Means of Sharing Your Faith

Sharing Your Faith

Remember Legion from the gospel of Mark? This is a good illustration of a shared faith, let us read; Mark 5:19-20

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Savior was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8. AA 134.2

To save souls should be the life work of everyone who professes Christ. We are debtors to the world for the grace given us of God, for the light which has shone upon us, and for the discovered beauty and power of the truth. –Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 53. (ChS 10.1) Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

To finish the work, we have to share our faith as a witness to all the world.

Building Interest

A model from the master is to make relationships and learn its role in win-some witnessing. Consider the following,

Those who have been most successful in soul-winning were men and women who did not pride themselves on their ability, but who in humility and faith sought to help those about them. Jesus did this very work. He came close to those whom He desired to reach. How often, with a few gathered about Him, He gave His lessons, and one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a great multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of the heaven-sent Teacher. GW 194.1

Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments, as upon your ability to find your way to the heart. By being social and coming close to the people, you may turn the current of their thoughts more readily than by the most able discourse. GW 193

While He ministered to the poor, Jesus studied also to find ways of reaching the rich. He sought the acquaintance of the wealthy and cultured Pharisee, the Jewish nobleman, and the Roman ruler. He accepted their invitations, attended their feasts, made Himself familiar with their interests and occupations, that He might gain access to their hearts, and reveal to them the imperishable riches. MH 24.2

Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” MH 143.3

There is much more to winning souls than merely giving doctrinal studies, it is a science that must be mastered, its about friendships, relationships, meeting needs, gaining confidence, pointing them to Christ so that he can save them. Jesus reached out to the whole person, SOCIALLY in John Chapter 2 at the wedding feast in Cana, SPIRITUALLY in John Chapter 3 with his encounter with Nicodemus, EMOTIONALLY in John Chapter 4 with the woman at the well and PHYSICALLY in John Chapter 5 with the man lain by the pool of Bethesda. We make friends by Smiling, Talking and Listening. A true friend Cares, Respects, shows Affection, has Feelings and builds Trust with others.

Sharing Truth

There are several ways of sharing the word/truth. These can be through Bible studies, from house to house, through the distribution of literature, using the social media and TV/RADIO stations, conducting evangelistic campaigns just to mention.

I saw One standing on a high platform with arms extended. He turned and pointed in every direction, saying, “A world perishing in ignorance of God’s holy law, and Seventh-day Adventists are asleep.” The Lord is pleading for labourers, for there is a great work to be done. There are conversions to be made that will add to the church such as shall be saved. Men and women in the highways and byways are to be reached. Ev 32.4

Do we have to “know everything? Or show fear?” NO!

The humble worker who obediently responds to the call of God may be sure of receiving divine assistance. To accept so great and holy a responsibility is itself elevating to the character. It calls into action the highest mental and spiritual powers, and strengthens and purifies the mind and heart. Through faith in the power of God, it is wonderful how strong a weak man may become, how decided his efforts, how prolific of great results. He who begins with a little knowledge, in a humble way, and tells what he knows, while seeking diligently for further knowledge, will find the whole heavenly treasure awaiting his demand. The more he seeks to impart light, the more light he will receive. The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself. The more we use our knowledge and exercise our powers, the more knowledge and power we shall have. COL 354.1

Make sure you present Christ first, reveal truth gradually and always make appeals, which brings us to our next part;

Making Decisions

Here, we will consider how to help people decide for Jesus. Isaiah 50:4 says, ‘the Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how [METHOD] to speak a word [WHAT IS SAID] in season[ WHEN TO SAY IT] to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

The above passage informs us that how we speak/let out the message has a powerful influence either positively or negatively to a person’s decision. Let us follow the ABCs of decision.

A – ACCEPTANCE – Jesus accepted people where they were. There are two ingredients in Acceptance, Agreement and Approval. Agreement – Smaller agreements set ways to larger agreements. Agree with the people on every point where you can consistently do so. Let them see that you love their souls, and want to be in harmony with them so far as possible. If the love of Christ is revealed in all your efforts, you will be able to sow the seed of truth in some hearts; God will water the seed sown, and the truth will spring up and bear fruit to His glory. {Ev 140.3} Approval - Matthew 26:7-10 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. Jesus showed acceptance by agreeing, approving, complimenting and appreciating.

B - BELIEF – Nobody is won by a person they do not like, and nobody likes a person they feel does not accept them. You must believe that people want to follow Jesus, and that they are winnable to Christ and His Course. Jesus saw people not as they were, but as what they would become. He saw Nicodemus not as a proud religious leader but as a person who desperately needed a new heart, He saw Peter not as a harsh fisherman but as a mighty preacher. Jesus saw the best in people.

C – CONFIDENCE – In leading men and women to decisions for Christ, it is important that we do it confidently, as if it were impossible to fail. The book of acts record’s the greatest church growth; Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Why? Acts 28:28-31 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, WITH ALL CONFIDENCE, no man forbidding him. Above all, let us pray for them, motivate them, show them the benefits of following Christ and encourage them to overcome the hurdles.

Tactfulness in Soul Winning

This is a tough one! Especially because there is no particular curriculum to such an amazing work of soul winning. But it is very necessary to approach this God-given duty with tact. I would summarize this with the following points:

• PRAY

  Personal prayer is the breath of your soul. Ask God to touch, change, transform and use you as Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5-8, King Solomon in 1ST kings 3:6-12 and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:6-9 did. We are at war, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; we are to put on the Armor of Christ, the whole armor as in Ephesians 6:11-18 that says ‘put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

• PREPARE

  We cannot give what we do not have. It is important to prepare for whichever session one is going to handle. This is a discipline, for instance, making your own personal timetable for topical studies, having daily devotions, attending seminars and training and diligently searching the word of God and its related sources. Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

• UNDERSTANDING THE MINDSET/ PSYCHOLOGY

  What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus, your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him. SC 47.1

  The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man–the power of decision, of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. Desires for goodness and purity are right, so far as they go; but if we stop here, they avail nothing. Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to God. They do not choose to serve Him. MH 176.1 Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in the life. By yielding up the will to Christ, we ally ourselves with divine power. We receive strength from above to hold us steadfast. A pure and noble life, a life of victory over appetite and lust, is possible to everyone who will unite his weak, wavering human will to the omnipotent, unwavering will of God. MH 176.3

• HEED THE DIVINE COMMISSION

  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. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

To conclude, we must work the works of Him that sent us while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. I pray with you and ask of the same from you. Blessings galore!