Basic Truths: Witnessing #1
- the last several weeks we've been talking about how to
communicate biblically
- we've talked a lot about things we ought not to be saying
with our tongues and Lord willing, we have taken some steps
of growth in that area
- if you've been working on applying these truths, you've
probably had instances where you haven't said things
that you normally would have said
- but this time you "held your peace"
- now we're going to think about that subject from another
perspective
- this is a development of communication, but it's usually an
area where we "keep our peace" when we ought to be
speaking many times
- we're talking about witnessing -- using our tongues to
share the good news of Jesus Christ
INTRODUCTION
- let's begin by thinking about some reasons why we should
witness:
INPUT - What reasons come to your mind?
1) It is commanded.
- INPUT - Passages?
- Matt. 28:19-20
- Acts 1:8
- II Cor. 5:17-21
- John 15:16
2) It is commended:
a. in the life of our Savior
- Matt. 18:11
- Matt. 20:28
- John 17:18ff
b. in the life of the apostle Paul
- Romans 10:1
- Romans 10:15
- Phil. 1:12-18
- I Tim. 2:1-4
3) Because of the reality of hell
- People kid about "hellfire and brimstone"
preaching, but is it possible that we've put all
thoughts of hell out of our minds and as a result
lost an essential motivation for an evangelistic
lifestyle?
- we're not using these verses to "whip up" some sort
of emotional frenzy that leads to witnessing
- nor would we want someone to use these verses
with an unsaved person to coerce them into an
emotional decision.
- but, do we believe in the reality of hell, and
what do our witnessing habits reveal about the
depth of that belief?
- here's some of the things the Scripture tells us
about hell:
a. unquenchable - Mk. 9:43
b. eternal - Mt. 18:8
c. the opposite of eternal life - Mt. 25:46
d. eternal darkness - Mt. 25:30, II Pet. 2:17
e. death - Rev. 2:11
f. destruction and exclusion from the presence of the
Lord - II Thes. 1:8-9, Mt. 7:21-23
g. debt to be paid - Mt. 5:25-26
- point is - the Scripture is very clear about the existence
of a real heaven, and a real literal hell.
- some of the strongest passages in all the Bible are
on this subject.
- Is it possible that we've put these kinds of ideas
out of our minds, and as a result are not as
motivated to witness as we truly should be?
4) Because of the condition of unsaved man
- INPUT - if we're noy thinking biblically about the
condition of unsaved men and women, what are some
wrong conclusions we might be tempted to draw?
- let's think about what God's Word says concerning
the condition of those who don't know Christ as
Savior and Lord.
a. lost - Luke 19:10
b. condemned - John 3:18
c. under God's wrath - John 3:36
d. blind - II Cor. 4:3-4
e. dead - Eph. 2:1
f. child of the devil - John 8:44
g. hopeless - Eph. 2:12
h. under the mastery of sin and Satan - Isa. 64:6,
Eph. 2:2
INPUT - how could our culture's emphasis on "Unconditional
acceptance" and "Self-Love/Image" affect the truths
we've just been studying if we're not careful?
5) Our Lord deserves the glory from the lives of people
won to Him.
- Rev. 4:11
- I Cor. 10:31
- point that we're making is - There are many great reasons
why witnessing ought to be an important part of our
lifestyle.
- we're not going to go into the "ditch" of saying that this
is the only issue in the Christian life (but I doubt that
there's anyone here who say they're in that ditch anyway)
- Would you say this morning that this is a "use of the
tongue" that you need to be more faithful and consistent
in?
- we're going to take the rest of our time this morning
thinking about:
I. Why Do People Need To Be Saved?
A. The "short answer" - because of sin
Isaiah 59:2 - Your sins have cut you off from God
Rom. 3:23 - All have sinned and come short of the
glory of God
INPUT - what is our world's attitudes toward sin and how does
this affect our ability to evangelize?
B. What is sin?
- there are many different words in the Bible used to
speak of sin.
- I'm going to give you some of the original words
(certainly not to try to impress you) but to help
us:
- differentiate the various words
- gain a more well rounded view and definition of
sin
Old Testament
1. chata - failing to measure up, missing the mark
Psalm 32:1 , Rom. 3:23 (swimming illus)
2. avon - crookedness
- bent twisted, (key illus)
- Psalm 32:2
3. Pesha - rebellion from a right authority
Psalm 51:3
4. Ra - to break into pieces, ruin
Hos. 6:7
- There are several other words, emphasizing ideas such as
punishment, guilt, wickedness, deviation, etc.
- Point - sin in the Bible is a big problem, and God has
given us many words/concepts to help us see the enormity
of the problem.
New Testament
5. hamartia - missing the mark
Rom. 3:23
6. poneros - evil
John 3:19
7. parabino - going beyond, break the law
Mt. 15:2-3
