Living in Harmony

TEXT: 1 Peter 3:14-17 (15b-16)

THEME: Preparing to give a rigorous defense of the hope that is within us.   As Christians, sharing the message that is our life requires: a Biblical understanding of the salvation message (Jesus as God’s way for us); a personal experience of our own salvation (your testimony); a passion about our faith that communicates, and a gentleness of sharing that paves the path for others to find and follow. 

SUBJECT: FAITH SHARING

TITLE: Sharing the Message That Is Your Life

Opening Sentence: “Get Real” is the challenge before us when we share our faith with a skeptical world.    How can we in an interesting and effective way?

THE PROBLEM:  Many adults today are inarticulate when asked to explain their Christian faith.  If a challenger is not silenced by a few Bible verses or religious phrases, people shrug and change the topic.   Such reactions can hardly serve as a “defense” of the faith.  One ABC News reporter said during an interview that people are quite willing to reveal the most intimate details of their sexual lives, but most mainline church members have nothing to say about their religion.  First Peter indicates that all believers, not only clergy or theologians, should be able to give an account of what they believe.

INTRODUCTION:

I was a high-school senior.  Hanging out at Shonnies in Macon.  I met two girls and was talking with them when two Mercer University students came up and entered the conversation.  We were talking about church.  They had learned enough “atheism” in school to spread their doubts and disbeliefs.   I remember the conversation – though not so convincing – neither did I fold and turn away.    It was an awakening moment: “How well can I defend my faith?”

I. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS A FAITH MESSAGE TO SHARE – WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN YOUR LIFE?  - USE THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL IN ACTS 26

A.     OUR MESSAGE CONTAINS THE GOSPEL ITSELF

SCRIPTURES – known and shared are a necessary part of our message.

-         How we understand God’s revelation in Jesus through history.

-         Fulfilling God’s plan – as presented through the prophets.

-         The Bible is an authority we are called to know and use.

EX: Paul reminds King Agrippa of how Jesus fulfilled the prophets.

B.    OUR MESSAGE  IS ALSO OUR OWN EXPERIENCE OF JESUS

PERSONAL:  The Christian faith is a “personal faith”.  It is one to be experienced by everyone (not a hand-me-down variety).

PAUL TELLS OF HIS CONVERSION:  It was his “Damascus Road” experience.   Going to arrest Christians he met the risen Christ.  Blinded in understanding and disbelief he is received by a stranger Annanias who calls him “Brother Saul.”

 A REVIVAL SERVICE AT 2ND STREET UMC IN MACON.  I sat on the pew behind my parents that evening.  The sanctuary was packed.  The preacher (whose name I do not remember) was speaking of Jesus and salvation through him.  I do not remember any points or illustrations.  What I do remember is that God was calling me.  JESUS BECAME PERSONAL TO ME THAT NIGHT!

AND THAT HAS NEVER CHANGED.  THERE ARE MANY OTHER HIGH LIGHTS I SHARE AT OTHER TIMES.

WHAT WAS YOUR ENCOUNTER LIKE?  WHAT DID YOU SAY BACK TO HIM?   ARE YOU STILL TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER?

PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR “OUR EXPERIENCES”  THE FRESHER THE BETTER.

HOW TO FRAME YOUR TESTIMONEY (PERSONAL EXPERIENCE)

-         What my life was like before I met Jesus

-         How I realized I needed Jesus.

-         How I committed my life to Jesus.

-         The difference Jesus has made in my life.

C.    PEOPLE LOOK FOR PASSION IN OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS

JOY AND ENTHUSIAMS IS ONE FORM -   “Where is the joy that is within our lives?” -  I believe this place is one of “joy” reminder.  NO MATTER what else is happening in our word (and there is plenty to pray over) WE ADDRESS THE ETERNAL.  IT IS A CERTAINTY.

I SMILE – “because I know something” -  It is not intended to be a secret.  It is the power of God’s irrepressible love in Jesus.

     HOPE IN SUFFERING IS A MORE CONVINCING FORM:  When life is  

     celebrated in adverse times it is convincing.

IN Acts 26 – Paul speaks as a prisoner.  Those before him had the power to let him go and it looked to so many like they were more satisfied with letting him rot.  The effect of his prison time -  13 BOOKS OF THE NT. 

The King was touched by Paul’s testimony and convictions.  There is no record that the King ever became a Christian but he met someone whose intent was that “he and all who heard these words” would also come to believe.

Trans:  There is more to learn on “how to” share our faith.

II. EFFECTIVE SHARING COMES FROM A DEEP DESIRE FOR WINNING THE LOST AND A “SURE DEFENSE”

A.     PAUL’S DESIRE WAS FOR ALL TO HEAR AND KNOW

Phillipian Jailer -  Paul and Silas – sang and prayed.  After the earthquake they didn’t try to escape.  The jailer, prepared to take his own life, is so convicted by Paul’s words and life that he too wants Jesus.

ILL: James Buskirk – my advisor at Emory – use to travel with E. Stanley Jones when Buskirk was a young preacher.  Once in Sidney, Australia they were in their hotel and had several hours before any time commitments.  E. Stanley came to Buskirk and said “let’s go fishing.”  They went into the hotel bar.  At that time there were no other patrons so the two preachers went to the bar and began a conversation with the bar tender.  They sipped on their cokes.   E. Stanley looked at the bartender and said “I need help.  I am a sinner and I need help.”  The bartender said “man, I can’t even help myself.”   With that E. Stanley Jones shared the good news of Jesus.

WHAT KIND OF DESIRES DO YOU HAVE FOR THE LOST AROUND YOU?

B.    PAUL’S DEFENSE – “GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOPE WITHIN YOU”

DEFENSE – legal term “account” seems so neutral and this is not.  How well can we DEFEND OUR FAITH?

BE WARE OF STUDYING OTHER FAITHS – unless it is taught to strengthen you in your own.   Why we believe what we do.  What is the ground of our belief?

YOUTH PROGRAM:  If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?

CONCLUSION:

 I saw a piano yesterday that played itself (CD).  It made beautiful music.  The piano itself was beautiful.  What was missing was a dedicated pianist.  I was disappointed.    People are waiting for us.

INVITATION:   

ASK YOUSELF THIS QUESTION:  AS YOU THINK ON YOU PERSONAL STORY, WHO DOES GOD WANT YOU TO SHARE WITH?