No Holding back
Notes
Transcript
Opening
Opening
Christianity Today article on the state of evangelism, written by ED STETZER he said:
"We found that 85% of all believers ages 18-29 agree that they have a responsibility to share the gospel with unbelievers, and that 69% of those same people feel comfortable sharing their faith. However, only 25% of them look for ways to share the gospel and only 27% of them intentionally build friendships with unbelievers in order to do so."
What are things that keep us from sharing the faith
Ultimately, Stetzer found that while most Christians would affirm the importance of sharing the gospel, very few are actually doing so.
Evangelism is something we all should be doing to prepare for Jesus return.
You know none of us know the day or the hour of Christ return, we don’t know the day that we will close our eyes for the last time. This is why we need to always be prepared.
in fact the bible says
36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.
Matthew
If you notice even Jesus doesn’t know.
The bible says
37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.
Matthew 24:
38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark.
39 They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be.
Matthew 24:
So times I wonder why we here in America don’t share our faith as much.
Some of it I think has to do with a old saying. That we shouldn’t talk about politics and religion.
Other times I think it has to do with not wanting to stir the pot. We are scared what others will think or we will be rejected.
The bibles says
13 You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.
There are other times I wonder if we don’t do it because we don’t understand the repercussions of not sharing our faith. And I don’t mean for just us either.
I am talking about people in our lives that don’t believe in Jesus or don’t have a relationship with him.
Do we as Christians understand where they are going to end up?
Do we full Grasp that some of our friends and family will not enter the kingdom of heaven on the path that we are on right now?
Do we understand what Hell is? Is that really a place we are ok with them going? out of comfort for us not sharing the Gospel?
What we know about Hell.
What we know about Hell.
more then just a bad place.
15 And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:1
11 and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name.
Revelations
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We know its so bad that the bible tells us
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
It is litterly better for them to be crippled here on earth then to end up in Hell.
I don’t know about you guys but I don’t want any of my friends and family to end up in Hell. I would rather tell them the truth and they get offended then hold my tongue and they end up in hell.
There is a story in the Bible found in
The rich man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’
25 “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’
Luke 16:19-
This man had everything his heart desired on earth. But he did not have God.
Luke 16:19-
Because of that he ended up in Hell.
So much pain. He just wanted the finger dipped in water and placed on his tongue. I can’t even imagine.
25 “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
Luke 16:25-
There is no escaping once some one is there. There is no working your way out. Once some one is in Hell thats where they stay.
27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—
But they have there own faith and there good people.
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
There is only one way to heaven and that Jesus. His death death burial and resurrection.
Why aren't people sharing their faith?
Why aren't people sharing their faith?
As Stetzer points out, most Christians agree that they should share their faith. They just don't because they’re nervous or scared that they’re going to mess up.
"I'm afraid they'll ask questions I can't answer"
"I'm afraid they'll ask questions I can't answer"
we some times, show Frank Turek videos through service.
Lets be honest, hes good. He seems to be answering questions so easily.
He got there through Practice, reading on different things. becoming a expert
But eventually no matter how much your prepare. You will run in to a question that you just can not answer. No matter how much you prepared.
Guess what that is ok.
The bible says in
15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
This doesn’t mean you have to be able to answer every question.
example. 1) Can God microwave a burrito so hot that even he can’t eat it?
You don’t have to know that answer.
there are things that we will never fully know or understand until we see Jesus face to face and that is ok.
It simply means that we should be able to clearly communicate why you believe in Jesus.
If there is a question that you can not answer of the top of your head. Giving the answer. “I don’t know” is a great answer.
You could say things like
“I don’t know lets go look it up”
“ Let me get back to you on that”
Two things come out of that.
I shows you are not going to lie to them about who God is
and second, it gives you a opening to continue the conversation later on.
And if they have questions that you can answer off the top of your head, that's great! "I don't know" is often a really good answer that lets them know that you're not willing to make stuff up in order to convince them. It also gives you a reason and opportunity to follow up with them again.
"I struggle with my own faith"
"I struggle with my own faith"
People aren't attracted to the gospel when it's presented by perfect, flawless people. They're actually drawn to people they feel they can identify with. Don't get caught up on whether your faith is strong enough to share—just step out in the faith that you have.
As we exercise our faith (however small), God is able to do amazing things. And that's what helps to build our faith. So by not sharing your faith because you fear it's not strong enough, you're missing out on an opportunity to see it grow.
This is a big one in America I feel. So many of us grew up in a time where every one just want to church.
Sunday and Wednsday nights every one want to church. There was no if and’s and butts about it.
It was where you want to intermix and and hang out with the community. It was look down if you didn’t go.
Yet in todays world. People don’t often go to church any more. School activities and daily lives have warped and taken over the time spots that people use to go to church.
Yet in We see Jesus again telling his followers to
15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
[Some of the earliest conclude with .]
I think this is why we see so many books and guides out there to do them.
Sharing the faith is an important part of being a Christian. We have so many resources out there to help teach people how to share the faith. Yet often we find it hard to often even read the books. We
We have a ton of resources right out side these doors that you can use for free to help share the Gospel. But how many of us have pick them up, studied them and learned how to use them.
Also, let me be clear in this. The easies way to share the Gospel to this day, is simply telling others what God has done for you. How he has made you new, how he has restored you.
Your testimony is still one of the most power tools that God gave you. and with the help of the Holy spirit you can do this.
There’s never been a better time to find resources to help share your faith. There are so many curriculums, books, conferences and videos to help you get started. Check out our own strategies and toolspage!
"I don’t know how to start a conversation"
"I don’t know how to start a conversation"
Know how to start a conversation about your faith or sharing the Gospel can seem difficult.
It never feels natural at first to start talking about your faith out of the blue or transitioning a conversation towards faith. Some times it can feel awkward of forced almost.
I believe this is one of those times that we need to sit back and pray, even if its just a prayer in our head as we are talking with some one for God to give us an opening. Or pray before meeting with some one. Last but not least, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Example.
Michael my Driver.
The more you practice and again this is the important part! Trust the Holy Spirit the easier it will become and the more you will see it happening.
"I struggle with my own faith"
"I struggle with my own faith"
We have all been here. We have moments where we are questioning some of what we believe. Maybe there are questions that you have been trying to figure out on your own.
There are parts of the Bible that you just can’t get your head around questions you find your self asking.
This idea that Christians have to be perfect that society and even our selfs. have placed on this idea of Christians, is a problem.
1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Some times we feel we are not perfect enough.
People aren’t attracted to the Gospel when its presented by perfect, flawless people.
They are attracted to the Gospel more when its presented by people they can identify with.
Some one who has there own questions and struggles in life.
Don’t get caught up on whether your faith is strong enough to share - Just step out in faith that you have!
20 “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
God can do so much with just a grain of faith.
God can do so much with just a grain of faith.
Remember no one is perfect, no not one! Except God alone.
and we are all called no matter where we are on our walk with Jesus to share our faith.
People aren't attracted to the gospel when it's presented by perfect, flawless people. They're actually drawn to people they feel they can identify with. Don't get caught up on whether your faith is strong enough to share—just step out in the faith that you have.
As we exercise our faith (however small), God is able to do amazing things. And that's what helps to build our faith. So by not sharing your faith because you fear it's not strong enough, you're missing out on an opportunity to see it grow.
These things all can be things that we tell our selfs to hold us back.
But None of these are a reason to not share your faith. There simply ways for us to bow out on doing what Christ has asked of us!
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-29
This is why we need to make sure we are stepping out and doing what God has called us to do!
"I never learned how"
"I never learned how"
This is a big one in America I feel. So many of us grew up in a time where every one just want to church.
Sunday and Wednsday nights every one want to church. There was no if and’s and butts about it.
It was where you want to intermix and and hang out with the community.
It was look down on if you didn’t go.
So sharing our faith wasn’t something we really practiced.
Yet in todays world. People don’t often go to church any more. School activities and daily lives have warped and taken over the time spots that people use to go to church.
Yet in We see Jesus again telling his followers to
15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
I think this is why we see so many books and guides out there to do them.
We have a ton of resources right out side these doors that you can use for free to help share the Gospel. But how many of us have pick them up, studied them and learned how to use them.
there are a ton of resource online.
We honestly have no excuse any more.
We simply have to be willing to take the time to read and study them.
How many of us can binge watch a tv show in the evening or weekends? but struggle to open the word of God for even 15 minutes?
Also, let me be clear in this. The easies way to share the Gospel to this day, is simply telling others what God has done for you. How he has made you new, how he has restored you.
Your testimony is still one of the most power tools that God gave you. and with the help of the Holy spirit you can do this.
My prayer
My prayer
My prayer is that you you all consider all of these things carefully.
So just like in the days of Noah.
I pray that you dont take this as a scare tactict. But a way to light the fire with in. that you no longer hold back. But share the Gospel.
Because Just as in the day of Noah. God is coming back.
37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. 39 They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:37-
36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. 37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. 39 They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. 44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
He will hold off for a while, but there is a time comeing when he will close the door of the ark. and when that happens, there is no changing the fait of all our friends and family and even us are set at
the bible says
Second half.
Second half.
We all need to get a senece of urgency when it comes to sharing our faith.
In we find the story of a Rich Ruler and Lazarus.
The rich man would dress in purple and Fine Linen He ate great food every day! He lived a life o the world.
Had what ever his hear desired on this earth.
At the same time there was a poor man covered in sores by the name of Lazarus.
When the poor man died he was carried off by the angels to Heaven.
When the rich man died he ended up in hell.
While he was being torment in Hell! he Cried out!
Father Abraham have mercy on my!
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.
He Just wanted to a moment of relief from the pain and suffering he was going through!
I Don’t know about you, but I want none of my family or friends to be in such pain. I want none of them to say! why didn’t you tell me the truth! why didn’t you tell me what is coming! why did you tell me about the free gift of Jesus!
When the poor man died he was carried off by the angels to Heaven.
When the rich man is told that it can not happen, that there is no leaving that place!
The rich man finds the place so bad he asked that Lazarus goes and tells his brothers! so they don’t end up where he is!
4 Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of labor pains.
