robsingleton.net

3 August 2007

What’s the “Tune” of your Life?



	
		Why Don't More Christians Share their Faith with Others?
		
		
		
			
					
					Fear of rejection
			
			
					
					Don't know enough
			
			
					
					Fear of not being able to defend beliefs
			
			
					
					Don't want to be labeled "Jesus freak" - I say label me but that is easier said than done.
			
			
					
					Don't see the urgency
			
			
					
					how to start without saying something weird like "when did you first realize you were going to heaven?"
			
			
					
					Don't really see Jesus as the only option
			
			
					
					Other
			
			
					
					Don't believe in Hell
			
			
					
					Believe in Hell, but don't believe it will be that bad
			
			 Add an Answer
			
		
			
			
			
			View Results

As we get ready to kick off our brand new series entitled, iTunes, I’m about ready to jump out of my skin in anticipation of what God is going to do!

I believe in this series we will see Christ followers deepen their faith and boldness for Jesus and seekers come to know Him as Lord and Savior…by the hundreds!

Coolest part?

He’s going to use ordinary people like you and me to do it!

But we need to start with the truth.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

But let’s deal with this honestly and then see God change hearts.

The first truth is this; Many Christians will never personally share their faith with another human being their entire Christian life. That’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

So let’s start with that.

Is it true for you?

Next truth…

Not even a third of the believers and “Christ Followers” at an average church regularly invite their seeking friends to church.

Have you ever invited anyone to Southbrook?

If not, why?

Beginning this weekend, all of that will change.

Radically.

But first, let the healing begin.

As I address these issues, tell me what keeps you from sharing the love of Christ with others.

Be honest.

These answers are the things I will zero in on most as we seek to become the most courageous church in North Carolina when it comes to spreading the Good News!

Share and Enjoy:

6 Comments currently posted.

Bob Klemas says:

I believe the reason why a lot of christians do not share their faith is this.Although they’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour they have not taken that next step.They have not allowed Christ to transfom them.Being saved insures us eternity in Heaven with God.But unless we allow Jesus to transform our lives , and actually change the way we think and view life ,we will never have “the mind of Christ” or the heart of Christ.When we allow Jesus Christ to radically change our lives and we experience life with HIm in that way ,we can’t help but want to tell others about this amazing deal ! On the other hand if we are saved but not transformed(Romans 12:2) we really do not have all that much to brag on.Yes Jesus died for us and we are going to heaven but we truly need to be transformed to make an impact in this life .Without this I believe we will all be ineffective in our witness whether in word or deed.

Chris says:

I think one reason why christians hesitate to share their faith with others is because in today’s culture, we are led to believe that it is “un-American” to share your faith with somone else and that everyone should be able to believe in whatever they want to.

I’m reminded of this evertime I see one of those “coexist” bumper stickers (google it if you haven’t seen it). I think if we can debunk the myth that we all just need to “coexist” and that all roads lead to heaven, many more people would come to know Christ.

Christopher Wall says:

For me it is the flat our fear of possibly pushing someone further away from Christ or offending them rather than drawing them closer. I know I know, how in the world can a persons desire to see another come to know Christ be seen as offensive……

For those that know me, you know I have no issues talking with others or “sharing”. It just comes down to not wanting to be the one that “yet again” is trying to get someone to go to Church so in return they just dig in deeper.

My wife and I were at Chick-fil-et yesterday (yea we love that place for a number of reasons and the true moral values the company is founded on is a main one).

After we ordered and I was waiting for our food, the young lady that had taken our order commented to her friend on the next register that she got off in two hours and there was no way she was going to sell 30 more of something. I guess it was desserts or something they were pushing.

As I got our food and sat down I could not get out of my mind this idea to do the following.

I had this idea that I was going to go back up to the counter and ask the young lady what it was she had to sell 30 more of?

Buy 30 of them and in some way shape or form see that 30 people got those items and wanted to make sure they were compliments of a member of Southbrook Church and just wanted them know that Southbrook would love to have you visit if you were looking to know Christ.

So why did I not act on this?

Would this random act of kindness maybe touch even one heart that would in turn lead them to God? Was it that young lady that herself would be in shock at what just happened, maybe the other cashiers that would be amazed.

Well as I sat there I did not even say anything to Susan, (yea she makes it out to this BLOG now and then so I am sure I will hear about this one) I just kept balancing the pros and cons of this possible action in my mind that trust me most of the time is a very very busy place as it is.

If I bought them and handed them out myself would I be sending the wrong message. I did not want to look boastful doing this act. It was not about me it was bout maybe touching the heart of others.

Could I count on the young lady at the register to hand them out and say the right thing? Not fair putting that burden on her I thought.

If I only had some cards with something already written on it that could be handed out with each item… yea that is what I need, or was that just an excuse I came up with to blow off this idea…..

Would the folks at Chick-fil-et even be ok with this?

Would my family at Southbrook feel this was not the way to touch people.

I did not act, I did not get out of my seat and take a chance, all because I just did not know if this would offend others in some way or would it not be perceived with the intentions had. This world is a funny place and we have all heard perception is reality.

In this world I would love to find the key in leading other to come to know Christ. Unlike my job where a good idea may end up in a financial reward at “review time” (I hate that concept of another person “reviewing me” but that would be another BLOG post) , the reward of brining another person to know Christ has more value than may will ever understand and those people that come to know him, their lives would be be changed forever…..

The way I see it, I have two jobs in this life. One of them I am paid financially in the form of a paycheck to make it in this world. The other (not the necessarily labeled as the second) I have no idea what the reward will be and I must admit I do not always feel I am doing my best at it yet it is more important than the other…………..

Ok, Time to go see what Pastor Rob had to say about iTunes……….

Robsingleton.net » Let’s Take’em As They Come says:

[...] there are enough votes on our “Evangelism” poll (if you have not yet votes, click on yesterday’s post and vote there) to address what is by far and away the top reason people give for not sharing their [...]

calculatorgames says:

Chris you made many points as if you read my mind. Kudos!

I know for me personally my battle has always been what will others think of me (had many years in therapy to work on that one). I am looking forward to your tips Rob, because i know i can sure use them!