Foundations Blog
We’re in a new series called “Foundations” which builds off of Jesus’ metaphor in Matt 7: “A house built on sand will never be able to stand BUT a house that’s built on the rock will never be able to fall.”
Practice #7 GO EVANGELIZE - Day 4
This week, we’re in Practice #7: Go Evangelize. On Sunday, our guest preacher Kyle Martin shared with us four steps to take when sharing the gospel with someone new: Love - Listen - Discern - Respond.
Today, let’s consider what RESPOND looks like in the context of sharing the good news about Jesus, continuing on from yesterday in Acts 17:24-31 (NET):
The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone. From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ So since we are God’s offspring, we should not think the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image made by human skill and imagination. Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, having provided proof to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Having discerned who the Athenians are and what they believe and worship, Paul begins to declare the faith to them. He makes several things clear to them: first, that there is a Creator God; second, that God is Lord over all; third, that once we know who God is, we must repent; fourth, that judgment is coming through the resurrected Jesus. Notice how clear Paul has been in his messaging about the character of God, the person of Jesus, and the need for humans to repent before God.
When we have done the work to love, listen, and discern those around us, we are ready to speak the message of the gospel. This means that it’s time to open our mouths and declare the truths of who God is and what He’s done for us in Jesus. There’s no one way to tell others about the good news, but it’s important to communicate who God is, what Jesus has done, and then to call that person to faith.
Think of a person in your sphere of influence who does not follow Jesus. What have they been told about Jesus? How can you help them have a clear understanding of what God has done through the work of Jesus on the cross?
Now, set a time to get together with them. Lead with love, listening, and discernment. And then, speak with boldness. Tell them about who Jesus is and what He’s done. Ask them if they want to follow Him like you do. Pray for courage for yourself and openness for them. And then trust that the Holy Spirit will bring them to faith, in His way and in His timing.
Published on 11-11-2021 @ 4:21 AM CDT