Tell Someone: Sharing Starts with Caring

Notes: Tell Someone: Sharing Starts with Caring

Luke 15 / Matthew 28

Pastor Greg Laurie

Sunday, July 26, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

The message today is part of a 4-part series on evangelism called "Tell Someone" that Pastor Greg will be teaching on 7/26,7/29, 8/2, 8/9.

Greg became a believer when he was 17. He grew up in an alcoholics home, mom remarried seven times. It set him on a search to find more.

He started doing drugs in his teens, but knew that was not what life was all about. 

When he was at his high school, Greg sat and listened to a young man teaching about Jesus. He had been told by his friends that they were a "bunch of Jesus freaks." 

He heard that he was either for Jesus or against Him. He didn't want to be against Jesus.

He found his faith on his high school campus that day.

Greg didn't know what to do after that, he was thinking maybe he would be a solo Christian.

Then his life started to change, the Holy Spirit started to guide him. He was being led to share the Gospel, but had a hard time doing it.

Christians have been given the Great Commission. Yet we seem to be like nonbelievers, where we are both not evangelizing.

95% of all Christians have never led another person to Christ.

The sin of commission is doing what you are not suppose to be doing.

The sin of omission is not doing what you are suppose to be doing. 

James 4:17 NLT
[17] Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

God wants to use you to lead others to Jesus.

Tell Someone: you can bring others to Christ.

Our part is to share the Gospel and God's part is to lead them to Himself.

Sharing your faith can be an exciting experience. Being led by God is fun.

Psalm 126:6 NLT[6] They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

There is joy, bringing others to Christ. It makes you happy.

The last person you would ever expect seems to be who God uses.

God called Moses:

Exodus 4:10-13 NLT[10] But Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled." [11] Then the LORD asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? [12] Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say." [13] But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send anyone else."

You are never too old or too young to be used by Christ. God can use you!

What's your excuse?

God is not looking for ability, He is looking for availability.

God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Evangelizing ensures our spiritual growth.

God does not give to us so that we can horde His blessings. He gives us His truths to share.

We are to share.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT[11] The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

1. Effective Sharing Starts with Caring.

A simple fact is that none of us like to share. We could all see this when we were children getting new toys, we didn't want to share.

With the Gospel, we seem to not want to share either.

2 Timothy 2:26 NLT[26] Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

We are here to liberate nonbelievers from the captivity of satan. We used to be just like them.

We need to care.

2. Caring about a Person also includes Anger.

We should be angry that satan is holding people captive. 

Don't get angry at the sinner, get angry at the sin.

Acts 17:16 NLT[16] While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.

Jesus gives parables in Luke:-A lost sheep who needs a shepherd-A woman who lost a coin-Like a father who lost his son

Being compared to sheep is not a compliment. They are unintelligent animals.

Every time someone on earth believes in Jesus, all of Heaven rejoices!

Luke 15:7 NLT[7] In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!

Luke 15:10 NLT
[10] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

The story of the father losing his son is one of the closest illustrations to God and His people. The Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:20-22 NLT[20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

Jesus compares God to a father willing to lose his dignity to have his son.

3. We are Commanded by Jesus to Fulfill the Great Commission.

We have been commanded to share the Gospel.

When is the last time you shared the Gospel?

Sharing the Gospel can be compared to going to Disneyland with either an adult or a child. With an adult it can seem to be a drag, but with a child it can be the greatest experience they have ever had.

Bring a nonbeliever to church and your experience at church changes, you look at it through their eyes.

To not share the Gospel can be hazardous to your spiritual health.

Sharing the Gospel is a joy.