Sharing the Message of Jesus Christ

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message)

Focus on one word: HOPE! As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ you have been given an eternal HOPE that non-believers do not have. You have hope of eternal life after death, of joy over despair, of family over isolation, and of salvation over destruction. It is a fact that you have been given a precious gift that was given to you at a high price. Today, you have HOPE because you chose to accept that free gift of God’s Grace that He offers to the entire world.

The gift of God’s Grace that gives Hope to the world is not meant to be a secret, but to be proclaimed from the highest mountains to the lowest valleys. Immediately before Jesus ascends to heaven he relates to the disciples one final command, recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message). This passage is known by many Christians as the Great Commission and Jesus Christ gives this commission to all of His followers to implement from the moment it was spoken until he comes back again. The Great Commission is clear. It commands all followers of Jesus Christ to spread this great message of HOPE to the entire world. It is not a suggestion but rather a command—a command with a promise.

Many Christians do not share this great message of hope because they are afraid they will not say the right words. This is where the promise of the Great Commission comes into action. Jesus Christ promises us that we are not alone as we go out into the world to fulfill this Great Commission. He is with us day after day and has promised to never leave us. Understand that sharing your faith is not about the eloquence of the words that you use but about being OBEDIENT to the Savior. Make yourself available to God and listen to the Spirit and you will always be given the words to say.

It is important for Christians to know what the message is that we are to share. The message of Hope that we are called to give to the world is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He gave His life to pay the debt of the entire world. We are saved by God’s grace alone, not by any great act of work that we may perform.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

The Plan of Salvation

The Bible outlines five basic steps, or stages, in preparing our heart, mind, and soul for accepting this free gift of grace. These five steps are exhibited by all followers of Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament.

Step #1 – BELIEVE
Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Hebrews 11:6

Step #2 – REPENT
Turn away from your old life by repenting of your sins.  Acts 3:19

Step #3 – CONFESS
Confess your belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Romans 10:9

Step #4 – BE BAPTIZED
Be obedient to God by being immersed in water in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and embracing the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38

Step #5 – LIVING A HOLY LIFE
Choose to never stop living and serving Jesus as long as you live. Matthew 5:14-16

The Five B’s of Evangelism

Evangelism does not have to be difficult. We have a tendency to overanalyze evangelism and soon sharing the love of Christ becomes ONLY a process. It is our prayer at Cicero Christian Church that sharing your faith never becomes merely a process, but becomes a part of your lifestyle. Sharing your faith is as easy as the Five B’s. 

Be Humble

John 3:30 – He must become greater; I must become less.

Effective evangelism is achieved when a Christian learns to humble himself or herself before God, leaning not on his own understanding but rather on the leading and direction of God.

Be Knowledgable

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Christians are called to be experts of the message of lasting hope that is found in the Bible.  Effective evangelism can only be achieved when a Christian is knowledgeable and certain of the message that he or she is called to share (Believe, Repent, Confess, Baptism, Live a Holy Life).

Be Loving

James 2:8 – If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

Christians are called to exhibit the love of Christ to others in every aspect of their lives. Effective evangelism is only accomplished when accompanied by selfless and sacrificial Godly love shown through our words, actions, and prayers toward our neighbors.

Be Available

Jeremiah 29:13 –You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Effective evangelism can only be accomplished when Christians make themselves available to the unconditional leading and direction of God.

Be Willing

Matthew 28:19a – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…

Effective evangelism is only accomplished when each Christian makes the conscious choice to become a Christian of action and GO OUT into the world with the purpose of carrying the message of HOPE and giving it to a dying world.

Seven Warnings of Evangelism

We have already discussed in some detail that effective evangelism can only be found when each Christian makes himself available to the leading and direction of God.  Some Christians have chosen not to follow this principle and have tried to force evangelism upon people or have tried to force God into a conversation. This approach can be detrimental to a non-believer and turn them off to the message of Hope found only in Jesus Christ. The following seven warning signs will help you avoid Forced Evangelism and help you focus on God directed evangelism.

Warning Sign #1 – Scheming

The schemer is a Christian who attempts to manipulate unaware people into a situation where they are forced to hear the Gospel.

