How to Share the Good News | Why You Can't Do It Alone

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Share Our Faith

The main sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a believer’s life is a growing desire and boldness to share the good news of Jesus with others. This empowerment is not about having all the right answers or being perfect, but about being willing to step out, invite, and bear witness to what God has done in your life. The Spirit gives you the courage, words, and opportunities to point others to Jesus, even when it feels uncomfortable or you feel unqualified. If you want to experience more of God’s power, step into the adventure of sharing your faith and see how the Spirit works through you. [15:54]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can pray for and intentionally invite to “come and see” Jesus this week, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower you?

Day 2: Invitation is Powerful—“Come and See”

Transformation often begins with a simple invitation. Just as Philip invited Nathanael to “come and see” Jesus, you don’t need to have all the answers to introduce someone to Christ. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is extend a genuine invitation—whether to a church event, a small group, or just a conversation about faith. God uses these moments to draw people closer, and your willingness to invite can be the turning point in someone’s spiritual journey. [07:17]

John 1:46 (ESV)
"Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'"

Reflection: What is one specific way you can invite someone into a faith experience this week, even if you feel unsure or unprepared?

Day 3: The Spirit’s Power is for Evangelism, Not Just Personal Experience

While many seek spiritual gifts, visions, or mountaintop experiences, the primary role of the Holy Spirit is to equip believers to bear witness to Jesus. The Spirit’s power is not just for personal comfort or miraculous moments, but for the mission of sharing the gospel. When you align your life with this purpose, you experience a deeper sense of God’s presence and adventure, discovering that the Spirit moves most powerfully when you step out in faith to reach others. [20:04]

John 15:26-27 (ESV)
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning."

Reflection: In what ways have you sought the Holy Spirit for personal benefit, and how might you shift your focus to being a witness for Jesus?

Day 4: Prayer and Persistent Love Open Doors

Consistent prayer for others and persistent, loving presence can soften hearts and open doors for the gospel. Keeping a list of people you’re praying for, as modeled by the P.A.C.E. list, and looking for opportunities to serve, invite, and share your story can have a profound impact—even if you don’t see immediate results. God honors your prayers and efforts, often working in ways you can’t see, and sometimes through others you didn’t expect. [10:09]

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV)
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom 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."

Reflection: Who are the people on your “mirror” or prayer list, and how can you show them Christ’s love in a tangible way this week?

Day 5: The Greatest Adventure is Partnering with the Spirit

There is no greater adventure than allowing the Holy Spirit to use you to bring others to Jesus. Whether it’s in everyday places like work, hospitals, or even unexpected environments, God wants to work through you. When you step out, even in small ways, you become part of someone’s story of hope and transformation. Don’t let fear or feelings of inadequacy hold you back—the Spirit will fill you, guide you, and use your life to make an eternal difference. [35:57]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: What is one bold step you can take this week to partner with the Holy Spirit in sharing the good news, even if it feels risky or outside your comfort zone?

Sermon Summary

The peace and power that so many long for is found in the good news of Jesus—the gospel. This good news is not just a set of beliefs, but a living reality that transforms lives and brings a deep sense of purpose and identity. My own journey, from rebellious high schooler to someone captivated by Christ, is a testament to the slow, persistent work of the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t a dramatic conversion, but a gradual awakening, sparked by the invitation of a friend and the faithful prayers of a mentor. The melody of the gospel became real to me when I was welcomed into a community that lived it out and invited me to “come and see.”

The core sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence in a person’s life is a growing desire and willingness to share this good news with others. The Spirit’s main job is to empower us to bear witness to Jesus, not just to give us spiritual experiences or gifts for our own sake. When the Spirit came at Pentecost, the first thing that happened was not a private spiritual high, but a public proclamation—people from every background heard the gospel in their own language. This is the pattern: the Spirit fills us so that we can point others to Jesus.

Evangelism is not about having all the answers or being perfect; it’s about inviting others into the story that has changed us. Sometimes that means bringing friends to a gathering, sometimes it’s sharing a meal or a simple act of kindness, and sometimes it’s just praying persistently for someone. The adventure of following Jesus is found in these moments—when we step out, even awkwardly, to share what we’ve received. The risks are real, but the rewards are eternal. Even rejection cannot rob us of the peace, forgiveness, and hope that the gospel brings.

