Day 8 | Sharing the Gospel
We have completed one week on our journey of Prayer and Fasting. The good news is you have made it this far, the bad news is - still two weeks to go. All kidding aside, Sister Teri and I are excited to see young and old doing their part to see revival. One day last week, we stepped out of my office and witnessed a group of five preteen boys sitting on the edge of the platform in the sanctuary. They were fasting their lunch period, reading the Bible together and spending time in prayer.
Today's prayer theme is “Sharing the Gospel”. Let’s pray that God will afford us the opportunities and the courage to share our faith. The “GOSPEL” is the “GOOD NEWS”, remember it is always exciting to hear “GOOD NEWS!!!”.
Today's prayer theme is “Sharing the Gospel”. Let’s pray that God will afford us the opportunities and the courage to share our faith. The “GOSPEL” is the “GOOD NEWS”, remember it is always exciting to hear “GOOD NEWS!!!”.
- Pray for clear opportunities to share the Gospel with others (Colossians 1:9-27).
Colossians 1:9-27 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
- Pray for courage when inviting others to attend church with you (Philemon 6).
Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
The Marks of a Witness
1. A witness must have a first-hand experience of Christ. Hearsay is not acceptable in a court of law, nor in the court of this world’s opinion. People will listen only to what we have personally seen and heard.
2. A witness must be able to express himself verbally. We may witness effectively through our lives, our work, our relationships, our attitudes, our suffering, and even our death, yet we must still be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you. We must do so with gentleness and respect, and with the integrity of our lives demonstrating the truth of our words.
3. A witness will have confidence in the power of God. He relies on the power of the message of Christ and Him crucified, and the power of the Holy Spirit. He knows that God can break through any defenses and change any heart. This confidence will not be brash, but humble and sensitive, marked by much prayer. He knows that without God he can do nothing, but that with God all things are possible.
4. A witness will have compassion for the spiritually lost. He will care for them as individuals who matter deeply to God: made in His image, redeemed by His Son, and to be indwelt by His Spirit.
David Watson, Called & Committed: World-Changing Discipleship, (Harold Shaw Publishers, Wheaton, IL; 1982), pp. 142-143
By Edwin Amundson/Copied from Sermon Central
2. A witness must be able to express himself verbally. We may witness effectively through our lives, our work, our relationships, our attitudes, our suffering, and even our death, yet we must still be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you. We must do so with gentleness and respect, and with the integrity of our lives demonstrating the truth of our words.
3. A witness will have confidence in the power of God. He relies on the power of the message of Christ and Him crucified, and the power of the Holy Spirit. He knows that God can break through any defenses and change any heart. This confidence will not be brash, but humble and sensitive, marked by much prayer. He knows that without God he can do nothing, but that with God all things are possible.
4. A witness will have compassion for the spiritually lost. He will care for them as individuals who matter deeply to God: made in His image, redeemed by His Son, and to be indwelt by His Spirit.
David Watson, Called & Committed: World-Changing Discipleship, (Harold Shaw Publishers, Wheaton, IL; 1982), pp. 142-143
By Edwin Amundson/Copied from Sermon Central
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting