Living the Good News: Authentic Faith in Action
Summary
In our journey of faith, we transition from an inherited or transactional belief to a faith born out of desperation and transformation. This transformation is not something we can articulate through mere words; it is a profound change that only Jesus can bring about. Our lives, which could easily spiral into chaos, are held together by Jesus. As we navigate our faith, we acknowledge our imperfections and the importance of seeking forgiveness when we falter.
Evangelism, often misunderstood as a ministry of words and clever techniques, is fundamentally about sharing the good news of Jesus. However, in Scripture, there is no designated ministry of evangelism. Instead, what we find is the ministry of reconciliation, as described by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians. This ministry is not about eloquent speech but about restoring relationships—between God and humanity, and among ourselves. We are ambassadors for Christ, and through us, God makes His appeal to the world. Our task is to invite others to be reconciled to God, to become new creations in Christ.
Our witness to the world is not through forceful arguments or scripted presentations but through the authenticity of our lives. 1 Peter 3:8-15 instructs us to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, loving, tenderhearted, and humble. By embodying these virtues, we naturally provoke curiosity about our faith. Our 'why'—the reason we follow Jesus—is more compelling than any evangelistic strategy. It is our lived experience, our transformation, and our hope in Christ that draw others to inquire about our faith.
As we prepare to practice sharing the good news throughout the year, we must first embody the good news ourselves. We must live in such a way that our lives make sense to others. Our actions and our love must reflect the teachings of Jesus. When we live authentically, we demonstrate the credibility of our faith. Our authenticity is what bridges the gap between professing faith and living it out.
In summary, sharing the good news is not about selling a product or reciting memorized lines. It is about living a life transformed by Jesus and being able to articulate why we follow Him. It is about being authentic in our walk with Christ, acknowledging our weaknesses, and inviting others to join us on this journey of faith.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not merely inherited or transactional; it is a personal encounter with Jesus that transforms us from the inside out. Our testimony is not just a story; it is evidence of Jesus' active presence in our lives, changing us in ways that defy human explanation. [42:25]
- Evangelism is not a ministry of words but a ministry of reconciliation. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to facilitate the restoration of relationships, inviting others to experience the transformative love of God through Jesus Christ. This is the essence of sharing the good news. [43:48]
- Our lives must reflect the teachings of Jesus, not as a strategy but as a natural outpouring of our faith. When we live in harmony, love, and humility, as instructed in 1 Peter, we become a living testimony that prompts others to ask about the hope we have in Christ. [32:29]
- Authenticity in our faith journey is crucial. Acknowledging our imperfections and our reliance on Jesus for strength and forgiveness lends credibility to our witness. We must be willing to share our struggles and growth in Christ, inviting others to walk with us. [38:54]
- Knowing our 'why' is essential for sharing the good news. Our personal reasons for following Jesus, grounded in our experiences and transformations, are powerful testimonies that resonate with others. We must be prepared to share our 'why' when asked, as it is the core of our witness. [48:08]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NIV)
> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2. 1 Peter 3:8-15 (NIV)
> Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
3. Matthew 25:31-40 (NIV)
> When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, what is the ministry that believers are given, and what does it entail?
2. In 1 Peter 3:8-15, what virtues are Christians instructed to embody, and how should they respond to insults and evil?
3. How does Matthew 25:31-40 describe the criteria for being blessed by the Father and inheriting the kingdom?
4. What does the sermon suggest is the fundamental difference between sharing the good news of Jesus and a sales pitch? [26:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a "new creation" in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 relate to the idea of embodying the good news of Jesus? [25:10]
2. Why does 1 Peter 3:8-15 emphasize the importance of being prepared to explain the hope that believers have? How does this relate to living authentically? [33:38]
3. In Matthew 25:31-40, why are acts of kindness towards "the least of these" equated with serving Jesus himself? How does this passage challenge our understanding of living out our faith?
4. The sermon mentions that evangelism is not about clever techniques but about reconciliation. How does this perspective change the way we approach sharing our faith? [43:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. How can you better embody the good news of Jesus in your daily actions and interactions? What specific changes can you make this week? [25:10]
2. Think about your personal "why" for following Jesus. Can you articulate it clearly? How can you share this "why" with someone who asks about your faith? [36:30]
3. In what ways can you practice the virtues listed in 1 Peter 3:8-15, such as being sympathetic, loving, tenderhearted, and humble? Identify one specific situation where you can apply these virtues this week. [32:29]
4. How do you need the help of the Holy Spirit to live authentically? Are there areas in your life where you struggle with authenticity? How can you address these struggles? [49:44]
5. Who in your life might come to know Jesus through your example? Write down their names and commit to praying for them. How can you intentionally build relationships with them to share the light of Christ? [51:45]
6. Reflect on the idea of the ministry of reconciliation. How can you actively participate in reconciling relationships in your community, both with God and with others? [43:48]
7. Consider the passage from Matthew 25:31-40. What are some practical ways you can serve "the least of these" in your community? How can you make this a regular part of your life? [28:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Beyond Words
Faith is a deeply personal experience that goes beyond the traditions and transactions we may have been born into. It is a journey that begins with an encounter with Jesus, leading to a profound transformation that reshapes our very being. This change is not something that can be easily explained or understood through language alone; it is a spiritual metamorphosis that defies simple description. It is the work of Jesus within us, taking our chaotic lives and bringing order, peace, and a new direction. This transformation is the cornerstone of our testimony, a living proof of the active presence of Jesus in our lives, continually molding us in ways that surpass human logic.
