Rescue Heroes: Bringing Your Friends to Heaven

Survey:  #1 Fear = Public speaking. Rather be dead than have to talk at funeral.

Hide-n-Seek story OR Jim Green…  People scared about what MIGHT happen.  The fear is built up, even when it isn’t real.  That’s what our enemy, the devil, tries to do with us. 

Question:  What are some ways people share Jesus w/o talking?  Show and tell

So what is the truth about sharing Jesus with someone? 

It’s important to do, especially at your age.  70% of those who accept Christ do so by the age of 18.  Basically, if someone graduates high school without Jesus, the odds are they will die without Jesus.

Jesus commands every person who follows Him to do it.

Matthew 28:18-19 - Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”

1 Peter 3:15 – “If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” 

No matter who you are, or how much you know about Jesus, you can do this.

            - Exodus 3:12 - “I will be with you.”

It does take putting a dagger through fear, and forgetting yourself!

Good to have idea of what you want to say.  Why?  ME AND CHARLIE (IF there’s time)

Is this the ONLY method of sharing Christ?  No, but it is a very effective one.  It boils down the key points someone needs to understand about Jesus and having a relationship with him into four simple steps.  People all over this country and around the world have learned this simple approach, and many have said, “I used to be scared of talking about Jesus because I didn’t know what to say.  Now, with this approach, I can do it.”

Here we go – the 4 Steps to Communicating Christ

There’s a relationship you’re supposed to have

Colossians 1:16 – “All things were created by Him (Jesus Christ) and for Him.”

There’s a relationship you don’t have because of sin

 .               First, what is sin?  Lots of people don’t know, so we need to explain it to them.  Sin = running your life your own way.  Drugs, drinking, lying, stealing, sex outside of marriage, cheating…All equal sin - MAKE IT PERSONAL!

a.              Once you’ve established that, then…

           i.      Isaiah 59:2 – “But there is a problem – your sins have cut you off from God.  Because of your sin, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.”

          ii.      Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

a.              So what’s the problem?  Well, the Bible tells us that the penalty for sin is death, and it must be paid by someone.

         i.      Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

HERE COMES THE GOOD NEWS

3.  There’s a relationship you can have because of Jesus

“Christ also suffered when He died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners that He might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.”   1 Peter 3:18

        “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8

4.  You must choose!

a.              God gave us all the choice of whether or not we will give His Son Jesus control of our lives, and ask Him to come live in our heart.  We have to make a choice.  If someone says they won’t choose, then they have chosen to not follow God.  If someone says they will wait until later in their lives so they can have fun now, it might be too late by then.  HOW MANY KNOW SOMEONE WHO DIED UNEXPECTEDLY?

        i.      Acts 3:19 – “Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed from your sins.”

       ii.      John 1:12 – “But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Will you be defined by moments in your life that people will soon forget after you’re gone?  Or will you be defined as someone who changed lives, saved souls, and helped a few more people get to Heaven instead of hell?!

Proverbs 11:30 – “He who wins souls is wise.”