A Life that's A Witness

Introduction

Recap: 12/30 {Surr. ‘self with voice of faith; listen!}; lstwk {Jesse: Say YES to call, tell others}

TODAY: Take Jesse’s msg. & make it practical…

Personal Evangelism:

How many know: “ALL believers have HS.”

Even w/o XP BoHS, not impotent: HS still powerful! Working, guiding, chng’g!

AP Reminds hearers:

Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”

We need to tap into this power afforded to ALL believers to fulfill our God-given call right where we’re at.

Two Hallmarks of a life Dedicated to Christ: Inward transformation & Outward service

Goal of H.Spirit is to help us work on others' behalf...

People all around us need to hear the >>

Euangelion = Good News

Battle victory, Marathon-Athens | Caesar Augustus born >>

The Priene {ancient Turkey} Calendar Inscription (9 BC); concerning the birth of Caesar Augustus:

"Since Providence... has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus... and since the birthday of the god [Augustus] was the beginning of the good tidings (euangelion) for the world that came by reason of him..."

Hear certain wording similar to our scriptures?

This archeol. find speaks dir. to hist. context of gospel authors!

The writing ab. euangelion about Jesus of Naz. pres. as counter to the “good news” about Caesars…

Ask: Do you believe that the Gospel is a benefit to others?

How many know: our world needs to know Hope?! Needs Good News —best news in reign of JC!

May we run with the same king of determination to bring the news of battle that was fought on a cross and the victory that was won in His resurrection!

‘Witnessing’: Myths & Truths

Myth: “I don't have the time/opportunity.”

Lies!: Yelp thrives off of ppl’s desire to share their XP, good & bad.

Make time to rant on the internet, make time to share best news of all!!

Being a “witness” simply means talking about what you’ve experienced/heard.

Not nec. trying to convince… just talk about it! Tell s'body!

Command: We need to make most of our time!

We’d have plenty of opportunities if we were asking Him to reveal them… and made point of capitalizing on them.

Colossians 4:5-6a “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity…” (Also, see: 1 Peter 3:15)

We should be seeking to capitalize on any moment we are given to express the good news of God's love.

1 Peter 3:15 — be prepared to tell others!! Be ready! Words AND actions!

Truth: God will place people in front of you. Keep your eyes open! (John 16:8-11)

DYK: Spirit works on you before you have Him? John 16:8-11.

God uses people to lead us to him. Primary vehicle for getting stuff done!

God will move others’ hearts to be open, seeking. (We don’t get a say in this, but can expect it; He wants it 2 happen!!)

Myth: “I don't have the education/skills.”

Truth: The Spirit will direct us on what to believe & what someone needs to hear

John 16:12-13 ““I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth...”

John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Also, see: Luke 12:11-12

As we read and study, Spirit leads us to underst!

Important to be cnct'd w/ active faith family; all doing this together!

If you have to come to the defense of what you believe, we have a supern. helper!!

This does NOT mean we shouldn’t pursue greater understanding! (Jn 14:26 “remind you…”)

CRA’s CORE VALUE: “Learning”

Truth: A ‘witness’ doesn’t have to know much. Tell someone about what Jesus did in/for you!

“Who were you before Christ”? What as he shown you about yourself? How has He helped? How are you different now?

Easy as that.

Today’s culture, less concerned about facts anyway (feelings)!

If pressed, it’s ok if you don’t know. Invite to church, hand them my email, website. or Kristen’s — IDK.

[Lst wk] God wants WILLING people!

“Doesn’t call qualified; qualifies the called!”

Truth: “I will make mistakes!”

What if I don't know all the correct words? My example makes name of X look bad? Offend someone? My will conflated with God’s…?! Act selfishly? Ignore HS prompting?

Counter-Truth: God’s grace is sufficient! (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Even when we really mess up, all it takes is one step back to Him and He can forgive and redeem even the worst infraction (on our part)!

DCT: "What if I stumble?"

Myth: “I don't know how to do it!”

Truth: Can be awkward; where to start; what to say; don’t want to be pushy; [modern] “don’t want to impose beliefs on others…”

“WITNESS”: If you saw best movie, had best dinner/recipe, read amaz. book, found best deal, great new store… want to tell others about it?!

Naturally come up in conversation. Work it in. Start a conversation excitedly.

Comfortable enough w/ basics of Xianity that it just comes out.

Euangelion is the life that is eternal… ! Living water… life abundant!

Culturally, understand that it can be awkward, but you can learn:

Jesus spoke kindly, with patience, and grace to those who needed him the most. Was harsh with the religious people.

Apologetics - Practical!…

RESOURCE: (Greg Koukl, “Tactics”)

1. There are “Harvesters & gardeners” (John 4:36-38)

Jesus, in >>

John 4:36-38 “Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.””

[modify] Seasons of each… planting seeds of hope/conviction OR…

Directly leading someone to Lord.

Problem: Most Xians aren’t willing to garden. Spiritual scarecrows!

May we at LEAST be ready to garden! Cultivate a heart; prepared w/ seed.

2. “Put a stone in their shoe” (Woman @ the Well, John 4:7…)

Way X speaks to the woman… clever, back-and-forth

Leads her by her curiosity… !

Get them to THINK about their position or where it may be stemming from.

3. Ask clarifying questions [like Columbo]. (Colossians 4:4-6; James 1:19-20)

Hallmark of Jesus’ ministry: asking >300 questions! Only answered ~5!

Resp’d with story or Q or challenge, lament

“All religions are the same” —“How so?/What do u mean? Where u hear that?”

Colossians 4:4–6 “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

“Seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4) Adding to the conv.

Resp. with curiosity, not judgement - serve you well in relat’s as well (SM!)!

“Slow to speak, quick to listen” (James 1) Things X exemplifies

Seek the Spirit’s Help!

Given you some very practical tips & steps.

Examine your heart - what makes you insecure/timid about sharing your faith?

We need HS to give us boldness! Fear can steal away what God wants us to do!

We always have choice in the matter. He wants ppl who CHOOSE to be willing…

Spirit Bap. give us the edge we need… but this is the Spirit’s job ALL the time, so lean on Him!

People at grocery store, pumping gas next to you, on a prayer walk, or intentionally asking others if they want prayer & tell them about the gospel (Awakening Reach Teams).

Proclaiming the Good News [euangelizomai] is the very thing Jesus came for, the command he left with his disciples, & what is sgoing to usher in His New Kingdom!

We NEED to be about the father’s business…

We’re giving you an opportunity to take a step of faith this Awakening

Won’t you let Him use you? Choose to be used by Him! God is doing a new thing and we know what His mission always is - to see people saved and restored to relatioship with Him!

Starts with a fresh commitment now.

Continues w/ a prayer & faith-fueled endeavor. Sprit working through you & in them.