February 20, 2014

Witnessing - Why Should We Share the Gospel? Part 1

Why Should We Share the Gospel?
based on the book entitled, 'Engage, A Practical Guide to Evangelism'

Sharing the Good News in some countries is dangerous. Countries such as Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Sudan are hostile to Christians. They face oppression, cultural isolation, severed family ties and outright physical death.


There is another place that is overtly hostile to the gospel: Our Own Hearts.

Our hearts are the seat of our emotions and motivations and lock us into our daily and overall life directions.

“The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” –Jeremiah 17:9

Our hearts give birth to many vices such as lust, hatred and anger. That is why Solomon gave good spiritual counsel
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” -Proverbs 4:23

Are all Christians called to share the gospel?
Yes! The Great Commission commands us to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,..." -Matthew 28:19.

Why do you think many Christians don’t personally share the gospel?
Fear is the main reason why Christian don't share their faith. The reason for that fear takes shape in the following forms.

Fear
1. Fear of giving wrong or confusing information
2. Fear of not being able to respond to questions
3. Fear of outright personal rejection

Here is good news. We have a natural desire to communicate who or what we love. Just look at Facebook, Twitter and the like. Even without social media, we offer a running commentary on song lyrics, T.V shows and movies. To speak of what we love seems to be in our DNA.

Overcoming Fear
1. Recognize that fear is natural
2. Recognize fear is not from God but tool of Satan
3. Love will disperse fear
4. Fear should drive us to a greater dependence on God
5. Fear should increase our desire to become more skilled in sharing Christ
6. Fear can used to drive us to develop sensitivities and skills in sharing the greatest story ever told

We have Purpose

In Matthew 16, Jesus asked is disciples who they thought he was. Peter answered “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

Jesus responded and said, “upon this rock, I will build my church.”

What do think Jesus meant when He said “upon this rock…?” (v18)
It was Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah that is the “rock.”

more to come...



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