Witnessing The Witness: How Do I Share Jesus?
INTRO: Have you ever wondered about witnessing? What are we to witness about? What is our witness? What can we expect? How should we plan to witness? Or why witness at all? I want to try and answer these questions today.
Afraid? That might explain most of our feelings about witnessing. But should we be? The Lord will help us. Toady, I want to look at how do I get the chance to tell others about Jesus? Let’s get started.
We must want to share
Do you have a reason to share?
Are you excited about your Savior?
Is there a better gift you can possibly give others?
How do I get them to listen?
Life comes at you fast! – part of the need is to get them to pause and meet the power of God’s Word and Holy Spirit
Telling them A, B, C, and D may not really get them to listen
If they can answer the right questions will that help them find the answers?
What are five questions that will help them to pause and reflect?
William Fay found responding to these questions as they are answered with a “Hmmmmmpppphhhh……” instead of arguing with them and going to the next question after a small pause to be effective.
Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
To you, who is Jesus?
Do you think there is a heaven of hell?
If you died, where would you go?
If what you are believing is not true would you want to know?
May I share some scriptures?
Hebrews 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God’s Word can speak to you
Romans 10:17 KJV So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Luke 10:26 KJV He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest
thou?
Let them learn from and listen to God’s Word
Asking them, What does this scripture say to you?”
Help them find scripture and let the Holy Spirit do His work
We can mark this NT with some page numbers and highlight the scriptures to help us/others find the pages and scriptures they need to see.
So, the plan is to let them read each scripture and ask them to read it aloud (faith comes by hearing) and what it says to them. If they do not understand it, or get the wrong idea, have them read it aloud again. When they get it right, we can move to the next scripture.
(KJV & HOLMAN CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE)
Romans 3:23 KJV For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 HCSB For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of: Everyone has sinned.
Romans 6:23 KJV For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 HCSB For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of: Sin brings death, but God gives life through His Son.
Show them the word “through” or “in” and tell them being a Christian is a relationship, not a religion.
John 3:3 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3 HCSB Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This verse you ask something different – you draw a cross in your Bible to remind you of this exception.
Looking for equivalent of: He came to die for sin.
John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6 HCSB Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of:
There is no other way to be with God except through Jesus.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV 9That 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.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 HCSB 9if you
confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with
the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of:
If I believe God raised Jesus from the dead, I can be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:15 KJV And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:15 HCSB And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of:
We should live for Christ.
Revelation 3:20 KJV Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20 HCSB Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
You ask, What does this say to you?” Looking for equivalent of:
If I ask Jesus to come into my life, He will.
The key here is we must allow Him into our lives.
Seeking a commitment
Do you want forgiveness of your sins?
Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again?
Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?
Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart?
This last question is a good time to be quiet and let the Holy Spirit work. Here you should be praying silently.
If they are not ready to invite Him, we can ask, “Why?”
We should expect success, but know it will not always happen.
Good questions to ask after their prayer of salvation.
1
John 2:2 KJV And he is the
propitiation [atoning sacrifice] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also
for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2 HCSB 2He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,
and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
How many of your sins does Christ remember? None
Hebrews
10:17 KJV And their sins and
iniquities will I remember no more.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he
is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new.
Hebrews 10:17 HCSB He adds: I will never again remember their
sins and their lawless acts.
2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new
creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
Where does Christ life? Within me.
Galatians 2:20 KJV I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I
live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 HCSB and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.
Let’s pray…
Pray in everyday language thanking Him for this new believer.
Who has been praying for you? Might be a grandma, mother, dad, friend, etc.
Do you know where your friend/family member goes to church?
IF it is a Bible-based church, Let’s call him/her now.
May I take you to church?
Would you read the book of John?
May I call you tomorrow? – to see if the Word is different now.
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 4101908am