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Introduction

Friends on Social Media with a new car.

Every post you see is of that car.

Like…I get it! I know you are excited and I’m excited for you...

But, they just can’t help it because of their excitement.

They have to share it with others!

Ever been there? Had something new and you wanted to share it?

Car? House? Child or Grandchild?

Or you had something great happen and you want to celebrate with others?

New Job, Engagement, Vacation?

We naturally want to share the momentous moments in life.

The things we are excited about and that matter to us.

How much more should we desire to share Jesus with others!

The very thing that changes our lives and our eternities.

Source of Hope and Peace! Love and Forgiveness!

Paul exhibited this excitement to share about Jesus with others.

Ready To Share

We remember last week that Paul had invited several of the Jewish leaders to his home. They wanted to hear more.

On a predetermined day, they came back over and brought more of their friends to hear Paul.

Paul took this opportunity to share the Gospel with them, “from morning till evening he expounded to them.”

Certainly, Paul didn’t just trip and fall into this opportunity by accident. Preparation for Sharing.

Talk to God

Talk to Them

Prayer. Who are you praying for? Consistently.

Have intentional conversations - guide them to the Gospel. Bring up church, faith, Jesus.

And then, when the door opens, go through it.

Chris Lowry’s neighbor.

Read To Share

Paul’s explanation of salvation included him “testifying.”

“To warn based on personal experience.”

He was able to tell his own story of salvation. Can you? Can you explain in a clear way how you were saved?

It’s like giving directions. Don’t glance over important details. They are the road signs people need.

How some people talk about their salvation.

Be specific and clear when telling someone how to be saved.

Admission of sin (and define). Asking for God’s forgiveness by what Jesus did. Committing your life to Him.

And the warning. It makes an eternal difference! Heaven or Hell!

But, what Paul shared was not just based on his own experience. He also sought to convince them using Scripture.

It’s important that we let the Word of God do what it is empowered to do!

This requires your familiarity with the Bible. That you have read it and are ready to share those Truths.

Be able to walk someone through Scripture to salvation.

Respond To What Is Shared

This is so encouraging to me…I’m not responsible to make people accept Jesus.

There will be times where you make a mess of a “gospel presentation” and people will respond!

And other times where you feel like you’ve said everything right, and they will reject what you said!

You are in good company. Paul shares all this truth from Scripture, his own testimony, and he spent a whole day!

Acts 28:24 ESV

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

It’s okay! You are not responsible to make people accept Jesus.

In fact, Jesus even says this:

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

You are responsible to share.

Your responsibility is just to share as best as you can and then give them the opportunity to respond.

And God will do what only He can do!

Conclusion

“My neighbors are talking about me while I’m outside. Saying I’m a bad mom and they only hear me yelling at Phoebe and they have never seen me take my daughter out of the house. Phoebe is my cat.”

People are listening. This goes both ways! They were listening to her and she’s listening to them!

People will listen to you

Build a bridge of relationship strong enough to bear the weight of the truth you have to give.

We are typically really good at building those bridges. But, eventually, you need to drive the Gospel across.

We love to talk about our kids or TV shows we are watching or are views on politics or sports…

We will drive those inconsequential things across that bridge all day long!

Eventually, you need to share the Gospel.