Empowered Evangelism: Sharing Faith with Confidence and Grace

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the challenges and responsibilities of sharing our faith with others. We began by acknowledging the natural fear and intimidation that can accompany evangelism. However, the source of our confidence lies not in ourselves but in the truth of the gospel and the person of Christ. This truth empowers us to speak boldly, even when it feels daunting. We are reminded of Peter's command to always be ready to give a defense of our faith, which requires us to lean on the Lord and trust in His strength.

We also addressed the importance of knowing our doctrine and being well-versed in Scripture, especially when faced with differing beliefs such as New Age thinking or Roman Catholicism. Understanding the core tenets of our faith helps us discern truth from error and equips us to engage in meaningful conversations with those who hold different views.

Furthermore, we discussed the nature of Christianity as a faith rooted in grace, not works. Unlike other religions that emphasize human effort, Christianity teaches that we come to Christ with nothing but our sinfulness, and it is through His grace that we are saved. This sets Christianity apart and highlights the transformative power of the gospel.

We also touched on the assurance of salvation, emphasizing that it is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith—Jesus Christ—that secures our salvation. Our struggle with sin does not negate our standing in Christ, but it can affect our sense of assurance. By aligning our lives with God's Word, we can experience a deeper sense of assurance and fellowship with Him.

Finally, we considered how to maintain relationships with non-believers while sharing the gospel. Jesus Himself engaged with those outside the faith, and we are called to do the same with wisdom and discretion. Our role is to proclaim the truth, trusting that God will work in the hearts of those we reach out to.

Key Takeaways:

- Confidence in Evangelism: Our confidence in sharing the gospel comes from the truth of the message itself, not our own abilities. By focusing on Christ and His work, we find the courage to speak boldly. [00:45]

- Understanding Doctrine: Knowing our faith deeply is crucial when engaging with differing beliefs. This knowledge helps us discern truth from error and equips us to share the gospel effectively. [02:56]

- Grace Over Works: Christianity is distinct in its emphasis on grace rather than works. We come to Christ with our sinfulness, and it is through His grace that we are saved, setting our faith apart from other religions. [13:28]

- Assurance of Salvation: Our assurance is rooted in the object of our faith—Jesus Christ. While our struggle with sin can affect our sense of assurance, aligning our lives with God's Word strengthens our confidence in our salvation. [09:27]

- Engaging with Non-Believers: Maintaining relationships with non-believers requires wisdom and discretion. Like Jesus, we are called to engage with those outside the faith, sharing the gospel with love and truth. [21:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Courage in Sharing Faith
- [00:45] - Confidence in the Gospel
- [01:28] - Always Be Ready
- [02:34] - Knowing Your Doctrine
- [03:16] - Understanding Other Beliefs
- [05:06] - Engaging with New Age Thinkers
- [06:42] - Friendship Evangelism
- [08:39] - Assurance of Salvation
- [11:02] - True Christianity
- [12:29] - Christianity vs. Other Religions
- [15:38] - Salvation for All Sinners
- [18:03] - Personal Relationship with Christ
- [19:06] - Addressing the Prosperity Gospel
- [20:17] - The Gospel of John for Evangelism
- [21:13] - Maintaining Relationships with Non-Believers

