It’s Harvest Time!

Sharing Your Faith

Fall season is also harvest season. Agriculturally as well as spiritually.

Both Jesus and Paul used agricultural metaphors to explain spiritual transformation.

John 4:30 (NIV) They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

John 4:35 (NLT) You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. –

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

BIG idea - I want my life to be so attractive that people who know me but don’t know God will want to know God because they know me.

Followers of Jesus—How many of you know someone who is a candidate for the life-changing, eternity altering, love of Jesus?

If you are a Jesus follower—You are salt of earth—Light of the world

Jesus told us to go into all the world to share the gospel.

Peter: Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope you have in Christ.

WHY DO WE HESITATE TO SHARE OUR FAITH?

1. WE ARE AFRAID.

2. WE DON’T FEEL QUALIFIED.

3. WE DON’T WANT TO BE PUSHY.

4. WE ARE COMPLACENT.

WHY SHOULD WE SHARE OUR FAITH?

1. THIS IS OUR CALLING.

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Matthew 5:14 (MSG) Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.

Matthew 5:14 (MSG) We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?

Matthew 5:14 (MSG) I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.

Matthew 5:14 (MSG) By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

“SERVE DAY”

2. PEOPLE NEED THE LORD

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

“It ain’t braggin’ if you can do it.”

John 3:17 (MSG) God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

John 3:18 (MSG) Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why?

John 3:18 (MSG) Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

3. PEOPLE WANT THE LORD

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) He has also set eternity in the human heart;

John 10:10 (MSG) I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

4. I ONCE WAS LOST.

Write out a short “elevator” pitch version of your faith story. A short, 60 seconds or less version of how you came to know Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

How do we reach out to others?

Recognize the moments God gives you

Psalm 37:23 (KJV) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Refocus on the manner in which you live - Our attitude, our disposition does matter.

On our Serve Day, remember it’s not just about serving our community, it's about our attitude, our manners while we're serving our community.

Be positive not negative.

Seek common ground, not battle ground. - Here’s where the apostle Paul set the example for us…

1 Corinthians 9:22 (NIV) To the weak (Not physically but spiritually, mentally, ethically, morally)... I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some.

Their perspective, not my perspective. - We don’t have to believe or accept their views or position, but we do need to listen to them and try to understand.

Acts 17:22-23 (MSG) So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. - He found something to compliment before he tried to correct them. Yeah, they might have been worshiping false Gods but man, ya gotta hand it to them, at least they were all in!

Acts 17:22-23 (MSG) When I arrived here the other day. I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS.

Acts 17:22-23 (MSG) I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with. - Note how Paul led into this conversation, with…

Patience not pressing. - People don’t need to get saved the first time you share Jesus with them. In fact, that seldom happens. And look, its easy for me to stand up here and tell you to be patient in your witnessing and sharing, and I know some of you have been praying and praying and praying for someone’s salvation for a long time; and the person’s still not saved. I understand your frustration. But, don’t let your frustration affect your attitude. Because regardless of what that unsaved person says, they’re still watching you. They are! Guaranteed. So, pray for grace and continued patience.

Galatians 5, “patience” – Greek/makrothumia. Doesn’t just refer to our waiting, it also includes our attitude while we’re waiting.

Unconditional love, not conditional love. - Again, love doesn’t have to approve, it just accepts. We can accept someone without approving of their lifestyle.

We don’t have to be like them to reach them, but we do have to like them to reach them.

Relay the message of hope to a broken world.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. (Just be in love with Jesus)... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Remind you

Don’t need a degree

Don’t have to be an expert

Don’t need to have all the answers.

Commissioned by Jesus: Go into all the world—as an ambassador. Filled with the Holy Spirit, you are called to reach people for Christ!