If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. —2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT
People aren’t lost because they are
People are lost because they are
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. —John 3:14-17 NIV
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” —Acts 2:14-21 NIV
To Change My World…
1. I confidently
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. —John 1:35-39 NIV
2. I confidently
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). —John 1:40-42 NIV
3. I confidently
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” —John 1:43-51 NIV
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Part 4 – Come and See Confidence
In this week’s message we concluded our “Change Your World” series by encouraging how to share the Gospel confidently with a “come and see” approach to those around us. There are so many people who are going through life blind to the truth of God, and they simply need someone to show them Jesus. When we live with a “come and see confidence,” our lives compel others to want to know Jesus. When they see how He has changed our lives, they realize He can change theirs, too.
Make it Practical
To Change My World…
1. I confidently point people to Jesus. I need to live my life like a mirror, reflecting Jesus everywhere I go.
2. I confidently bring people to Jesus. I am not ashamed to invite people to church.
3. I confidently share my Jesus story with people. I am always ready to share what my life was like before Jesus, how I encountered Jesus, and what my life was like after.
(John 3:14-17 NIV) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Talk About it
1. What was your “come and see” moment(s)? Who was instrumental in pointing you to Jesus?
2. Do you ever feel like sharing the Gospel is complicated or intimidating? How do the practical steps from this sermon help you think about it differently?
3. What are some practical ways we can live a life that points people to Jesus?
To confidently share the Gospel, I have to have confidence in the Gospel!
Leader Tips
Remind the group of the power of their story and encourage them to confidently share it with others. If they didn’t have time to share their story last week, encourage them to share now.
Close in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to give your group members confidence to share Jesus and change their world.