HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH

Romans 10:9-15

INTRODUCTION

a. Witnessing may be the most fearful task we are commanded to to

b. Somehow we think that we must be perfect or "sinless" before anyone will listen

c. Many remain silent because of this fear

1. Paul Harvey said, "Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium."

d. During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins. Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there.

After investigating, they reported, "The only silver we could find is in the statues of the saints standing in the corners."

To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied, "Good! We'll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!"

e. Today I want to get you into circulation by giving you some handles that will help you in this area.

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

a. God Commands us to Witness (Share our faith)

1. Great Commission

2. The Scripture We read this morning

3. It is not optional - it is a command

b. God Empowers us to witness

1. Acts 1:8 - Receive POWER - Dynamite

2. We are not alone - He is with us

3. Gospels tell us He will give us words to say

c. The Holy Spirit goes before us preparing the way

1. Much of the work is in breaking ground in a person's heart

2. Sometimes we get to sow or water or reap - all are necessary

3. You will find real creative ways to open conversations

a. Watts experience

d. Winning the person has always been God's responsibility

1. We are called on to share what we know - It is God's job to produce fruit

2. We cannot coerce anyone into salvation

a. That is what was wrong with the crusades and other "Holy Wars"

e. Definition: Successful Witnessing is sharing Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.

II. WHY SHARE YOUR FAITH

a. Because God Commands it

b. Because people need it

1. Bible says people are "Lost" and need a savior

2. My generation was called the "restless" generation and surely today's must be the "aimless" generation

3. Jesus gives purpose to life and living

c. Here are the results from a new Gallup survey called, The Unchurched American, 1988. Findings from the Gallup survey of 2,556 adults who were not church-goers:

1. The survey reports that 44% of U.S. adults are "unchurched", defined as neither belonging to a church nor visiting one within the last six months except for religious holidays, weddings and funerals.

2. The unchurched are becoming increasingly receptive to what churches have to offer, and are staying away primarily out of inconvenience, not hostility.

3. 63% of the unchurched believe the Bible is God's Word.

4. 77% say they pray to God.

5. 72% believe Jesus is the Son of God.

6. 58% said they were open to joining a church if they found the right one.

7. Gallup's conclusion: These people are ripe for the picking, but it will take new and creative strategies to reach them.

d. You know people in you family, friends, or work who are not Christians or who are unchurched

1. Statistics show that you know atleast eight - that make our potential congregation nearly 2000 - Interesting

e. You are not to wait for a church program - you go into the community and share what you know

III. WHAT TO SHARE

a. Greatest fear is not knowing what to share

b. We share what a person needs in order to become a Christian not all that is involved in being a Christian

c. Your Personal Testimony is a good place to begin

d. Here is a simple outline

1. God Loves You and has a plan for your life

2. Mankind is sinful and therefore cannot experience God's love

3. Jesus Christ is God's Provision for our sin - through Him you can experience God's Love and Forgiveness

4. You must individually receive Christ as Savior and Lord

IV. TAKE THE INITIATIVE

a. Open the conversations

b. Invite that to come to church with you

1. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, Alexander Whyte pastored a large church in Edinburgh. During that time, a salesman by the name of Rigby would travel to Edinburgh regularly just to hear him preach. He would often invite other businessmen to accompany him to the services. One Sunday morning he asked a fellow traveler to go to church with him. Reluctantly, the man said yes. When he heard Whyte's message, he was so impressed that he returned with Rigby to the evening meeting. As the preacher spoke, the man trusted Christ as his Savior. The next morning, as Rigby walked by the home of Pastor Whyte, he felt impressed to stop and tell him how his message had affected the other man's life. When Whyte learned that his caller's name was Rigby, he exclaimed, "You're the man I've wanted to see for years!" He went to his study and returned with a bundle of letters. Alexander Whyte read Rigby some excerpts -- all telling of changed lives. They were men Rigby had brought to hear the gospel. Like the Samaritans who had been led to Jesus by the woman at the well, these men "believed in Him because of the word" of Rigby.

c. Make a list of the people you know who are either not Christians or unchurched

1. Begin to pray for them

2. Look for opportunities to open the conversation

3. Invite them to come with you to church

4. Be faithful in asking and sharing with them

d. The Musical Drama at Easter will be a great opportunity for this

1. Don't have to wait till then

e. God has no plan but man - we are his messengers to the people around us

WE MUST SHARE OUR FAITH

BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER

HYMN # 407 I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY