SF673 - LEADING THEM HOME (John 4 28-30)

SF673

LEADING THEM HOME

John 4:28-30; 39-42

Introduction

Four Keys in Leading Someone to Christ…

1.                  You must know exactly what you are going to say.

2.                  You must refuse to be sidetracked for any reason.

3.                  You must proceed with the confidence that God can and will save this person.

4.                  You must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to with the person.

1A.      The Key Element in Eternal Life is Saving Faith

What Saving Faith is Not

It is Not just believing facts about Jesus

(James 2:19 NIV)  "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."

(Matthew 8:29 NIV)  ""What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?""

It is Not just trusting God for the temporary needs of life

What Saving Faith Is

It is Trusting in Jesus Christ Alone for eternal life

(Acts 16:31 NIV)  "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""

The chair illustration

Ask: "Does this make sense to you?"

2A.      The Critical Element in Eternal Life is Commitment

Ask Them to Commit "Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?"

Make Sure They Understand that Their Commitment is To…

Transfer their trust from what they have been doing to what Christ did for them on the Cross.

Invite the risen Christ to be their Savior.

(John 1:12 NIV)  "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--"

(Revelation 3:20 NIV)  "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Receive Christ as their Lord.

Ø      Driver's seat illustration

Repent of their Sin

(Acts 26:20 NIV)  "…, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

Publicly confess Christ and follow Him in Believer's Baptism

(Romans 10:9,13 NIV)  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  (13)  "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

(Matthew 10:32 NIV)  ""Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven."

3A.      The Confirming Element of Eternal Life is their Prayer

Ask their Permission to Pray

"If that's what you really want, I can lead us in prayer and we can tell God what you just told me.

Ask them to make you Two Promises

That they will not say anything in the prayer that they do not mean with all their heart.

That they will not say anything they do not fully understand.

Pray for Them:  to Understand, Repent and Trust.

Pray with Them to Receive Eternal Life

Dear Jesus I transfer my trust from my good works and myself to you alone.  I invite you into my life as my risen Savior.  I receive you as the Lord of my life and give you control of my life.  I repent of my sin and turn to you, please forgive me of my sin.  As you give me strength I will publicly confess you and follow you in believer's baptism.

Pray for Them to have Assurance.

4A.      The Continuing Element of Eternal Life is God's Assurance

Share with Them God's Promise

(John 6:47 NIV)  "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."

Share with Them God's Plan

For them to express their faith - Worship

Ø      Invite them to join you for worship

For them to confess their faith - Membership

Ø      Volunteer to go forward with them on Sunday

For them to grow in their faith - Discipleship

Ø      Encourage them to enroll in Sunday School

Ø      Encourage them to read their Bible daily

Ø      Encourage them to pray regularly

For them to live their faith - Ministry

Ø      Encourage them to become involve in the life of the church.

Ø      Encourage them to serve in their every day life.

For them to share their faith - Evangelism

Ø      Encourage them to share their faith.

Application

1.                  Commit yourself to a lifestyle of sharing your faith.

2.                  As the Lord leads enroll in other witness training courses when they are offered.

3.                  Spend this week encouraging your "Ten Most Wanted" to attend church on Easter.

4.         Pray for God's power in your life and our church.