Share My Faith…Your Story; My Story; His Story!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 20: Sharing My Faith”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Everybody has a story.
Years ago there was a program on CBS news entitled, “Everybody has a story.” Steve Hartman, the reporter, set out to prove that anybody, anywhere, had a story worth knowing and telling. He would have participants at the end of each episode throw a dart at a map of the United States. Wherever the dart would land, would be where he would travel to find his next story. He would find a telephone booth (remember those?) with a telephone book (did we used to use those?) and open it up to a random page and point at a random person and call them up…and he had a story.
I couldn’t wait for the next episode because the story of ordinary people were intriguing and interesting. The premise has stuck with me for years…”Everybody has a story.”
This premise is a great place to start in thinking about sharing your faith. Before I get to God’s Story, I need to know what the other person’s story is.
The outline for this way of sharing your faith is this, “Your story; My story; His story.”
YOUR STORY:
This part of the witness method is simply taking an interest (genuine interest) in the other person. Naturally it starts with the questions about family, kids, life, career, or dreams. Eventually though, a great question to lob into the middle of the discussion is this, “Would you mind telling me about your spiritual journey? What has formed the beliefs about faith and God you have today?”
Then listen. Ask more questions. You will see a theme arise. Perhaps that theme centers on feeling alone and God wasn’t there when they thought he should be. Perhaps it’s a theme that centers on a bad experience with the church and vowing never to set foot back in one. Perhaps it’s a theme that questions a lot about the Bible, Jesus as Savior and more. Listen for the theme – each person will be unique, but often have similarities in their underlying themes or stories.
MY STORY:
As you listen to their story, you may hear a thing or two to which you can connect your story. “I hear you when you mentioned you felt all alone when life was really hard. To be honest I have felt in a similar way.”
A point of empathetic connection is a powerful way to build creditability and trust.
But you don’t want to end on your story, you want to tell God’s Story.
GOD’S STORY:
Perhaps a transition sounds like this, “When I have felt alone I’m reminded that God has always promised to be with me. ‘I am with you always to the very end of the age.’ What is so amazing about this is God can and does say, ‘Depart from me!’ to people who turn away from him. But to those that turn to Jesus and trust him, he says, ‘Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.’”
“God is not a God of abandonment, but a God of love and presence.
“So when I feel alone, I remember this promise and while I want other human connections, I always know that God’s love and presence are real.”
I know this is a bit choppy, but I pray you get the gyst of it:
- Your story: Get to know the person and their spiritual story.
- My story: Connect your story to their story and build the bridge to God’s story.
- His story: Address the theme of their spiritual story with a connection to God’s story and promises.
Have fun experimenting with this. The great thing about other’s stories is they are real and fascinating. When you take time to listen, you can hear a connection with your story. Once you have that trust, you can share a part of your story AND God-willing make the connection to HIS story!
Apply: What is YOUR story? We will look at this tomorrow, but in your own words tell your story. How can you use this to connect that person to HIS story, or invite them to a place that will connect them to God’s story.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the journey of faith we are in. Please use us and the story we are living to connect people to YOUR story! AMEN.
Sharing My Faith…the COLOR way!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 20: Sharing My Faith”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
OK, so I want to share my faith. How do I do it?
Great question. Over the rest of this week, I’d like to share a few different approaches that when you get to a point in a conversation where you have a chance to “give the reason for the hope you have” you have an outline or simple way to remember and communicate the Gospel.
To start, here’s the color method. We shared this (or a version of it) with our kids this Sunday. Perhaps it is an easy outline to remember.
BLACK: Black represents the reality of sin in our lives. Sin is the root of all evil and brings spiritual darkness into the hearts and lives of people. The darkness of black also communicates the reality that “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) This dark page, if left to itself leaves us without hope, without forgiveness, without life.
RED: Red represents the blood of Jesus. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The payment that our sin deserved was the blood of Jesus. The red is the heart of God’s love for us that he sent Jesus to die in our place.
Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
BLUE: Blue represents the waters of baptism. God’s gift of baptism connects us personally to the blood of Jesus and assures us we are a child of God. When God puts his name on us, he covers us with the blood of Jesus. Baptism is God’s gift to us…we are connected to his death and resurrection. With that connection he assures us we are a forgiven, redeemed child of God.
Romans 6:3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,…
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…
WHITE: White represents the perfect righteousness that God has given to believers through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ his Son. White is the purity and perfection given to us by Jesus. Our status before God is now one of “saint” not sinner.
Revelation 7:13-15 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
GREEN: Green represents growth. As one who is now covered in the forgiveness of Jesus, it is our desire to grow in our love for him and our knowledge of him. Peter, the Apostle put it this way to encourage us in our life of following Jesus:
2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
YELLOW: Yellow represents the glory and brilliance of heaven. Yellow represents the power and glory of God as he shines in all his brilliance and welcomes us home to heaven.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Gospel is a wonderful message to share. Perhaps these colors: Black; Red; Blue; White; Green; Yellow will help next time to share it clearly!
Apply: Collect objects that have these colors. Practice telling the story of Jesus based on the colors you have.
Prayer: Lord, use me to share you. AMEN.
Share your faith!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 20: Sharing My Faith”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“Do you really believe the message of the Bible?”
“Of course,” I thought.
