MAKING JESUS KNOWN - SHARE FROM YOUR HEART
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: SHARE FROM YOUR HEART
Main Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-15; Colossians 4:2-6
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Pastor Ryan continued our evangelism series with the importance of not overcomplicating the task of making Jesus known and instead sharing Jesus out of the overflow of your heart. We can do this in two ways according to our scriptures today: Live a Godly life in private and public and be ready with a response for the hope that we have. Pastor Ryan encouraged us that if we revere and honor God in our hearts (in private) then Jesus will naturally flow from our heart (our living and answers) which will make Jesus known. This message is all about planting seeds and letting your life shine Jesus for all to see.
Pastor Ryan recommends this book if you want to learn more about the variety of ways we can make Jesus known in our world.
Notes:
Last week we learned the WHY of going into our world to reach the lost.
The Missio Dei. God is on a gracious and valiant mission to right what was wronged and restore the fellowship that was broken in the garden.
God does not want the wicked to perish and has included us in His Missio Dei to share the good news to those who will believe, repent, and come back to Him.
The burden for reaching and sharing the good news of Jesus with the lost is a flame that may need to be fanned and spurred on and so I gave us a few tips to help stir up passion for the mission and compassion for the lost.
I pray that your heart has been rekindled to join God in His mission and to see, care and help those who do not know Jesus and what He has done for them.
Have you started to evangelize? Maybe you have ramped up your efforts more? Or maybe you haven’t started yet. Perhaps there is something keeping you from starting…Maybe you don’t know how or where to start. Maybe you’ve been trained in evangelism techniques or haven’t learned any at all. Maybe you feel self-conscious about trying to remember all the scriptures and the rehearsed Gospel presentations. Maybe we’ve never tried out of fear of messing up.
Evangelism is simply sharing the gospel of Jesus to everyone around you in various ways.
I think we’ve over complicated the simple joy of telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you today.
Story from John Dickson’s book The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission
Scripture
1 Peter 3:13-15 NIV 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere 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…
Colossians 4:2-6 NLT Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Our scriptures sum up that sharing your faith includes living a life that glorifies God and being ready with a response.
A Life that Glorifies God (Attracting people to God.)
What is a life that glorifies God?
In 1 Peter 3:13-15 A life that glorifies God is…
In the midst of suffering, in the midst of trials, in the midst of persecution people in that day were not seeing fear in the believers or despair from the threats. The believers also didn’t retaliate when persecuted. Instead, the community surrounding this church seeing the joy of the Lord and kindness. It takes more strength to show kindness and joy in the midst of attacks or trials. But that’s why the scripture is true, “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
Verse 15 says, “but in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” That instruction from Peter to the church is more important than we think.
1 Peter 2:11-12 may help us understand…11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Or Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
When we worship Christ and choose to honor Him in every area of our lives, the joy of the Lord, the grace and goodness of Christ is going to shine out of us.
A life that worships God privately will be a life that shines God publicly. Just make sure you don’t cover or hide your light.
Jesus is your life. He’s so much a part of your life you can’t compartmentalize him into a Sunday only ritual.
Your life already speaks a message to people around you. The goal is to speak and paint a picture of the love and truth of God.
Devoted to prayer and praying for open doors to share Jesus (Colossians 4:2-4)
"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:5 NLT
To play on the analogy that Paul uses of doors: You know what verse 5 makes me think of? Live a life that attracts people to God while you’re walking through the hallways of life waiting for an open door.
Secondly, Be Ready With A Response
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6 NLT
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
When you honor God and make Christ Lord in your hearts you’ll be ready for the moment, more than you know.
Peter knows from personal experience that sharing your faith is simply living a life that glorifies or shines God and being ready to respond to people’s questions in Acts 3 and 4
*On one of my prayer walks the Lord dropped the word “Bankrupt” in my heart as I prayed for our world and prayed for this message. As we do life, we’ll encounter all types of lifestyles, circumstances, and needs. There are people hurting, confused, hopeless, and hungry. People are stuck in pits and ruts that they can’t get out of, using drugs, alcohol, sex, pleasure, and things to hopefully fill the longing in their souls, but it’s not working. We’re going to bump into people who are on the verge of even hurting themselves or ending their lives. We’re actually surrounded by people who would be open to hearing more about our faith if we will have the courage to invite them to lunch, a coffee, or church. Yes, people have questions. Overall, people are bankrupt, spiritually. We can’t just look at the poor and destitute, we have to look at the rich and well off too. Without Christ, every person is spiritually bankrupt (Consider the Rich Young Man Jesus evangelized). We are equally bankrupt when we don’t have Jesus and we are equally forgiven and blessed when we do have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The Holy Spirit wants to dwell and fill you so much that you overflow the love and power of God to those around you. When you bump into someone at work or intentionally meet with someone you can minister to this person in a way that’s going to mean more than you expected. God is going to move and work through His Spirit in a powerful way. Will we be there? Will we be a vessel, an instrument?
This is everyday, lifestyle evangelism that speaks volumes to those who are seeking and open.
Let’s not overcomplicate sharing Jesus. He means so much to us and has done so much for us. Choose to let the goodness of Jesus flow from the center of all you do and say.
You're more than ready to share your story and the reason for the hope, the joy, the peace, and the love you have from knowing Jesus.
Discussion:
What lessons stuck out to you from 1 Peter 3 and Colossians 4?
Overall, what stuck out to you from this sermon?
How does living a life that glorifies God in private help us make Jesus known in public?
What would help you be more ready to share Jesus with those around you?
What steps will you take to apply the scripture and sermon presented, today?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!