How to be more confident in sharing your faith

Read Matthew 13:22–23 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.””

Intro

Confidence. (confidence pic)

A rare thing nowadays.

Something that is seen to be mostly possessed by the very successful and wealthy.

But something rarely possessed (self doubt pic)

by teens today.

And there are numbers to back that up.

40% of male teens go to the gym to build muscle mass.

Of course I’m sure some of it is to prepare for sports.

But I know that a lot of it is for some other very obvious reason.

It’s even worse for teen girls,

where 7 out of 10,

believe they are not good enough

either in regards to their performance in school

or their looks.

It’s not a surprise then,

that teens who reduce their social media usage

by just 50%,

significantly improve their self esteem.

That’s about two or more less social media apps.

And this lack of confidence,

can easily be taken with us

when we try to share our faith with others.

Last week we talked about why you need to share your faith.

But no matter how inspired you are to share your faith,

there’s always this feeling,

of nervousness,

and butterflies,

when the opportunity comes to share your faith.

I myself have felt this,

many times.

I’m one on one

with another fellow,

and he’s just talking about everyday things,

sports or maybe his aspirations in life.

And then, it just keeps going,

this vain conversation,

that will have no impact on eternity.

And I know this person

does not know Jesus,

and needs to be saved from his sins.

And as a time comes,

where I can change the topic,

I suddenly feel this nervousness.

I’m sure,

many of you can relate,

if you’ve ever tried sharing your faith with someone.

You may feel less nervous to talk about your faith,

if it’s with your best friend.

But if it’s someone you don’t know that well,

the more uncomfortable,

you can feel.

And so I want to encourage you today.

To help a little

with those feelings of weakness,

which is normal.

But I want to help you feel just a little more confident.

Which is why our title today is,

‘How to be more confident in your faith’.

1. The gospel ______ works (v.1-17)

1. The gospel always works (v.1-17)

One of the reasons,

why you may feel

more nervous

than you should

when sharing the gospel,

is the thought that,

‘it doesn’t work!’

So let’s look at v.1-9.

Matthew 13:1–9 (NKJV)

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.

Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

So what did we just read here?

First,

we read in v.1-2

that Jesus was busy.

In the previous chapters Jesus was preaching and healing.

And on the same day,

as we read in v.1,

huge crowds came to see Him.

That was because of the awesome miracles that Jesus did.

Jesus just healed,

a blind and mute person,

who was also demon possessed.

Not only did Jesus do something

so amazing,

When he preached,

he had incredible wisdom,

and people could not wait,

to hear him,

speak.

So Jesus shows

a organic

and natural relationship

between his miracles

and his preaching.

Or in other words,

Jesus does miracles so that people would listen to his preaching.

Jesus did not come

to be a circus.

He did not come to amaze you with His power.

He came to draw you in,

and listen to His preaching.

What Jesus saw as most important in His ministry,

was not His miracles,

it was His preaching.

Luke 4:43 (NKJV)

but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Students why was Jesus sent by the Father according to his own words? (ask)

To preach the Kingdom of God.

So students,

God has given you a mission

to share your faith with others.

But this also means,

that whatever church you attend,

because some of you may move after graduating,

must go to a church that is gospel centered.

Do they share the gospel

during or at the end of every message?

That’s a church that you should be a part of, because that was Jesus’ main thing.

Keep the main thing

the main thing.

So we see Jesus

placing preaching as his highest priority.

But we also see him use parables as it says in v.3.

This fulfills an OT propecy that the Messiah would teach in parables,

Psalm 78:2 (NKJV)

I will open my mouth in a parable;

What is a parable?

A parable is something that uses pictures or symbols in order to teach a lesson.

For example, one thing will represent another. (symbolic pic)

Does anyone know what a dove symbolizes?

Peace.

And that is what a parable uses too,

symbols.

Each picture that Jesus uses,

such as the stony ground,

or the thorns,

represent another thing.

And by the way, do not

try to come up with what the symbols represent on your own.

Because the symbols all depend on what the teacher says it represents.

Just because a dove symbolizes peace,

does not always mean that a dove represents peace.

Because the teacher,

can make the dove symbolize something else.

So what this means,

is that parables require explanation

from the teacher.

Unless there is explanation,

you won’t understand the lesson.

This makes parables by design

more difficult to understand.

But here’s the thing,

why would Jesus want to make his lessons harder to understand?

You have thousands of people,

so many people,

that you have to go on a boat in a lake,

so that people don’t surround and swarm you. (Jesus boat teaching pic)

Wouldn’t you want to make it easier to understand,

considering all the new people

that are probably there?

