Practicing Evangelism in a Post-Christian World
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· 4 viewsA message that examines what the Characteristics of our witness should be.
Notes
Transcript
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
A Christian and a non-believer were walking down a road when Satan appeared before them. The non-believer hid behind the Christian and said, “Protect me. He’s after me!” But the Christian smiled and said, “No, its me he’s after. He has already got you!”
Introduction
Introduction
A look at some recent statistical information will tell you a lot about the direction our country is heading. Murders have increased nearly 30%. Almost 50% of all marriages in the United State will end in divorce. Recent estimates show that about 40 percent of births in the United States occur outside of marriage. Of Americans ages 18 to 29, only 21% report going to church at Bodleast weekly and just 27% say they pray daily. Only 31% of young adults say they believe in God as described by the Bible. 47% of Christian millennials believe it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. This information should be of great concern to us and we as the body of Christ must do something to turn the tide.
Throughout 2022 we have been looking at a variety of themes including Prayer, Worship, Fellowship, Ministry, Discipleship and Evangelism. In our text today we look at the Apostle Peter writing to believers at the beginning of the Church age. Yet this text has significance and meaning to us as Christians at what may well be the end of the church age. Peter writes to believers who would face persecution and suffering and challenges them to take a stand for their faith. We can learn some important lessons about how we might share Christ with other. Let’s examine the Characteristics of our witness today as we look at Practicing Evangelism in a Post-Christian World.
Body
Body
I. The Ambition of a Witness
I. The Ambition of a Witness
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Sometimes Christians have been motivated by pride to be a witness. “Look at what a great Christian I am, I tell others about Jesus>” “See how holy I am, and how unholy you are, join me and be holy too.” This kind of smug arrogance will never draw others to Christ.
The Greek word used here for Sanctify is Hagiazo it literally means set apart, to make holy. We are to set Jesus apart in our own lives, in our hearts and in the mind of others.
In order to Sanctify the Lord God in our hearts we must be:
Saved
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Sanctified
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Serving
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
II. The Answer of a Witness
II. The Answer of a Witness
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Witnessing involves listening:
You need to Hear God’s Word -
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
You need to Hear God’s Spirit
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
You need to Hear the others.
Love - Jesus listened without prejudice
Inquire - Jesus often asked people questions
Stop - Jesus didn’t let busyness keep Him from Listening
Test - Jesus patiently drew out what was inside people
Engage - Jesus stayed in the moment as He ministered to people
Nudge - Jesus lived by example and nudged people to follow.
III. The Attitude of the Witness
III. The Attitude of the Witness
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control.
And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Sometimes Christian witness like a bull in china shop. We do this because we have a bad attitude. We are arrogant, pious, self-righteous. We come across as Holier-than-thou.
Meekness and Fear.
The first rule of medicine - Do No Harm. Hippocratic Oath
Reverence.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Conclusion
Conclusion
47% of Christian millennials believe it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. Maybe the problem isn’t in the sharing, but it is in the Characteristic of our witness. A faithful and valid witness is one with the right ambition - the right answer and the right attitude.
Will you be a witness for Christ this week?