Tell Someone
My brother Dave, who's preached here in my absence, used to be big into comic books when I was a kid. I'd read whatever he had lying around. There was one Marvel comic called "What If...?" An animated series was even made for Disney+ based on the comic book. The "What if...?" series explored how the Marvel Universe might have unfolded differently if key moments in its history had not occurred as they did in the original comics. Like - what if a radioactive spider bit someone other than Peter Parker? Who then might have become Spiderman? Or - what if Captain America didn't become frozen in ice for decades? What would that look like?
Of course it's all speculation and fiction, but along those lines - what I want us to think about is this – what if the person who first introduced you to Jesus never did? What if the person who first invited you to Church never did? How completely different would your life be now? What might your future look like if that person had never talked to you about Jesus? It's an interesting thought exercise.
I want us to look at the Apostle Paul's words about Jesus in Romans 10:11-14 (NIV)...
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (12) For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, (13) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
What if no one had ever shared with you? That's why part of our mission at Deep River is to…
I. Go share
In modern society today there's a negative connotation with the word 'preaching'. People don't like to be 'preached at'. When Paul says 'preaching', he's not just talking about some guy standing on a soap box shouting down demands and judgment. He's talking about someone who shares a divine truth with someone else. Preaching the Gospel message is about sharing with people how they can find real hope for today and for the future.
I've always liked the analogy that sharing the Gospel message is like one hungry beggar telling another beggar where to find food. The Good News isn't about condemning or criticizing - but grace and hope! Many times, it's simply saying something like…
A. Come and see
The perfect example of this kind of sharing is found in the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well found in John 4:25-30 (NIV)...
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." (26) Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he." (27) Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
(28) Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, (29) "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (30) They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
She didn't shout at the people how wrong they were or try to engage them in some theological argument. She simply said, 'come and see'. Anyone can do that. It's a simple invitation. The Samaritan woman told people about her experience with Jesus. Perhaps it's as simple as telling people about your experience with Jesus..? What has Jesus done for you?
Back when I was at Lincoln Christian College, I was a representative of the school on what was called a 'camp team'. We visited different weeks of Christian summer camps and provided music, worked as rec. directors or taught classes – whatever was needed. In our training to go out and work, we had to prepare what was called a "W.I.C." – (which stands for)...
B. Why I came
A "W.I.C." was a short, simple story telling why I came to Lincoln. We would be working with Jr. High and H.S. students and needed to have a brief story we could share at a moment's notice at either a campfire or in a class or even just 'one on one' with a student. Every person's 'WIC' was different based on their own experiences – but every 'WIC' had one thing in common - Jesus. Kids might relate with my experience, but ultimately they were being asked to respond to Jesus.
People can argue over theology, they can fight about organized religion - but how can you deny what Jesus has done for me in my relationship with Him? That's something tangible - something I know in my heart. It's not something I have to memorize or defend - but it's something extremely personal.
A person can tell me how they don't really feel the need for Church or they can argue about denominations or Church politics - but my personal story isn't really about persuading them but simply sharing the truth as I have experienced it. **There's a definite time and place to discuss Biblical truths and the finer points of theology or Biblical values.** And I'm not suggesting that truth is subjective - but sharing my experience, rather than arguing, may bring another person to the point where they can then hear truth without feeling judged.
- Why are you here? Why did you first come to Deep River? Maybe you left Church for a season - but why did you come back? What is it that you found that makes a difference? Why did you feel the need to give your life to Jesus? Whatever your answer - how can anyone argue with that? And these simple stories of our life experience with the Church, with Jesus - these things make up the building blocks of the big, nerve-racking, anxiety inducing 'Christian' word...
II. Evangelism
It's not really a word we use in our everyday life but it doesn't have to feel so foreign or intimidating. The meaning of the word translated as 'evangelist' is basically, 'one who brings a message of good news'. Paul wrote, speaking of Jesus...
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
'Evangelism' is what an 'evangelist' does - to share the Gospel message. And its purpose is to work in conjunction with the Body, the Church, to build us all up - for all of us to work together to become more like Jesus.
But based on this passage, I've heard some say, 'I just wasn't given the gift of evangelism.' While it's true that some are given an obvious gift to excel at 'evangelism' - sharing the Good News - that doesn't mean the responsibility lies solely with them. Everyone who's called to follow Jesus is called to share His message of hope.
I want to jump back to our story again of the woman at the well from John 4:39-42 (NIV)...
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." (40) So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. (41) And because of his words many more became believers. (42) They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
When you say 'come and see' to another person, when you explain why you came to Deep River in the first place – it's your personal experience. Maybe it's easier to approach evangelism, rather than looking at it as preaching, we think about it as…
A. Just talking
The woman at the well just talked to the people. They then came and saw Jesus for themselves and then believed that He was indeed the Savior. - It's not really your job to save someone. Jesus is the only one who can get anyone to Heaven. Your job is a whole lot easier than saving someone. Your job is to just talk, to share.
As amazing a missionary as Paul was in the New Testament, even he understood his power to persuade people wasn't in his own ability to save anyone. His job was to pray, and then just talk.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (19) Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Paul knew it really wasn't up to him to convert anyone. It wasn't dependent on his personal eloquence or brilliance, but upon his reliance on the power of God's Holy Spirit in him! Paul asked for prayers so that he would be brave enough to just talk – and God would do the rest. He trusted that God would give him the right words for the right people to lead them to their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why is it so important that we 'evangelize', that we talk to people about Jesus and invite a friend to Church services?
B. Eternity is at stake
I'm not trying to be overly dramatic, but I don't think you can be overly dramatic when it comes to the significance of a person's eternal destiny. It's that important! I said earlier that there's a definite time and place to discuss Biblical truths and the finer points of theology - this is that time. We just looked last week at the truth in scripture in John 14:6 (NIV)...
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
There's no ambiguity there. Jesus doesn't say He is 'a' way or 'one out of many ways' - Jesus clearly says He is The way to the Father. There are a lot of people who have never clearly heard that truth - and they need to, or they'll be separated from their Creator for eternity.
Quite a few years back, on the show America's Got Talent - there was a Gospel choir competing. They were very talented, but as far as I could tell, they were Gospel only in the style of their music. I'm not judging them. I don't know them and don't know if they were believers – but there was an exchange that illustrated what many believe to be the Gospel message. Their director was asked if he had a message to pass to the viewers and he said, "Believe in yourself." That's a nice affirmation - but as far as the Gospel, that's actually the exact opposite of the Gospel message.
Jesus never told me to believe in myself. Jesus said, 'Believe in Him'! I may be able to muster up a positive attitude by believing in myself - and it's good to have a positive attitude. But without believing in Jesus, I'll still end up in Hell. I don't mean to be flippant, but eternity is at stake here! I want to be crystal clear.
Again, just last week we looked at the passage where Peter said...
Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Many of you know my sister Missy who works with Dune's Hospice as a Chaplain. Previous to becoming a chaplain, she was a full time Children's Minister at a large Church. As was her habit, she posted her schedule for up-coming lessons but was then confronted by a rather upset woman. This woman was bothered because one of the lessons centered on the fact that Jesus is The only way to Heaven. The woman didn't want that lesson taught. - She explained that her husband was Hindu and she didn't want her sons confused by thinking that their father would not be in heaven because he didn't believe that Jesus was God's Son.
Missy explained that accepting Jesus as your Savior was God's standard for entering Heaven, not hers. She couldn't change God's standards just so that they would be in agreement with a non-Biblical belief. And how do you think that went over?
Many want all the eternal privileges they believe come with knowing about God, but none of the responsibility that goes along with following Jesus. Many want to be a part of God's Kingdom, but they're unwilling to show any respect for His Word or His Son.
God sacrificed His only Son, Jesus came as 'God in the flesh' to suffer and die for us - to pay the price for our sins! And yet there are those who just expect God to nullify the sacrifice of Jesus and simply open wide the gates of Heaven and tell them that He doesn't mind His Son's sacrifice being ignored and rejected.
The Gospel message is clear on the fact that God made it possible for absolutely everyone to be granted entrance into His Heavenly Kingdom, but entrance can only come to those who accept His Son! And fortunately for us - entrance into Heaven is not based upon how good you are, but upon your willingness to humbly submit and accept His gift of grace in Jesus Christ!
The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 (NIV)...
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eternal life is a "free gift", but it's a gift that must be accepted, and the only way to accept the gift is by accepting Jesus. We can't receive what we won't accept.
So What?
I guess I could sum up sharing the Good News as - you talk, Jesus saves. It's easy to get discouraged when people don't respond the way you think they should when you step out in faith and share Jesus. Trust me, it's not always easy. But, our job is to be faithful, no matter the responses we might get along the way. Our job is to Go Share.
As I spoke at the beginning, thinking about "What if...?" – did your mind wander a bit? Did you think about what your life might have been if the person who shared Jesus with you never did? For those of you whose parents introduced you to Church for the first time - what if you had not been raised in a Christian home? How much differently might your whole life look now?
Where would you be today without Jesus? Who would you be today without Jesus? Continue to pray that God would give you the strength today to GO share Jesus with those around you!