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
3. 1 John 5:13 - "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the source of our confidence when sharing the gospel, according to the sermon? [00:45]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between Christianity and other religions in terms of grace and works? [13:28]
3. What role does understanding doctrine play in engaging with differing beliefs, as discussed in the sermon? [02:56]
4. How does the sermon suggest we maintain relationships with non-believers while sharing the gospel? [21:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does 1 Peter 3:15 encourage believers to prepare for sharing their faith, and what does it mean to do so with "gentleness and respect"? [01:28]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 2:8-9 challenge the idea of salvation through works, and how does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on grace? [13:28]
3. How does the assurance of salvation, as discussed in 1 John 5:13, relate to the sermon’s message about the object of our faith being Jesus Christ? [09:27]
4. What are some practical ways to discern truth from error when engaging with New Age beliefs or Roman Catholicism, as mentioned in the sermon? [03:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt intimidated to share your faith. How can focusing on the truth of the gospel help you overcome this fear in future situations? [00:45]
2. Identify a specific doctrine of Christianity that you feel less confident about. What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of it? [02:56]
3. Consider your current relationships with non-believers. How can you engage them in spiritual conversations with wisdom and discretion, as Jesus did? [21:30]
4. How does understanding that salvation is by grace alone impact your view of your own faith journey and your interactions with others who may believe differently? [13:28]
5. If you struggle with assurance of salvation, what practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God’s Word and strengthen your confidence in your standing with Christ? [09:27]
6. Think of a non-believer in your life. What is one specific way you can show them the love of Christ this week, while also being prepared to share the gospel if the opportunity arises? [21:30]
7. How can you use the Gospel of John to help you in evangelism and apologetics, as suggested in the sermon? What is one passage from John that you can memorize or study this week to aid in sharing your faith? [20:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Confidence in the Gospel Empowers Bold Evangelism
In the journey of sharing one's faith, the natural fear and intimidation that often accompany evangelism can be daunting. However, the source of confidence lies not in personal abilities but in the truth of the gospel and the person of Christ. This truth empowers believers to speak boldly, even when it feels challenging. By focusing on Christ and His work, individuals find the courage to share the gospel with others. The call to always be ready to give a defense of one's faith requires leaning on the Lord and trusting in His strength. [00:45]

"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 is one person you feel called to share your faith with, and how can you rely on the truth of the gospel to overcome any fear or hesitation in doing so today?


Day 2: Deep Understanding of Doctrine Equips Effective Evangelism
Knowing one's faith deeply is crucial when engaging with differing beliefs. This knowledge helps discern truth from error and equips believers to share the gospel effectively. Understanding the core tenets of Christianity is essential, especially when faced with differing beliefs such as New Age thinking or Roman Catholicism. By being well-versed in Scripture, individuals can engage in meaningful conversations with those who hold different views, always ready to give a defense of their faith. [02:56]

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your faith that you feel less confident in explaining to others? How can you deepen your understanding of this area through study and prayer this week?


Day 3: Grace, Not Works, Defines Christianity's Distinctiveness
Christianity is distinct in its emphasis on grace rather than works. Unlike other religions that emphasize human effort, Christianity teaches that individuals come to Christ with nothing but their sinfulness, and it is through His grace that they are saved. This sets Christianity apart and highlights the transformative power of the gospel. Understanding this core tenet helps believers appreciate the uniqueness of their faith and share it with others. [13:28]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the concept of grace over works change the way you view your relationship with God and others? How can you live out this truth in your interactions today?


Day 4: Assurance of Salvation Rooted in Christ, Not Personal Strength
The assurance of salvation is not based on the strength of one's faith but on the object of that faith—Jesus Christ. While struggles with sin can affect one's sense of assurance, aligning one's life with God's Word strengthens confidence in salvation. By focusing on Christ and His promises, believers can experience a deeper sense of assurance and fellowship with Him, knowing that their standing in Christ is secure. [09:27]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle with assurance of your salvation? How can you realign your focus on Christ and His promises to strengthen your confidence today?


Day 5: Engaging Non-Believers with Wisdom and Discretion
Maintaining relationships with non-believers requires wisdom and discretion. Jesus Himself engaged with those outside the faith, and believers are called to do the same. By proclaiming the truth with love and trusting that God will work in the hearts of those they reach out to, Christians can effectively share the gospel. Engaging with non-believers involves balancing truth and grace, always seeking to reflect Christ's love in every interaction. [21:30]

"Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one non-believer in your life that you can engage with more intentionally? How can you approach this relationship with wisdom and grace, reflecting Christ's love in your interactions?

Quotes


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]

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Transcript
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