“Do you really believe that the ONLY way to heaven is through trusting that Jesus lived, died and rose again for you?”
“Of course,” I thought.
“Do you really believe that anyone who DOES NOT believe will perish eternally in hell apart from God?”
“Of course,” I thought.
“If we believe that this is the truth of Scripture and that Jesus Christ is the only solution for sin and eternal life in heaven, then why do we struggle so much to share that good news?”
“Guilty as charged,” I thought.
Before I go on, I realize and I want you to realize you too are loved and forgiven in Jesus Christ. However, this dialogue I heard is compelling.
The Scripture is clear:
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
The Scripture is clear:
Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
The Scripture is clear:
Mark 16:15 [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
The privilege is real.
Sharing our faith assumes we have faith to share. This is the first blessing. God has worked a confident trust in our hearts to believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The gift we have to share is first the gift we have been given.
The need is real.
All around us are people who don’t believe in Jesus, let alone know who Jesus is. The need for investing time in people, hearing their story, and connecting their story to Jesus is not lacking. Jesus encouraged: Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The Gospel is real.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
So I pray the devotions this week are encouraging and practical to equip us all to better communicate fearlessly and clearly the mystery of the Gospel to the people we know and care about.
Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Apply: Which of these Scriptures encourages you the most when you think about sharing your faith with others?
Prayer: Lord we pray that whenever we have opportunity to share our faith, you enable me to communicate your wonderful message of grace with boldness and clarity. AMEN.
Generosity…How can I do it more?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 19: Giving My Resources”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Generosity…How can I be more generous?
As we wrap up our week reflecting on generosity, perhaps the practical question is, “How can I be more generous?”
In the heart of a believer, God’s Spirit works a desire to give. Sometimes that desire gets stuck on the practical question, “How?”
So here are a few reflections on what helps a person be more generous.
- Always put the Lord first.
When you put the Lord first, you ask a different question. Instead of asking, “How can I use my money?” I ask, “Lord, how do you want me to use the wealth you’ve given to me?” When I ask this question, the answer always is, “Put the Lord first.” Set aside the first 10% of your income to give to the Lord. Honor the Lord with these first fruits.
But how can I afford to give 10% to the Lord?
- Plan the use of your money.
A regular budget allows you to plan your spending and help you make decisions on what to say “Yes” to and what to say “No” to. Spending more than you make leads to financial hardship and stress. Giving each dollar a plan helps to prevent over spending and foster generosity. A great resource to become debt free, plan every dollar and be extremely generous is Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. This program along with the “Every Dollar” App is a resource built on biblical principals to enable a strong and consist plan for the use of your money.
- Step out in faith, confident of the Lord’s promises.
In the area of giving, the Lord invites us to test him and see if he will not open his hand of blessing even further. In Malachi 3, he promises: 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
- Seek opportunities to be generous.
Look around at your church, people in your community or organizations with whom you interact. Start small and give a gift, help a cause, or bless an individual. Not only is their joy in the recipient, but the blessing comes when we give as well. Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
I’m sure there are more tips and experiences you have had – share them if you’d like.
Remember in all aspects of generosity:
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Apply: What is one thing that you can do today that will move you a baby step toward more generosity?
Prayer: Thank you Lord for all the generosity you have shown to us. Help us by your Spirit to live generously every day. AMEN.
Generosity…Is it worth it?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 19: Giving My Resources”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What makes generosity so blessed?
For what would you ask if God invited you to ask for whatever you want and he would give it?
Tempting to ask for millions of dollars, a big new house, or the ability to ask unlimited requests of God.
One person was given this opportunity: Solomon
2 Chronicles 1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
Solomon asked for wisdom. God gave that. Solomon didn’t ask for riches and wealth. God also gave that.
So not only was Solomon one of the richest men the world has ever known, he was the wisest.
So, it would make sense we could learn something about the blessings of wealth (and dangers) from the wealthiest, wisest person of all time.
Here’s a few of his sayings from the Proverbs:
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Generosity from the Lord leads to generosity toward the Lord which results in generosity from the Lord.
The blessing of giving to the LORD first is that he is faithful to bless you through what remains. While we don’t “give to get,” we do give and the Lord gives. With the earth being the Lord’s, I pretty sure you can’t out give the generosity of the Lord!
Proverbs 11:24-25
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Generosity is counterintuitive. It would seem the more you give away the less you have. However, the more you give away, the more you “refresh others,” the more you will be refreshed.
The blessing of generosity is a heart that holds on to stuff loosely, to bring blessing to others.
Proverbs 11:28
Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Wealth can give a false sense of security when we trust it more than the Lord. Wealth is not bad or evil, but the love of it is. If our heart trusts money to give us value, worth, and security, we are trusting wealth to do something only the Lord can do. When you think about it, why would you trust in the wealth God gives instead of trusting in the God who gives it?
There are many passages about wealth…the blessings of it and the warnings about it. When you focus on the blessings and promises about generosity, there is no reason not to be generous. Try it and see how the Lord blesses you!
Apply: Which of these proverbs is the most challenging for you? Ask the Lord to work greater trust, contentment and generosity in your heart and life.
Prayer: Lord thank you for all the wealth you have given to me. Help me to be content with what I have, generous in what you have given to me and always honoring you with the wealth entrusted to me. AMEN.