Tell Someone: How to Lead Others to Christ

Notes: Tell Someone: How to Lead Others to Christ

Pastor Greg

August 9, 2015

Sowing the seed, you can sow the seed others left or others can sow the seed you left.

Oscar Laurie is the man that Greg calls his father. He was one of the several husbands that Greg's mother had. Greg went many years without speaking to him. Greg tracked him down and visited. Shared the Gospel with Oscar, Oscar accepted the Lord with Greg.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

We must be ready to share at anytime.

John 4:28-29 NLT

[28] The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, [29] "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"

1. Your testimony is one of the most effective ways to reach others with the Gospel.

It is a powerful bridge to reach others.

All our testimony is, once we were lost and now we are found.

Some testimonies may sound more powerful but may not resonate with every person. Your testimony matters.

John 4:39 NLT

[39] Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"

....

1. Don't glorify or exaggerate your past.

2. Don't boast about what you gave up for him, but what He gave up for you!

3. It's not about you; it's about Him.

.....

2. We must speak in a language people understand.

We can't assume the listener understands the language we use. We should use Biblical terminology, but break it down for them.

We are not a Culturally Christian country anymore. In the past we would have said that.

The largest growing group today is the Nones, they don't believe in anything specific so they believe everything.

Most of these people today have never heard the true Gospel.

The Gospel is that we are separated from God and there is nothing we can do about it, unless we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:8 NLT

[8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

Many don't actually know what it means to sin.  Trespass is one definition.

Trespass means to cross a line. Sin speaks more of missing the mark.

God doesn't grade on a curve, He grades by the cross.

Being a good person is not enough. Heaven is not for good people; Heaven is for forgiven people.

Romans 5:1 NLT

[1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

How can a God of love send people to hell?

Hell was built for the devil and his angels.

To get to hell people have to climb over Jesus Christ to get there.

Jesus is a God of love and justice.

How do you lead others to Christ?

First you can't be afraid to close the deal. Be ready to lead them right then and there.

After they accept Christ, you have to lead them into the church. You have to help them to start following the Lord.

No one makes it as a solo Christian.

Your job is to bring people to Christ, get them on their feet and then do it again.

People are waiting for someone to walk up to them and show them the way.

Those people are out there, get out there and find them.

You need God's help to do this, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tell Someone: Answering Difficult Questions Unbelievers Ask

Notes: Tell Someone: Answering Difficult Questions Unbelievers Ask

John 9:1–7

Pastor Greg Laurie

Thursday, August 6, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

If you were in an accident on the way home, are you right with God now?

Nonbelievers always seem to have a difficult question list that they throw at you when you start sharing with them.

That is usually their smoke screen.

We are to engage them in a dialogue, not a monologue.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. [16] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Apologia means to give a legal defense as in a court of law.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT

[19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Jesus often responded to a question with a question.

1. How do we know the Bible is the word of God?

The Bible is actually 66 books, written over a 1500 year period.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

[20] Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, [21] or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

1. I know the Bible is true, because it gave me the experience it claims it will give me.

The Bible tells me my sins would be forgiven. That I will experience peace, and I have.

God comforts those who mourn.

2. The Bible is true because it is confirmed by science.

Scriptures say the stars are as countless as the sands on the beach. Science used to say the starts could be numbered, but then more powerful satellites were made.

Hebrews 11:3 NLT

[3] By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

3. Archaeology proves the Bible.

4. The Bible predicts the future and it's been accurate every time.

What's the chance of 8 prophesies happening to Jesus as a coincidence:

1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

What about the person who has never heard the Gospel?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

[11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Romans 1:18-20 NLT

[18] But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [19] They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. [20] For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

We are built as seekers of God.

Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

[13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Nonbelievers use this as a smoke screen:

How could a God of love allow suffering?

John 9:1-9 NLT

[1] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. [2] "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" [3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. [5] But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." [6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! [8] His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" [9] Some said he was, and others said, "No, he just looks like him!" But the beggar kept saying, "Yes, I am the same one!"

Jesus would vary His way of healing. Touching, sending them, even putting mud in their eye. God doesn't get caught up on routine.

All sickness and disabilities, even death itself is a result of sin.

Much suffering comes from evil people hurting others.

God gave us free will, in many ways our greatest blessing and our biggest curse.

God shows us kindness and love, and in turn we show love to Him.

Many things don't make sense but they still happen. It is the overall curse of sin.

1. Sometimes God will allow suffering and sickness to get our attention.

Psalm 119:67 NLT

[67] I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

God understands the loss of a child, because He lost one too.

2. Suffering can grow your faith.

You don't build muscle by eating donuts, no pain no gain.

James 1:2-4 NLT

[2] Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Don't treat trials as intruders but as friends. They can drive you to God. Sometimes we need a designated driver.

3. Suffering can bring glory to God!

John 9:3 NLT

[3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

A disability can show us God's abilities.

Your suffering will not last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT

[17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Heaven is forever.

Tell Someone: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

Notes: Tell Someone: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

John 4

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, August 2, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Jesus said we should go into the whole world, but He didn't say the whole world would come to the church.

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 NLT

[15] And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

We need to engage in FRANgelism... Friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

We share the Gospel all the time.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

How do we share the Gospel? That is where it falls apart for many people. The answer is from Jesus Himself. It is showed in John 4 with the woman at the well.

Everyone's favorite subject appears to be themselves. The selfie picture is a testament to that.

Our objective is to build a bridge, not burn one. A stepping stone not a stumbling block.

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

Evangelism Jesus style, starts with a burden. Jesus needed to go through Samaria.

There is no place for prejudice in the life of a believer. We are to share with all people.

We are to use tact. Skill and grace with dealing with others. You don't start telling them they are going to hell.  

You should engage people in a dialogue, it's not a monologue.

A great example of tact...

Acts 8:29-38 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [33] He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Nonbelievers are looking for someone to show them the way. People have stated they would go to church if someone invited them.

Look for open doors and opportunity.

Some people are unnecessarily offensive. That burns bridges.

Chumming is a good way to go about it. Start a conversation don't force it. Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. It showed a vulnerability that the woman could relate to.

I'm just one beggar telling another beggar where to find some food.

We can be in secondary subjects and missing the opportunities to lead people to Christ right in front of us.

The result of Jesus' conversation was that the lady believed and she went and told others.

Greg's mother reminds him of the woman at the well. She was raised in the church but seemed to fight her belief in the Lord. Greg talked to her about the Lord one month before she passed. Greg gets to see her in Heaven again. We never know when the opportunity will arise, but we need to listen to the nudges from God.

There is joy in leading people to Christ, but there is also a responsibility to do it.