Dear
Friends,
In
the early 1970’s while I was pastoring in Philadelphia Pa., I attended one of
the most valuable seminars I have ever taken. It was held in Fort Lauderdale,
Fl. where 30 years I would later pastor, it was there that I spent a week
learning how to share my faith while attending the Coral Ridge Presbyterian
Church. The program was called Evangelism Explosion, and it not only impacted
my life, but it impacted the life of my church in Philadelphia, where I
taught our members how to go into our community and share their faith while
witnessing to others.
I
still use parts of what I learned in sharing my faith today. The program was
predicated on two introductory questions that I would ask people. The first is
“Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain
if you were to die today, you would go to heaven?” And a second follow up
question was “Suppose you were to die today, and God were to say to you why
should I let you into heaven, what would you say?” The first question helps you
know what they believe about heaven, and the second question informs you of
what they believe is needed to get there. More often than not, the answer to
the second question would be a series of “I” statements. I go to church, I
pray, I do good things, I, I, I, … All such answers generally indicate that the
person I am witnessing to is depending on the things they have done to earn
their way into heaven. At that point, I will sometimes say, “I thought I might
have some good news for you when I asked those first two questions but hearing
your response, I know I really have some of the greatest good news you will
ever hear. Would you mind if I took a few moments to share that news with
you”?
I
always ask permission to share with them to determine their willingness and
interest, as I don’t want to force my faith on someone who is openly resistant.
I
then quote Ephesians 2:8-9, or if I have a Bible with me, I will open it up and
ask them to read aloud the passage themselves. “It is by grace you have been
saved through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by
works, so that no one can boast.”
Most
people believe that it is their good works that will get them into heaven when
in reality your good works, no matter how good they are, can never save you.
These two verses make it clear that your salvation is not by your own works or
efforts but only by God's grace (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense). That
expense was Christ’s death, and it is the only good work that will save you. It
is only your faith, (your trust in Christ alone) that will save you, “for all
your good works are simply dirty rags” (Is. 64:6). Then I will turn to Romans
3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and then to Romans
6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the (free) gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.” I also will have them look at Romans 3:10, Rom. 5:8 and
Romans 10:9.
Obviously,
time does not allow me to do justice to a complete presentation of the gospel,
but hopefully this will help you get started on the path to sharing your faith.
If
you are interested in learning more, let me know and if there is enough of a
response, I will lead a class on “Sharing Your Faith” this fall at New
Monmouth.
I
close by adding this: There is no greater joy in life that one can receive than
being used to lead someone to Christ.
For
more information I suggest you google “Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual
Laws,” and you will find one of the most effective tracts ever produced for
sharing the plan of salvation.”
Have
a great weekend,
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Tom
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