September 11, 2022
Sermon Series: Believers Are To Sow The Gospel Seed
Sermon # 6
COURAGE TO SHARE YOUR FAITH
1 Corinthians 9:22
Let’s take a look at sharing your faith! There is a difference between sharing The Faith and sharing Your Faith. Sharing The Faith is about communicating a body of facts about God, sin, and salvation. And that is important, it needs to happen at some point along the road, but it isn’t usually where evangelism starts. And it isn’t usually where there is fruit. Sharing Your faith is different: it is about sharing what God has done in your life with someone else. It is sharing your testimony of how being in a relationship with God who has changed you, has met the deep needs of your heart, how it makes a difference in who you are, and how you meet the challenges of life. It is Your Faith, Your Journey with God, and how He is real to you !
This lesson explains Paul’s motivation for sharing his faith. Though he is free from all people, he has made himself a servant to all, that he might gain the more (9:19). To the Jews, he becomes as a Jew----obeying their dietary laws that he might gain them that are under the law. When with Gentiles, he doesn’t obey Jewish law---meaning he eats foods the Jews consider unclean, or not kosher, to gain them that are without law. To the weak, which probably means the intellectually weak who have difficulty understanding the Gospel, he explains on their level of understanding to win them (9:20-22b).
Paul always built bridges by finding common ground with unbelievers. Today, Paul might ride a Harley or maybe wear a cowboy hat and boots. If it would spread the Gospel, he would eat chitterlings with hot sauce with greens and ham hocks.
All Christians know that we ought to share our faith.
1. They were the last words of our risen savior (Matt. 28:19-20).
2. They were known as “The Great Commission”.
· Too many times it is “The Great Omission”.
· Fear often keeps us from telling others of Christ.
Personal evangelism is the Greatest Lack in most churches! How can we conquer this paralyzing fear and reach people for Christ? Three words will provide the courage to share our faith.
I. COMPASSION IS THE FIRST WORD
A. Paul: “I am made all things to all men”.
B. Saul, the proud Pharisee, would never have spoken these words.
1. This highly religious man thought himself above others.
2. Saul hated and tried to destroy the church in it infancy.
C. On the road to Damascus, Paul was changed forever.
1. This new convert became filled with compassion for the lost.
2. He pursued them, prayed for them, and pleaded with them to come to Christ.
3. This former persecutor became a preacher of the Gospel.
D. Jesus was the supreme example of compassion: especially on the cross.
E. Compassion conquers cowardice: compassion creates courage.
F. If you care enough, you will overcome your fears and share your faith.
II. COMMUNICATION IS THE SECOND WORD
A. “So that by all possible means”.
B. Courage grows with a sanctified strategy.
C. Pray for an approach that enables you to communicate.
D. Witnessing at some point, require words.
1. Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Give me to drink”. (John 4:7).
2. Philip said to the Ethiopian, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30).
E. Find the best method to communicate with people. Put your faith on the line and be kind.
Give them your testimony about how Jesus saved you, and now you have a relationship with Him!
1. Person to person
2. Facebook
3. Invite a person to Zoom Bible Class
4. Invite a person to Zoom Sunday School
III. CONFIDENCE IS THE WORD
A. “I might save some”.
B. Paul expected results: he witnessed in faith.
C. Paul believed what he wrote in Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” NLT
1. Stand Paul before kings or judges and he will share his faith.
2. Put him in jail and he will witness to his captors.
3. Expect God to use you in reaching souls and He will do so.
Responsive Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
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