Are You in the Game?
What’s the difference between a church pew and a football sideline? Generally speaking, everybody on the bench in football is trained and anxious to get in the game. Not so much church pews today. Many people, young and old, sitting in church think their attendance is all that is required to get their ticket punched. They just have to show up, smile, and shake a few hands and their weekly commitment has been fulfilled. But how is that obeying Christ’s final command to “go and make disciples?” (Matt. 28:19)
I don’t have exact numbers, but whenever I’ve asked for a show of hands in a group as to who has shared the gospel with another person and led them to salvation—the first step in discipleship—the response is, well let’s just say, disappointing. Many are timid because they don’t feel adequately trained. I understand that. But my question is, “How long have you known Jesus?” Remember the Samaritan woman at the well? She immediately went and told the men about Jesus. They went to see for themselves and many believed. (John 4:29,39-42)
We don’t have to know all the answers…
to share what has happened to us. The blind beggar in yesterday’s post said to the Pharisees, “…all I know is once I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25) Isn’t that our condition? We were blind to the truth of the gospel and now we see/know Jesus.
Where does the timidity—call it what it is, fear—to share the good news come from? Isn’t it because we’re more concerned with what people think of us than what God thinks of us? Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Mark, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) Or could it be that we’re not sure what we believe. Did God really create the universe in six literal days? Was there really a worldwide flood? Did a donkey really talk? Was there really a virgin birth? Is Jesus really God? The answer to all those questions (and many more) is YES, REALLY.
Fact #1: The Bible is truth…
cover to cover. Everything in it is true. That’s the starting point for the confidence to share. If we have doubts about that, maybe we’ve been deluding ourselves about our own salvation. Being in a church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a Corvette. The Bible says, “you will know them by their fruits.” (Matt.7:15-20)
Fact #2: If you’ve really had…
a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ, then you have a story to tell that nobody can refute. It’s your story, your life. You know what you were before you met Jesus. You know what you are now. That’s your truth. Don’t be afraid to tell it. Memorize a few key verses to support what you’re saying. For starters, John 3:16 “God loved the world so much He gave His Son to die in our place.” Rom 3:23 “All have sinned…” We’re separated from God by our sin. Rom. 6:23 “The wages of sin is death.” We can’t cover those wages. Left on our own, we’ll all die (eternally) 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old is dead, the new [life in Christ] replaced it.” And there are many more to choose from. Make them part of your own story. A message prepared in the mind only reaches another mind, but a message prepared in the heart, reaches another heart.
Fact #3: Here are a couple…
very good resources to learn a way to share your new life story: evangelismexplosion.org and wayofthemaster.com. Spend some time browsing them to find what works for you. Go with confidence because God empowers His word. Listen, “My word…will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11)
Fact #4: Pray…
for those in your family and your group of friends before and after you share the gospel message with them. The Bible says, “…the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16) If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you qualify for this promise. No, you’re not righteous on your own and yes, you still sin. But when God looks at you, He sees the righteousness of Christ abiding in you. (Phil. 3:9)
Thanks for visiting. Come back often to be fed another helping of God’s truth.