Here are the notes from my sermon on July 8, 2018. We looked at why we should make Jesus known and how we can do that. In the last part of the sermon, I focused on how we can share our testimony.
1. Make Jesus Known (Part 1)
Opening
Last week, toward the end of his sermon, Daryl talked about the good works of love,
that flow from being and staying connected to Jesus. (abiding in Jesus)
The last work of love he mentioned, was winning souls into the kingdom. How do we
do that? By making Jesus known. How do we make Jesus known?
I’m glad you asked. Because today we are going to answer that question.
So let’s pray and prepare our hearts for what God has for us today in His Word.
Prayer
Father, we come before your throne of grace, in the name of Jesus. We ask that
would you speak to us today through your Word. I ask that you would give me your
words to speak and guide Nicu’s translation. Then let the Holy Spirit empower our
words, to do the work you desire them to do in our lives. Give us ears to hear, minds
to understand and hearts to receive. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Why Should We Make Jesus Known?
1. Because of what He has done for us
2. Because of who we are now
3. Because of His love for us
4. Because He told us to
1 Corinthians 15:3 - What he did for us
For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures.
1 Peter 2:9 - Who we are now
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his
possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light.
2 Corinthians 5:20 - Who we are now
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.
We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.”
John 15:13 - His love for us
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
But most importantly because Jesus told us to.
2. Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything
I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
What is the First Thing Necessary for Us to Make Jesus Known?
To know Jesus ourselves and to be growing in our knowledge of him.
Let’s Look at Two Verses
John 17:3
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have
sent—Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Gospel Questions to Determine If You Know Jesus
1. Did you recognize your rebellion, your sin against God?
2. Did you turn back to God and put your faith in Jesus and what he did to deal
with your sin?
3. Is Jesus your king and do you live for him?
If you don’t know Jesus or unsure you do, talk to us after the service.
How Do We Make Jesus Known?
1. Sharing our testimony (today’s focus)
2. Sharing the gospel
3. Sharing answers to objections and questions
Sharing Our Testimony Bible Verses
Luke 8:38-39
38 The man from whom the demons had departed begged him earnestly to be with
him. But he sent him away and said, 39 “Go back to your home, and tell all that God
has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much
Jesus had done for him.
Luke 12:8-9
8 And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will
also acknowledge him before the angels of God, 9 but whoever denies me before
others will be denied before the angels of God.
3. Revelation 12:11 (verse is talking about conquering the devil)
They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
for they did not love their lives to the point of death.
Our testimonies have the power to defeat the devil.
1. Can be used to help people enter the Kingdom of God
2. Can be used to help us when Satan tries to convince us we are not saved
Talk about personal struggle with fear of making Jesus known as a young believer.
Share about experiences with helping people overcome their fear of public speaking.
Where’s our focus when we fear? On ourselves or on Jesus?
When your heart is gripped with fear, focus on your faith, where grace can be found.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
Sharing the Gospel Bible Verses
Mark 16:15-16
15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe
will be condemned.”
Psalm 96:2-3 - Even in the Old Testament
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare
his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.
Sharing Answers to Objections and Questions Bible Verse
1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense
to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
Greek word for give a defense - apologia - where we get the word apologetics which
is the science of giving a defense of the Christian faith.
Today’s Focus - How to Share Your Testimony (show handout)
What is a Testimony?
1. It is how your story connects to Jesus.
2. It is telling others of what Jesus has done for you.
3. It is your story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus.
Why Share Your Testimony?
1. Because Jesus wants you to.
2. It is one of the ways you overcome the devil.
3. It is one of the ways we glorify God.
4. It is one of the most effective ways to share the gospel.
4. Share Testimony - Then Afterwards Go Over a Few Things from the Handout
Testimony Outline
1. Life before Jesus
2. Committing your life to Jesus
3. Life with Jesus
4. Calling others to Jesus
Develop Your Testimony
1. Pray
2. Write out your testimony
a. Use outline to structure your testimony
b. Include the gospel
c. Add key Bible verses
3. Practice sharing your testimony
a. Alone
b. With friends and family
c. One-on-One
d. With groups
When you’ve done that what do you do next? You go out and talk to your neighbors,
your friends, your colleagues and whoever God puts across your path.
Closing
Today we looked at why we should make Jesus known and the ways we can make
him known, focusing mainly on sharing our testimonies.
There’s one thing I would like you to do when you go home. Download the How to
Share Your Testimony Handout and use it to write out your testimony then go out
and share it.
I close with two scriptures.
Romans 10:13-14
13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, can
they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without
hearing about him?…
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who
proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Have beautiful feet! Make Jesus Known!!! Let’s pray.