Warning Sign #2 – Scalp Hunting

The scalp hunter is the Christian who strives to merely fill a daily quota of winning souls for Jesus. The motivation does not go beyond winning the person to Christ.

Warning Sign #3 – Screaming

The screamer is similar to a soapbox preacher shouting condemnation and insults at a passing crowd in a way that lifts himself up as a superior person. This may also be called spiritual arrogance.

Warning Sign #4 – Selling Jesus as if He was a Juicer

This is the Christian that tries to sell Jesus to a person as if He were the newest and best thing on the market. Remember that a well-lived Christian life is more believable and more compelling than any sales pitch.

Warning Sign #5 – Stalking

The stalker is the overzealous Christian who just won’t leave a potential target alone even when the person has expressed that he or she is not interested in the message.

Warning Sign #6 – Sermonizing

The sermonizer is the Christian who has all the answers even when nobody is asking questions. They agenda of this person is to keep the spotlight on himself.

Warning Sign #7 – Spectating

Spectating is simply when a Christian is afraid to share his or her faith due to rejection or failure. The fear of failure immobilizes the person.

One Line Conversation Starters

Being a Christian means that we are willing to go outside of our comfort zones and initiate contact with people who we would not normally make contact with. This can be frightening for some people because they do not even know where to begin when it comes to initiating and maintaining a conversation with non-believers. Remember that the conversation is not about you and your ability to initiate it, but it is about making yourself available to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few examples of one line conversation starters that could be the start of building a new relationship with non-believers.

1. What is your favorite meal?
2. What is your favorite ice cream?
3. What is your favorite movie or television show?
4. What are some of your hobbies?
5. What are your favorite sports?
6. If you were given a million dollars, what would you do with it?
7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
8. If you were assured you would not fail, what endeavor
   would you attempt?
9. How are you different now than you were before September 11, 2001?
10. What scares you most about the future?
11. Why do you think there are so many religions in the world?
12. What do you think heaven is like?
13. Do you think it is possible for anyone to know for sure if there is a God? Explain.
14. Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not?
15. How would you explain eternity?
16. Why does God allow evil and suffering?
17. Who will be in heaven? Why?
18. Who is Jesus Christ to you?
19. What is the first question you will have for God when you die?
20. How does what you believe effect the way you live?

“No-Strings Attached” Evangelism Ideas

Many people desire to reach out and share the love of Christ to others in a practical way but they don’t know where to begin. We have compiled a list of practical outreach ideas for you to consider over the next five months as you focus your attention on those five people God has laid upon your heart.

Service Out of the Love of Christ

1. Sunday Morning Paper and Coffee Giveaways
2. Leaf Raking
3. Lawn Mowing
4. Rain Gutter Cleaning
5. General Yard Cleanup
6. Garbage Can Return from the Curb
7. Food Delivery to Shut –Ins
8. Potted Plant or Flower Seed Packet Giveaway
9. Sidewalk Sweeping or Snow Shoveling
10. Car Wash and Detail
11. Washing House Windows
12. Minor House Repairs
13. Community Dinner
14. Dog or Cat Food Giveaway
15. Bark and Mulch Giveaway
16. Shopping Assistance for Shut-ins
17. Poinsettias at Christmas
18. Christmas Tree Giveaway
19. Fishing Bait or Lure Giveaway
20. Bag-of-Groceries Giveaway
21. Splitting Firewood
22. Coffee/Hot Chocolate/Ice Cream Coupons
23. Winter Survival Kit
24. Christmas Gift Wrapping
25. Childcare during Christmas Shopping

Resources on Sharing Your Faith

Books & Magazines

Becoming a Contagious Christian. Bill Hybels, Mark Mittleberg. Zondervan, 1994.

Evangelism Explosion. D. James Kennedy, Tyndale House, 1996.

Irresistible Evangelism. Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping, Doug Pollock. Group Publishing, 2004.

Just Walk Across the Room. Bill Hybels. Zondervan, 2006

The Master Plan of Evangelism. Robert E. Coleman. Revell, 1963.

Outreach Magazine. Outreach, Inc.

Cicero Christian Church 1715 Stringtown Pike  Cicero, IN 46034  317.984.4653