Speaking Out!
Boasting is dangerous!
Ever found that out? I know I have. Many times.
Rich Froning – Book out in July: First
In 2011 and 2012 he was champion. He came back with a tattoo: Galatians 6: 14 up the side of his torso:
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Paul also states in 2 Corinthians 10:
17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
This story has brought an opportunity for me to share my faith with a friend at work.
He does Cross Fit and when I mentioned him he lit up!
We discussed the bible verse and there was a new spark in his eye.
I know he’s close.
I have been thinking about this and have decided that I don’t boast enough about Jesus!
Let’s look at someone who really did have the right to boast – Jesus himself!
John 12: 44-50
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Jesus had just entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey to public acclaim.
Before that, he had raised Lazarus from the dead – many believed. Even Jewish Leaders.
But so many did not believe. They planned to kill Lazarus!
Then people from Greece came looking for Him and Jesus withdrew – He knew it was time!
His heart was broken because His people did not believe.
That’s when He cried out those powerful words…
His words are so powerful. They have the power to cut right to the heart of the issue.
Hebrews 4: 12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Jesus is the only way to get to The Father.
The Father had even spoken audibly to the people: John 12: 27-32
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
STILL – they did not believe!
Lydia was one who believed:
Acts 16: 11-15
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[d] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
NB: The Lord opened her heart.
This is what God does – He opens hearts.
Sometimes through circumstances and their personal journey.
Sometimes via a miracle!
I want to talk about three types of people
1. Those FAR AWAY from God but with an open heart.
2. Those CLOSE to a decision but with questions.
3. Those who have REJECTED God and walked away.
How do we reach them?
FAR AWAY but open:
Sow a seed into their life – reap a harvest later.
Takes courage.
May require you to step out of the comfort zone and say something controversial!
Eg: “I’m praying for you”; “God loves you”.
And then sometimes God wants to do a miracle!
Jesus said He did what He saw The Father doing. We need to learn to hear the voice of God.
Then we have to be bold and open the door for the miracle.
CLOSE to a decision:
Let your life speak to them.
You are being watched – you are the bible they are reading!
Be a friend and answer questions if you can.
Emphasise that God wants RELATIONSHIP not RELIGION.
Those who have REJECTED God:
God loves to restore.
The Prodigal Son completely rejected his Father’s way of life and left.
When he returned The Father was still there – waiting, running, embracing, restoring.
Even the most cynical, anti-God, hardened criminal can come back.
This is a classic candidate for a miracle!
Barriers
1. Fear of rejection
2. Perceived lack of knowledge
3. Caught up in self
Fear of Rejection:
We never know where people are in their journey.
Share when you can – God can use anything to increase His Kingdom.
Don’t be afraid – Jesus stands with you. You are loved unconditionally.
Lack of Knowledge:
If you know Jesus, you have a story worth sharing.
Your ideas and beliefs matter.
Express God’s love for people rather than judging or criticising.
Caught up in self:
Get your heart right with God.
Starts with humility and repentance (turning around).
Keep short accounts.
Would you be ready?
