Personal Witnessing Victorious Living Series Witnessing Defined Witnessing

Personal Witnessing Victorious Living Series

Witnessing Defined • Witnessing is NOT: – Saying “God bless you” or “I will pray for you” – Being a loving friend (This is required) • Witnessing is TELLING –Acts 11: 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household. ’

Witnessing Defined • TELLING what? – 1 Cor 15: 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved … 3 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures … 11 so we preach and so you believed. • Why? – Rom 10: 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Motives for Witnessing • Obedience – Mr 16: 15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. – 2% of American Christians actively share their faith – Bill Bright • Compassion for humanity – Blind man heading for a burning building – Hell, a reality (140 K die/day) – "If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for. “ – Charles Spurgeon • Eternal Reward – Dan 12: 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Fear of Witnessing • Fear of embarrassment and/or persecution – Mat 5: 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Ac 5: 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. • Fear of not knowing what to say – The college student that didn’t study for finals – 1 Pe 3: 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear • Fear of failure – Was Jesus a failure? How people got saved under His ministry? – 1 Co 3: 6 I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. – Obedience = Success!

Overcoming Fear with Power • The Spirit Empowers You – Acts 1: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – 2 Tim 1: 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord … – Rom 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation … • Pray for Boldness, not for opportunities –Ac 4: 29 And now, Lord, … grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word

Share Jesus Without Fear A less confrontational approach • The Share Jesus Questions (Response - hmmm) – Do you have any kind of spiritual belief? – To you, who is Jesus? – Do you think there is a heaven and a hell? – If you died now, where would you go? Why? – If your beliefs weren’t true, would you want to know? • Have Them Read Verses (“What does that say to you? ”) – Man’s Condition (Rom 3: 23, 3: 10, 5: 12) – The Penalty (Rom 6: 23) – God’s Provision (Rom 5: 8) – The Required Response (Rom 10: 9, 10: 13)

Share Jesus Without Fear A less confrontational approach • The Commitment Questions (Response if “no” – “Why not? ”) – Are you a sinner? – Do you want forgiveness for your sins? – Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? – Are you willing to surrender yourself to Christ’s Lordship? – Are you ready to invite Jesus into your heart and into your life? • Have them Pray • Follow-Ups – Get them plugged into a church – Give them a Bible and tell them to read John (Call them) – Tell them they should see apparent change in their life.

A more confrontational approach • Do you consider yourself a good person? • Have you heard of the 10 commandments? Have you kept them? • Have you ever lied? What does that make you? (A liar) –The Bible says that “All Liars … will have their place in the lake of fire” (Rev 21: 8) • Have you ever stolen anything? What does that make you? (A thief) • Have you ever coveted (were jealous of) the possessions of others? – Neither “thieves, nor covetous … shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6: 9) • Have you every committed adultery? –Jesus said if you look with lust you commit adultery in your heart (Mat 5: 28). –The Bible also says adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6: 9) • Have you ever murdered anyone? –Jesus said if you’ve ever hated someone, it is murder in your heart (Mat 5: 22) – The Bible also says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in Him (1 Jn 3: 15) • Have you ever taken the name of the Lord in vain? – You know what God considers that? Blasphemy – “The LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Ex 20: 7)

A more confrontational approach • On judgment day, If God judges you by His commandments, will you be innocent or guilty? • Will God have to send you to Heaven or Hell? –“Hell” - Does that concern you? • Courtroom example • Jesus is the one who freely paid your fine • You need to accept that free gift by faith, and turn your back on sin – “Heaven” - Why? • I haven’t broken all of them – James 2: 10 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” • God is forgiving – Stress the Holiness and justice of God. Should He let all murderers and rapists into Heaven? • http: //wayofthemaster. com/watchwitnessing. shtml

Some Opportunities • Place a Bible on your desk • Whenever someone is wearing a cross • When someone asks how your weekend was • Whenever people say how bad the world is • Political discussions • People sitting next to you on planes, buses, etc. • When someone takes the Lord’s name in vain • When ever you’re asked to tell about yourself • Always give a tract to waitresses, etc. • Courtesy callers

Small Group Witnessing Encounters • Group #1 – You’re working out at the gym with an unsaved friend and you both see a report of a gruesome murder on the news. Your friend can’t believe someone could be that demented. • Group #2 – You’re on a bus commute just getting to know the person next to you. She happens to be an avid reader. She asks you what you read. • Group #3 – A coworker seems to be really upset about something. You ask her if everything is okay. She begins to cry and reveal the fact that her mother was diagnosed with cancer. • Group #4 – You and your family are waiting for seats at a restaurant. A nice couple is sitting next to you and a friendly conversation begins. You notice the husband has a gothic cross tattoo on his hand decide to ask about it.