This week we’ve been looking at the importance of repentance when it comes to sharing our faith. Psalm 51 is a beautiful psalm by King David that depicts what true repentance looks like. It reveals a person with a broken and contrite spirit. And what’s the result of this type of repentance? Evangelism!

David ends the Psalm by saying: “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” Remember, David has already confessed his sin, he’s pointed the finger only at himself; he’s pleaded for forgiveness. Now, he looks forward to the future. David’s thinking, Lord, you’ve done something amazing for me. Now I will help others turn back to you.

You know, a truly forgiven person wants other people to know God the way they know him. Once you’ve been forgiven and set free, you almost can’t help but tell everyone around you about God’s amazing grace. You’ll want others to experience that same forgiveness and freedom.

You know there’s a phrase that I’ve heard many times and I really dislike it. They say in Europe, “oh the American church… it’s a mile wide and an inch deep.” Oh really?

But you know, there’s a certain meaning to that phrase and it’s this - what about discipleship? People say to themselves, “Okay, I gave my life to Christ. He forgave my sins. I’m a child of God. I’m going to heave when I die.” And, you want to see them grow!

This happened to Pat and me with our four sons and now our 8 grandsons. We want to see them grow. Not only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ so that they have eternal life, we want them to be disciples.

In Hebrews ch.6 we read, “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” That everybody likes.

We want to see our children and our grandchildren grow up and go on to maturity and become true followers of Jesus Christ who love the Word of God, who love the church, who love communion, who love prayer, and who love to share the Good News to those who are still lost.

Yes, Jesus says let us go to maturity. And, we can do it ourselves and we can help others go on to maturity if they stay close to Jesus Christ and His Holy Word.

Have you ever thought about the amazing privileges we have as children of God? Think about it. Hebrews chapter 10 tells us all about them. First, it says we can draw near to God with a sincere heart. That we do that in full assurance of faith. That our hearts are sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscious. That our bodies are washed with pure living water.

We hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, because the One who promised it is faithful. We spur one another on to love and good deeds. We meet together for fellowship. We encourage one another and, it says, all the more as we see the Day of our Lord approaching.

You know, all these privileges are ours in Jesus Christ! Is that amazing or what? The blood of Jesus purified and opened the door in such a way that we can actually walk right into the most holy place, the very presence of God. In the Spirit, in prayer, in worship, in meditation-you and I can actually feel and be by faith, in reality, in the very presence of God Almighty.

Hebrews 10:19 says, “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” Check it out for yourself. You can make an amazing impact on your world when you live life in light of God’s promises, God’s privileges, and God’s reality.

Krista was a college student at a secular university. She wrote to tell me she’d been praying that God would use her to reach out to non-Christians with His love. But she wasn’t sure how to go about doing it. Well, it didn’t take long for God to answer her prayer in an unexpected way!

One afternoon in her dorm room, Krista was studying while listening to some Christian music. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A fellow resident wanted to heat up something in her microwave. Krista let her in and the girl made a comment about the music. This opened up a conversation between them about Christian music, religion, and God. Krista then asked the girl if she’d like to join her at church that Sunday, and she accepted!

The Lord can use anything to draw people to Himself. We just have to be prayerful, and open to however He wants to do it. He used a simple thing like Christian music to open the door for Krista to share her faith. So don’t underestimate God. And don’t forget to pray! And keep your eyes open. Remember James 5: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”