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt a profound shift in your faith. How did this experience change the way you live out your beliefs daily?
Day 2: Reconciliation as Ministry
Evangelism is often seen as a task that involves the right words and strategies, but at its core, it is about the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry, as described by the Apostle Paul, is not focused on eloquent speech but on restoring broken relationships—first with God and then with each other. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to extend the invitation for others to be reconciled to God, to experience the transformative love that makes us new creations in Christ. This is the true essence of sharing the good news, a calling that goes beyond mere words to the heart of God's desire for His children.
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:18
Reflection: How can you embody the ministry of reconciliation in your daily interactions with others, both within and outside the faith community?
Day 3: Reflecting Jesus in Our Lives
Our witness to the world is not through forceful arguments or scripted presentations but through the authenticity of our lives. The virtues of harmony, sympathy, love, tenderness, and humility are not strategies but the natural outpouring of a life transformed by Jesus. When we embody these qualities, as instructed in 1 Peter, we provoke curiosity and prompt others to inquire about the hope we have in Christ. Our lives, therefore, must make sense to those around us, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in every action and interaction.
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - 1 Peter 3:8
Reflection: What is one tangible way you can demonstrate the virtues of 1 Peter 3:8 in your community this week?
Day 4: The Power of Authenticity
Authenticity in our faith journey is essential. It is through acknowledging our imperfections and our reliance on Jesus for strength and forgiveness that our witness gains credibility. We are not called to present a façade of perfection but to share our real struggles and growth in Christ. This openness invites others to walk with us on this journey of faith, showing that the path to transformation is accessible to all who seek it.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16
Reflection: Can you identify a struggle or area of growth in your faith that you can share with a trusted friend or mentor this week?
Day 5: Knowing and Sharing Your 'Why'
Understanding and being able to articulate the personal reasons for following Jesus is crucial for sharing the good news. It is not about memorized lines or a sales pitch; it is about sharing the genuine experiences and transformations that have led us to hope in Christ. Our personal 'why' is a powerful testimony that resonates with others and invites them to explore the faith for themselves.
"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." - 1 Peter 3:15
Reflection: What is your 'why' for following Jesus, and how can you prepare to share this with someone who may ask about your faith this week?
Quotes
"Our why is compelling; your personal why is compelling, and you shouldn't sell yourself short that it isn't because people will ask eventually why do you follow Jesus." [36:30](Download)
"Sharing the good news of Jesus isn't just a sales pitch that we get to learn and be super compelling about; we can't go to a training to embody what it means to share the good news of Jesus." [25:54](Download)
"Evangelism is not a ministry of words and clever techniques; it is the ministry of reconciliation... it's about reconciliation of relationship, and we are the vessel." [43:48](Download)
"Our lives could easily spiral into chaos, but they are held together by Jesus... our life transformation that has happened that you would want to tell somebody this is what Jesus has done in my life." [42:25](Download)
"There is credibility in authenticity... sharing the good news of Jesus is part of being a follower of Jesus, but before we start with the ways that we can share the good news of Jesus, we need to embody what it means to be a follower of Jesus." [40:54](Download)
"Your authenticity of being willing to show your cracks and your problems and your struggles and sharing them and being open and honest... that's a lot more compelling life than I'm a follower of Jesus and then the things that you do in the dark start to come to light." [39:27](Download)
"Sharing the good news of Jesus means knowing your why, and you might be wondering, man, this sounds really intense... but the thing is, is that we can't stop there because there is credibility in authenticity." [37:18](Download)
"We can't share the good news of Jesus unless we embody the good news of Jesus, and it isn't about head knowledge... it's about... embodying the good news of Jesus ourselves so that it actually makes sense to people." [25:54](Download)
"Jesus promises that what will happen in the dark will come to light, and that's the credibility gap that the church has with the world; it's called hypocrisy." [39:27](Download)
"Your story and life in Jesus is way more compelling than anything that's manufactured. What is your why?" [48:08](Download)
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