Wednesday 3-12-08 "Sharing the Gospel"

Greetings Internet Campus,

Luke 16:25; 29-31 (NLT2): 25“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. … 29“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

OK....yesterday you accepted the challenge of finding 3 people that you know and sharing the Good News of Christ's free gift of salvation with them. Maybe you've even already started.

Then it happens. Someone looks at you and tells you that he/she doesn't want to hear it. They don't want any part of your message of eternity. They don't want to talk about their own death...or where they will spend their forever. You've been rejected. What happens now? How can you share Christ with someone who is trying to shut you out? 3 ways...

1) Be real
2) Be persistent
3) Be ready

#1 - Be Real - The easiest way to turn someone away from the Gospel is to be fake. Inauthentic. Phony. When something bad happens in your life...react to it. When you are angry with God..tell Him. When you are talking with your friend/spouse/family member...don't end every sentence in Hallelujah (unless that's the way you normally speak). People that don't have Christ in their lives need to see Christians as regular, normal people that have regular, normal problems....they just handle those problems with the help of the all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-at-one time God.

#2 - Be Persistent - Don't EVER give up trying to reach your friends for Christ. Ever. Yes, you run the risk of being rejected...or even ignored. Jesus is worth the risk. Don't be in their face every 30 seconds shouting scripture at them...but don't write them off as "hopeless". We serve a God who could have easily done that to us. He didn't. He climbed up on the cross to save us...the truly lost. Isn't that reason enough to keep at it?

#3 - Be Ready - There may come a time when the person you are sharing Christ with has a few questions...or a few hundred. After all, the decision they need to make is a big one...check that...the biggest one. Be ready. Stay in the Bible. Memorize scripture. Keep up with your quiet time. Join a small group. Jump into a ministry team. Whatever it takes to be ready if the questions begin.

Just like in today's passage...there will be people that reject the truth no matter how it is presented. We can't give up. I am praying that those that came to mind in yesterday's study have receptive hearts to what you need to tell them...and I'm praying for you too. Be bold. If you're a Christ-follower...remember...somebody was bold enough to tell you about Jesus. Time to step up and do the same.

Write it down: In your journal today, write a prayer to God asking him to give you courage and wisdom when talking with someone on your list.

See you tomorrow!

Pastor Brian