“When the two disciples heard (John) say this, they followed Jesus.”
- John 1:37
Introduction:
On the count of three everyone take in a deep breath. Ready? One, two, three…breath in...breath out! We have finally completed our lengthy journey through two books of Old Testament writings, which consisted of an enduring hike that lasted thirteen weeks down the yellow brick road. Just as our jogging shoes began to develop holes in their soles, we finally reached the end and put down our walking sticks. Only to pick them right back up for our next far-off expedition through the Gospel of John. Except this New Testament trip is packed tight with tons of “good news.” Any time I spend a considerable amount of hours in the pages of Old Testament; I begin to feel vitamin “C” deficient. That is, I am longing to devour the scriptures that talk about Christ and are under the new covenant. And what better way to load up on a healthy dose of vitamin “C” (Christ) than with the book of John?
Over the years I have heard numerous believers, who are filled with the Holy Spirit say, “Evangelism is just not my spiritual gift!” So therefor they excuse themselves from the privilege of saving a soul from death. My question always in response to them is, “Since when was evangelism listed as one of the nine gifts in first Corinthians twelve?” Last time I checked, it didn’t make the list. As believers in Christ, we do not need any particular gifts or calling to tell the good news of Jesus to others. We simply need to just obey God. The last command Jesus gives to ALL His believers before returning to sit at the right-hand of God is:
“Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”
(Matthew 28:19-20). Charles H Spurgeon says it beautifully, “If you are eager for real joy…I am persuaded that no joy of growing wealthy, no joy of increasing knowledge, no joy of influence over your fellow creatures, no joy of any other sort, can ever be compared with the rapture of saving a soul from death.”
God is not at all interested in what we can do for Him, He is interested in what He can do through us. As you discover and experience the reality of Christ living in you and your true identity in Him, you will start to see more people come to Christ accidently than you had ever been able to lead to Him on purpose in your own strength. Perhaps the Lord is tugging on your heart to become more intentional about sharing Christ? God places people in each of our lives who are in desperate need of Him (don’t pretend- you already know who those people are). Today, this class is designed to present the question; How will you respond?
- John 1:37
Introduction:
On the count of three everyone take in a deep breath. Ready? One, two, three…breath in...breath out! We have finally completed our lengthy journey through two books of Old Testament writings, which consisted of an enduring hike that lasted thirteen weeks down the yellow brick road. Just as our jogging shoes began to develop holes in their soles, we finally reached the end and put down our walking sticks. Only to pick them right back up for our next far-off expedition through the Gospel of John. Except this New Testament trip is packed tight with tons of “good news.” Any time I spend a considerable amount of hours in the pages of Old Testament; I begin to feel vitamin “C” deficient. That is, I am longing to devour the scriptures that talk about Christ and are under the new covenant. And what better way to load up on a healthy dose of vitamin “C” (Christ) than with the book of John?
Over the years I have heard numerous believers, who are filled with the Holy Spirit say, “Evangelism is just not my spiritual gift!” So therefor they excuse themselves from the privilege of saving a soul from death. My question always in response to them is, “Since when was evangelism listed as one of the nine gifts in first Corinthians twelve?” Last time I checked, it didn’t make the list. As believers in Christ, we do not need any particular gifts or calling to tell the good news of Jesus to others. We simply need to just obey God. The last command Jesus gives to ALL His believers before returning to sit at the right-hand of God is:
“Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”
(Matthew 28:19-20). Charles H Spurgeon says it beautifully, “If you are eager for real joy…I am persuaded that no joy of growing wealthy, no joy of increasing knowledge, no joy of influence over your fellow creatures, no joy of any other sort, can ever be compared with the rapture of saving a soul from death.”
God is not at all interested in what we can do for Him, He is interested in what He can do through us. As you discover and experience the reality of Christ living in you and your true identity in Him, you will start to see more people come to Christ accidently than you had ever been able to lead to Him on purpose in your own strength. Perhaps the Lord is tugging on your heart to become more intentional about sharing Christ? God places people in each of our lives who are in desperate need of Him (don’t pretend- you already know who those people are). Today, this class is designed to present the question; How will you respond?
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