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Where and Why Should We Go?

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I truly believe that God talks through mothers. In my youth, I was waiting for my personal call from God, that moment when the Lord would tell me that evangelism would be my lifes work. Finally, my exasperated mother reminded me that “the call” was made 2000 years ago, and that the Lord was just waiting for my answer. She was right as usual.

Dr. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade, once said that “an effective witness is someone who takes the initiative to present the claims of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit- and leaves the results to God.”

As Christians, were all in the missions field. Some of us will travel to distant, often dangerous lands, but most of us will find people hungering for the Good News much closer to home. Either way, we stand in the gap, living out and proclaiming our faith and leaving the rest up to God.

The Apostle Paul was historys greatest missionary, taking the Gospel to much of the known world before planes, trains and automobiles. As he told the Corinthians, “we are speaking for Christ, as though God Himself were making his appeal through us.” That is our task as missionaries, as Ambassadors for Christ, wherever we are.

Share Your Story

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Many postmoderns dont necessarily want to hear Christian doctrine or theology. Those topics can actually be real conversation-stoppers if thats how you start out. But your personal story is different. It can be a powerful way to open up spiritual discussions with your friends. Why? Because no one can dispute your claim of how God has radically transformed your life. Theres nothing to argue about. And actually, from my experience, most people will listen with interest.

The blind man in John chapter 9 is a great example of sharing a personal testimony. When questioned by the religious authorities about Jesus, this man didnt argue theology or philosophy. He just told them what happened by sharing his story: “One thing I do know… once I was blind, but now I see.”

Think about how God has rescued you from a life of spiritual blindness. Remember how He brought you into a relationship with His son, Jesus. Why not invite a friend to coffee and talk about your life stories. As you share about your own experience with God, youll be planting seeds of truth. Prayerfully, those seeds will lead to a harvest of righteousness in their soul!

God is Among Us

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You know every time that you, by the Holy Spirit, open your mouth to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, you should expect that something eternal is going to happen in this persons life. One of the signs of faith is that you simply believe in the power of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the words that He gives you to speak. God is at work at that moment and therefore you expect something grand to happen, something eternal, something of significance- that eternity itself will never erase. There shall be results, because God is speaking through you.

I love 1 Corinthians 14:25, it says that “the secrets of his heart will be laid bare, he will fall down and worship God exclaiming, God is really among you.” And you know thats one of the results that we all hope to see when we share the Good News, isnt it?

And yet we feel so incapable in ourselves- so impotent, so to speak, to do the job- but the Holy Spirit of God does His part, and when you share the Good News, simply believe and expect, by faith, because the Bible says so, that the person listening would say, “God is really with you. God is really here and Hes speaking to me.” He may not fall on his face physically, but in his heart he will repent, and honor God.

The Spirit through You

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Have you ever noticed a very, very wonderful verse in Matthew 10? It says, “It is the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” When you are sharing the Good News with someone, never forget that. Because its really God, who wants to have an encounter with the person that youre talking to- through the Holy Word of God, through the Divine voice of God speaking through you, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In other words, when youre sharing a Bible verse, or trying to explain what the cross of Jesus means, or the resurrection, or the blood of Jesus Christ, or His power to forgive you and to change you, remember- God the Father, by the Holy Spirit, is speaking through you. And the most amazing thought is this, God is using me to bring this person to an encounter with God Himself.

It isnt just hot air, it isnt just words, it isnt just argument- its actually the Spirit of God longing to bring an encounter between God the Father, and this person that youre talking to. So, speak with authority, speak with joy, and remember that God is speaking through you by the Holy Spirit, and therefore God will do a deep work in that persons life. That is so exciting, dont you think?

Your Competence Comes from God

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As you and I try to reach our world, all of us do get nervous sharing the faith of Jesus Christ. So, as I told you a few days ago, I always think to myself, God is being glorified. Number 2, I have authority- the power of the Holy Spirit. And today, for just one minute, you have to remind yourself that you have confidence and that you are decisive by faith in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Listen to 2 Corinthians 3, “Such confidence as this is ours, through Christ before God, not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” Man, do I like that verse. Our competence comes from God.

So, when you share the Good News, remember, its not really you speaking, though God is using your voice and your mind and your thoughts, its the Holy Spirit of God and therefore you can speak with confidence. You speak decisively, you speak humbly, but the important thing is confidence in the Word of God. Confidence in the Holy Spirit of God. And confidence in that God Himself wants to turn this person back to Jesus Christ.

So, the next time you share the Good News, remember do it humbly but with confidence because your competence comes from God, not from yourself.