Tell Someone: Answering Difficult Questions Unbelievers Ask

Notes: Tell Someone: Answering Difficult Questions Unbelievers Ask

John 9:1–7

Pastor Greg Laurie

Thursday, August 6, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

If you were in an accident on the way home, are you right with God now?

Nonbelievers always seem to have a difficult question list that they throw at you when you start sharing with them.

That is usually their smoke screen.

We are to engage them in a dialogue, not a monologue.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. [16] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Apologia means to give a legal defense as in a court of law.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT

[19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Jesus often responded to a question with a question.

1. How do we know the Bible is the word of God?

The Bible is actually 66 books, written over a 1500 year period.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

[20] Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, [21] or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

1. I know the Bible is true, because it gave me the experience it claims it will give me.

The Bible tells me my sins would be forgiven. That I will experience peace, and I have.

God comforts those who mourn.

2. The Bible is true because it is confirmed by science.

Scriptures say the stars are as countless as the sands on the beach. Science used to say the starts could be numbered, but then more powerful satellites were made.

Hebrews 11:3 NLT

[3] By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

3. Archaeology proves the Bible.

4. The Bible predicts the future and it's been accurate every time.

What's the chance of 8 prophesies happening to Jesus as a coincidence:

1 in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

What about the person who has never heard the Gospel?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

[11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Romans 1:18-20 NLT

[18] But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. [19] They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. [20] For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

We are built as seekers of God.

Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

[13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Nonbelievers use this as a smoke screen:

How could a God of love allow suffering?

John 9:1-9 NLT

[1] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. [2] "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" [3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. [4] We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. [5] But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." [6] Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. [7] He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! [8] His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" [9] Some said he was, and others said, "No, he just looks like him!" But the beggar kept saying, "Yes, I am the same one!"

Jesus would vary His way of healing. Touching, sending them, even putting mud in their eye. God doesn't get caught up on routine.

All sickness and disabilities, even death itself is a result of sin.

Much suffering comes from evil people hurting others.

God gave us free will, in many ways our greatest blessing and our biggest curse.

God shows us kindness and love, and in turn we show love to Him.

Many things don't make sense but they still happen. It is the overall curse of sin.

1. Sometimes God will allow suffering and sickness to get our attention.

Psalm 119:67 NLT

[67] I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

God understands the loss of a child, because He lost one too.

2. Suffering can grow your faith.

You don't build muscle by eating donuts, no pain no gain.

James 1:2-4 NLT

[2] Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Don't treat trials as intruders but as friends. They can drive you to God. Sometimes we need a designated driver.

3. Suffering can bring glory to God!

John 9:3 NLT

[3] "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

A disability can show us God's abilities.

Your suffering will not last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT

[17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Heaven is forever.

Tell Someone: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

Notes: Tell Someone: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

John 4

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, August 2, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Jesus said we should go into the whole world, but He didn't say the whole world would come to the church.

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 NLT

[15] And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

We need to engage in FRANgelism... Friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

We share the Gospel all the time.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

How do we share the Gospel? That is where it falls apart for many people. The answer is from Jesus Himself. It is showed in John 4 with the woman at the well.

Everyone's favorite subject appears to be themselves. The selfie picture is a testament to that.

Our objective is to build a bridge, not burn one. A stepping stone not a stumbling block.

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

Evangelism Jesus style, starts with a burden. Jesus needed to go through Samaria.

There is no place for prejudice in the life of a believer. We are to share with all people.

We are to use tact. Skill and grace with dealing with others. You don't start telling them they are going to hell.  

You should engage people in a dialogue, it's not a monologue.

A great example of tact...

Acts 8:29-38 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [33] He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Nonbelievers are looking for someone to show them the way. People have stated they would go to church if someone invited them.

Look for open doors and opportunity.

Some people are unnecessarily offensive. That burns bridges.

Chumming is a good way to go about it. Start a conversation don't force it. Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. It showed a vulnerability that the woman could relate to.

I'm just one beggar telling another beggar where to find some food.

We can be in secondary subjects and missing the opportunities to lead people to Christ right in front of us.

The result of Jesus' conversation was that the lady believed and she went and told others.

Greg's mother reminds him of the woman at the well. She was raised in the church but seemed to fight her belief in the Lord. Greg talked to her about the Lord one month before she passed. Greg gets to see her in Heaven again. We never know when the opportunity will arise, but we need to listen to the nudges from God.

There is joy in leading people to Christ, but there is also a responsibility to do it.

Tell Someone: The Gospel Is Only Good News If It Gets There in Time

Notes: Tell Someone: The Gospel Is Only Good News If It Gets There in Time

Acts 16

Pastor Greg Laurie

Thursday, July 30, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Part two of a four part series.

Greg had decided to start spreading the Gospel about two weeks after he became a believer. He fumbled through a flyer as he shared with a woman. Even though he didn't know much, the lady accepted Christ and he got to see how he can affect the people around him.

Proverbs 11:30 NKJV

[30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Daniel 12:3 NLT

[3] Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

1. We should all be sharing the Gospel.

2. We should be sharing the Gospel with everyone.

Things that we know about everyone:

1. We are all empty inside.

2. Everyone is lonely.

Top words searched at night... Porn. Suicide. Lonely

3. Everyone feels guilty.

Romans 2:15 NLT

[15] They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

4. There is a universal fear of death.

Everyone wants to be happy and everyone will die.

Everyone has to die.

We need to bring the Gospel to all those people.

John 3:16 NLT

[16] "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

That scripture can do some serious damage to the kingdom of darkness.

3. We should share the Gospel wherever.

FRANgelism..Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors should be Evangelized by you.

Jonah was someone that didn't want to evangelize as God commanded. God said go, Jonah said no, so God said oh... So Jonah went!

Esther was called to save her people. She was made queen for "such a time as this."

Maybe you are where you are at this moment for such a time as this.

Is there someone that you need to be sharing the Gospel with right now?

Jonah 4:2 NLT

[2] So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.

The Old Testament God is the same God as the New Testament God!

God is God! He loves us and doesn't want to judge us.

Many people don't share their faith for the same reason Jonah didn't want to. Fear of success!

We may think it may be an inconvenience if a new believer is around us.

A new believer is good for us and we are good for them.

Are you a bridge or a barrier to people coming to Christ?

You don't have to be a preacher to preach the Bible.

You not only need to preach but be a good example.

We are the only Bible some people see.

Christians are walking epistles, written by God and read by man.

We are to be salt and light in our culture.

Salt in the past used to be valuable. It was used as a preservative.

We aren't always the best representatives of Christ but we need to try to be.

It's a sad thing when a non-Christian knows better what it means to be a Christian than a Christian does.

Salt stimulates thirst also, a thirst for Christ.

Acts 16:23-25 NLT

[23] They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. [24] So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. [25] Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

They were beaten, whipped and put in stocks yet they sang praises at midnight.

Acts 16:28-30 NLT

[28] But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!" [29] The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. [30] Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul and Silas earned the right to preach the Gospel by the way they live. We need to earn that right by the way we live.

Romans 10:14 NLT

[14] But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

We don't know why God chooses to use people to reach people, but He does.

He uses us telling people the Gospel. God uses verbal communication.

We have the cure for death. We need to share it .

Do everything you can to reach everyone you can.

4. When should we share the Gospel? Answer: Whenever!

We aren't in front of people by coincidence, it is called providence.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Share the Gospel: Whosoever, Wherever, Whenever.

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.