, heard, or experienced. You are simply telling your story of how you met Jesus. Relive your experience through words.
Transformed Life – Tell about your life before Christ; how you came to Christ; and the change in your life since being saved.
Evangelize – Take it from telling your story to asking if something like that has ever happened to them. Explain how they can be saved.
+++++
Sharing your Personal Testimony
Practice – Work out what you are going to say so that you aren’t ever caught off guard. Have a long and short version for different situations.
Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and to work in the person with whom you are sharing.
Personal – Give enough details to help them understand where & why.
Be yourself – Don’t try to be more “spiritual” than you are. Just tell your story.
Understandable – Don’t use “churchy” words. Say “Bible” instead of “the Word”.
People who didn’t grow up in church don’t understand words like “atonement”, “sanctify”, and “redemption”. Don’t use phrases that aren’t in the Bible such as: Invited Christ into my heart, Accepted Christ, Gave my life to Christ, Christ filled a hole in my soul. “Believing” and “Trusting” are both Biblical words that describe the truth.
Witness – A witness is someone who tells what they saw, heard, or experienced. You are simply telling your story of how you met Jesus. Relive your experience through words.
Transformed Life – Tell about your life before Christ; how you came to Christ; and the change in your life since being saved.
Evangelize – Take it from telling your story to asking if something like that has ever happened to them. Explain how they can be saved.
Use John 3:16 or
Use Roman Road: 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:13
