Introducing Jesus to someone and sharing the message of the Gospel can feel like jumping off a cliff. Super scary!
“Fear doesn’t disqualify you from being used by God, it simply reminds you of your dependence on Him” Not Beyond Reach, Aaron Pearce
In the Vineyard we often say Faith is spelled R_I_S_K
Expect to be confronted with lies and discouragement- there is nothing the enemy hates more than for followers of Jesus to share the gospel. But confront the lies with the truth: Your identity is in Christ- you minister in His name, not yours. You are insufficient, but he is in you and is more than sufficient for every situation. Your effectiveness depends on the Spirit, not your human effort. Working within us, He is always able to accomplish His purposes.
There is power in the message of the Gospel!
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word (message) of the cross is folly (foolishness) to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Sharing the gospel is not about our wisdom or eloquence.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony (mystery) of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Connecting our Spiritual Conversations (Last weeks message) with the core truths of the gospel
Core truths of the Gospel: (Not exhaustive)
God created us to be with him (This is the basis for all human value, purpose, morality, identity and relationships) Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:15-17,Genesis 9:6
Our sin separated us from a holy God (This is the cause of all pain, suffering, and evil in the world)
Genesis 3:16-24, Avalanche of Sin Genesis 4-6:8
We cannot fix ourselves. (No good deed, political system, book, philosopher or self-help guru will solve our sin problem) Ephesians 2:1-3
Jesus, God’s Son, entered into our world as a man, lived a sinless life, performed countless miracles, died on a cross to pay the punishment for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later to defeat death. (Jesus’s work on the cross in the only solution to our sin problem) Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Everyone who trusts in Christ alone will be reconciled and have eternal life. (Jesus’s redemptive work is our source of forgiveness, acceptance and hope for the future) Romans 10:9-11
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live life with Jesus today. (When we make Jesus lord of our life, the Holy Spirit give us supernatural love, joy, peace, identity, and purpose that cannot be shaken) John 16:7, Galatians 5:22-23
Practical thoughts
Focus on Jesus and what he has accomplished not secondary issues. We are not trying to get someone to change their lifestyles, political or moral views. Those are downstream issues- something for the Holy Spirit to address further into an individual’s discipleship journey. Our primary goal is to introduce them to the person and the work of Jesus.
Don’t use Christian language. Be yourself, tell your story.
Judge success not by outcomes, but by obedience.