Sharing Jesus: Hope in Spiritually Dry Places
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of sharing Jesus in our workplaces and other consistent circles of influence. We began by acknowledging the challenges many of us face in environments that can feel spiritually dry and desolate, much like the Atacama Desert. Yet, even in these places, we are called to be present and to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The story of my friend Michael, whom I met while teaching at a local middle school, serves as a powerful testament to the impact of persistent, loving invitations. Through our friendship and multiple invitations, Michael eventually came to know Jesus, illustrating the transformative power of a simple invitation.
We delved into Matthew 9, where Jesus exemplifies how to engage with those around us. He was present, aware, compassionate, prayerful, and proactive in sharing the good news. These principles guide us in our mission to share Jesus with others. Being present means immersing ourselves in the lives of those around us, not isolating ourselves. Awareness involves recognizing the needs and struggles of others, which can motivate us to share the hope we have in Christ. Compassion drives us to care deeply for others, just as Jesus did. Prayer is essential, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to act. Finally, sharing is the culmination of these steps, where we actively communicate the gospel and extend invitations to experience Jesus.
The story of Elijah and the drought in 1 Kings reminds us of the power of faith and persistence. Just as Elijah believed in the coming rain despite the drought, we are encouraged to believe in what God can do through our invitations, even when we face initial rejections. The Atacama Desert, though the driest place on earth, can bloom with flowers when conditions are right. Similarly, spiritually dry environments can become fertile ground for God's work when we faithfully share Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Be Present and Engaged: Like Jesus, we must be present in the lives of those around us, especially in our workplaces. This means actively engaging with coworkers and being part of their lives, rather than isolating ourselves. Our presence can open doors for meaningful conversations and opportunities to share Jesus. [11:13]
- Cultivate Awareness and Compassion: Jesus was aware of the needs of those around him and had compassion for them. We are called to develop a similar awareness and compassion for our coworkers and others in our circles. Recognizing their struggles and needs can motivate us to share the hope we have in Christ. [13:24]
- Pray for Opportunities and Guidance: Prayer is a vital component of sharing Jesus. We should pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for guidance in how to approach these conversations. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to act with boldness and love. [17:01]
- Persist in Sharing and Inviting: Just as Elijah persisted in prayer for rain, we must persist in sharing Jesus and inviting others to experience him. Even when faced with initial rejections, we should continue to extend invitations, trusting that God can work through our efforts. [26:33]
- Trust in God's Transformative Power: The story of the Atacama Desert blooming with flowers reminds us of God's ability to bring life to spiritually dry places. We should trust in God's transformative power and believe that our invitations can lead to life-changing encounters with Jesus. [28:15]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Sharing Jesus in the Workplace
[01:53] - Challenges of a Spiritually Dry Environment
[02:35] - The Atacama Desert Analogy
[04:06] - The Power of an Invitation
[05:49] - Jesus' Compassion and the Harvest
[07:34] - Michael's Story: The Impact of Persistence
[11:13] - Be Present: Jesus' Example
[12:26] - Awareness and Compassion
[13:24] - The Importance of Prayer
[14:38] - Caring Deeply for Others
[15:57] - Sharing the Good News
[17:01] - The Role of Prayer in Evangelism
[18:28] - Trusting God's Plan
[22:25] - Michael's Life Transformation
[26:33] - Elijah's Faith and Persistence
[28:15] - The Blooming Desert: A Metaphor for Hope
[31:51] - Shining in the Darkness
[32:49] - The Power of an Invitation
[33:28] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 9:35-38
- 1 Kings 18:41-45
- Isaiah 51:3
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 9:35-38, what actions did Jesus take as he traveled through towns and villages? How did he respond to the crowds he encountered? [05:49]
2. How does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:41-45 illustrate persistence in faith, and what was the outcome of his repeated actions? [26:33]
3. What is the significance of the Atacama Desert analogy in the sermon, and how does it relate to the spiritual environments we might encounter? [02:35]
4. How did the pastor's relationship with Michael demonstrate the power of persistent invitations? What was the turning point in Michael's journey? [07:34]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' compassion for the crowds in Matthew 9:36 challenge us to view the people in our workplaces or circles of influence? [05:49]
2. In what ways does Elijah's faith in the coming rain, despite the drought, encourage us to trust in God's timing and power when sharing our faith? [26:33]
3. How can the blooming of the Atacama Desert serve as a metaphor for spiritual transformation in seemingly dry environments? What conditions might be necessary for such transformation? [28:15]
4. What role does prayer play in preparing us to share Jesus with others, according to the sermon and the example of Jesus in Matthew 9? [17:01]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current workplace or circle of influence. How can you be more present and engaged with those around you, following Jesus' example? [11:13]
2. Identify a coworker or acquaintance who might be spiritually dry. What steps can you take to cultivate awareness and compassion for their needs? [13:24]
3. Consider a specific situation where you can pray for opportunities to share the gospel. How will you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to seek guidance and boldness? [17:01]
4. Think of someone you have invited to church or a faith-related event. How can you persist in extending invitations, even if they have initially declined? [26:33]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. What helped you experience spiritual renewal, and how can you apply that experience to help others? [28:15]
6. How can you trust in God's transformative power in your workplace or community, even when you don't see immediate results? What does it mean to "see a cloud" in your context? [28:15]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to shine as a light in spiritually dark environments, as described in Daniel 12:3? [31:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Be Present in Your Circles of Influence
In our daily lives, especially in our workplaces, we are called to be present and engaged with those around us. This means actively participating in the lives of our coworkers and friends, rather than isolating ourselves. By being present, we open doors for meaningful conversations and opportunities to share the love and message of Jesus. Just as Jesus was present and engaged with those around Him, we too must immerse ourselves in the lives of others, showing genuine interest and care. This presence can be a powerful testimony of our faith and can lead to transformative encounters. [11:13]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your workplace or daily routine can you be more present with this week? How can you intentionally engage with them in a meaningful way?