This is happening in our world today!
Matthew 24:
We hear more about Earth quakes and Natural disasters seem to be on a up-kick.
Wars and Rumors of Wars are on a up kick.
Famines around the world are on a up kick.
But here is the thing all these things need to happen.
For us as Christians, this should get us more excited and drive us to share the Gospel with as many as possible.
Though these things are happening Remember know one knows the day or hour of Christ return.
36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.
Matthew 24:
In we find the story of a Rich Ruler and Lazarus.
The rich man would dress in purple and Fine Linen He ate great food every day! He lived a life o the world.
Had what ever his hear desired on this earth.
When he died he ended up in hell.
At the same time there was a poor man covered in sores by the name of Lazarus.
When the poor man died he was carried off by the angels to Heaven.
So this morning I want to share with you all my story.
as a Child growing up
Amish,
told to memorize verses
So this morning I want to share with you all my story.
as a Child growing up
Got read bible stories as a kid.
Amish,
told to memorize verses
Got read bible stories as a kid.
had a foundation of Christ as kid.
had a foundation of Christ as kid.
Though I knew about Christ, I never full experinced him or excepted him as my own. It was more about going through the motions.
Around the age of 13
I found a calling in to ministry. Still not quite how I knew it but I just felt it with in that, that is what God had called me to do.
Though I knew about Christ, I never full experinced him or excepted him as my own. It was more about going through the motions.
around the age of 15-16. I found out that my Dad was on drugs, my parents where getting a divorce.
Around the age of 13
I found a calling in to ministry. Still not quite how I knew it but I just felt it with in that, that is what God had called me to do.
around the age of 15-16. I found out that my Dad was on drugs, my parents where getting a divorce.
I just remember being broken.
My Dad was my hero. I didn’t understand why. I felt he was abandoning our family.
I started to allow hate and anger to fester in side of me.
I just remember being broken.
I turned my back on God!
My Dad was my hero. I didn’t understand why. I felt he was abandoning our family.
It started by not going to Church
I started to allow hate and anger to fester in side of me.
by time i turned 17 I lived as if there was no God
I turned my back on God!
I started drinking.
started womanizing.
How many noches could I get in my belt.
I had no desires to live for anything by myself.
When I turned 18 I got my first Harley
I embraced the life!
Parties
Women
What ever the heart desire.
Yet there was a emptiness through all of this.
No matter what I did I never felt fulfilled.
How many people does this fit on our world
Always striving after what the world says you want
walking around feeling empty.
maybe feel good for a minute to just to go back to a empty feeling
I figured out you could a make a lot of money in Sales and I excelled in it.
This life continued on until I was 21
It was at this point I met a young lady
She had 2 little kids and I fell hard.
we were together for all of 6 months and we were engaged.
Moved in together
starting playing house
it was at this point my views in life started to shift a little.
I started think about raising a family
Going back to church
on my 22nd birthday I found out she cheated on me.
The engagement was off
I had a friend move in with me.
Took a minute. But I kept going to church any ways.
There was something about it I just couldn’t shake.
I started reading the bible.
night after night I was in the bible
I just couldn’t put it down.
There was a hunger
Breaking point
Studing one night
Crying out to God
Called in to ministry
Followed his call was in collage with in 4 months in Fl
Was I perfect, no I still screwed up
Moved back to indiana
Started at my first church
Moved two my second church First full time
You know some times when we are walking with God, we still make mistakes.
This was a moment for me.
I got together with my ex GF again.
we ended up getting engaged again.
Then got married.
a year in to married life. My wife came to me and told me she could not be married to a pastor. That I had to choose.
Well I said I do.
So I talked to the elders at Church and the lead pastor of that church
I stepped away from ministry for a while to work on my marriage
6 months later she handed me divorice papers
I was a mess.
I remember being angry and Crying out to God!!! why
I have done everything you have asked!
I think what hurt worse yet, is I thought I will never be able to return to ministry again.
People speaking in to my life.
Christians brothers and sisters walked beside me
Prayed for me
Shared Gods word with me.
helped restore me through it all.
God brought me here.
So you want to know why im so passionated about being the hands and feet.
Becuase the amount of hurting people right out side these doors.
This is not something we should hold off of. There is to much on the line. We have people out in this world that are heading for Hell.
I know what God can do in some ones life because what he did in mine.
I know it’s not poplular to talk about, but we need to understand that Hell is a real place! this is a place where there is no peace there is nothing but Pain and anguish.
I could not wish Hell on the worst of people in my life! We have all been given the key to keep people from HELL!
Christ has paid the price to keep us all out.
We can not hold off!
We can not wait!
We don’t know when the end will come! whether its, when some one closes there eyes for the last time or when Christ Comes back.
The bible says
Matthew 24:
36 “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.
This should get us fired up! this should get us excited to share the gospel.
The bible does tell us there will be warnings though that we are gettin closer to that time.
Matthew 24:
4 Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of labor pains.
I am not saying that it is going to happen right now. But if we look at the world around us. These things are happen all over the world. We are getting closer every day!
Christ return could be at any time! Or it could be a hundred years from now!
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’
25 “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
Luke 16:19-