Instructions from Jesus:
- "Wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News!" Mark 16:15 (GW)
- "YOU will be my witnesses!" Acts 1:8
- "I've been given all authority. . . so go make disciples!" Matthew 28:18-19
- "Follow me and I'll show you how to fish for people!" Matthew 4:19
"We are Christ's ambassadors. God uses us to speak as though Christ himself is making this appeal: 'God wants you to connect with him in a friendship!'" Corinthians 5:20
My job in God's Family is to invite others to join us!
THINGS TO REMEMBER THAT GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE!
1. EVERYBODY I MEET has the same longings that i do
God has planted eternity in the human heart . . ." Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLT)
"Jesus included everyone in his death, so everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own."
2 Corinthians 5:15 (Mes)
Jesus said, "I have come so that you can have real life and eternal life, a better life than you ever dreamed of!" John 10:10 (Mes)
2. EVERYBODY HAS the same questions i do
". . . None of us can ever fully understand all God has done, but he puts questions in our minds – about the past and the future." Ecclesiastes 3:11 (CEV)
3. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND THEY OFTEN contradict themselves
"God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace" 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NCV)
"When you know the truth, the truth will set you free!" John 8:32 (NLT)
4. ANYONE CAN BE SAVED IF I LISTEN FOR THE KEY TO THEIR HEART. THAT KEY IS THEIR unmet need or hidden hurt
"Everyone falls short of God's glorious ideal." Romans 3:23 (LB)
5. PEOPLE HAVE EXCUSES BUT WE HAVE god's holy spiritAND THE TRUTH
"The Holy Spirit, God's gift to you, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord." 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (LB)
Jesus said, "This will be your chance to tell about your faith. Don't worryabout what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say." Luke 21:13-15 (CEV)
HOW CAN I SHARE MY HOPE?
1. LIVE IT!
"Live such good lives among your unbelieving neighbors . . . that they see the good things you do, and will honor God by believing . . ." 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV/NLT)
"Practice hospitality!" Romans 12:13
2. LEARN IT!
"Always be ready to answer anyone who asks you to explain the reason for the hope you have, but do it with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
- Finish Class 401 "Discovering my Life Message amp; Mission"
- Watch Daily Video Devotionals on Facebook - Pastor Rick Warren
ACTION PLAN: Click here to register for CLASS 401 on November 11. Click here to view Pastor Rick's daily video devotionals.
3. APOLOGIZE FOR NOT SHARING SOONER
"The righteous person is a guide to his friend." Proverbs 12:26 (TEV)
"Friends always show their love." Proverbs 17:17 (TEV)
4. LISTEN FIRST. ASK QUESTIONS
"Always listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting." Proverbs 18:13 (TEV)
"A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out." Proverbs 20:5 (TEV)
5. SHARE YOUR STORIES
"I do know this: I was blind, but now I can see!" John 9:25 (NLT)
ACTION PLAN: Write out your reason for hope in Jesus. Talk about how your relationship with Jesus has changed you and what you've seen God do. Keep it simple.
6. BRING THEM TO WORSHIP
"Go into the streets and everywhere else and invite anyone you find to come with you so that my house will be full!" Luke 14:23
"Many people will see this and they will worship him. Then THEY will trust the Lord!" Psalm 40:3
ACTION PLAN: Invite at least one person to church with you this weekend.
WHY DO WE SHARE OUR HOPE?
1. Everybody needs what Jesus offers! Matthew 11:28-30
2. Jesus commands us to do it. Mark 8:38
3. We're grateful to God amp; we love people. 2 Corinthians 5:14
4. We will be rewarded in heaven Proverbs 11:30
Read Chapters 9-11 in Purpose Driven Church this week
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship talks with Chris Tomlinson about Christianity and film. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, nbsp;click here
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over, nbsp;click here.