The disciples had the same question in v.10

Matthew 13:10 (NKJV)

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

So Jesus gives his answer in v.11-17,

Matthew 13:11–17 (NKJV)

He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,So that I should heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Here’s the simple explanation

of this passage.

Jesus is saying there are two types of people.

People with the heart to understand,

and people without the heart to understand.

Those who are born again and those who are not.

Believers and unbelievers.

So the reason why

he uses parables,

is to give mercy to unbelievers.

But wait,

how does a hard to understand lesson bring mercy on unbelievers?

Isn’t that more of a punishment?

The reason why

it is mercy,

is because the more truth one understands,

the more judgement he will receive.

There will be greater punishment

for those who know more about the gospel and still reject it.

So Jesus does not want unbelievers to receive more punishment in hell,

that is mercy.

Because when a parable is hard to understand,

an unbeliever will not

want to ask questions

to learn more.

They don’t care to seek truth.

They just want to fill their stomach with food

and go home and sin.

But a believer,

on the other hand,

will

seek out the explanation.

Because their heart desires to know God and find Him.

The main point from this passage,

is that the gospel always works.

It will always

either bring judgement

or bring salvation.

We talked about how parables are a mercy to unbelievers.

But it still condemns them.

But for believers,

it leads them to salvation in Christ.

God gets glory either way.

The glory of his righteousness is seen when he punishes the unrighteous.

And the glory of his love and grace

is seen when he saves believers.

So students don’t be discouraged

because you feel the gospel doesn’t work.

Just because you don’t see it working

does not mean it doesn’t work.

You can’t literally see gravity. (apple pic)

But you know gravity works.

Some of you who lift weights,

know that after the first couple weeks of lifting,

muscle building becomes slower.

It can start taking weeks

and even an entire month,

to get to the next heavier weight.

But does that mean you should stop training just because you see no instant results?

No, it’s working,

you just don’t see it yet.

Some of you might be looking at the 3 circles,

and thinking, ‘this doesn’t work’.

‘My friend isn’t going to listen to this.’

‘He will just laugh at me’.

Or maybe some of you have tried sharing the gospel,

and your friend did actually not believe.

Whether they believe or not,

remember that the gospel always works.

God will get glory no matter what happens.

Just because they haven’t believed,

does not mean the gospel isn’t working.

Even if they do not believe,

the gospel worked,

because of the judgement it brings.

But more often than not,

you just need to be more patient.

2. Be patient (v.18-23)

Matthew 13:18–23 (NKJV)

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

We see in these verses,

Jesus’ explanation of the parable.

There are 4 different soils.

And the seed refers to the gospel,

as Jesus calls the seed, the word of the kingdom.

So the parable of the sower,

is about people’s different responses to the gospel.

The first soil

the one where the seed falls on the side of the road,

is how many people will respond to the gospel.

Indifference.

Many people will respond with zero interest to the gospel.

When they hear it, they will not seek to understand more,

instead Satan comes along and takes away the seed from them.

This is an extremely common response to the gospel.

I remember when I did public evangelism,

we would use tracts

and also try to have conversations with people.

While I did get to talk to some people,

most of them ignored it.

The second soil,

is the rocky shallow ground.

This is a person who seems to quickly respond to the gospel with joy.

But it’s only a fake and shallow response.

It may have reached the head

but it didn’t penetrate the heart.

And as soon as he is challenged to follow Christ,

maybe he has to choose between Christ or his unbelieving girlfriend,

or his family or friends are making fun of him,

he gives up

and rejects Christ.

The word stumble,

means to take offense.

Meaning they eventually see the gospel as a trap.

They see the gospel as something that will keep them trapped

in living a life that they don’t want.

I know people personally that have responded like this,

it truly seems like they have become a Christian.

But as time passes,

and they learn more about Christ’s commands,

they fall away.

The third soil,

is someone who cares so much about the world,

that it is impossible

for the gospel to survive in their heart.

They are far more concerned,

about money,

power,

things they can buy,

or relationships.

I have a cousin,

who was in a youth group for a few years,

and she truly seemed like a Christian.

She did her morning devotions,

she would always attend youth group.

But I could tell

that boys were always on her mind.

So a few years later she asks me,

‘What do you think about dating a non-Christian?’ (relationship pic)

That picture is not them by the way, just a stock photo.

So I explained

the Bible teaches that Christians are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

She ignored that teaching.