Day 2: Cultivate Awareness and Compassion
Awareness and compassion are essential in our mission to share Jesus with others. Jesus was always aware of the needs and struggles of those around Him, and He responded with deep compassion. We are called to develop a similar awareness and compassion for our coworkers and others in our circles. By recognizing their struggles and needs, we can be motivated to share the hope we have in Christ. This awareness and compassion can drive us to care deeply for others, just as Jesus did, and can open up opportunities to share the gospel in a loving and impactful way. [13:24]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a coworker or friend who is going through a difficult time. How can you show them compassion and support this week?
Day 3: Pray for Opportunities and Guidance
Prayer is a vital component of sharing Jesus with others. It aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to act with boldness and love. We should pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for guidance in how to approach these conversations. Through prayer, we can seek God's wisdom and direction, ensuring that our actions and words are in line with His purpose. By committing our efforts to prayer, we invite God's presence and power into our interactions, trusting that He will open doors and provide the right words at the right time. [17:01]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Spend time in prayer today asking God to reveal opportunities to share His love with someone in your life. How can you be attentive to His guidance in these moments?
Day 4: Persist in Sharing and Inviting
Persistence is key when it comes to sharing Jesus with others. Just as Elijah persisted in prayer for rain, we must persist in sharing Jesus and inviting others to experience Him. Even when faced with initial rejections, we should continue to extend invitations, trusting that God can work through our efforts. Our persistence can be a testament to our faith and can lead to life-changing encounters for those we reach out to. By remaining steadfast and committed, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love and the hope we have in Christ. [26:33]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you have been hesitant to invite to church or a faith-based event? How can you take a step of faith and extend an invitation this week?
Day 5: Trust in God's Transformative Power
The story of the Atacama Desert blooming with flowers serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to bring life to spiritually dry places. We should trust in God's transformative power and believe that our invitations can lead to life-changing encounters with Jesus. Even in environments that seem spiritually desolate, God can work through our efforts to bring about transformation and renewal. By trusting in His power, we can be confident that our actions and words can have a lasting impact, leading others to experience the hope and love of Christ. [28:15]
"For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a situation or relationship that seems spiritually dry or stagnant. How can you trust God to bring transformation and renewal in this area?
Quotes
Today, we're looking at one last piece. How do you share Jesus in your workplace? Now, I know some of you guys might be here today and you might think, hey, listen, I'm retired. I'm thinking, man, that's awesome. You made it. Way to go. Or you might think, well, I'm a stay-at-home parent, or I'm in between jobs, right? Or maybe I'm independently wealthy. I don't have to work. And if that's you, I got different instructions for you. I'll talk to you afterward. [00:00:58] (26 seconds)
You know, work can be tough. And the workplace can be tough. We come here on Sundays, and this place is hopping. It's alive. The Spirit's in the house. We feel really excited about what God's doing. And then like 24 hours later, for many of us, we head up to work, and then this is kind of what it feels like. Something like this right here. I don't know if you ever felt that. [00:01:53] (30 seconds)
And the second thing I see from Jesus is that he's there and then he's aware. He has an awareness. He healed every kind of sin. He healed every kind of sin. He healed every kind of disease and illness. Well, listen, it's hard to address or to heal an illness, a disease, if you don't know what's happening. It exists. You got to be amongst the people. You have to see the need. [00:13:24] (24 seconds)
I see Jesus in verse 36. He truly cares. It says, when he saw the crowds, when he had awareness, he had compassion on them. He cared. He really did. There's a song almost 20 years old now by a Christian artist, Brooke Frazier, and the song is sort of a retelling of her visit to Africa. And she says, there's a line in the song that says, Rwanda, now that I've seen, I'm responsible. [00:14:32] (36 seconds)
The fourth observation I made about Jesus is to pray. You want to get this good news out to people? Don't forget to pray. This is something that Jesus modeled in his life, obviously, but he also gave it as an instruction to his followers, didn't he? He said this, the harvest is great, but the workers are few, so pray to the Lord, the guy who's in charge of this harvest, and ask him for help. [00:16:31] (26 seconds)
The fifth thing that's probably pretty obvious, maybe you thought it would be at the top of the list, is to share. Yeah, that's what we're talking about, right? To share Jesus. So we know that he went through all these towns proclaiming the good news about the kingdom, but also just a few verses later in Matthew 10, he got the gang together. He sent the 12 out, and this is what he told them. [00:17:34] (22 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 01, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?