Sunday, November 13, 2011

What Is Your Story?

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

-- Matthew 28:18-20

Talking about Jesus with people who aren’t Christians can be pretty scary. No one wants to be rejected and, honestly, bringing up Jesus to nonbelievers is like asking to be rejected. Yet it is what Jesus told us to do.

So how do you talk with someone about Jesus? Well, the first step is considering your own story. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Sometimes it is. Most times it’s just not something we really think about. But how can we talk with someone who doesn’t know Jesus about faith when we’ve never really thought about how our own faith emerged?

Consider a few questions:

Have you always known Jesus? Did you grow up in church and your salvation was just assumed from the beginning?

Did you come to know Jesus later in life? When? Where? How?

Who is Jesus to you? I’m not talking about throwing out a few scriptures, such as John 3:16. I’m asking about your personal relationship with Jesus. Who is Jesus to you as you go through your daily life?

Why is knowing Jesus important? The easy answer is to gain forgiveness and eternal life with God. The more difficult answer goes back to your daily walk. None of us live lives free from pain and disappointment, from anger and displeasure. How does Jesus impact a life filled with things we’d rather not face?

Do you see where I’m going with these questions? You need to know and be able to articulate what your faith means to you before you can really share it with someone else. Your personal story is what draws people in and makes them want to know Jesus.

So think about these questions. Write down your story. There’s no right or wrong in this. Everyone’s story is unique. But when you figure out how Jesus came to be your Lord and Savior, then you’ll have the starting point to sharing your faith with others

Sunday, February 27, 2011

He meant You Too

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

-- Matthew 28:19

This is Missions Weekend at church. Nothing overly fancy about it. Special speakers will talk about their work, trying to educate those of us who take religious freedom for granted. They'll no doubt remind us again that not everyone in the world owns a Bible or even knows the name of Jesus Christ.

Some folks already are grumbling and complaining. Their Sunday morning worship schedule has been disrupted. They don't want to hear about people in other countries, about poverty or needs or spreading the gospel outside of this area. They frankly don't care if anyone else gets into heaven besides them and their loved ones.

Of course, they don't want to hear about Jesus' command that we are to go to all the nations and spread the gospel. They'll tell you quick that there are plenty of people right here that need a good dose of Jesus in their lives. Not that they're doing anything about it. That's the preacher's job. It's so ridiculous that it would be comical if it wasn't so sad.

It really doesn't matter if you're serving as a missionary in another country or if you're witnessing to your next door neighbor. All Christians are called to tell others about Jesus. The words in the Bible aren't a suggestion. They're a command. And not just for preachers or those who feel called to serve Jesus fulltime. Jesus clearly wanted everyone to go forth and tell the whole world about Him.

So we'll devote one weekend of the year to emphasize missions. And if Jesus Christ truly is our Lord and Savior, we'll spend the rest of the year following His command to "make disciples of all nations."