If Jesus is the greatest thing ever, then it stands to reason that we should seek to tell others about Him. When we talk about witnessing one of the first things many people will say is that they believe they witness by the life they live. I agree with lifestyle evangelism, but only to a point. I believe that our lives must back up what we claim. Really, this is an extremely critical element of being a witness, and it’s very Biblical.
However when we use lifestyle evangelism as an excuse not to talk to someone
personally about Jesus, we have taken this further than the Scriptures do.
There is a snazzy quote people often use to sum up their view of this. It says, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” That’s a great bumper sticker. It probably looks great on a coffee mug. And buddy, it’ll get some massive likes as a Facebook status. The only problem with it is the Bible. I once read a statement that said, “Preach the gospel. If necessary use words” is like saying, “Tell me your phone number. If necessary, use digits.” Words are absolutely necessary in sharing the Gospel.
“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:13-14 (NKJV)
Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions. These questions are the equivalent to saying, “one cannot unless…” In asking these questions, Paul is emphasizing the necessity of someone clearly explaining the Gospel to others. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. However, how can a person call on the Lord if they don’t believe in Him? The reality is they can’t. No one is going to call upon the Lord to save them unless they truly believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. Paul goes on and asks how can a person believe in Jesus in order to call on them to save them if they’ve never heard about Him? It’s impossible for someone to believe on someone that they’ve never heard of. Finally, he asks how someone will hear about Jesus if no one tells them. They won’t. They will never hear about Jesus unless someone tells them about Him.
We all work with, live by, or in some way have contact with someone who has never really heard the truth about Jesus. If you and I won’t tell them who will? Chances are, no one will. How sad to think that people we know will die and enter into a Christless eternity because we chose not to tell them about Jesus.
I really think that one reason we are so hesitant to tell others about Jesus is because we are afraid they will ask us questions we don’t have the answers for. The truth is this may well happen. But another truth is that you don’t have to have all the answers to any question they may have for you.
In Mark’s Gospel we are told about a man who was possessed by a demon. He spent his time roaming around naked in a graveyard, screaming and hitting himself with rocks. We don’t know how long this went on, but we know when it ended. It ended when Jesus came on the scene. Jesus cast the demon out and saved this man.
When Jesus left this region this man wanted to come with Him, but Jesus wouldn’t let him. Instead of going with Jesus, Jesus told him to go and tell others what great things God had done for him (Mark 5:19-20). All this guy was told to do was go and tell others what God had done for him. The Bible tells us that everyone was amazed at his testimony. Really, this is all we are expected to do.
There are people who will argue with you until the cows come home. Jesus doesn’t expect us to out argue them. In fact, I’m not real sure anyone is ever won to Jesus through the winning of an argument. However, what you can do is simply tell them what great things God has done for you.
You can tell them what Jesus means to you. You can tell them about the changes Jesus has made in your life. You can tell them about answers to prayer. You can tell them what the Bible says about their need for Jesus. You can show them how to be saved.
All believers need to resolve to tell at least one person about Jesus this year. If Jesus really is the greatest thing that has ever happened to us, then we should seek to introduce others to Him. We can only introduce others to Jesus, if we tell them about Jesus.
This post was written by Rev Ross. You can find the original post here: http://stacyjross.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/resolve-to-tell-others-about-jesus/
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
However when we use lifestyle evangelism as an excuse not to talk to someone
personally about Jesus, we have taken this further than the Scriptures do.
There is a snazzy quote people often use to sum up their view of this. It says, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” That’s a great bumper sticker. It probably looks great on a coffee mug. And buddy, it’ll get some massive likes as a Facebook status. The only problem with it is the Bible. I once read a statement that said, “Preach the gospel. If necessary use words” is like saying, “Tell me your phone number. If necessary, use digits.” Words are absolutely necessary in sharing the Gospel.
“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:13-14 (NKJV)
Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions. These questions are the equivalent to saying, “one cannot unless…” In asking these questions, Paul is emphasizing the necessity of someone clearly explaining the Gospel to others. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. However, how can a person call on the Lord if they don’t believe in Him? The reality is they can’t. No one is going to call upon the Lord to save them unless they truly believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. Paul goes on and asks how can a person believe in Jesus in order to call on them to save them if they’ve never heard about Him? It’s impossible for someone to believe on someone that they’ve never heard of. Finally, he asks how someone will hear about Jesus if no one tells them. They won’t. They will never hear about Jesus unless someone tells them about Him.
We all work with, live by, or in some way have contact with someone who has never really heard the truth about Jesus. If you and I won’t tell them who will? Chances are, no one will. How sad to think that people we know will die and enter into a Christless eternity because we chose not to tell them about Jesus.
I really think that one reason we are so hesitant to tell others about Jesus is because we are afraid they will ask us questions we don’t have the answers for. The truth is this may well happen. But another truth is that you don’t have to have all the answers to any question they may have for you.
In Mark’s Gospel we are told about a man who was possessed by a demon. He spent his time roaming around naked in a graveyard, screaming and hitting himself with rocks. We don’t know how long this went on, but we know when it ended. It ended when Jesus came on the scene. Jesus cast the demon out and saved this man.
When Jesus left this region this man wanted to come with Him, but Jesus wouldn’t let him. Instead of going with Jesus, Jesus told him to go and tell others what great things God had done for him (Mark 5:19-20). All this guy was told to do was go and tell others what God had done for him. The Bible tells us that everyone was amazed at his testimony. Really, this is all we are expected to do.
There are people who will argue with you until the cows come home. Jesus doesn’t expect us to out argue them. In fact, I’m not real sure anyone is ever won to Jesus through the winning of an argument. However, what you can do is simply tell them what great things God has done for you.
You can tell them what Jesus means to you. You can tell them about the changes Jesus has made in your life. You can tell them about answers to prayer. You can tell them what the Bible says about their need for Jesus. You can show them how to be saved.
All believers need to resolve to tell at least one person about Jesus this year. If Jesus really is the greatest thing that has ever happened to us, then we should seek to introduce others to Him. We can only introduce others to Jesus, if we tell them about Jesus.
This post was written by Rev Ross. You can find the original post here: http://stacyjross.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/resolve-to-tell-others-about-jesus/
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
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