Empowered Evangelism: Sharing Faith with Confidence and Grace

Sure, I think this is a question about courage, a question about confidence. You know, it is one thing to know the gospel. It is another thing to be able to say, "Do you have the confidence to share it?" And this is where I think we need to focus on the gospel itself. We need to focus on Christ. You know, if I were talking about something, politics or like my favorite book or whatever, I wouldn't have any level of confidence in the way I was making that argument. But if I am talking about Christ and I am talking about the gospel, well, that is the source of the confidence that I need. [00:09:33]

I think, number one, know your doctrine, know the faith, know the doctrine of God, know the doctrine of salvation, know the doctrine of Christ, know Scripture. You know, Dr. Sproul used to say all the time, "It's not enough to read the Bible; we've got to study the Bible." So, when you are surrounded by whatever it is, whatever the pressures are or whatever the challenges are, and in that particular case, Roman Catholicism and New Age, number one, know the truth. It is so important for you to know the truth. [00:02:39]

So many religions are works-oriented, and so they really do stress what is on you as the adherent and you have to measure up to a standard in order for God to accept you. And we talk about this sometimes that we come to Christ with empty hands, you know. "Nothing in my hand I bring," says the old hymn, "only to the cross of Christ I cling." The reality is that we actually do have something in our hands. It is our sinfulness. And this really sets the gospel apart. [00:12:36]

One thing I would say is read 1 John. In many ways, I think 1 John was written exactly for this question of assurance. So, a number of things that we are told in 1 John, and one is very clearly, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." And so, you need to recognize that it is the object of faith that is the basis of your salvation, not the extent of your faith, not the intensity of your faith, not the sincerity of your faith. It is faith in Jesus Christ that saves, not the faith. [00:08:44]

I think the other thing is we have an obligation to proclaim, and that is our obligation. Now, I think we should proclaim the gospel in a way that is persuasive and a way that is compelling, never manipulative, and never overbearing. But Paul does use the expression that he "persuades" people, and I think we can be persuasive about the gospel. But that is the extent of our obligation. We are talking about spiritual truths. The Bible teaches that the unregenerate person literally is blinded. [00:07:02]

Christianity is true not because Christians believe it, and Christianity is not true because Christians are better people than other people. Christianity is true because it is true. And so, that is what we have to land on. Now, that doesn't give us an excuse or some kind of opportunity to not be obedient Christians or faithful. You know, I go back to your talk, and I go back to what 1 Peter 3:16 adds to this equation that you should have a good conscience so that when you are defiled or when you are spoken against, they will have nothing to say to you because you have got a good conscience, right, as a Christian. [00:11:02]

And so, I look at all of those as opportunities and inroads to be able to present the truth. So, it is a great point you just made, Nathan, to be encouraged by these, not to be intimidated, but to be encouraged, and recognize that, I come back to this, because Christianity is true, it will make sense of the world in which we live. And because these other worldviews are false, eventually, there is a fault line, there is a breaking point where they will break down. [00:06:03]

And that is actually sort of a prod to say, "Hey, this isn't right. This isn't who I am in Christ. I need to get back to taking God's Word seriously." And as we are in step with God's Word and have that obedient life as a Christian, our assurance will wax, right? And that is just such a great thing to have confidence. But ultimately if our faith is in Christ, that is assurance of our salvation. Whoever has this test, whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. [00:10:05]

And, I think, sometimes as a Christian, we can think that if people are involved in kind of the New Age movement that they are almost beyond reach. But some of the people in that movement, although they are wrong, they are sincerely trying to find spiritual truth, and I was on this very long journey that ended up with me finding the truth, thankfully. And so, I would say, "Don't be discouraged. Don't give up on your New Age neighbors or friends." And tell them that you know the one true living God, and you do actually have the truth. [00:05:02]

Christianity is not a religion for the righteous. Christianity is not a message of salvation for those who are good people who just want to be a little better. Christianity is salvation for sinners. And the reality is we are all sinners. You know what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2? He says, "We were by nature children of wrath." That is really all you need to say. Even the slightest sin is worthy of condemnation and the wrath of God. [00:16:38]

But we need to recognize that Jesus came to the taxpayers, which were the sort of marginalized folks of the day and the sinners. And that is also a calling for us as well. [00:21:54]

And you need to just be patient and just pray for God to be at work. And you can rest assured that God's purposes will come to pass and God's word will never return void. It will accomplish the purpose that God set it out for. [00:08:19]