Got into a relationship with some unbelieving boy.

And is now married to him.

Since then she has cut off all communication,

with her family,

and Christians.

And now she’s this woke LGBTQIA+ person.

Her heart truly revealed that she idolized a relationship with a boy.

And God judged her by giving her what she wants.

James 4:4 (ESV)

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

But the fourth soil,

is the soil that is good.

This is someone who has genuinely come to faith,

and now bears the fruit of the holy spirit, (fruit of the spirit pic)

You see students,

you need to be patient.

There’s going to be a lot of rejection,

and rejection in 3 different ways:

indifference,

fakeness,

worldliness.

But eventually,

someone will come to faith.

It could be tomorrow,

or it could be 20 years from now.

You need to be patient students.

If you shared the gospel with someone,

don’t give up on them.

Keep praying for them.

Because there is

good soil out there that God has prepared.

3. Knowing how people will react helps you stay confident in sharing (v.18-23)

When you know that the gospel always works,

and you know how people are going to react,

it becomes far less scary.

Because when rejection becomes part of your expectation,

then you realize that when you share and they reject,

you haven’t failed,

it’s all part of the process

like we said last week.

4. Rely on God’s word and not people’s reaction (v.18-23)

Have you guys ever wondered,

why doesn’t the sower just plant the seed on good soil?

Why plant where there are thorns,

on the side of the road,

or on rocky shallow ground?

Seems foolish right?

What do you think?

Why didn’t the sower just plant the seed on good soil?

The answer is because,

the sower was so confident in the power of the seed,

he didn’t have to worry about the soil.

Student’s, its not your job,

to find the good soil

before you can plant.

God has told you to make disciples of all nations,

meaning all soils and all peoples.

Remember that the gospel always works?

So then rely on God’s word

and not people’s reactions.

All you have to do is throw the seed out.

How easy has God made it for you?

When He has put all the power,

not on the soils,

but on His Word: the gospel.

5. What’s your reaction to Christ’s Word? (v.18-23)

Students how do you react when you hear the word of God?

Which soil are you?

When you read the Bible,

or listen to preaching?

Are you indifferent?

Do you lack interest like the first soil?

Or maybe you know the Gospel in your head

but it never really hit your heart like the second soil?

Are you preocupied with worldly things like the third soil:

what you can buy or relationships?

And maybe you are because you are simply forced to be here?

Or just here for friends?

If you are one of those three soils

I urge you to turn away from your sin and put your faith in Jesus.

But if you are more like the fourth soil,

the good soil

Then I want to encourage you students,

to be ready

and willing

to listen to the Word!

Here’s one practical way students:

Ask questions! (questions pic)

True disciples,

are the ones who seek understanding,

Proverbs 4:5 (NKJV)

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

what do you do when you come across difficult things in the Bible?

You ask questions!

That was the point of the parables,

to draw out true disciples,

those who ask questions.

So students anytime you have a question,

no matter how hard it is,

ask.

I want this place to be a place where you feel comfortable in asking questions,

and I will do my best to help.

And if I don’t have an answer just yet,

I will get back to you with an answer.

But students ask questions!

I want to see you guys asking more questions!

Gospel conclusion

I want to end our message today as usual,

with the gospel by using the 3 Circles.

Usually I share the gospel by connecting it to today’s message,

but I’m going to simply present it

the way the 3 circles guide presents it,

so that you can learn to share it better.

The Bible says that God created the world good in Genesis. (God’s design slide)

However because of sin,

came brokenness, (brokenness slide)

I myself am an example of that,

before Jesus I was filled with depression,

sorrow, and rage,

because of my sin.

And I try to solve that problem with drugs,

immorality,

entertainment,

but they all failed,

because we live in a broken world.

But the good news is, the gospel, (gospel slide)

is that Jesus came to take the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross for those who believe in Him,

and that by rising from the dead,

He showed that we would also have eternal life.

And that’s exactly how

you can be saved if you are not a Christian today,

by faith alone in Christ alone.

You say,

‘Lord, I have no way to be saved from my sin except you, please help me’,

that’s how

you put your faith in Jesus.

And when you put your faith in Jesus,

he will give you a a new life today (restoration slide),

and be with Him for eternity.

So if you haven’t believed in Jesus,

will you do so today?

Let’s pray.

Q&A

Earlier we talked about how you need to ask questions.

So I want to open up for a few minutes a time where you can ask me any question about the bible, just raise your hand.

If no questions,

we have slips to write down questions that you may have,

and a jar to put them in.