Regardless how ineffective I feel about sharing the Gospel - Just do it!

[Vine Abider]

Here's scripture from this evening's Daily Light devotional that hits me where I am, because I don't consider myself to have been very successful when I have shared the gospel.  And I confess I let the enemy discourage me a bit in this respect. But the exhortation is to "Preach the word!"  And be ready no matter what we think or feel the season is - therefore the message is JUST DO IT!

And regardless of what we think our ability is to share Christ - it could be very poor - it's not us that touches people's hearts!  It is the Holy Spirit's job -->  our job is just to be faithful to open our mouths, no matter how very awkward we may feel or how ineffective we think we are.

 

Do business till I come.

It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. § To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. § Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? § Leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. § Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it. § Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Luke 19:13; Mark 13:34; Matt. 25:15; John 9:4;
Luke 2:49; 1 Peter 2:21; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 3:13; 15:58

[Neighbor]

I heard many a gospel presentation and discussions for 25 years and never was moved to turn about. But when the Holy Spirit did turn me about I remembered perhaps all those many presentations and examples. I was personally led to know of the prayers in my behalf that led the Holy Spirit  to keep the promise  that God  is faithful to answer prayers,- asked rightly ( without seeking personal gain). 

Some are appointed to plant, some to tend, and some to reap. I do think all will find joy in the harvest. 

 

[Vine Abider]

4 hours ago, Neighbor said:

I heard many a gospel presentation and discussions for 25 years and never was moved to turn about. But when the Holy Spirit did turn me about I remembered perhaps all those many presentations and examples. I was personally led to know of the prayers in my behalf that led the Holy Spirit  to keep the promise  that God  is faithful to answer prayers,- asked rightly ( without seeking personal gain). 

Some are appointed to plant, some to tend, and some to reap. I do think all will find joy in the harvest. 

 

Yes, we have had many little discussions in our local group abou this.  Some are quite gifted to share the gospel with others.  We hear many testimonies from these ones how they meet someone at a store or restaurant, for instance, and strike up a conversation.  Many times the other person opens to them just unprompted and freely, and shares with them about things going on in their lives.  This becomes a natural opening for the gospel, and often they are lead to the Lord on the spot.  We rejoice in hearing these things!

These gifted one's experiences of sharing with unsaved just comes naturally it seems (although sometimes they share that they really didn't feel like it, but the Spirit's prompting was quite clear to them). And often their exhortation toward us is to always preach the gospel, but many of us don't seem to be lead in the same way and it's often quite awkward.  When I hear these exhortations to always preach the gospel, my tendency is to then get a little condemned, because I don't think I'm very faithful to do that.  But others have told me to just let that negative feeling (along with all condemnation) fly away with the wind.

But what I saw in those verse in the OP was that regardless, we should still be faithful to just open up our mouths, no matter how we feel about it.  It may not be as smooth as a so-called "gifted one," but it's really the Holy Spirit's job to do the heavy lifting.  Even the most simple, "Jesus loves you" to another person, can be used by the HS!  Lord help us just give it to You!

[Neighbor]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

But what I saw in those verse in the OP was that regardless, we should still be faithful to just open up our mouths, no matter how we feel about it.  It may not be as smooth as a so-called "gifted one," but it's really the Holy Spirit's job to do the heavy lifting.  Even the most simple, "Jesus loves you" to another person, can be used by the HS!  Lord help us just give it to You!

Hi, Hmm, how one feels is projected as one speaks and acts. Might be better to be silent at times than to force  a projection of one's faith without feeling it at the moment, not being led of the Holy Spirit to do so at that moment in time. Is not our confidence in The Holy Spirit? His led? His timing? Of course it is- all in God's good time do events occur.

All are not preachers, pastors, nor teachers, but all do live out testimony of the gospel of Jesus by the Holy Spirit's lead in all that the saints in Christ Jesus. To be convincing in all that is done  one has to also be convinced to live out what is believed. In that sense to others seeing is believing.

Building sincere friendly relationships is perhaps far more important  and more effective than any one shot "what would you say if you died today and Jesus asked why should I allow you into heaven?" approaches out of the blue. 

 

[Neighbor]

The above said, I do know of a person that prays each day  for God to lead them to some one person to share of the gospel of Jesus. He then, as I have shared before on WCF will say to people he is in contact with; "I asked God to lead me to someone to share of the truth of Jesus with today. I wonder if you might be that person?"

Now one has to have the personality and good countenance to be enabled to do that. This person has been blessed with a knack of projecting a sense of friendliness that is comforting. His stance/posture his smile, his voice tone and inflection, his eyes, all project a tone of it is safe and will be fun to be around him.