The Spirit is always at work, often in ways we don’t see, and sometimes through others when our own efforts seem fruitless. Whether it’s in a hospital, a party, or even a strip club parking lot, the Spirit is seeking people and inviting us to join in. The greatest adventure and the deepest spiritual life are found not in retreating inward, but in joining the Spirit’s outward mission—bringing the good news to those who need it most.

Key Takeaways

1. The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to empower us to share the good news of Jesus, not just to give us personal spiritual experiences. When we align ourselves with this purpose, we find a deeper sense of God’s presence and power in our lives. The Spirit’s “X factor” is most evident when we step out in faith to bear witness to Christ. [15:54]
2. Evangelism is not about expertise or perfection, but about invitation and relationship. Like Philip telling Nathanael, “Come and see,” we are called to invite others into the story, even if we don’t have all the answers. The Spirit works through our simple, honest invitations and our willingness to be present with people where they are. [07:17]
3. Persistent prayer for others is a powerful act of love and partnership with God. Keeping a list of names to pray for, as modeled by my Young Life mentor, is a tangible way to join the Spirit’s work. Sometimes we may not see immediate results, but God is always moving, often through unexpected people and circumstances. [10:09]
4. The adventure of faith is found in stepping into uncomfortable or unlikely places, trusting that the Spirit is already at work. Whether it’s sharing faith in a hospital, at a party, or in a strip club parking lot, God uses our willingness to go where others might not. These moments of risk and obedience often become the most meaningful and transformative experiences of our lives. [32:27]
5. Rejection and failure in sharing our faith are not losses in God’s economy. The gospel assures us of our acceptance, forgiveness, and eternal hope, no matter the outcome. The only true loss is missing out on the Spirit’s adventure by refusing to participate in what matters most to Him—bringing people to Jesus. [27:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - The Peace of the Gospel
[01:21] - Prayer and Big Idea
[02:02] - Rebellion and Early Life
[03:33] - High School Years and Spiritual Progression
[04:31] - Gradual Spiritual Awakening
[05:22] - Young Life Invitation
[06:23] - The Power of Invitation
[07:42] - Transformation and Friendship
[08:51] - Parties, Loneliness, and Social Connection
[09:47] - Praying for Friends
[11:03] - Hosting Young Life and Testimony
[12:36] - Reaching Out to Friends
[14:20] - The Holy Spirit: The X Factor
[15:25] - Power for Evangelism
[16:59] - Pentecost and the Spirit’s Arrival
[19:40] - The Spirit’s True Purpose
[21:01] - The Helper Empowers Witness
[22:28] - Praying and Inviting Others
[23:45] - Spiritual Hunger and Invitation
[25:33] - Revival and the Spirit’s Work
[27:15] - The Gospel: You Can’t Lose
[28:24] - Sharing Faith in Everyday Life
[29:26] - Acts of Kindness and Prayer
[31:12] - Redefining Suffering Through Faith
[32:27] - Unlikely Places for Evangelism
[34:16] - God’s Signs and Transforming Lives
[35:36] - The Spirit’s Invitation to Adventure
[36:23] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 1:8 (ESV) — > "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV) — > "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

John 1:46 (ESV) — > "Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'"

Observation Questions

According to Acts 1:8, what is the main purpose for which the Holy Spirit gives power to believers?
In Acts 2:1-4, what was the first thing the disciples did after being filled with the Holy Spirit?
In John 1:46, how does Philip respond to Nathanael’s skepticism about Jesus? What does this show about sharing faith?
The sermon described the Holy Spirit’s “X factor” as being most evident when believers step out to share their faith. What are some examples from the sermon of people doing this in everyday life? [[29:26]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the main sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence is a growing desire to share the good news of Jesus. Why do you think this is the “main sign” and not something else, like spiritual gifts or personal experiences? [[15:54]]
When the Spirit came at Pentecost, the disciples immediately began speaking in other languages so everyone could hear the gospel. What does this suggest about God’s priorities for His people? [[18:54]]
The pastor shared that his own journey to faith was gradual and involved the invitation and prayers of others. How does this challenge the idea that evangelism is only for “experts” or people with dramatic stories? [[06:23]]
The sermon mentions that even when we don’t see immediate results, God is still at work, sometimes through others. How does this perspective affect the way we approach sharing our faith? [[23:06]]

