Making A Difference
Take it Personally • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction: One day a man was walking near the ocean shoreline littered with starfish that had been beached on the sand from a recent storm. As the man walked, he came upon a young boy frantically picking up the dying starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. "Son," the man smiled as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder."You know what you're doing is futile, right?"
The boy didn't reply. He hardly even looked up. He just reached for another starfish and hurled it into the ocean The man tried again. "Look, he pointed along the shore "There are miles of washed up starfish. Tens of thousands of them." The boy grunted as he reached for another.
"You could be here all day and all the next day and the day after that… you could be here all week, and you wouldn't make a difference in all these starfish" For the first time the boy turned to look at the man.
He stood as tall as he could with his shoulders back, chin tilted, and starfish in hand. Then he turned and threw the starfish into the ocean. Once again he looked at the man. Made a difference for that one." And then he bent down to pick up another...
We long for significance-to make a difference with our lives. And those of us who know the Lord long for others to know Him as well. But sometimes we look at the world around us and wonder if anything we do could actually make difference.
After all, there are over seven billion people in this world. To share the gospel with each of them in groups of one hundred would take four thousand years. Even if we could live long enough to do that, they wouldn't all respond.
After all don't we each know people in our own families and circles of acquaintances who aren't interested in being saved?
Yet, as we look in the pages of God's Word, we find that we are commanded - commissioned-to go to others with the gospel. And we find that every Christian has this commission. When you think of it, that's a privilege.
Not every Christian is called to be a pastor. Not every Christian is called to be a foreign missionary. Not every Christian is called to a public teaching ministry. But every Christian is called to go to others with the gospel-- to personally deliver the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. And when we take it personally to one an eternal difference one life at a time, person at a time, God uses our witness to make a difference- an eternal difference one life at a time.
I invite you to learn how to effectively own and obey the Great Commission of Jesus Christ
1. The Value of One
1. The Value of One
Most people don’t get up every morning and think about eternity… Satan actively works to distract us with the here and now. Even the best life on earth that ends without Christ will bring the worst eternity. This is why you and I must remember that every person has an eternal soul.
A critical first step in being an effective witness is understanding the worth of a single soul.
A. A Soul is Eternal
Jesus has made the life of his people as eternal as his own.
Charles Spurgeon
Every person you meet has an eternal destiny (Ecclesiastes 3:11
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Our lives on earth are temporary, but our souls will live forever in either heaven or hell (Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Witnessing is not just about improving someone’s earthly life but about securing their eternal destiny...
B. Heaven and Hell are Real
Jesus spoke extensively about both heaven (John 14:2-3) and hell (Mark 9:43-48).
Hell is a place of eternal separation from God, and heaven is a place of eternal joy in His presence. If we truly believe in these realities, we will be compelled to share the gospel with urgency (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When we remember these eternal realities, we are much more likely to tell others the way of salvation.
C. Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
The world offers many paths, but Jesus is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The message of salvation is exclusive in its truth but inclusive in its reach—anyone can come to Christ (Romans 10:13).
If we fail to witness, people may never hear the only message that can save them. In the midst of a world that says, “All roads lead to heaven,” it’s easy to want to bend our message, agreeing with people we love. But the fact is, Christ is the only way to heaven…
2. To Seek and to Save
2. To Seek and to Save
Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and as His followers, we are called to do the same.
A. Go (Vs. 18)
The greek word here for power is the word exousia… (Power and Authority)
When we purpose to go with the gospel, we do it with the assurance that all the Power of God is behind us , and when we don’t go with the gospel , we are doing it against the authority and command of Christ.
We are not called to wait for people to come to us; we are commanded to go to them (Acts 1:8
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
B. Win (Vs. 18) - “And Teach all nations...”
Our goal is not just to share but to win souls for Christ Proverbs 11:30
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.
Winning a soul requires compassion (Jude 22-23), persistence (Galatians 6:9), and reliance on the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). Effective witnessing includes building relationships and living out the gospel in our daily lives (Matthew 5:16).
C. Baptize - (Vs. 18)
Baptism is the public declaration of faith and obedience to Christ Acts 2:41
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
It symbolizes death to the old life and resurrection into new life (Romans 6:4
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
A true witness disciples new believers, guiding them toward baptism and commitment to Christ.
D. Teach - (Vs. 19)
Witnessing doesn’t end at conversion; we must disciple new believers in the faith. Teaching includes grounding them in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
and helping them grow in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
A true witness walks alongside a new believer, helping them mature in their faith.
3. Owning the Mission
3. Owning the Mission
What does that look like? Being an effective witness means taking personal responsibility for the Great Commission.
A. Make a Commitment
Ex. DL Moody
Throughout this series we are going to unpack the How behind the great commission, but the how means little if we haven’t committed to the What. Being a witness isn’t optional; it’s a command for every believer (2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Commitment means making soul-winning a priority in your life, not an occasional afterthought.
Ask yourself: Am I actively seeking opportunities to share my faith? If not...
B. Set a Plan
Effective witnessing requires intentionality...
Set goals: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How will you reach them?
Equip yourself: Learn how to share your testimony and key Bible verses on salvation.
C. Seek God’s Help
We cannot be effective witnesses in our own strength (John 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Pray for boldness (Acts 4:29), wisdom (James 1:5), and divine appointments.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to those who are ready to receive the gospel (John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
D. Prepare a Message
Your testimony is a powerful tool (Revelation 12:11).
Be ready to share the gospel in simple, clear terms (1 Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Use Scriptures like Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Romans 10:9-10 to explain salvation. Practice sharing so you can present the gospel with confidence.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Every soul matters. Eternity is at stake.
Jesus commands us to go. Witnessing is not optional.
It’s time to take action. Own the mission, prepare your heart, and step out in faith.
Call to Action:
Will you commit to being an effective witness?
Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus?
Will you ask God to give you boldness and opportunities to share the gospel this week?
