Christianity is a Blessing, Not a Burden

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Introduction:

Evangelism should not be simply about methods and formulas.

Evangelism should not be about arm twisting or imposing our will on others.

Evangelism should be about people connecting soul to soul and story to story sharing of the Savior of the World.

John 7:38 ESV

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

So what’s going on with your heart?

Is it slowing or flowing?

Does your heart touch people or does it stop at the boundary of your own well being?

Unfortunately Evangelism is the much talked about missing link of Christianity.

There is an excitement missing in the Lord’s Church today that only Evangelism can bring to a congregation.

Methodically over time we have shifted squarely in the mode of us-spirituality instead of an others centered focus.

These questions can help with your story and recognition of the blessings of being in the Lord.

How did you come to the Lord?

Who influenced you to become a Christian?

How has Christ made a difference in your life?

Who might benefit from hearing your story?

How can your story help people who are searching for the Lord?

[Let’s begin this 13 lesson series by breaking it down into 3 parts...

Natural Evangelism

An Everyday Approach to Sharing the Gospel

Part 1 - Preparing for the Field

Part 2 - Entering the Field

Part 3 - Words of Encouragement

our first objective is to consider that our new life in Christ is a…]

I. Blessing not burden

A big reason for not sharing Jesus the Church and the Gospel is that people aren’t sure if they are happy in the church.

{{Using the Amazon Prime example]]

2-day shipping

streamable movies and TV shows

a massive playlist of Songs

wide selection of books and magazines to download to my Kindle app

Cloud storage for my pictures and videos

We consider things like Amazon Prime a blessing even though we pay $119 a year for it

You see, people may feel good about being in Christ but not sure about being in the Church

People observe the church similar to paying taxes. We enjoy being in the country but we don;t like paying the taxes

Our Church memberships are like paying taxes, we do it because of the consequences

For too many eternal consequences are what drives Church attendance

There 6 leadership styles people refer to in modern day organizations

unpredictable

domineering

secretive

passive

healthy

Empowering

Our Christianity is lived as if we believe there is a Domineering Leader over us

domineering leadership produces Compliant Followers

those type of followers may have some short term results

but it ends in disaster

it can produce a culture of yes robots

Compliance Followers will give compliance but you will not achieve commitment.

Church too many of us see the Church as another task: Give - Serve - Attend

Another obligation which is a demand on my time

Where is the day to day joy and satisfaction of being a Christian

Christianity seems to wear on people instead of edify them, build them up

There is a lot of negative media to take advantage of this very mind set

In Preparing for the field of Evangelism know and act like Christianity is a blessing not a burden...

Christianity is a life changing gift

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 ESV

Your salvation is a treasure

but not all see it that way

[American Christianity does not pay the high cost that Paul did…]

II. Great Cost, Greater Blessing

Our biggest worries seem to be how much money and how much time is this going to cost me

Let’s take a sobering look again at what Paul writes in our text

2 Corinthians 4:8–11 ESV

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Yes expectations can be high, however the blessings are high as well even higher

At first Christianity may not appear attractive but one must dig deeper into the faith for meaning and great blessings

We have to show what lies beneath the obligations, the rich life giving spiritual food that changes lives

2 Corinthians 4:13–15 ESV

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

[this effort of digging deeper is understood in the physical world around us…we understand the power of investing and the miracle of compound interest yet we will not demonstrate it in our walk with God…]

III. Speak up

Christianity is more that knowledge, it is a way of life

Christianity’s core is vastly different that it’s surface

Only when Christians speak up will the Church grow

An invitation

sharing your experience

the story of your life

these things will bring the promise of hope to souls we share it with

listen to the comparison of Jesus to the blessings that await us...

Matthew 13:44–45 ESV

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

Salvation is worth the cost of buying the field

2 Corinthians 4:15 ESV

15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Conclusion:

Many false ideas have been spread about the Christian life

One is that you can have a relationship with Christ without a matching relationship with His Church

Loving the Church is part of loving Christ

Ephesians 5:23 ESV

23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Colossians 1:18 ESV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Colossians 1:24 ESV

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Think positive about your congregation

Dwelling on the congregation’s dirty laundry will never bring a soul to Christ

Reach out despite our human failings because the souls of men are that important

God’s Invitation of Salvation Hear - Believe - Confess - Repent Be Baptized - Remain Steadfast

see Rom 10:17; Jn 1:7; Heb 4:14; Lk 13:3; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10

Romans 10:17 ESV 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

John 1:7 ESV 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

Hebrews 4:14 ESV 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Luke 13:3 ESV 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Acts 2:38 ESV 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 2:10 ESV 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

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