Matthew 10: 19 - 20 NKJV
What is one of the things you worry most about sharing Jesus with others? What they will say? What they might think of you? I heard a friend of mine this week say that God does not desire that we "make disciples" of all the world. On the contrary, He directs each of us to share the truth of Christ one heart at a time. I think it would be a pretty daunting task to proclaim the truth of Jesus to the entire world. Where would I began? Well, I'll tell you where. We began with those closest to us. Thos in our inner circle of friends and aquaintances who have never known the man Jesus. That is where we start. I'll admit that most ministry of speaking Jesus to others is made up as we go. I have a friend who developed a good sized group of friends simply by engaging with others at his local Starbucks. I know another man who speaks Christ into the hearts of disadvantaged youth. These men are not making disciples of all the nations, they are speaking Christ to one heart at a time. They don't spend countless hours worrying over what they will say when that hour comes, for they know that Christ who is in them will guide them {Matthew 10:19}. One of the things I used to worry about is what I would say to others who need to hear about Jesus. I may be a good writer, but there are times when talking Jesus with others can be a bit messy. Do you know Christ? Do you want a relationship with Him? Do you know He is in you? Yeah, not exactly good conversation starters. However, I've come to realize that I don't really need to began such conversations with a discussion about Jesus, for if it is someone whom God has brought before you, the words will come. Being authentic with someone means that we can develop a friendship with others before talking about Christ. Trust me, if we are the followers of Jesus who we claim to be, others will see Him in us. My friend does not began each and every conversation at the coffee shop by trying to convert someone to Jesus. No, his conversations began with sharing common interests and activities. Many of these ordinary conversations have led to more than a few people coming to Christ. One heart at a time.
46e“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“And if you greet your 16brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the 17tax collectors do so?
Matthew 5: 46 - 47 NKJV
I was pondering the other day the ministry of Jesus. Remember, His ministry really didn't began until He was into His thirties. Did Jesus need a extensive public ministry? Did He require a platform from which to speak the good news to others? If you recall the ministry of Jesus, most places He went, others had already heard of Him. It didn't take Him long to develop a following due to the message He spoke. I will say that my friends coffee shop ministry is one of those I've seen which closely mimicks the ministry of Jesus. There are no sermons, praise and worship bands or church staff. What you have here is open, honest conversation. This is where it starts. I look at the interactions which Jesus had with others around Him and how a simple conversation often led to another heart being led to Him. The message need not be one of rituals, materialistic prayers and religion. Religion is a messy subject, and I stay away from it at all costs. However, ask me how Jesus has affected my life and we can talk all day long and twice on sundays. Our focus should never be to hammer Jesus into the lives of others, but to speak of His love and desires for us. See, most people have never even heard of the truth of Christ in us. To many it's a strange concept. So, should we began each conversation with a talk on Jesus in us? Do that and you'll most likely get a few blank stares along the way. However, if we would simply engage others in normal conversation and allow Christ to lead us in what we are to say, He will guide our words to what it is they need to hear in their hearts. After all, Jesus knows more about what others need to hear than I do, right? Who is better at speaking Christ to others than Jesus Himself? In that hour He will guide us to what we will say.
28And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 10: 28 - 29 NKJV
~Scott~
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