August 6, 2023
Morning Service

Are you a Christian?   What does that mean?

These are questions that if you are not ready for them, they can scare you to the point of not being able to think let alone speak.  That is why today with the kids in service, we are going to discuss this subject.  What do I say when I am asked about my faith?  First I want to let you know that it is a difficult task to step out of your comfort zone and try to explain to someone what you believe and why you believe it.  You are not alone in that fear.  Listen to what the Apostle Paul, who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament and shared the Gospel Message constantly with others, felt like when he came to the speak at the church in Corinth, a large prosperous town.

 1Co 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  (2)  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  (3)  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  (4)  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

            He was scared just like us!  He had no idea if they would be receptive to his message or throw him out of town.  He recognized his weakness, but trusted the Spirit of God inside of him, the same Spirit every baptized believer also has, to enable him to speak the truth.  He did not want to win them over with fancy, persuasive words but he simply presented to them the story of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”  He spoke with his heart, not his lips as he truly believed the words he shared are true and powerful. Peter also speaks specifically on this as he addresses the fact that we do not know how the ones we are speaking to will react.

I Peter 3:13-15 NLT Now who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you suffer for doing good what is right, God will reward you for it.  So don’t be afraid and don’t worry.  Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life and if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to answer it.  But you must this in a gentle and respectful way.  Keep your conscience clear then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

·        Peter tells us not to worry about their reaction.  Even if they don’t agree and make fun of you or even persecute you, God will reward you for obeying and doing the right thing.

·        We are commanded to be ready to answer these questions of our Christian hope (not optional).  Jesus commanded all believers to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19)

·        We must always do it in a gentle, respectful and loving manner; never accusing or judgmental.

·        The key to the power of your testimony is the life they see you living.  To believe what you are saying they have to see you being like Jesus.

 

Where do we start?

1.       Biblical World View:  We believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and is entirely true with no mistakes.  It is the map of our faith.  From it I can learn:

a.      Who God is

b.     Who I am

c.      How to look at life through that truth. The combination of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in my life will change me into the person God created me to be.

d.     I now see the world around me as God sees it, no longer from man’s point of view.  My choices in life will be guided by what the scriptures show me. (Politics, marriage, career)

e.      Everything I need is found there; “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”  (2Pet 1:3)

2.     Your Testimony:  No one can argue with you about what you have experienced along your journey with Jesus.  Be honest and transparent about what drew you to Jesus and what keeps you following Him even when it gets tough.  Share your story with compassion from the heart and don’t be afraid to show your emotions.

a.      He loves me just as I am, but continually invests in me to become more like Jesus.

b.     He gives me a purpose and a foundation of truth to stand on (He brings order to confusion/chaos).

c.      He promises me help for now and hope for the future.

d.     Take time to write down your story of meeting and walking with Jesus.  That story is still being written and changes each day as you learn and experience God in a new refreshing way.  The closer you walk, the greater the story.

3.    The Gospel Message:  Keep it simple and avoid debates (arguments) keeping the focus on Jesus not religion.

a.      God is the Creator of all things and is Holy, Just, Good, and Perfect (Isa. 55:8-9).

b.     Mankind is not and because of that we are not allowed into the presence of God (our sinfulness).  We have no way to perfect ourselves, we need help.

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death (separation from God)

c.      Jesus, the Son of God, came to be our Helper; our Savior.  He lived a sinless life in order to die the death we deserve.  By His resurrection we are assured He completed His mission successfully.  He has paid the wages of our sin and stands to offer us something we could never attain by ourselves.  A gift like no other one.

Rom 6:23 BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

d.      He offers us a gift (not to be earned or paid for) to be reconciled with our Creator and have a relationship with Him.  We choose to love Him because He first loved us.  Jesus paved the road that leads us to God and we can only be saved through Him. 

John 14 :6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

e.      God’s plan is done through love for God is love (I John 4:8) and this gift is given to us because He loves us.

Joh 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

f.       This invitation is for anyone (whosoever) because God wants everyone to be saved.

1Ti 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

g.      We must share the value God has for each and every person regardless of color, background, or abilities.

h.     Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior will change your entire life for the better bringing joy, peace, love, hope, contentment and purpose.  These are all things God has created us to long for.  Jesus completes us.

Col 2:10 You are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

i.       He is all we need, lacking nothing else.  He is the missing piece of the puzzle that completes us.

 

4.     Get Practical:  How can I sprinkle my faith into my everyday life to let people know I am a Christian.

a.      Live what you believe walking always in love and looking to serve those around you.  Cling to things that are good and run from things that are evil; don’t try to “ride the fence” and be part of both worlds. Your life may be the only Bible someone ever reads.

b.     In conversations, often mention God and what His Word tells us about things that are around us.

c.      Be observant of those around you.  If they seem troubled ask about it and offer to pray for them about the issue.  PRAY!  Follow up with them in a few days expecting God to be moved by your prayers.

d.     Invite others to church.  Philip was telling his friend Nathanial about Jesus and he simply challenged him to “Come and See!”  Words cannot truly explain what being a child of God is like, just as pictures often do not do justice to actually being there.  If you invite, that means you have to be faithful as well. 

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that at times it seems difficult for us to share our faith.  We pray for courage to take that first step and begin and then allow us to let the Holy Spirit take control and guide our words in the right direction.  Please speak to and love those around us through us.