Building Courage
Notes
Transcript
Fear of rejection
Fear of rejection
A famous comedian once said, 'I go through life afraid of rejections – that’s why I try to make people laugh.' He turned his fear into humor. Just like how Jesus took rejection on the cross and transformed it into our salvation! So, when we face rejection, remember that it’s not the end. In fact, it could be the start of something even greater with God working in our lives, just as He did with the disciples after the crucifixion!
After facing the fact we may lack motivation to evangelize one of the big things is the fear of rejection.
I used to fear what people thought, did, what they thought of me, but evangelism isn’t about me, it is about sharing the gospel, it is about Jesus.
I love what Paul said, (Gal1:10)
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
We need to be serious about whom we are trying to please, man or God. Now, we do need to speak with gentleness, and respect, speak truth, but know it is the Lord who adds to the numbers, not us. We are the messengers of Good News.
Pray for boldness
Pray for boldness
Hey we can all be timid at times, especially if we lack courage in something, or when we have fear about something.
Paul may have been well education, yet look at what he wrote: (turn with me to 1Cor2:1-3)
1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
So, knowing this, he prayed and asked for prayers to be bold. (Eph6:18-19) Oh, wait, look at another scripture about boldness (turn to Act4:29-31)
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Paul knew the power of the gospel was unto Salvation (ref: Rom1:16); He did not hold back.
As with everything else in life we need to start with prayer. Prayers to please God, prayers for boldness, for courage, for opportunities.
(Transition) Brent Hunter in his book “Personal work 101” had some practical suggestions that we are going to look at.
Building courage
Building courage
Step One:
Non face to face contacts
Start out sharing Christ in a way which will not bring you face to face with people.
Invitation cards, information cards, bible tracks are a good way to do this, take some and keep them in your car, your purse, your coat pocket.
Put one on table in restaurant, library, or put in letters to friends, or even with your bills, you never know the impact it may make.
Your part is to put the information out there, to let it plant a seed..
There is a story of a custodian who was cleaning a bathroom, saw a tract and read it, later obeying the gospel and is today a gospel preacher! Another case I read was a mom went to visit her daughter and there was a bible tract laying on the coffee table next to an envelope addressed to her daughter. The mom picked up the tract, read it, and sought out a church, obeyed the gospel. The daughter did not, but the word of God through the tract still accomplished it’s purpose.
Step two:
Let your light shine.
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Everyone loves natural light, artists count on it. Let your natural light shine when you are around non-Christians.
The the words of your mouth be filled with grace and that Jesus just naturally comes into your conversation. Jesus condemned man when they want things to be seen of men, but embraced the idea when seen by men.
Ideas can include but not limited to praying before a meal when in public.
Keep a bible with you all the time, be willing to read it on breaks at work, at lunch or other places the Lord gives opportunity for.
Identify yourself in conversations as a Christian, casually do this on how important your faith is to you. ask others if there are things you can pray for them for. Give credit to the Lord for all things, even the difficult things.
Casual conduct and expressions like these not only help to build courage, they often are door-openers for people to ask about your faith, the hope that is in you (1Pt3:15)
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Step three: identify who you are and personally hand your friend (or a prospect) a bible tract, maybe even a CD, DVD.
Consider Jesus words: (Mt10:32-33)
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Paul said this (Rom1:16)
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.
What this is, is taking a bold step in handing something out to someone now. These is no mistaking it, making known your Christianity and your love, care, concern for the other person.
What this is not is a direct teaching, it is giving information to have further discussions, or to open to church invitation, to a bible study.
You can ask them to read it and tell you what you think after they have had time to read and contemplate it.
You can say if they find it bringing questions to them that you would be willing to set up a bible study with them to talk about the tract given, or their questions.
We have many resources available to us, you can give the gift of RightNow Media, or direct to our Facebook or our Faithlife pages to read, listen to more information. We have CD’s from World Video Bible School that can help too.
In the Bible, we see characters like the Samaritan woman at the well, whose life was changed after a simple conversation with Jesus. Just like her, people may not act on our tracts immediately. Perhaps they’ll think about our words, share them with a friend, or even revisit them in tougher times. You may not see the impact right away, but each interaction plant seeds that can blossom further down the road—reminding us that God’s timing often differs from our own!
Drawing a conclusion
Drawing a conclusion
When we get to doing these things, some may be difficult or uncomfortable at start, we are sharing the gospel with others. These are indirect ways but effective seed planting ways.
Start with remembering we are doing this to please God not man, but it is man who needs God.
Be sure to be prayerful, pray for boldness, pray for opportunities, pray for courage to do these things.
Let your light shine before men!
Give someone a bible tract and be willing to talk about it if they choose in the future.
Pray, pray, pray for the people you have done these things with that they may come to know Jesus and become a part of His church. To have their sins forgiven and to be born again. (Invitation) (Song) (Prayer)
