Sharing Jesus: The Power of Personal Encounter
Summary
The essence of the message revolves around the magnetic personality of Jesus and how it has historically drawn people towards faith. The narrative begins by pondering the question of what made Jesus so compelling that people would choose to follow him without ever having met him physically. While the physical attributes of Jesus are not detailed in Scripture, the text does convey an image of someone inherently attractive, possessing a natural ability to draw others to himself.
The discussion moves on to highlight how Jesus taught with authority, as noted in Matthew 7:29. When Jesus spoke of divine matters, it was evident that he spoke from a position of deep knowledge and understanding. This authority in his teachings made a profound impact on those who heard him. J.B. Phillips, who translated the Gospels, is mentioned as someone who was personally struck by the personality of Jesus through the words and accounts of his life. This encounter with the personality of Jesus through Scripture had a resonant effect on Phillips.
A key method of evangelism is presented as the personal introduction of Jesus to others by sharing the impact he has had on one's own life. This approach is akin to extending an invitation to others to come and meet Jesus, to experience him as one has personally done. The invitation could take various forms, such as asking others to join a prayer meeting, attend a worship service, or simply engage in a conversation about one's faith experiences. The emphasis is on sharing passages from the Bible that have been particularly meaningful.
The message is further illustrated with an anecdote about a young salesman who is disheartened after losing a significant sale. In his conversation with the sales manager, the young man laments that one can lead a horse to water but cannot make it drink. The sales manager offers a different perspective, suggesting that the salesman's role is not to force the outcome but to create a desire, to make the horse thirsty. This analogy is used to underscore the idea that in sharing faith, the objective is not to coerce belief but to inspire a thirst for spiritual understanding and connection.
The narrative encapsulates the concept that the essence of evangelism is not about employing forceful tactics or impressive displays but about authentically sharing one's personal encounter with Jesus and the transformative effect it has had. It is through this genuine sharing of personal faith experiences and the living example of one's life that others may become curious and drawn to explore the Christian faith for themselves.
Key Takeaways:
- The magnetic draw of Jesus is not based on physical attributes but on his authoritative teachings and the profound impact of his personality as depicted in Scripture. This inherent attraction is a cornerstone for understanding how to share faith with others, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and personal experience. [01:21]
- Evangelism is most effective when it is personal and relational. Introducing others to Jesus by sharing the transformative impact he has had on one's life creates a compelling invitation for others to explore faith. This approach mirrors the relational nature of Jesus' own ministry. [02:06]
- The authority with which Jesus spoke is a testament to his deep knowledge and connection with divine matters. This authority is something that believers can aspire to when sharing their faith, by deeply understanding the teachings they wish to share. [00:37]
- The analogy of making the horse thirsty rather than forcing it to drink serves as a powerful metaphor for evangelism. It suggests that the role of a believer is to inspire a desire for spiritual fulfillment, rather than to impose belief systems on others. [02:06]
- Scripture can be a personal and powerful tool in sharing one's faith. By referring to specific passages that have been meaningful in one's life, believers can offer a glimpse into the transformative power of the Bible and its relevance to everyday experiences. [02:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:29 - "For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
2. John 4:13-14 - "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 7:29 tell us about the way Jesus taught and how it differed from the scribes? ([00:37])
2. How did J.B. Phillips describe his experience with the personality of Jesus while translating the Gospels? ([01:21])
3. What analogy did the sales manager use to explain the role of a believer in evangelism? ([02:06])
4. According to the sermon, what are some ways believers can introduce others to Jesus? ([01:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the authority with which Jesus spoke significant for believers when sharing their faith? ([00:37])
2. How can the personal impact of Jesus' personality, as experienced by J.B. Phillips, serve as a model for believers in their own faith journey? ([01:21])
3. What does the analogy of making the horse thirsty rather than forcing it to drink suggest about the approach to evangelism? ([02:06])
4. How can sharing specific Bible passages that have been meaningful in one's life help in evangelism? ([01:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt drawn to Jesus. What was it about Him or His teachings that attracted you? How can you share this experience with others? ([00:37])
2. Think about the authority with which Jesus spoke. How can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to speak with more confidence and authority when sharing your faith? ([00:37])
3. Identify a person in your life who might be spiritually thirsty. What are some practical ways you can create a desire for spiritual fulfillment in them without being forceful? ([02:06])
4. Have you ever shared a specific Bible passage that has been meaningful to you with someone else? How did they respond? What passage could you share this week? ([01:21])
5. Consider the relational nature of Jesus' ministry. How can you build more authentic relationships with those around you to create opportunities for sharing your faith? ([01:21])
6. Reflect on the analogy of making the horse thirsty. What are some ways you can inspire curiosity and interest in faith among your friends and family? ([02:06])
7. How can you incorporate the teachings and personality of Jesus into your daily interactions to naturally draw others towards faith? ([01:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Attraction Beyond Appearance
Jesus' allure is not rooted in his physical form but in the authority and impact of his teachings. His words, steeped in divine wisdom, resonate deeply with those who seek truth and understanding. The magnetic draw of Jesus is a testament to the power of authenticity in faith sharing. [01:21]
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: How does the authority of Jesus' teachings challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith?
Day 2: Personal Evangelism Through Relationship
Sharing one's faith journey is a profound way to introduce others to Jesus. By recounting the transformative impact He has had on our lives, we extend a personal invitation to others to discover the richness of faith. This relational approach to evangelism reflects the very nature of Jesus' ministry. [02:06]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 - "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from hearing about your personal experiences with Jesus, and how might you share this with them?
Day 3: Authority in Divine Knowledge
The authority with which Jesus spoke of heavenly matters inspires believers to seek a deeper understanding of Scripture. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same authority in our faith expressions, rooted in a profound grasp of God's teachings. [00:37]
Colossians 2:2-3 - "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your knowledge of Scripture to more effectively share your faith with authority?
Day 4: Inspiring Spiritual Thirst
Our role in sharing faith is not to coerce but to inspire a thirst for spiritual fulfillment. Like making a horse thirsty rather than forcing it to drink, we are to create a desire in others to seek out the living water that Jesus offers. [02:06]
Isaiah 55:1 - "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
Reflection: How can you live out your faith in a way that naturally arouses curiosity and a thirst for spiritual things in others?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Scripture
The Bible is not just a historical document but a living text that speaks into our lives. By sharing passages that have personally moved us, we invite others to experience the transformative power of God's Word and its relevance to our everyday experiences. [02:06]
Psalm 119:130 - "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
Reflection: What Scripture has significantly impacted your life, and how can you share its power with someone this week?
Quotes
1) "The words of Scripture do paint a picture of someone who is naturally attractive, who drew people to himself, who wanted to follow him." [00:37] (Download)
2) "Jesus taught as one having authority... when he was talking about the things of God, people saw that he knew what he was talking about." [01:21] (Download)
3) "A very effective method of evangelism is to introduce people to Jesus as someone you know, to speak about the effect he's had on your life." [02:06] (Download)
4) "You're in effect saying, 'I follow Jesus, come with me and meet him.' That meeting with him may be inviting people to come to a prayer meeting or to worship." [02:06] (Download)
5) "Your job is not to make them drink, your job is to make them thirsty." [02:06] (Download)
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