Share Your Faith

2Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

3Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.

4These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,

5to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

6In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.

7And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

8Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

The sharing of our faith is a command that all Christians must practice. In my time in ministry I have noticed that many believers have a difficult time sharing their faith. If we are not sharing our faith, then we are not obeying the Great Commission—Jesus said, Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Are you obeying thing command? How often do you share your faith? with friends? family? coworkers? I have observed that the reason many don’t share their faith is because they are afraid to let others know that they are Christians. Are your friends, family, coworkers surprised that you are a Jesus follower? Since we have a “Friends Sunday” next week, I want to give you a few keys to share your faith.

1. If you are friendly, then your friends will hear you

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

24A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (The Living Bible, Paraphrased)

24There are “friends” who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Jesus is a never-failing friend, one “that sticketh closer than a brother.”

We, too, must be friendly, cordial, hospitable, and warmhearted if we are to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. If you are forgiving, then you will keep friends

Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Christ is forgiving

Jesus does not remember our sins when we repent and believe

Hebrews 10:17 “17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.””

We must forgive others, holding no resentments. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us

Matthew 6:14–15 “14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

We need to forgive ourselves, also

3. If you are living right, then you can share your faith fearlessly

1 Peter 3:15–16 (The Living Bible, Paraphrased)

15Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.

16Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.

Jesus was never afraid

2 Timothy 1:7–8 “7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,”

We should serve the Lord with courage, and should always be ready to witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ

4. If you keep your spiritual fervor, then others will follow

Romans 12:11 “11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Jesus was not discouraged when people ignored Him

Jesus was not quit when Judas betrayed Him

In His three plus years of ministry, Jesus had 12 disciples and 1 betrayed Him

Don’t lose your fervor because some leave

Judas had the best pastor, teacher, healer, friend ever and he still did not get it

Some will not get it

Keep sowing

Keep witnessing

5. If you are faithful, then you will win your friends

Proverbs 11:30 (NLT)

30The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.

Jesus was devoted to the task of helping, healing, and serving others

He was faithful unto death, thus making salvation possible for all mankind

We should be faithful to the tasks that have been set before us

A crown of life awaits those who are faithful