Letter of Recommendation

2 Corinthians 3:1–6 NIV

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Introduction:

Talk about how Naomi is asking for letters of recommendation for College Scholarships

8 - We are Nervous about the Invite.

- knowing that they might reject you can seem a bit intimidating.

- It’s easy to invite someone to church, but can be difficult to present the gospel and answer hard questions.

- there is a constant struggle with wanting to fit in

- wanting to stray away from embarrassing themselves, and to be seen as perfect.

- This mindset can keep us from evangelism altogether, or cause us do the minimum amount of work.

As believers we are called to invite people to meet Jesus, inviting people to church or events is a first step.

Relationship is important to God, with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, with others.

“In our world people are more connected than any previous generation, yet lonelier than ever before. Social media may allow us to keep up with other people, but invitations to join communities or relational circles are the only way for people to truly connect with others. We cannot mistake information for intimacy. We cannot mistake communication for community. Virtual relationships are not complete. To put it another way, fellowship is not truly experienced apart from actual relationships in physical time and space” (Ed Stetzer, “Strategic Evangelism: The Power of an Invitation,” The Exchange [blog], Christianity Today, July 21, 2014, https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/july/power-of-invitation-our-god-pursues-lost-and-so-should-we.html).

Pen Quote:

How do we gain the confidence?

9 - The Holy Spirit Gives Us Confidence.

10 - The Holy Spirit’s ability to soften hearts.

It is like playing in an intense sports game or competing in the debate championship. We can experience insecurity because we don’t feel good enough, strong enough, or worthy enough to complete the task. But having a, coach, or mentor, a cheering section out there watching us can give us the confidence to finish, even when we feel like we’ve failed. We are not able to do Evangelism in our own power.

11 - Awkward Invites: Space Survival (skitguys.com)

12 - Kevin Harney when coaching leaders of a church in reaching the disconnected. “Jason’s wanted me to know that he was strongly in support of evangelism, but right now, making time to hang out with the spiritually disconnected people was not really an option for him right now as he was raising a young family, building a christ-honoring marriage, taking seminary classes, participating in a special ministry training program, and working full-time at the church.” Instead of saying, “You have to make time.” I asked a simple question, “Do you have time to pray?”

“When God’s people pray, heaven shakes, strongholds are broken, and power is unleashed. More is accomplished through prayer than through all of our slick outreach brochures, multi-step programs, and big evangelistic events combined. Don’t get me wrong though. (I believe in using those tools), But without prayer, these activities are empty of power.”

Jim Halstead: “Evangelism is relational!” The Power of Prayer.

Those who pray for the lost by name are the people who share the gospel with the lost.

Those who don’t pray for the lost by name never share the gospel.

If I pray for someone, I trust God is going to do something in his or her life that he wouldn’t have done, if I had not prayed.

When I pray for someone. God begins to change my heart for that person. God gives me His heart for that person, and I begin to love that person the way God does.

Paul talks about how the Corinthians are his letter of recommendation. He is Trusting that the Holy Spirit is working in their lives even when he is miles away. We can make the invite, but it is up to the Holy Spirit to change the heart. That takes the pressure off. You don’t get credit for the salvation, nor do you need to carry the burden when someone does not get saved.

All the same it may feel daunting to invite...

13 - The Holy Spirit’s ability to empower you.

In 1 Corinthians 3:4–6, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that our confidence is in Christ, and he is the one who helps us through. In our own power, we will never be able to win anyone over to the Lord, because it is God who changes the heart. We are only to be the vessels.

14 - 17 pictures of a kayak and a motorboat. Use these two boats to illustrate the difference between being confident in your own power (kayak) and relying on God’s power (motor).

18 - It is important to recognize the context within Spiritual Gifts. - Not everyone has the Spiritual Gift of Faith, but all are called to Trust in the Lord, Not everyone has the Spiritual Gift of Evangelism, but all are called to Evangelize. Not all have the gift of giving, but all are called to give.

People with the Gift of Faith are gifted that way to inspire the Faith of others.

People with the Gift of Giving are gifted in a way to inspire giving.

People with the Gift of Evangelism, both inspire Evangelism in others, and are called to equip others to evangelize according to their style - How the Spirit operates in them.

“The Spirit’s work in his ministry justifies and explains his confidence as an apostle. It is not an illusory feeling of self-confidence based on his own abilities and strengths or on the plaudits of others who cheer his religious powers. Paul refers to the content of his confidence, namely Christ. His confidence is based on his calling through Christ; but since it is also ‘before God’ (see 2:17), he is constantly reminded of his proper place. What sufficiency he has to fulfill this ministry assigned to him comes only by God’s grace through Christ (see 1 Cor 15:9–10).

How can we increase our confidence.

19 - Increase your Confidence.

Grow your love for God and want he wants, and Grow your love for those who do not know Jesus.

Evangelism is a team sport. - Confidence comes also from knowing How God has wired you and what role you can play on the Evangelism Team. - Evangelism Styles

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work on the heart specific people, and Pray for your own empowerment.

Confidence comes from practice. The more you do it, the more you feel confidence in it. The more you see the Holy Spirit Showing up. - You can read all the books you want on Free Throws, but you will not get good, nor be confident in free throws unless you practice it. - Show one of my favorite books on Baseball - but then talk about how I practiced the drills.

Conclusion: