Embracing Friendship: Sharing Faith and the Gospel
Summary
Taking a moment to reflect on the importance of friendship, I shared a story from my past about a missed opportunity due to a lack of communication. This story served as a metaphor for how we can sometimes fail to share the most important message of all—our faith in Jesus Christ. Good friends share vital information, and there's nothing more crucial than sharing the gospel. We explored the story of Jonah, a prophet who initially ran from God's call to deliver a message of repentance to the people of Nineveh. Jonah's reluctance and eventual anger at God's mercy highlighted how not to be a friend. Instead of running from opportunities to share our faith, we should embrace them.
Jonah's story teaches us that being a good friend means wanting the best for others, which includes sharing the life-changing message of Jesus. We discussed how our actions and prayers can impact our friends' lives. By praying for opportunities to share our faith and inviting friends to church or spiritual events, we can be the kind of friends who lead others to the truth. The story of Glenda, a woman who prayed for her students and opened her home to them, exemplifies the power of prayer and hospitality in leading others to Christ.
I encouraged everyone to start with simple invitations and grow into sharing their faith more deeply. Many of us are here because someone invited us, and we can do the same for others. Finally, I reminded everyone of the gospel's core message: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us forgiveness and eternal life. Accepting this gift is as simple as saying yes to Jesus and allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Sharing Vital Information: Just as a good friend shares important news, we must share the gospel with those we care about. Our friends' eternal destinies may depend on our willingness to speak up. [03:56]
2. Jonah's Example of Reluctance: Jonah's initial refusal to deliver God's message to Nineveh shows how running from opportunities to share our faith makes us bad friends. Instead, we should embrace these moments to guide others toward salvation. [14:49]
3. The Power of Prayer and Hospitality: Glenda's story illustrates how consistent prayer and genuine hospitality can lead others to Christ. By praying for our friends and creating welcoming environments, we can facilitate spiritual growth. [22:20]
4. Starting with Invitations: While we may not yet feel equipped to share the gospel fully, we can begin by inviting friends to church or spiritual events. This simple act can open doors for deeper conversations about faith. [26:54]
5. Understanding and Accepting the Gospel: The gospel message is simple: Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and eternal life. Accepting this gift involves acknowledging our sins and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of our lives. [28:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:56] - The Importance of Sharing Important Things
- [05:03] - Good Friends vs. Bad Friends
- [13:25] - Jonah's Reluctance
- [14:49] - Jonah's Consequences
- [16:25] - Jonah's Anger at God's Mercy
- [17:48] - Wanting Good for Friends
- [18:24] - Jesus' Transformative Power
- [21:18] - Praying for Opportunities
- [22:20] - Glenda's Story of Prayer and Hospitality
- [26:54] - Starting with Invitations
- [28:19] - The Gospel Message
- [29:23] - Accepting Jesus' Gift
- [30:34] - Invitation to Accept Christ
- [32:51] - Encouragement to Be a Good Friend
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jonah 1:1-3
2. Romans 10:13-14
3. John 15:13
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Jonah's initial reaction to God's command to go to Nineveh, and what does this reveal about his character? [13:25]
2. According to Romans 10:13-14, what is necessary for someone to call on the name of the Lord and be saved?
3. How did Jonah's attitude change after God showed mercy to Nineveh, and what does this tell us about his understanding of God's compassion? [16:25]
4. What role did Glenda's consistent prayer and hospitality play in leading her students to Christ? [22:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jonah's reluctance to deliver God's message to Nineveh serve as an example of being a bad friend? What can we learn from his actions? [14:49]
2. In Romans 10:13-14, Paul emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel. How does this passage challenge us to be proactive in our faith-sharing efforts?
3. Reflecting on John 15:13, how does Jesus' definition of love challenge our understanding of friendship and sacrifice?
4. How does the story of Glenda illustrate the power of prayer and hospitality in evangelism? What can we learn from her example? [22:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you hesitated to share your faith with a friend. What held you back, and how can you overcome similar hesitations in the future? [14:49]
2. Identify a friend or family member who does not know Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to share the gospel with them, either through conversation or invitation? [26:54]
3. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate praying for opportunities to share your faith into your daily routine? [21:18]
4. How can you create a welcoming environment, like Glenda did, to facilitate spiritual conversations with those around you? What practical steps can you take to show hospitality? [22:20]
5. Reflect on the core message of the gospel: Jesus' sacrifice offers us forgiveness and eternal life. How can you communicate this message simply and clearly to someone who is unfamiliar with it? [28:19]
6. Think about a friend who is going through a difficult time. How can you be a good friend by sharing the hope and peace that comes from knowing Jesus? [18:24]
7. What is one specific action you can take this week to be a better friend by sharing important spiritual truths with those you care about? [03:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Sharing the Gospel as Vital Information
Sharing the gospel is akin to sharing vital information with a friend. Just as you would not withhold important news from someone you care about, you should not withhold the message of Jesus Christ. The eternal destinies of those around you may depend on your willingness to speak up and share the good news. This is not just about words but also about living a life that reflects the transformative power of the gospel. By doing so, you become a beacon of hope and truth in a world that desperately needs it. [03:56]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel today, and how can you share it with them in a way that is both loving and truthful?
Day 2: Embracing Opportunities to Share Faith
Jonah's story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of running from God's call to share His message. Jonah's reluctance to deliver God's message to Nineveh shows how avoiding opportunities to share your faith can make you a bad friend. Instead, you should embrace these moments, understanding that God has placed you in specific situations for a reason. By stepping out in faith, you can guide others toward salvation and experience the joy of being used by God to change lives. [14:49]
"And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.'" (Jonah 3:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What opportunities have you recently missed to share your faith, and how can you be more attentive to God's call in the future?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer and Hospitality
The story of Glenda illustrates the profound impact that prayer and hospitality can have on leading others to Christ. By consistently praying for your friends and creating welcoming environments, you can facilitate spiritual growth and transformation. This approach is not about grand gestures but about genuine care and love for others. Through prayer and hospitality, you can create spaces where people feel valued and open to exploring their faith. [22:20]
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer and hospitality into your daily routine to create opportunities for spiritual conversations with those around you?
Day 4: The Power of Simple Invitations
While you may not feel fully equipped to share the gospel in its entirety, you can start by inviting friends to church or spiritual events. This simple act can open doors for deeper conversations about faith and create opportunities for others to encounter Jesus. Remember, many people are where they are today because someone took the time to invite them. Your invitation could be the catalyst for someone else's spiritual journey. [26:54]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who can you invite to a church service or spiritual event this week, and how can you make that invitation genuine and welcoming?
Day 5: Understanding and Accepting the Gospel
The core message of the gospel is simple: Jesus' sacrifice offers forgiveness and eternal life. Accepting this gift involves acknowledging your sins and inviting Jesus to be the Lord of your life. This decision is not just a one-time event but a daily commitment to live under His lordship. By understanding and accepting the gospel, you can experience the fullness of life that Jesus promises and share that hope with others. [28:19]
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of the gospel and live out its truth in your daily life?
Quotes
And then Paul says this, he says, but how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they've never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them, right? Like your friends' eternity is in the balance. Your friends living the best life that they could live here on earth is in the balance. [00:10:04] (24 seconds)
Jonah gets on this ship. He goes the other direction, away from Nineveh. And as he's sailing, trying to get away from the Lord, which is impossible, the Lord allows this giant storm. I don't know if you know the story of Jonah. It's four chapters. It's a good read. You can read it tonight. A giant storm comes on. [00:14:34] (17 seconds)
And in a cool, crazy, supernatural event, how this happened, we don't know. People, you say a whale, the Bible doesn't say that. A giant fish, a large fish, supernatural, swallows Jonah. Kind of crazy. When I get to heaven, that's when I need to know more. Like, I got to know how this happened. Three days, he's in that fish, which actually ties back to Jesus being in the grave for three days. [00:15:32] (25 seconds)
If you want good things to happen in your friends' lives, you're going to tell them about Jesus. Like Jesus will change their life for the good. Like he's going to bring, he's going to make their adult life marriage better. He's going to make their finances better if they, if they live like Jesus calls them to live. They're going to have peace in their life. [00:18:08] (21 seconds)
And God, I'm praying for spiritual conversations. God, I'm praying for opportunities to tell them because I'm a good friend, because I love them about the greatest gift they could ever have. And you keep praying for them until God does a work in their life and their life is forever changed. Right? You can do that. That's what good friends do. Pray. Pray for that opportunity. [00:21:33] (18 seconds)
Eight months later continuing bible study continuing going to her house a conversation eight months later all five of those friends had given their life to jesus and they look back attributing it to glinda and her ministry then you fast forward years later and this guy john who's a pastor he's starting a ministry and he started thinking about glinda and he was like i'm trying to figure out how to reach people and he said i'm gonna go ask glinda like what was her secret sauce like what did she do that made that ministry of her so so incredible. [00:23:41] (34 seconds)
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