Original youtube description:
This morning, we’re continuing our new message series entitled, “Share It” where we’re learning different ways to share the good news about Jesus; the gospel.
Whether or not someone chooses to put their faith in Jesus and be saved is up to them. Whether or not they ever have the opportunity to make that decision is up to us. After all:
Romans 10:13-17 (NLT)13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
We have some good news to share with those around us!
Last week, we learned about an evangelism tool known as the Romans Road. With just a few verses from Romans, we can share the simple message that:
All of us are born into sin.
The penalty for sin is death.
Jesus was not born into sin and never chose to sin.
Jesus gave His sinless life as a payment for our sin.
Everyone who calls out in faith to Jesus to save them are saved and forgiven of all their sin.
This week, we’re learning about another evangelism tool that God has given every one of His followers; our testimony! In fact, the longer that we journey with Jesus through life, the more testimonies that we likely have.
A testimony is just a story of what God did for us or through us personally in the past. If we stop and think about it, the bulk of what the Bible consists of are testimonies. It is historical accounts of what God did for and through His people.
Though there are times when it is appropriate, sharing scripture verses and starting with the truth that we’re all sinners can be confrontational and offensive and argued with.
If that’s what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do, then He has already prepared the hearer to receive it. If not, it might not be the right tool for the job.
God’s word is a sword. When used correctly, it can demolish the work of the enemy and bring salvation, deliverance, and healing to the lost.
When used incorrectly, it can injure, kill, and even further divide the lost from God instead of reconciling them to Him.
It could be like harvesting tomatoes with a chain saw and bucket when the gentleness and personal touch of a hand and a basket are what are really needed.
Our testimonies are typically encouraging, non-confrontational, personal, relatable, and difficult to argue with.
They are also easier to understand and apply to other’s lives than philosophical or ideological teachings from the scripture.
Our testimonies are far more significant and powerful than we may realize!
Revelation 12:7-12
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”
Satan knows that his time is short. He has been kicked out of Heaven along with the angels that chose to follow his rebellion now called demons. He knows that his ultimate defeat is coming soon and so he leads the world astray from God.
We overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, that is, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, and the word of our testimony.
Satan is leading the world astray, but we turn the world back to God through our testimony.
It should not be surprising to us, then, that it can be so difficult for us to share our testimony. There is such overwhelming opposition within us to be bold enough to share our faith because when we do, Satan loses!
What God has done before, He wi…
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