Come and See Broadcast for June 28, 2009   Progam #195                       
The setting of this weeks Bible study has Jesus traveling through a foreign country resting for a moment with His apostles.  They are in Samaria when He takes the opportunity to talk to them about Evangelism – the process of sowing and reaping and timing the harvest. 

Evangelism is a word that scares and threatens so many today, and the disciples were probably as taken back as we would be and likely even more as the Holy Spirit had not yet assumed the role of “empowerer and enabler”.  There’s no reason for that word or activity to scare or intimidate us as it does. 

Alcoholics Anonymous has a clever and truthful statement that all participants are required to make a part of their life.  “YOU CAN NEVER POSSESS ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO, FIRST, GIVE AWAY!”  That’s an excellent truth.

Evangelism is very simply telling others the Good News about Jesus Christ and what that Good News has meant to us personally.  The implication is that we can never experience all of the joys promises and wonderful personal experiences the Good News provides until we are willing to give it away to others by simply telling them what it means to us. 

There are so many ways that we can tell the story of God’s Love for them in Jesus Christ.  We use our own example – which no one can refute.  That’s called a “faith story” or personal testimony. 

Jesus gave his disciples three principles he wanted them to follow when getting ready to share the story of the Gospel…

1.  Don’t say “Later.”   All excuses are invalid here.
2. Look Around You.  Pay attention to others and don’t be so self-involved.
3. See how the fields are ready for harvest.

We have to personally deal with our embarrassment at talking about something so personal.   We have to overcome our personal fear of rejection or offending someone in our pluralistic culture.  We have a natural trepidation regarding the unknown and other hang-ups we have been taught and experienced. 

One would think the enemy of all that is good has arranged all these negatives in our life to keep us from doing what we know we should do as part of our faith.  There is another handicap we need to determine.  Do we have a “Faith Story?”  Do we have anything to tell others regarding our personal relationship to God through his Son Jesus Christ?   The words of Jesus in this lesson are from the 4th chapter of John beginning with the verse 31 and going to verse 38.  This is a good time to be encouraged to do what should be natural for all of us.  Sharing our “faith story” of what Jesus Christ means to us.  The lesson title is “You Won’t Own it Until You Give It Away!”

Think of these questions an you listen to Dr. Robbins’ heartfelt teaching.  Do we love people enough to cause us to share our “faith story” with them?  Are we really concerned with their eternal welfare or have we compromised our thinking to the point we believe “everyone is going to get there in their own way and don’t need me to tell them the real story that changed my life?”  That’s become a very popular shift in the Church’s theology for most denominations as it arranges for it’s own existence in a pluralistic culture by compromising truth that has been the sail for the Holy Spirit to propel it all these years.  Don’t be taken in by such error but just tell the story of what knowing Jesus Christ has done for you.  Love people enough to help you overcome all the fears and uncertainty you have. 

Look around and  look at yourself.  The Holy Spirit will give you the direction you seek because the fields are certainly  ready for harvest.  Remember this very important principle  – You are NOT responsible for the results!  That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.   

And remember the principle that Thomas Q. built upon in this lesson.  “You can’t have it until you give it away.”  If you are not telling the “faith story” you have prepared for sharing with others, you are not experiencing all that you should be by knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior.