Week of February 14, 2010
- Pastor Duane Cross
- Feb 15, 2010
HOW TO TALK ABOUT JESUS
Many Christians are intimidated by the prospect of a spiritual conversation. Lisa Orvis, director of evangelism for the
1) Be led by the Holy Spirit.
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from
In two short verses, the Spirit of the Lord directs Philip twice—first to a desert road and then to a chariot. First and foremost, evangelism is the work of the Holy Spirit. God is already at work in the lives of people and God is the one drawing people to himself. We have to be open and obedient to where the Spirit is leading us. You never know who might be on the desert road!
2) Be Watchful.
“While Paul was waiting for them in
The only way Paul could be greatly distressed that the city was full of idols was because he was in the city, with the people, in the marketplace every day. If we are not observant, watchful, and engaged in the culture around us, how can we begin a conversation with someone? We have to be in our neighborhood and in the marketplace day by day in order to engage with people and understand what is important in their lives.
3) Be asking questions.
“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked” (Acts 8:30, TNIV).
Philip asks a question, “Do you know what you are reading?” The old saying goes that you only get the answers to the questions you ask. Philip is observant and listens to the eunuch. He doesn’t ask him a question that is totally unrelated or out in left field. He starts right where this man is: Do you know what you are reading?
4) Be ready for the invitation.
“Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean’” (Acts 17:19-20, TNIV).
Paul has engaged these philosophers to the point where they want to understand what it is he is saying. They want to know more. They have never heard such things about Jesus and his resurrection. They have invited him into their circle. Astounding!
As Christians, we tend to believe that we will never be invited into the world of our unbelieving friends. Yet if we are truly living an authentic gospel and if we genuinely care about them, they will want to know more about our lives and our faith. How will you respond? What will you say when someone asks you about what you believe or asks you to explain Jesus to them?
5) Be aware of the big “if”.
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandment…If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:17, 21, TNIV).
Jesus says, “If you want this new life, this life of being one of my disciples, then this is what you need to do.” It is clear, plain, and simple.
We have to allow space for people to see that a decision is required, that following Jesus is a call to completely reorder your life—finances, work, relationships, everything. This is something that takes time for people to process.
Our role in the evangelistic task is not to confront, conquer, convince, or convert anybody to Jesus. God is already at work in the world and in the lives of people. Our role is to participate in that work by dialoguing and sharing the good news that Jesus saves, heals, forgives, and offers us a new life.
Pastor Duane
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