THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE WITNESSING

THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE WITNESSING

2 Timothy 1:8–9 KJV 1900

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Continuous victory in a Christian’s life is dependent upon his ability to share his inward faith in a positive, direct manner. The Christian must learn to verbally identify with Jesus Christ anytime he is tempted to compromise his total commitment to Him or to violate God’s principle for his life. When a person verbally identifies with Christ, he is standing for what he believes to be right. If he is to be an effective witness, then he must:

I. Boldly relate his commitment to a point in time; .

Luke 9:6 KJV 1900

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

II. Project the attitude that he is not his own boss; .

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

III. Not apologize for what he knows is a superior way of life; , .

Matthew 5:11–12 KJV 1900

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

IV. Use the right wording; .

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

V. Not restrict another person’s activities by his convictions; .

John 16:7–11 KJV 1900

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

VI. When belittled or given a hard time, agree that others have as perfect a right to do what they want with their lives as he does; .

Proverbs 1:10 KJV 1900

My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.

VII. Use Jesus Christ’s name in sharing what God is doing for him; .

Colossians 3:17 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

VIII. Realize that those who accept him whose Lord is Jesus Christ are led to him by God; , .

Luke 9:23–24 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

IX. Realize that those who “separate you from their company” have also rejected Jesus Christ and would reject Him if He were here today; .

Luke 6:22 KJV 1900

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

X. Recognize that those who attempt to change him after they have accepted him with his commitment to Jesus Christ are consciously or subconsciously testing his commitment; .

Romans 5:3–5 KJV 1900

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

XI. When he senses hostility or bitterness, he should be teachable rather than trying to get his ideas across; , ; , .

2 Timothy 2:24–25 KJV 1900

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Proverbs 9:7–8 KJV 1900

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: And he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Prov. 9:

XII. Expect the greatest opposition from “religious” people; , .

1 Peter 4:15–16 KJV 1900

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 peter 4:15-16

“But sanctify the Lord 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 ().”

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

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:

Coy, L. (1974). The Key to Effective Witnessing. In Heart-Touching Sermon Outlines (pp. 60–61). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.