SHARING CHRIST

Called to Share...

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Mk 16:15–20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Times of great crisis provide timely opportunities to share our faith with non-Christians. The apostle Peter instructed the early Christians to always be ready to reach those outside the body of Christ with Jesus’ message of forgiveness, peace and eternal hope. He said,

"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

Here are four simple ways every believer can share Christ:

Talk about Jesus...

You can learn how to share Christ simply and effectively from the preaching of the apostle Peter. Whenever Peter proclaimed Christ, he answered two questions:

Who is Jesus?

The Holy Son of God who became a man, lived without sin and was put to death on a cross.

Why did He give His life?

Because of His sinless life, death could not hold Him in its power. After three days He rose from death and now offers forgiveness of sin and the free gift of everlasting life to anyone who will call on His name and become His follower.

Tell your story...

Tell people what your life was like before you found Christ and the peace and joy you now have knowing your sins are forgiven. You are living for the purpose for which God made you and have hope of everlasting life. Sharing your personal experience and relationship with Jesus Christ with sincerity and conviction can be the most compelling witness with some people.

The New King James Version (Chapter 3)

2 Cor. 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Pray with people...

When people express problems, ask them for the privilege of praying with them. If you truly believe God answers prayer, practice your belief by praying with and for people, trusting God to answer. Hearing a believer pray can have a significant effect on unbelievers. When you pray for their needs, people can usually tell you are sincere and have a relationship with God. And when God answers prayer, it can be the means of opening hearts to the message of Christ.

The New King James Version (Chapter 5)

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Invite them to church...

We’ve asked more than 50,000 people over the last 10 years why they came to church, and between 75 and 90 percent of respondents say, “I began attending because someone invited me.” - www.evangelismcoach.org

How you share your faith is just as important as what you share. Notice that Peter tells us to speak with "gentleness and respect," responding to each person individually.

Here are a couple of important things to remember:

Avoid political arguments...

Americans have many different opinions. Talking politics with people will likely change nothing. Instead, talk about Jesus, who can change everything! Our objective is not winning arguments, but winning people to Christ.

Use wisdom when you offer to pray with someone...

Be discreet, especially in a public place. Ask their permission before praying with them. If the opportunity is not appropriate to pray at that time with individuals, tell them that you will be praying for them.

May God open doors for you to share Christ with those who are spiritually lost in this time of incredible crisis and opportunity.

Randy Hurst, Assemblies of God Commission on Evangelism ©2003 A/G Evangelism Commission, Duplication is encouraged for free distribution.