MLCC Sermon Notes – November 12, 2023
When was the last FAITH conversation you found yourself in?
Remember: The Primary way that God desires to reach the world with the good news of Jesus is through Relationships. Ordinary, everyday relationships.
John 4:1-42
Jesus was living His ordinary life on an ordinary day.
Jesus Found common ground in spite of differences.
Jesus did not make His personal comfort his highest priority.
Jesus made Himself vulnerable and asked for a drink instead of being self sufficient.
Jesus took His time with the woman and was not in a hurry.
Jesus had an extended conversation where Jesus learned her story.
How did Jesus turn an ordinary conversation into an extraordinary encounter?
Love, Vulnerability and Curiosity = Real conversation and Real Questions.
I Peter 3. 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Application:
Pray – “Include me” prayers
Live your life in Christ
Be Ready – where does my path cross?
Get curious – Listen to stories
Wait for the opening – Answer/clarify questions about God
Share the gospel – Jesus
Always Love – gentleness/ respect
Your Testimony: How to Share Your Story
Each of us have a story to tell how Jesus came into our lives, saved us from our sin, and called us to Himself. Sharing our story is important because it helps us move from strangers to family. All of our stories are different, but there is one enemy; Satan and the effects of sin, and one hero; JESUS. When we hear other stories we see just how much we have in common in the saving work of Jesus Christ!
Use the 3 sections and questions below to help you write out your story.
- Before I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
- What did my life revolve around the most? Where did I find my security and happiness? (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)
- How did those areas begin to let me down?
- How I Received Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- When was the first time I heard the gospel?
- What were my initial reactions?
- When did my attitude begin to turn around? Why?
- What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
- Why did I go ahead and accept Christ?
- After I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- Specific changes and examples of the changes Christ has made.
- Why am I motivated differently?
- How are my relationships different?
- How are my life goals different because of Christ?
Helpful Hints
- Write the way you speak; make the testimony yours.
- Practice this over and over until it becomes natural.
- Keep it short – 2-3 minutes. At that length, it's easily something you can put into a conversation without it becoming a monologue.
Your Testimony: How to Share Your Story
Each of us have a story to tell how Jesus came into our lives, saved us from our sin, and called us to Himself. Sharing our story is important because it helps us move from strangers to family. All of our stories are different, but there is one enemy; Satan and the effects of sin, and one hero; JESUS. When we hear other stories we see just how much we have in common in the saving work of Jesus Christ!
Use the 3 sections and questions below to help you write out your story.
- Before I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
- What did my life revolve around the most? Where did I find my security and happiness? (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)
- How did those areas begin to let me down?
- How I Received Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- When was the first time I heard the gospel?
- What were my initial reactions?
- When did my attitude begin to turn around? Why?
- What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
- Why did I go ahead and accept Christ?
- After I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- Specific changes and examples of the changes Christ has made.
- Why am I motivated differently?
- How are my relationships different?
- How are my life goals different because of Christ?
Helpful Hints
- Write the way you speak; make the testimony yours.
- Practice this over and over until it becomes natural.
- Keep it short – 2-3 minutes. At that length, it's easily something you can put into a conversation without it becoming a monologue.
Your Testimony: How to Share Your Story
Each of us have a story to tell how Jesus came into our lives, saved us from our sin, and called us to Himself. Sharing our story is important because it helps us move from strangers to family. All of our stories are different, but there is one enemy; Satan and the effects of sin, and one hero; JESUS. When we hear other stories we see just how much we have in common in the saving work of Jesus Christ!
Use the 3 sections and questions below to help you write out your story.
- Before I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
- What did my life revolve around the most? Where did I find my security and happiness? (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)
- How did those areas begin to let me down?
- How I Received Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- When was the first time I heard the gospel?
- What were my initial reactions?
- When did my attitude begin to turn around? Why?
- What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
- Why did I go ahead and accept Christ?
- After I Accepted Christ (or gave Him complete control)
- Specific changes and examples of the changes Christ has made.
- Why am I motivated differently?
- How are my relationships different?
- How are my life goals different because of Christ?
Helpful Hints
- Write the way you speak; make the testimony yours.
- Practice this over and over until it becomes natural.
- Keep it short – 2-3 minutes. At that length, it's easily something you can put into a conversation without it becoming a monologue.