Not everyone is blessed with that attribute.

[Vine Abider]

1 minute ago, Neighbor said:

The above said, I do know of a person that prays each day  for God to lead them to some one person to share of the gospel of Jesus. He then, as I have shared before on WCF will say to people he is in contact with; "I asked God to lead me to someone to share of the truth of Jesus with today. I wonder if you might be that person?"

Now one has to have the personality and good countenance to be enabled to do that. This person has been blessed with a knack of projecting a sense of friendliness that is comforting. His stance/posture his smile, his voice tone and inflection, his eyes, all project a tone of it is safe and will be fun to be around him.

Not everyone is blessed with that attribute.

Well, let's face it, as hard as we may try, there is no "formula" to sharing Christ with another.  And you are right, the bottom-line is just to be sensitive to the indwelling Spirit in all things . . . this really is our training in this life, isn't it!?  Yet, the exhortation stands, to be ready whether in season or out of season.

[angels4u]

On 8/31/2024 at 12:11 PM, Vine Abider said:

Here's scripture from this evening's Daily Light devotional that hits me where I am, because I don't consider myself to have been very successful when I have shared the gospel.  And I confess I let the enemy discourage me a bit in this respect. But the exhortation is to "Preach the word!"  And be ready no matter what we think or feel the season is - therefore the message is JUST DO IT!

And regardless of what we think our ability is to share Christ - it could be very poor - it's not us that touches people's hearts!  It is the Holy Spirit's job -->  our job is just to be faithful to open our mouths, no matter how very awkward we may feel or how ineffective we think we are.

 

Do business till I come.

It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. § To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. § Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? § Leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. § Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it. § Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Luke 19:13; Mark 13:34; Matt. 25:15; John 9:4;
Luke 2:49; 1 Peter 2:21; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 3:13; 15:58

As a born again Christian we have the Light in us,the Kingdom of God is inside us,someday it will come down to earth as well,we're spreading the Light sometimes by not saying anything or by something we do,God will use anything which is done for Him ?

Can you even think of how it will be in this world when the Christians are Raptured and there our little lamp doesn't shine here anymore on earth ? Evil will prevail(for a time only..

 

[Sower]

On 8/31/2024 at 10:11 AM, Vine Abider said:

And be ready no matter what we think or feel the season is - therefore the message is JUST DO IT!

I reckon bottom line is that if a seed is sown, the soil determines the response, not so much the sower's personality.
I do believe it is good to 'till' any soil to help the seed to take root. Others may do the watering. We often never know.

No matter who sows the seed, nor how well the presentation, it is the WORD that does any convicting of repentance.
'Repent,' a change in thinking. Often I can see/detect a facial change when revealing some hidden truth to them.

The word is sharper than a two edged sword, cutting deep into the marrow, penetrating the darkness.
It is God who saves, God is the word, (Light!) so we sow the seeds of the Good News. It is actually the Good News of the Gospel.
I usually always prep/till the soil by telling about how I was lost, blinded,  and doomed for eternal pain and sorrow in hell.

I try to make them consider their situation by telling them my past situation. I get them aware they are probably lost.
But I do it by pointing the finger at my self, my past self, before I heard the Good News..
Help them understand the bad news, first, to present them later with the Good News, opportunity to "change " their thinking.

I also pray for God to give me boldness, and He is faithful. Same as when I pray to allow me opportunity to share with someone.
Some of my better conversations were not when I was all prayed up but those inopportune moments that God orchestrated.
God's timing. Revealing to me to be ready to give the word in any time, any season. God working through me.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"

                     "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise"     Proverbs 11:30

Thanks VA, neat thread...

[AnOrangeCat]

On 8/31/2024 at 10:11 AM, Vine Abider said:

And regardless of what we think our ability is to share Christ - it could be very poor - it's not us that touches people's hearts!  It is the Holy Spirit's job -->  our job is just to be faithful to open our mouths, no matter how very awkward we may feel or how ineffective we think we are.

Amen, though I'd add that it isn't just about opening our mouths. How we conduct ourselves matters, too. I've dealt with people who are very critical of Christianity (largely aimed at the RCC's actions in the past and present and the actions of scammers in televangelist clothing). Throughout the relationship they've remained critical, but I think it's both gratifying and makes a difference when our actions stop to make them think or show them that their perceptions aren't entirely on target.

Paul's body of Christ analogy fits in, too. What we do as individuals matter, but so does what we do in groups. Some of us may not be the most persuasive or outgoing, but we can still support and enable those who are.