AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS
1 Peter 3:15
INTRO: Jesus would witness if He still walked the earth. He came to seek and to save the lost. Witnessing begins by setting apart Christ as Lord in your heart. Perhaps the greatest sin of Christians is also the reason so few witness effectively: Jesus does not have the undivided loyalty of our hearts. In 2 Cor. 11:3, Paul said: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Paul’s concern for the Corinthians remains a concern today. If we are not careful, we will let Satan rob us of the desire for witnessing and the joy of seeing someone accept Christ as Savior. The beginning phrase of this verse tells us that placing Christ as lord of our life is essential, not optional. Let’s examine the scripture to see the ingredients for positive witnessing experiences.
I. YEARN TO REVEAL YOUR ANSWER.
“Be ready always...” Is there desire? Do you have a burden for the lost? Are you committed to sharing your faith in Christ? Does zeal, enthusiasm and joy describe your heart?
A recent Gallup Poll reveals that perhaps the world has more of a yearning to know Jesus than Christians do to share Him. Pray that God puts His desire for the lost into your inner being.
II. LEARN THE REASONS FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
“...to give an answer to every man...” Francis Schaeffer, more than any other person in our generation, has focused our attention on the objective reality of God’s answers to man’s questions. The apostle Paul spoke of his being a servant, a Jew, weak, yea “all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:19-22).
You must know the gospel and you must learn men in order to speak with clarity. The gospel message is clearly presented in 1 Cor. 15:1-4. All through the Bible we see men as they are. Study the Bible for your answers. “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer” (Proverbs 15:28).
III. EARN THE RIGHT TO SHARE YOUR ANSWER.
“...to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” Christians are called the salt of the earth. Salt creates thirst. Be salty and you will earn the right to share your faith in Jesus. People will ask you! When is the last time that happened? What would you say if someone did ask you about how to be saved? A living Christian example opens the door for the spoken word. Our answers are to be given in a gentle reverent way. That is how we win others to Christ.
