FEBRUARY 21, 2021

Into the Family
DON’T STRESS EVANGELISM
Have you ever noticed that we really only do the things that are important to us? The things that are not important to us we put off for as long as possible.

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Common Values

The problem that we run into is if we keep hanging out with one another we miss the greatest rush of all and that is when we see someone’s life changed by God’s word.

If you only have church friends as your friends, then go find some new friends. Every believer in this room today must have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)

Go and Tell Your Story

In this world of almost 7 billion people no one has a story like yours. Go and tell it.

Acts 9 - Paul shares his story in the synagogue in Jerusalem
Acts 11 - Paul shares his story with the church in Antioch
Acts 13 - Paul shares his story with the church in Cyprus, Salamis, and Pisidia.
Acts 14 - Paul shares his story in Iconium then in Lystra and on to Derbe.
Acts 15 - Phoenicia and Samaria then back to Antioch then later to Syria and Cilicia.
Acts 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, & 21 - same thing.
In every city, in every town, in every village, in every synagogue, in every house church Paul just kept telling his unique story.

What If?

What if no one tells your lost friend about Jesus?

What if I tell my friend about Jesus and they still say no?

We want people to decide to follow Jesus the minute the Holy Spirit of God confirms in their heart that they need a savior and not one minute sooner. I don’t want you to become a member of this family today because you think something Rich said really made sense. I want you to become a believer today because the Living God has revealed himself to you and you can’t wait a minute longer.

If I tell you about Jesus and if you tell your friend about Jesus and he or she tells their friends about Jesus then we have exponential growth of the community of believers. Our joy is increased. We get to watch Jesus change, mold, and transform someone from death to life.

If we let our light shine before men then our “what if” will turn into “and if” so keep telling the story.

Connection Card
I have an area of my life that I need to shift to live like I know Jesus: ___________

I will look for opportunities this week to share my unique story.

I will commit to share the gospel boldly with my friends that don’t know Jesus.