A Faith Worth Sharing
Sermon Review
19 March 2000
Reading - Acts 11:19-26
Sharing the Christian Faith is necessary for at least the two following reasons:
- It is part of Discipleship (Matt.28:19,20). There are two images that depict discipleship. They are the cross (Matt.16:24,25) and the yoke (Matt.11:28). Too easily do we think that Jesus simply came to give salvation and dismiss the fact that He came to call people into discipleship.
- Coming to understand the Christian Faith and experience Christ more fully requires sharing our faith personally (Philemon 6).
In Acts 11 a major turning point occurred in the spread of the gospel as those fleeing from the persecution triggered by Stephen, shared the Christian faith as they went. Four different Greek words are used in this passage which highlight different aspects of sharing - v19 'spoke'; v20 'preached; v23 'exhorted; v26 taught. The most valuable for us is the first one: 'spoke'. This word means to 'talk', to 'speak conversationally', 'to gossip'. This is the example that all Christians are to follow. You don't have to be a gifted evangelist, but simply willing to talk about and talk up the faith in daily encounters with people. This is important for us for this church will only grow if we are willing to share our faith with others. If you think for a moment you will soon realise that one or many others had to share both verbally and non-verbally with you at some time for you to make that decision to give your life to Christ.
Fundamental Aspects of Sharing:
- 'Nown: (known) The first important step is to be willing to be known as a Christian at work or play, home or away. Jesus expects his disciples to be visible (Matt.5:13-16). If we do not, then any goodness that they see in us will never be attributed to God, and we will receive the glory, not God.
- Nourished: a seed placed in soil without any nourishment will very soon die (Matt.13:18-23). The same with our sharing with others - we need to be fertilizing it. For example, through prayer, kindness, fun, tolerance, and humanness not religiosity! People need to see that we are human and not religious machines with a plastic smile painted on our faces. Don't try and hide your ups and downs; instead share them. Others respect honesty, not hypocrisy.
- Needed: the people that you are sharing with desperately need to hear the gospel. There is a very real judgment coming (2Thess.1:6-10). Not only this, people's sanity, well-being, character development and coping ability in life depend on it also (John.10:10). Never lose sight of the desperate straits that people are in without Christ.
Conclusion:
Becoming a Christian is not simply an event, but a process. This means that we are all process workers. Because there are often so many obstacles in peoples lives which make coming To Christ difficult, don't think that you have to do all the work. What you contribute is only a link in a chain. Some reap, others sow (1Cor.3:5-9). Don't feel like you have to say it all! With some you will only be able to love and care and show kindness, with others you will have verbal opportunities that may only include aspects of the gospel. Don't worry, it is God who does the converting, not you. He is the one orchestrating the final product. You just do what you can and leave the outcomes up to God. However, one good method of preparation is to have a 1-minute Gospel message and a 1-minute story outlining how and why you became a Christian, up your sleeve. This way you can always be ready to have something to share quickly, as the opportunities arise. Be intentional and prayerful about your sharing though, for God will provide you with opportunities. Use them and enjoy the blessing of playing an important part in others coming to know Christ.
Blessings