Sharing Our Faith

What you have experienced in becoming a Christian, is the greatest miracle you will ever see. When you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, God gave you eternal life. Instead of spending eternity in Hell, you will now spend it in Heaven. Eternity means forever. Unlike the animals that die and are forever gone, the human soul will never die. Only the body dies and is buried. Once you die, your eternal destiny is set forever and nothing can be done to change it. That is why you must receive Christ while you have the chance. It is hard for us to understand life that never ends. Once we enter Heaven, we will understand the fullness of this concept. Because we do not understand the meaning of eternity completely at this time, it is hard for us to comprehend what a great gift eternal life is. Once we enter heaven, we will understand it and our hearts will be filled with praise for the one, Jesus Christ, who made it all possible.

What should be our response to our receiving eternal life? If we could comprehend fully what the word eternal, means, we would want to tell everyone we meet the wonderful news. One young man told me some time ago, “If you wouldn’t have told me about Jesus Christ and have led me to Him, I would be dead today and in hell forever.” That young man was a drug addict whose body was being destroyed by drugs. Jesus came into his life and he was delivered from drugs. Today he is living for Jesus and is telling others about what Jesus did for him. This is called testifying or giving testimonies. It is being a witness for Christ. If we truly care about others, we will want to share with them this wonderful news of what happened to us.

1. In Matthew 28:18-20, we have the “great commission.” According to the message of these verses, what is the great commission?

2. In Mark 1:40-45, Jesus healed a leper. (A terrible contagious sickness that ends with the loss of limbs and eventual death.) Upon his healing, the man tells everyone what Jesus did. What was the motivation force behind his testimony?

3. Leprosy is awful since it kills the body. Sin is worse since it kills the soul. What should be our response since our soul has been healed from sin?

4. To be ordained means to be called by the Lord or set apart to do something. In this manner, pastors are ordained for the ministry by the church. According to Mark 3:14, what did Jesus send His disciples out to do?

5. In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus teaches his disciples about being a witness for Him and what there life should be about now that they know Him. In verse 34, what does Jesus say about commitment?

6. Jesus knew that we are by nature selfish and want to live for ourselves. What He asks next in verses 35-37 seems to be an extreme. What does He ask of us and what can we expect in return?

7. Many people never witness for Christ because they feel embarrassed. What does Jesus say will be the result if we are ashamed to be identified with Him?

8. One time, many years ago, we had dinner with David Wilkerson, famous preacher and author of the book, “Cross and the Switchblade”. After our dinner, we couldn’t wait to call home and tell of this experience. The ones we wanted to tell first were our family. Who should be the first ones we would want to tell of our meeting Jesus and why? See Act 1:8.

9. If we are afraid to tell our friends and family about Jesus, what does our reluctance say of our love for Jesus?

10. What does Psalm 107:2 say the redeemed are to do?

11. What does Jesus say He will do for those who are a witness for Him in Matthew 28.20?

12. One of the reasons we are afraid to witness for Christ is that we fear our ability to say the right things. What does Jesus say in Acts 1:8 that He will do through the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him?

13. According to Philippians 4:13, what does Paul say that should encourage us to witness for Christ?

14. According to James 5:20, what takes place when we share Jesus Christ with someone and they receive Christ as their Savior?

IN CONCLUSION

Congratulations, you have now concluded this study. However, this is just the beginning. As time goes by, you will learn much more as you study the Word on your own or in church Bible Studies. The more you study, the more exciting the Word will become to you. Learning the truths of the Bible is a life-long experience. As you study it, the Holy Spirit will guide you into deeper and more exciting things each day. Before you read the Word, pray that the Lord will open your eyes of understanding. Don’t be afraid to ask for help of other, older Christians. They can help guide you along.

Do not be discouraged when trials come your way. It is these trials or tests that make you strong. Often times, when we go through these trials, we do not feel God’s love or nearness. That is where faith comes in. Remember what the Bible says and place your faith upon it. God does not promise that we will always feel Him near or have an easy time. Satan will fight you and try to destroy your faith. God will however never leave you. His Spirit will always be there to help you through. When, the winds, of trial blows the hardest, that is when you have to hang on the tightest and look to Jesus. He is only a prayer away. Don’t be discouraged when your family or friends don’t embrace your new found faith. You didn’t get saved the first time you heard the Word of God either. Keep loving, praying, and believing. In time, they will see their need for Jesus.

As we bring this study to a close, let me leave with you these words of Paul from Philippians 1:6. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”