So we tell others about Christ but how?
Colossians 1 v 28-29
I spoke a few weeks ago about the secret gift that is now available to everyone and the Holy Spirit being within you to change you and to flow from you.
But first we must remember we are painting a big picture of Jesus in His glory conveying the zeal he has for the people in his creation.
Be filled with the Spirit.
100% love. 100% forgiveness. 100% His presence. 100% grace.
How do we convert that to evangelism. Let’s first define evangelism.
It is “pastoring the lost and revealing Christ. “
Salvation is an holistic act. Body mind and spirit.
Our evangelism strategy is holistic too.
We are coming out of lockdown but what opportunities are we expecting?
Was it just a time to endure. Let’s get back to where we were.
My view is that we see plagues or pandemics in the bible and they are often the forerunners of society changes as people turn to seek God.
How do we take or create opportunities to tell others?
Let’s look at what we do in evangelism.
1. We will give you food through the Jigsaw food bank regardless of whether you believe in Jesus or not but we want you to know that we do this because of our love for Jesus and we could not do this without Jesus.
2. We will give you advice through the CMA debt advice service regardless of whether you believe in Jesus or not but we want you to know that we do this because of our love for Jesus and we could not do this without Jesus.
3. We offer friendship through Totzone and Limelight regardless of whether you believe in Jesus or not but we want you to know that we do this because of our love for Jesus and we could not do this without Jesus.
4. We have a clothes bank to help you regardless of whether you believe in Jesus or not but we want you to know that we do this because of our love for Jesus and we could not do this without Jesus.
This is a biblical response
1 Peter 3:13-16
How do we take or create opportunities to tell others?
Let’s remember that for the last 13 months we have been bombarded with the spectre of our mortality day in day out. Our reactions have all been different but fear has been and still is a common emotion.
We have hope in the face of death so how do we convey that without being arrogant or insensitive?
QUESTIONS
It has not been uncommon for people to say things like;
“It makes you think about what is important in life”
Let me ask you a question to challenge you all.
What has helped you through the last 13 months?
Your group still meeting on zoom?
Walking your dog?
Worship music?
Watching a series on Netflix?
Reading your bible more or in more depth?
More time as a family together?
Gods provision of money or food( fill in your own story)
Discovering you can order a takeaway from your phone?
The support of your church family?
Be real.
Be honest.
Combine them.
I’ll give you my example.
Walking with my dogs in the evening has been so helpful but without being able to sing and worship to songs on my phone I’d be lost. It certainly helped me connect with God. That has helped me through.
We want you to be mature in your faith as elders.
Secure in your salvation,
A worshipper of Jesus
Living a a life that is changing you to be more and more like Christ
Full of love, grace, forgiveness and carrying the presence of the Holy Spirit with you.
How mature do you think you are?
What would help you to keep growing in your mature?