We are gearing up for the final two weeks of our class. I've got a special surprise to talk about in class this week too! I think you are really going to be excited!
What I wanted to talk about today is a basic summary of the witnessing process and the roles that we play.
We've talked a great deal about the fact that just because someone doesn't accept Christ when you minister to them it doesn't mean you are a failure. If there is anything we have learned in this class, its that we can't fail when we witness to someone.
"11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11
When we share the Word of God with individuals it starts a work, continues a work, or finishes a work within the individual. Faith comes by hearing, and Hearing by the Word of GOD!
We can directly play 1 of 3 roles in an individuals salvation process:We can Plant a Seed
We can Water a Seed
We can Harvest that Seed
What does all that mean? When we play the role of the "seed planter", we are one of the first, if not the first person in an individual's life to share with them about Jesus. We may be the first and only representation of Jesus they have ever really encountered. Many times they are intrigued and are excited to learn more. Other times they can be offended and angry at you. On some occasions a person might just have no real interest either way. But when we take the time to start and build a relationship with a lost person and share all the amazing things God has done for us, share about Christ's sacrifice, and help them to read and understand Scriptures like Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 we are planting the seed of God's word deep in their hearts. The word that we share with them doesn't come back to God empty, it starts a work in them.
When we play the role of the "One who Waters the Seed" we are picking up where somebody has left off. Sometimes that's good and you can capitalize on a great work that has been started in someone's life. On some rare occasions you may have to repair damage that has been done in the witnessing process, even apologizing on the behalf of other Christians that have offended the person you are witnessing to. The watering process is awesome, just like with a plant. The roots are starting to grow and the individual is starting to grasp the concepts of Christianity and what Christ's sacrifice really meant. Often times they are very hungry for God's word and want to hear much more about the Christian Walk. At this point in a witnessing experience you are priming the individual to burst through the top level of dirt and bloom into a brand new Child of God.
When God chooses to bless us with the opportunity to be the "Harvester" we have the opportunity to lead individuals to the Lord in what we have come to know as a "Sinner's Prayer." Remember to keep it simple and make sure that they say that they confess they are a sinner, ask for forgiveness, recognize Christ's sacrifice, and that He is their Lord and Savior, and that they give their life to Him. As they repeat the words of the prayer they are becoming born again believers in the Lord! No more awesome of an experience in life exists. We must always be sincere and careful at this point in our witness, don't rush it, and don't trick people into accepting Christ. Someone repeating a prayer they don't understand does nobody any good. Be constant in prayer and study, as the Bible tells us, be prepared in season and out of season to do the ministry God has commanded us to do in the Great commission.
Matthew 9:37 says, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few..." What does that scripture say to you? It says that their are tons of souls waiting to hear about Jesus. They are waiting for you to share with them as Jesus commanded us to do. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We are to be obedient to God, and he commands us to share our faith. Don't commit the sin of silence. Tell people about what Jesus has done, is doing, and is going to do.
Don't be ashamed of your God! Be proud because of how awesome, loving, and caring he is!
I look forward to seeing you in class.
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