INTRODUCTION (Taken directly from chapter 1 of Becoming a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg)

Transcription

1 SHARING YOUR FAITH: Part 1 Credit - Becoming a Contagious Church, by Mark Millelberg Credit - Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Bill Hybels Credit Mark Driscoll on Acts Sharing your faith (Title slide) INTRODUCTION (Taken directly from chapter 1 of Becoming a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg) Today we start a new series called Sharing your faith. The Christian word for that is Evangelism. Evangelism It has become a word that evokes feelings of fear and trepidation for even the boldest believer... Today, I want to peel back the layers and get to the heart of why evangelism has this reaction on us, but equally, why it is so important, and why God is wanting to rekindle an evangelistic fire inside of our hearts for the lost. So before I proceed let me just say that I have been really helped by two books, the first is Becoming a Contagious Christian and the second is Becoming a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg, and Bill Hybels. I have shamelessly borrowed from their material. It is Holy Spirit inspired stuff and I know it s what we need to be hearing today. So, let s begin! Evangelism. It s one of the highest values in the church and sadly, one of the least practiced. We all believe in it It s in our bibles. bulletin, it s in our worship songs, and it s in our statement of belief. It s explained in our theology books, encouraged in our seminaries and small groups and its preached from our pulpit. Most Christian leaders, list it as a top priority for a local church. There is little doubt, that evangelism is meant to be central to what we are supposed to be all about. The irony however, is that while many of our churches and denominations have a rich heritage, and a strong reputation for evangelism, in many churches today, in 2017, precious little evangelism is actually happening! Let s be honest people, in most ministries, very few people are being reached for Christ. Yet Jesus commanded: Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. (Mat 28:19-20) This mandate, known by Christians as the Great Commission, was given to all Christian churches of all time including King of Kings. It has not been revoked by God, or called back for revision. The plan stands. Nothing has changed from God s side. 1

2 So, since I trust we are all agreed, that according to God, we are supposed to be carrying out the great commission with full fervour, why aren t we doing more about it? I think we have to begin by Acknowledging that there is a problem. What s the problem well, there are a few! Studies show that most Christians don t have very many if any friendships with non-christians. That s a problem. If all of our buddies are from church and none of us are ever hanging out with non-christians - we ve got a problem! Here s another problem The majority of church members can no longer quote the words of John 3:16 - about God s great love for the world - much less articulate how to clearly describe the gospel. So we ve got believers who don t know their bibles and who don t know how to articulate what they believe. That s a problem! Further studies show - a mere 14 percent of pastors claim that their churches are heavily involved in evangelism. 14%. That s scary. I wonder, what the percentage would be of our church, as to how many of us here at King of Kings regularly - at least once a week - share our faith in Christ with someone else, and challenge others to believe? 50% of us? 40% of us? 30%? 20%? 10%? 5%? 1%? 0%? Come on church! Let s buck that trend. Bill Hybels once said this; If you went to the airport, and there were no airplanes landing, and there were no airplanes taking off, you d say; There s a problem! If you went to a train station, and there were no trains coming, and no trains leaving, you d say; There s a problem! So why is it that we can be a part of churches that go on year after year with almost no truly unchurched people coming to faith in Christ, and yet think; There s no problem! Friends, if that describes our church, then; There is a problem! You see church We talk a good game, but our actions speak louder than our words. Do we really care about lost people? Are we convinced that everyone we know, without exception, needs to find the forgiveness, friendship, life, and leadership Jesus offers? Do we truly believe in hell and that our friends and family members will end up there if they don t trust in Christ before they die? Do we really believe that? And if so, are we willing to stretch ourselves and take risks to warn them? And are we willing to invest our time and energy, and resources, in becoming a church that will attract, challenge, and teach them how to step across the line of faith? Jesus commissioned us, you and I, to become communicators of his love and truth. That means, he asks us to become contagious Christians and to build a contagious church, that will do whatever is necessary, with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to bring more and more people to Him. 2

3 If you love Jesus, your spirit should be saying Yes Neil! That s right! I long to become that kind of Christian and to be a part of that kind of church! I really want to impact people s lives and eternities! Who can say amen to that? Listen carefully church you and I were made to fulfil the great commission. I believe evangelism is the primary reason God left us here on this green earth. We can spend all of eternity worshipping Him, learning from his word, praying, and encouraging one another. Kumbaya! All of that is important. But its only here and now that we can reach lost people for Christ. We must seize the opportunity! So what will it take? Acknowledge the problem church. Repent for where you and I have not been obedient. Ask for God s forgiveness. And then get up again, and do it right this time. But we need more motivation than that, let s get into God s word. First point this morning LOST PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD One of the central thrusts of Jesus ministry was to address this issue and challenge his followers to change their view of those outside the family of God. One day Jesus was teaching in a sizable area, and he found himself surrounded by a big crowd of irreligious people. Undesirables. The unconvinced. The spiritually confused. The broken. The imperfect. People God surely wouldn t have any use for? I mean, they were unrighteous, uncool, un-everything! Off to the side there was a huddle of religious leaders who were shaking their heads and talking to each other in muffled tones. They were complaining about the fact that Jesus, who claimed to be the son of the Holy God, was hanging out with well, let s just say those kinds of people! Take a look at Luke 15:1; Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Scandal! Skande! Basically, Jesus was spending time with irreligious people. And God s so called children and followers looked down on this, and were offended that Jesus welcomed lost sinners, and spent time with them, and built relationships with them. And Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and it made him mad! So he moved the whole procession over to where those in the holy huddle were standing. And in a steady, but forceful tone, He began to tell a powerful series of stories. He began his like this he said; Luke 15:4-7; 4 Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says Rejoice with me I have found my lost sheep. 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. 3

4 Jesus paused for a moment. Everyone was still listening. So He went on 8 Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn t she light a lamp sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, Rejoice with me I have found my lost coin. 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Jesus stopped again and looked around. Maybe he wondered if they were all still with him. Then he went on again There was a man who had two sons The younger one said to his father Father, give me my share of the estate So he divided his property between them 13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, How many of my father s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Then I think Jesus gazed into the eyes of his listeners and thought there! Three stories. That ought to make an impression! You see, this is the only recorded time Jesus ever told three parables in a row. Generally, he would pick up on something where people had a misunderstanding about something, and he would tell a story to clarify the issue, and then he would move on. But not this time This particular time, Jesus was really upset over the discussion the religious leaders were having about who matters to God and who doesn t. 4

5 So much so that he decided to clear it up once and for all. He never wanted there to ever be any confusion on this again. So he told not one, not two, but three stories rapid fire to make sure everybody understands who really matters to God. And here s the truth it s not just the Christians. In fact, He is quite happy the 99 are were they are meant to be, it s the one stray that he is worried about. Here s the truth Something of great value was missing something, or someone that mattered. Lost people matter to God. The missing sheep was very important to the shepherd. The lost coin was vital to the woman s survival. It should go without saying, the wayward son mattered greatly to his Father. Just like my lost locknut has a very specific plan and purpose. Lost people are important to God. And he has a plan and purpose for them. And he wants them back! Do you see it church????? Jesus was showing us, through these three simple stories, that these people the wanderers, the lost, the spiritually confused have enormous value to our heavenly Father. They matter to God. God s love is enormous friends. It s a love that made a way. It s a love so powerful that it says, even though you re way off track, you still matter to Me! You really do! Friends, the stories Jesus told us in Luke 15, teach us, that you have never locked eyes with another human being who isn t valuable to God. When this fact grips you to the core of your being, you ll never be the same. Even in a crowd of millions of people, you do not go unnoticed by God. All people matter to Him, and therefore, they d better matter really matter to us. LOST PEOPLE SHOULD MATTER TO US AS BELIEVERS Okay Neil you say. I m convinced. People matter to God. People should matter to us. But how much? And what does that really mean for me. Well, here is the second truth that comes out of these three stories. That which was missing was important enough to warrant an all-out search. The sheep got lost, and the shepherd went out looking until he found it. The coin was missing, so the woman hunted through her house until she found it. In the story of the prodigal son, the father exercised restraint because he respected his boy s freedom and wanted to let him learn some hard lessons. But his eyes kept scanning the horizon, waiting for the day when his son would come back home. Friends, when you really value something, and it winds up lost, you just naturally want to search for it. If you really value lost people you will begin an all-out search for them. 5

6 Jesus said He came to earth to seek and save the Lost and right before he left he said, as the father is sending me, now I am? Sending you! Were all being sent to find lost ones. Were on a mission. Deep in every true Christian heart, there is an awareness that we are on this planet for purposes greater than having a career, paying the bills, loving our families, and being upstanding citizens! What is absent in the lives of so many believers? I believe it is this God wants us to become contagious Christians his agents who will first catch his love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it! Christians it's time to declare an all-out search and rescue mission. Lost people matter to God. Lost people should matter to us. Lost people should matter to our church. LOST PEOPLE SHOULD MATTER TO OUR CHURCH We also need more than just enthusiastic and equipped Christians, we need the synergy of a church that is outwardly focused, and evangelistically active. Jesus promised; I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. (Mat 16:18). Friends, Church s that are not convinced that the gates of hell shall not prevail against them they act like it. And the gates of hell claim victory. Are we convinced? Or are we letting the gates of hell prevail against us???!!! We can t let that happen!!! Not on our watch!!!!!! I want King of Kings to be a church were we plunder the gates of hell!!!! One problem is that many churches have been around for so long, that they ve lost sight of why they were created in the first place. Let me remind us all Clarifying the mission When people ask you what our mission is, what purpose is, or what are we trying to do don t let them see a blank stare or a puzzled look on your face. Don t give them a lame answer Like, you know! We re a church! Doing church stuff! No! What s our mission? Love God, Love People, Make Disciples. That s it. A big part of this is evangelism! Jesus gave us our universal missions statement in the great commandment, and any church that neglects any aspect of it is disregarding his mandate. 6

7 As I close today, I just want to end by breaking a view stereotyples, and myths that are out there about evangelism at the moment BREAKING SOME MYTHS Here s the first Sharing your faith is not a one size fits all find your style I know some of you are worried about this series maybe you are even thinking about bunking church for the next few weeks I want to reassure you I know that most of us here will never hold a candle to Billy Graham, and that many of us have butterflies in the stomach just thinking of talking to a neighbour about Jesus. But God has called each of us to share our faith but in a way that fits your personality and style. You don t have to be someone you re not to share your faith. Some people are more of a direct style that s just who they are. If that s you, be you! Others have a more intellectual style. You re inquisitive, analytical, and you love to debate. That s awesome! Use that for God s glory! There are others who are great storytellers, this is more of a testimony style where you re great at sharing from your personal experience as to how God saved you. Others have a very relational style, were you re warm, and make friends easily. Use that. Other s have a serving style, where you love to show love through actions, and that s great and powerful as well. While the style is personal the command to tell others about Jesus and to seek the lost is for everyone there is no get out clause. It is not just for evangelists. But here s another thing I want to touch on You don t always have to earn the right to be heard just share it! Yes, relational evangelism plays a vital role. In this series we want to equip you to share you faith naturally and effectively. People come to Christ one life at a time and usually through the influence of one or two authentic Christians who have built relationships with them. All believers can and should have that kind of impact on the people around them. But, don t let having to build a relationship become a copout. You don t always have to earn the right to be heard. There are many examples in scripture where there is no relationship, but the gospel gets preached, and people get saved. In fact, in the book of Acts, the apostles strategy seems to be this Step 1: Pull into town and say something controversial and offensive. Step 2: Wait for a crowd to show up. Step 3: Preach the gospel and call people to repent of sin and trust in Jesus. Step 4: Get out of town before being murdered. Step 5: Send in people like Timothy and Titus to straighten things out and establish a local church by gathering the converts. Step 6: Repeat the process. You get the idea! In Acts, What we do not see in is Paul taking years or decades to befriend people before he feels he has the right to tell them about sin and Jesus. In 7

8 short, he does not have a lot of relationships. In fact, he has more enemies than friends and seems to initiate far more riots than group hugs. But he does win a lot of converts because he preaches and God blesses. Friends, I love friendship and relationship evangelism. I think it s the way to go. But don t spend decades playing chess and drinking coffee waiting for an opportunity to share, because you may never get it. Life is short. Eternity is long. Hell is hot. Forever s a long time. Get to the point. Tell them. You need Jesus. Let me talk to you about him. In or out? Sometimes there has to be a sense of urgency. Just share it, and God says; You ll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You ll be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Lastly, I won t lie It won t always be easy and it won t always go well but it s worth the risk! We live in a day when everyone is okay with your Christian faith as long as you keep it to yourself! Keep it private. Friends, I m sorry. But we can t keep it private. I know it s not PC. But JC is not very PC! The New Testament church continued growing in large part through preaching Jesus to groups large and small. Virtually the only chapters of Acts that do not include preaching, are when the preachers are in prison for preaching and therefore temporarily unable to preach. We live in a day when everyone is okay with your Christian faith as long as you keep it private. This is a tragedy, because it means we are withholding Jesus from people who are hurting, suffering, and dead in their sin. Do you talk about Jesus on social media? Does your family know you are a Christian? You may attend church, but do your co-workers know where you spend Sunday morning? Are you a student in a university class? When the topic of Christianity comes up and the conversation is not very positive, do you speak up and maybe say, Since you brought it up, I d like to talk about Jesus? Some of us don t go public with our faith because we don t want to be persecuted. I get it. Peter went public, and he was crucified. But here s the big idea: someone went public for you. Someone took the risk of offending you and told you about Jesus. It s your turn now. Friend, the goal of life for the believer is not to escape without getting persecuted for your faith. As Christians, we want to finish this earthly life with converts who will join us with Jesus in heaven. In order for this to happen, our faith has to be public. You don t need to be rude about it, but you do need to be honest, and do it. You never know when you are going to have an opportunity to talk to people about Jesus, so be prepared. We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile towards 8

9 Christianity. We need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we obey the Scriptures, repent of sin, and walk in humility, we will learn to trust the Spirit. Talking about Jesus may never feel safe and easy, but speak up and the courage will come by faith. Open your mouth, talk about Jesus, and trust the Holy Spirit to do his work. I end with this verse Jesus said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Let s pray together. 9