Application Questions

The pastor talked about keeping a list of people to pray for, just like his Young Life mentor did. Do you have a “P.A.C.E. list” or something similar? If not, what would it look like to start one this week? [[10:09]]
Think about a time when you felt nervous or unqualified to invite someone to church or a faith event. What held you back? How could you take a small step of invitation this week, even if it feels awkward? [[07:17]]
The sermon gave examples of sharing faith in unexpected places—like a hospital, a party, or even a strip club parking lot. Where is one “unlikely” place in your life where you could be more intentional about being a witness? [[32:27]]
The pastor said that evangelism is not about having all the answers, but about honest invitation and relationship. Who in your life could you simply invite to “come and see” what Jesus is about? What would that invitation look like? [[07:17]]
Persistent prayer was described as a powerful act of love. Is there someone you’ve stopped praying for because you didn’t see results? What would it look like to start praying for them again? [[10:09]]
The sermon said that rejection and failure in sharing faith are not losses in God’s eyes. How does this truth free you to take more risks in sharing your faith? [[27:46]]
The pastor mentioned that the greatest adventure is joining the Spirit’s outward mission. What is one step you can take this week to join in that adventure, even if it feels uncomfortable? [[35:36]]

Sermon Clips

Isn't it when something makes sense to you and is great and impacts your life, don't you want other people to have it? Like who invented toilet paper first? You'd be like, dude, you got to do this. This is amazing. You got to, you got to. You can't keep quiet about toilet paper, right? Sliced bread, whatever it is. And so I wanted to have them say, come and see, come and see. I didn't have all the right people. I didn't have all the right answers, all the right stuff. I just come and see. [00:10:31] (25 seconds)

What the Holy Spirit's main job is to get Jesus publicity. The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's main job is to give you and I power for sharing our faith. So when you're not sharing your faith or we're not interested in evangelism, to use a dirty word, we're saying I'm not interested in the X factor of the Holy Spirit in my life. Because Jesus says here, this is the reason the Spirit is coming, to empower us to communicate who He is. [00:15:47] (33 seconds)

All of us want something unique to happen in our lives. I do. All of us want some some vision from God. I do. All of us want some miraculous new spiritual gift. I do. All of us want some new spiritual feeling wherever we get it. I do. Very clear, very, very, very clear. The Holy Spirit, though you may have a vision, is not about giving you a vision. The Holy Spirit, though you may get a miraculous spiritual gift, his goal is not for you to have a miraculous spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit, though we may and want mountaintop experiences, that's not his role, his role is to equip you to do evangelism. That's what he does. [00:19:18] (46 seconds)

If you want a spiritual buzz, man, your best game in town. Is putting people on a mirror and praying for them and then asking God, asking God how you can be used to actually articulate your faith, asking God for some place you can invite them. [00:22:25] (16 seconds)

``Your greatest adventure, bar none, nothing second, your greatest adventure is going to be allowing the Holy Spirit to do what the Holy Spirit wants to do, which is to bring people to Jesus. And as you listen to the lie of the evil and says, oh, I can't do that. No, not me. No, no, that's rude. No, I can't do it. What? What? This is the greatest blessing you can give somebody. They're not going to kill you. They'll be OK. And you're going to partner with the Spirit. You just might find that this is the reason you're stuck. This is the reason why you're not sensing him. Because like you're not into the things that he's into. This is what he's into, the Spirit. And he wants to fill you fresh. He wants to set you on a place to do things in ways that you couldn't do in your normal, natural flesh and where people in their natural flesh, they wouldn't even say naturally, yes, I will. But they will. And that's the good news. And their life in eternity will be changed forever. And it can be because of you. Make somebody thankful for your life. Make that happen. [00:34:56] (71 seconds)

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What is the primary sign of the Holy Spirit's presence?

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