February 5, 2024

How to Share the Good News – Part 3
Talking to Someone about Jesus

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: Colossians 4:5-6, Proverbs 11:30
Ver.30 A life lived loving God bears lasting fruit, for the one who is truly wise wins souls. (Passion Translation)
Ver.5 NIV - make the most of every opportunity.

When it comes to trying to explain how to become a Christian, there are a lot of different techniques you can use.
While I was in Bible College, I took an in-depth course on this subject. It’s an effective method.

The method you use is not as important as your heart behind your efforts.
1 Corinthians 13 says this must be from love.
I do believe in learning different methods, but find what works for you.

In the military, basic training teaches everybody the basics regardless of the job they will do.
If a cook looks up one day to see an enemy taking over the base, they will have some basic idea of how to use a gun to defend the base instead of not knowing anything to do.

Some use “tracks” or a handout to start a conversation.

This morning it’s my intention not to teach a method, but just some practical do’s and don’ts when it comes to leading someone to Christ.
Let me start out with some don’ts.
There are some methods that just should not be used.
Don’t center your message on Hell. Example: You’re a sinner and God hates sinners, and you’re going to Hell!
We want people to respond to God out of love not fear.
If in the course of conversation the person brings it up, you can respond that yes hell is a real place and something to fear, but the message of the Gospel is more on John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave…”

Try your best to not use Christian jargon or clichés. – Have you been saved by the blood of the Lamb? They are thinking – “Bloody sheep??? Weird!

Don’t leave the impression that all your problems have been solved since you became a Christian – life will become a bed of roses once they receive Christ.

Don’t ask them: “Are you a Christian?” This means so many different things to different people.

I like to start by asking some simple questions.
But I think it’s important to ask permission to ask them spiritual questions.
And if at any time I sense the door has closed, I simply back away because I don’t want to callas them to hearing this message.

Here is a simple method using the Romans Road.
May I ask you a spiritual question?
Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for sure that if you were to die you would go to Heaven?

Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven? What would you say?

Most people respond: “Well I’m a good person…”

Did you know the Bible says that Rom. 3:10 No one is good and all have sinned and missed the glory of God? Romans 3:23 Write the reference for the next scripture beside the last one.
That means that every one of us have missed the requirements to get to Heaven on our own.
The word “sinned” is an old archery term that was used to describe when an archer shot at a target and missed, they sinned.
We have all sinned and missed God’s requirements to go to Heaven.

But the Bible also says that even though the wages of sin is death, God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

God loves us and demonstrated His love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
All I have to do is ask God to forgive me of my sin and ask Jesus to be the leader of my life, and I receive eternal life.
I can know for certain that when I die, I will go to Heaven.
Not because I’m a good person, but because Jesus gave His life for me so I could go to Heaven.

Is this something you would like to do?
Would you like to pray with me right now to ask Jesus into your life?

If they want to, then lead them in a simple prayer.
Just repeat these words after me.

Jesus I realize that I am a sinner. And I need you in my life.
Please forgive me of my sin. Come into my life. In Jesus’ name Amen!

Now here’s where the work begins – When you have a new baby, you don’t just say, ok, see you later.
In a later message, I want to spend time on the next step – making disciples.

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THE ROMANS ROAD

This pathway leads from verse to verse in the book of Romans that will help you to understand the need for salvation.

Romans 3:10
“As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23
”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13
” For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:9-10
” That if you confess with your mouth the lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”