Show and Tell
Notes
Transcript
Show and Tell
Show and Tell
We’ve recently been in a series about the first step of making disciples: sharing our faith. We talked about the importance of telling somebody our story of faith. We talked about the importance of going out and telling people about Jesus and what He has done in our lives. We focused on sharing with others what our life was like before we met Jesus and how meeting Him changed our lives.
When it comes to making disciples and sharing our faith, we must not only focus on our words. We need to also show people what it means to live like Jesus. We need to not only tell, but show and tell.
Maybe mention Rebecca’s posting invitation led to some first-time guests coming to the women’s meeting yesterday.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1492 Pulling on Both Oars
1492 Pulling On Both Oars
An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word “Faith,” and on the other oar the word “Works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, “I will show you.”
So saying, he dropped one oar and plied the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the oar called Faith, and the little boat just went around in circles again—this time the other way around, but still in a circle.
After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, “You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and “faith without works is dead” also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.”
—Bible Friend
Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Our words are often just words if there is no evidence backing them up. What the world does not need more of is empty words. The world isn’t simply interested in theories or philosophies as much as they are looking for something real and powerful.
Illustration: Marines in my platoon, knew I was Christian, watching to see if I’d mess up, but hoping it was real. They saw the impact and change and came to the conclusion that it was real…that God was working in my life. It wasn’t just words. It was not just rules. It was a love for God that changed my behavior.
Demonstration
Demonstration
In his own words, the Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of how he followed Jesus and shared his faith. We are aware of the effectiveness of the Apostle Paul — he wrote 13 letters of the NT, planted many churches, established leaders, made disciples who would lead churches, worked miracles, etc.
Listen to his explanation of how he approached sharing his faith and making disciples.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
There are three things I want to focus on:
Paul’s message
Paul’s speech
Paul’s actions
Each of these things can help us as we follow Jesus and do what He called us to do to make disciples.
On Message
On Message
Illustration: Being “on message” is key to helping people focus on the main points that you are trying to communicate. Presidents do this: “Read my lips, no new taxes ” —George HW Bush, “It’s the economy, stupid”—Bill Clinton, “Hope and change” — Barack Obama, “Make America Great Again”—Donald Trump (and Ronald Reagan), etc.
The point is not to get bogged down on things of lesser importance. There are a lot of spiritual conversations that are focused on things of lesser importance.
The Greek implies that Paul had determined that the most important thing he was going to know and focus on was Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In other words, who Jesus was and what He did.
If we really want people to know the God of all comfort, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, Creator, Savior, Prince of Peace, Redeemer and Friend, then we need to stop focusing on things that are not of utmost importance. Keep the main thing the main thing: Jesus—who He is and what He’s done.
Yes prosperity is good, but it is not the most important thing. Yes finding your Boaz (spouse) is good, but it is not the most important thing. Yes justice is good, but it is not the most important thing. Jesus is the message of the Christian. Not politics nor education nor social commentary. We speak to those things to the degree that Jesus does, no more and no less.
But our message is Jesus, who He is and what He has done both according to the Scriptures and in our own experience.
Speech
Speech
We know what Paul talked about; the subject of his conversation but he offers us some insight into how he talked about Jesus. He also shares some of the difficulties he had.
I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—
Paul felt weak, timid, trembling, afraid, inadequate. Yet he still told people about Jesus.
This giant of the faith. Scared to death. Shaking. Nervous. Trembling. Can you relate?
Illustration: My first time street evangelizing…to a few years later with weekly excursions.
Despite how he felt, he still spoke out.
And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Notice how he talked: plain words. He wasn’t trying to sound smart. He wasn’t offering plausible arguments and mystical wisdom. Arguing with people is not likely going to convince anyone about Jesus. Being mystical or mysterious and vague is not going to draw people to Christ.
Simple, plain every day words. Paul told them plainly who Jesus was to him and what Jesus had done for him. Paul told them that Jesus was the promised Savior of the Scriptures and how He had lived and fulfilled the prophecies.
What is your story? Who is Jesus to you? How has He changed your life? Why do you follow Him. Tell somebody!
Actions
Actions
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Finally, Paul provides the second key to effective witnessing: demonstration of the Spirit and Power.
He did this because he wanted people to rest their faith on something more than words. He offered them something more than a promise. He offered them an invitation into experiencing Jesus and the kingdom of God for themselves.
Of the Spirit
Of the Spirit
What are demonstrations of the Spirit? They are evidences of the Spirit’s work and confirmations of His words.
They include a change in one’s character.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Remember that Jesus sent the demoniac man back to tell his people—family, friends, coworkers, city? These people knew him. And they would be the first to recognize the change that took place in his life after he met Jesus.
6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
The changes in your character are powerful proofs that you didn’t just “find religion” and get new rules for living but that you’ve entered into a relationship with Jesus and power to live a new way. This gives your words power and substance.
Additionally, the works of the Spirit include doing good.
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
What does doing good look like?
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
These are examples that Jesus cites: feeding the hungry and thirsty, being hospitable to strangers, clothing people, nursing the sick, and visiting believers in prison. Others in Scripture include giving alms and sharing earthly goods (1 Timothy 6:18), taking care of widows and orphans (James 1:27), and speaking up for the fatherless and oppressed (cf. Psalm 10:18).
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
These are all ways we preach with demonstrations of the Spirit.
Power
Power
But Paul didn’t only demonstrate the message of Jesus through a change in character and lifestyle. He also demonstrated the gospel with power.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This power was the supernatural power of God. It was manifested in spiritual gifts and resulted in signs, wonders, and miracles.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Like the early disciples, Jesus has given us power and authority to heal the sick and cast out demons. We have spiritual power through prayer and fasting that sets people free and brings restoration and healing to their bodies.
The gifts of the Spirit, like prophetic words and gifts of healings, bring people into an experience with God that help them recognize His presence.
Illustration: Prophetic words to guys coming out of strip clubs, sobering them, etc. Made them receptive to listen to the gospel.
Conclusion
Conclusion
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
You may not preach a sermon in a church in front of groups of people, but God is calling you to go into your world of influence and preach—proclaim—the message of God.
Show the world the works of the Spirit. Demonstrate God’s power.
When you do, people will encounter the Lord and see for themselves that He is good (Psalm 34:8).