August 12, 2009

Building Bridges to Eternity

For many of us, the Sunday pulpit call to “Go share the Gospel and make disciples” feels inspiring in the moment and horribly intimidating once we step out into the real world. When “sharing my faith” becomes another item to check off on my “to do” list, it often feels more like drudgery than delight.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Most of us are not going to be just like Billy Graham. Many of us are not wired with gregariously bold and persuasive personalities that lead people to Christ left and right. But all of us have a circle of influence, community and environments where we rub shoulders with those who do not know Christ. 

If you happen to be in a routine where you are not interacting with non-believers, putting yourself in situations to converse and “do life” with them may be a significant step toward becoming the “salt” and “light” Jesus called us to become.

Bold vs. Caring

Going public with your faith doesn’t mean you set up camp on the corner of your local shopping center to hold up signs and scream for people to be saved.  At times it’s important to step out of our comfort zone, but I don’t think that’s what God intended when He said, “Go therefore and make disciples.”

What if it’s not so much about being BOLD ENOUGH as it is CARING ENOUGH for those who are lost?

Until our hearts beat with the same concern and desire our Heavenly Father has for the lost… all our “efforts” to share our faith are in vain. It’s 1 Corinthians 13. If our actions aren’t motivated by love and deep concern, we’re just making noise and being busy with “spiritual” stuff.

So how do you and I start sharing our faith as a way of life instead of something to check off the list?

Posture yourself for daily impact:

- Pray. As simple as this sounds, ask God to give you a heart for lost people. Ask Him to open your eyes to the situations you may come in contact with everyday – how you can show love or give a helping hand to someone in need? If you’ve never heard Brandon Heath’s song, “Give Me Your Eyes” – I’d grab it on iTunes and make it your prayer.

- Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry from Your Life. Busyness is the killer for building bridges to eternity. Create margin in your schedule so as God opens your eyes and gives you a sensitivity to see the needs of others… you actually have the time to do it! So many times we think of evangelism as an event, but really it’s a process. It takes time to earn people’s trust, build relationships and tangibly show people who Jesus is through your words and actions.

- Share Your Story. Be real, transparent and simply tell your story. What was life like before you knew Christ? What happened leading up to knowing Him? How did it take place? How has your life changed? What does it mean for you to be in a relationship with God now? There’s nothing more powerful than face to face sharing – even if someone doesn’t agree with “what you believe,” they’ll respect your story. And when your words and lifestyle are in alignment… it’s powerful.

- Let Christ’s Love Compel You. When was the last time you deeply pondered Christ’s vast love for you? How He rescued you and gave you new life? When the love of God is a reality experienced in your life, sharing your faith will be a natural overflow of what is already in your heart.

The Apostle Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). What’s interesting here is that the word, “compels” literally means, “hemmed in.”  It’s as though Paul is saying, “God’s love so hems me in and invades my space that there’s no way out – I cannot help not sharing my faith!”

If you’re struggling to experience God’s unconditional love today, there’s hope! May I recommend you thoughtfully read 1 John 3 and allow God’s Word to soak into your mind and heart? If you have not yet received Christ to be your Lord and Savior, learn how you can experience his love here. 

 
When Christ’s love compels you, sharing your faith can be an energizing and joy-filled experience.

I look forward to hearing how God gives you His eyes for the lost this week!

Keep Pressin’ Ahead,

Chip

Chip Ingram on August 12, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized

7 Comments

Karen Fraser   on August 12th, 2009

Thanks, Chip,
That was an excellent article. You pointed out some aspects of evangelisnm that I never thought of. You rticle stirred up a greater hunger in me to be a more effective witness for Christ. Keep teaching God’s principles.

John Naumann   on August 13th, 2009

I have heard this once and it has always stuck in me. Be a witness and if you have to use words. Something to think about.

Mark   on August 13th, 2009

Hi John,
That is a cool statement and reminds us that our lives are the start of our witness. the one reminder that I often give the teens I minister to is that words are always part of the conversion process. Think of it, the Word is so important the John describes Jesus as the Word in the first chapter of John. Jesus the perfect word spent his life using words to tell people about God. If he found words always necessary part of the process, so should we.
Just a thought.
God bless…
Pastor Mark

Jennifer   on August 14th, 2009

I know your station doesn’t do what attendance and fellowship in a Chapel with the Church does, however I’ve recently started listening to this station and I hear a lot the message delivered clearly and I’m happy that at least in this way I can hear the Word while I’m driving around at work everyday. I have a hard time finding a Chapel to fellowship in because I tend to be in conflict with ones I’ve tried, being a single mom has been one, or the lack of the assembly doing the breaking of the bread part of the service…or a few other things that make me question the integrity of those Chapels. Thank you for your service in God.

Mark   on August 16th, 2009

Me and most of the people I know are so busy trying to keep a paycheck coming and feeding the kids and keeping the house up, that we barely have time to sleep much less share and make new connections. I, like a lot of people, are just trying to survive, but how can we all find time to fulfill everyone’s needs and God’s too?

Eve   on August 21st, 2009

I used to feel the same way – how would I have time to put God first in my life when there are so many other obligations. I am NOT minimizing those obligations. My family schedule, keeping a home, bills and my job were like slow death. After two years of feeling spiritually numb, I fell at His feet and asked His will to be done. I knew this wasn’t the life He wanted for me. I stopped trying to control the chaos, and I let go of some anger and resentment in the process. I found that praying and worship aren’t the chores I used to make them, but a conversation with my God. He loves me and meets me wherever I am any time. I gave up time commitments and negative relationships that dragged me and my love ones down. Yes, my house is messier, and we skip out on some school/extracurricular/family activities, and we spend less money. But my husband, kids and I are much happier. Sounds easier than it was in reality. Spending time in a good Bible-based church and getting to know our church family has been key. But that sums it up. P.S. Some of my friends and co-workers ask me where I go to church, and I don’t walk around quoting scripture or wearing Jesus t-shirts. People see the light of the Holy Spirit when we let it dwell in us.

SUZIE   on August 24th, 2009

John, how true are your words to me..I have the problem,right now of too much stress,lack of Jesus time,.Between my mother needing me,helping my sister with my mom,,my husband with pancreatic cancer,getting ready to go thru CyberKnife Radiation, which may kill him..I want to share my God,,he has done sooo much for me,,Healed my lungs,got me off oxygen,when docs said i never would..thank you for your advice..it is well heeded..and thank to my sister,,June for showing this article .She said it sounded like me…God Bless..and thanks..suzie