The Secret to Sharing the Gospel Effectively | Sunday Message

Hey there, thanks for listening to the great glory podcast, a ministry supported by harvest partners on Greg Laurie encouraging you if you want to find out more about harvest ministries.

Learn more about how to become a harvest partner, just go to harvest.org. Let's all pray together. Father, we has now as we open your word that you would speak to us.

We believe that it's a lie and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, help us to know Lord, how to share our faith more effectively in Lord teach us more about what it means to be empowered by and filled with your Holy Spirit. We ask this in Jesus name, amen to grab your Bibles turn to acts chapter 2 were in a brand-new series based on the book of acts. It is simply titled the upside down line in the title of my message for you right now is this secret to sharing the gospel effectively.

Let me ask you a question. Let's say that you got a brand-new car and there's nothing like a new car that got that new car smell.

Everything is nice and clean and shiny and and you're driving on the road you're enjoying your new car and at the end of the week. All of a sudden you're having a mechanical problem. Your car is sputtering your car completely stops you have to have it towed back to the dealership and you demand an explanation is eight I just bought this car and it broke down already. What is wrong so the dealer gets in the car. Amy turns of the addition of the says you're out of gas. What yet you have to put gas in your car in our Christian life can be like that sometimes we sort of run out of gas.

Speaking of that, my wife, whenever she browsed my car gives it to me with so little gas that literally she's driving around running on fumes. We can think the same idea and apply it to charging something like yourself all. I don't know about you but I can barely make it through a whole day without my cell phone going dead so I plug it in and recharge it periodically. You gotta keep your cell phone charge stripe.

I've a friend was electric car and we drove up to Los Angeles from Orange County and it drove incredibly on the way up on the way back I noticed that the air conditioning just shut off and other features were shutting up is that what's going on.

He says well I should've fully charge her before we left it shutting down because the batteries really love is it what you talking about this when your battery is low when things are shutting down. If you find yourself losing momentum. Maybe it's because you need a recharge or you need to be filled and refilled and filled again with the holy spirit and that's what were going to look at in our message today working a look at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a group of believers gathered together on the day of Pentecost there in Jerusalem and this outpouring of the Spirit on this day. Set the church in the motion and what is it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I think sometimes if you mean there were going to have an emotional experience, and maybe you will. And maybe you won't. It would be nice if every day we could just sort of get zapped before we get started and just be filled with all kinds of energy and passion, but I think being filled with the spirit may not even affect you emotionally.

It's something that we ask for that we live by.

By faith, but these believers on the deer Pentecost were filled with the Holy Spirit and really you could read title the book of acts, not the acts of the apostles, but change it to the acts of the holy spirit, the Holy Spirit is mentioned 56 times in this book, and the Holy Spirit is a personality. The Holy Spirit is not in it. He's not of force trust the force, Luke know know the Holy Spirit is God the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit has a will and a purpose and a word that he wants to do in your life and mine.

Let me just tell you a few things about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Number one. The Holy Spirit has come to bring us to Jesus in John 16 verse eight Jesus says when he is calm, speaking of the Holy Spirit, he will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to come. Notice it says when the Holy Spirit is calm, he will convict or convince the world of sin that sins plural sin in general. In other words, he will come this show is that we are sinners and need of a Savior know once the Holy Spirit does that work of convicting in our life. It's up to us how we respond to it. You might be watching right now in God's Holy Spirit might be making you aware of your sinfulness of your spiritual depravity of how you're separated from God. He doesn't do that to drive you away in despair, he does that to bring you to Jesus to show you there's a solution there's a way to be forgiven of your sin.

There's a way to have a fresh start with the Holy Spirit comes to convict or convince us of our sin and bring us to Jesus.

Listen to this. According to the Bible. The Holy Spirit can be insulted. He can be lied to.

He can be resisted and he can even be blasphemed and by the way, there's only one unforgivable sin according to Jesus, and that's the blasphemy of the spirit. So what is that mean to blasphemed the spirit beings you are rejecting the primary work that the Holy Spirit has come to do which is to bring you to Jesus. The only unforgivable sin is the outright rejection of Christ. So the Holy Spirit comes to bring us to Jesus. Number two.

Once we come to Jesus, the Holy Spirit seals us is sort of like if you want to purchase some bills go back to that car analogy may be up on the car in the lot that you liked and you said I want to buy that car and I'll be back in a few days to pick it up with her got there, looking to hold the car for those that we didn't have to put a deposit down because someone else may come along want to buy that car.

So as it issue of good faith, to show that you're serious about this purchase, you put a down payment on the car in the same way the Holy Spirit wanting to let you know that God is serious about his commitment to you is placed in our life as a down payment. If you will effect in Ephesians 113 it says when you believe in Jesus, God identified you as his own.

By giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The spirit is God's guarantee that God will give us the inheritance he promised us because he is purchased us to be his own people, and this is a beautiful thing get there's another thing the Holy Spirit does, and reassures us that were children of God. Some of the Holy Spirit is brought us to Jesus and he is sealed as he reassures us that we belong to God, because Romans 816 says the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

Listen I know right now I am a child of God, not because I deserve to be a because I have been forgiven by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit assures me of this now.

In fact, the Bible says over in first John 513 these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you are children of God.

Do you know you're a child of God. Are you sure right now if you were to die, you would go to heaven if you're not certain of that until you how to get right with God. In a few moments when I bring this message to a close so the Holy Spirit brings me to Jesus, the Holy Spirit seals me. The Holy Spirit assures me I'm a child of God and then the Holy Spirit teaches me. Jesus said in John 1428 the help of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you in such a cool thing that you can open up the Bible and the Holy Spirit illuminates passages of Scripture to you. They sort of jump off the page. I can also think of times were I'll be speaking or maybe talking with someone one-on-one and suddenly the passage will jump in my brain.

I don't remember ever memorizing the passage but there it is. That's because the Holy Spirit is brought it to my remembrance Holy Spirit teaches us. Here's another thing the Holy Spirit does.

He helps us to pray, and we need help in our prayers. Don't wait sometimes were facing a problem were facing a conflict some kind of a challenge and we don't know how to pray. Here's what Romans 826 says the Holy Spirit helps us in our distrust, but we don't know what we should pray for, or how we should pray the Holy Spirit prays with us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words and the father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying because the spirit pleads for us as believers so we will be in harmony with the will of God. Sometimes you're so burdened and need to say all Lord I don't know exactly how to articulate this prayer, I just put it in your hands, the Holy Spirit knows the Holy Spirit will bring it to the father is another thing the Holy Spirit does. He leads us.

He leads us in life sometimes are not even aware that he's leaving us. But yes, Romans 814 says as many as are led by the spirit of God. They are the sons of God. And so that's why every day when we get up in the morning. We should ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and that brings me to my seventh point about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to empower you and fill you again and again and again so you have spiritual gas in your tank so you have the charge you need. Here's what Ephesians 518 says don't be drunk with wine, because I will ruin your life but be filled with the Holy Spirit speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart.

So the Lord, by the way the phrase be filled speaks of something we should do continuously.

So again, I don't just get filled once I get filled again and again and again.

And God wants to do this in our lives right now.

Know what doesn't need to be filled with the spirit, what were looking at the day of Pentecost. This is a one-off event. We never read of the phenomenon that we see on the day of Pentecost happening again like a mighty rushing wind in the flames of fire on their heads of the apostles. This was a special event coming back to cars again.

When you start the ignition. There's the explosion if you will that gets the car started.

You don't keep turning it over and over again once the cars started. You put in the drive and off you go so dear pentagons was like the explosion that set the church in the motion.

There was a one time event, but there's a lot of things we learn about our lives as followers of Jesus from what happened on this important day. So let's read now together from acts chapter 2 on you to read verses 2 to 7 and I'm reading from the new living translation on the day of Pentecost. All the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting and would look like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages other as the Holy Spirit give them ability at that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.

And when they heard the loud voice, everyone came running and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers and they were completely amazed and they said how can this be so people from all around the world were gathered in Jerusalem many languages were represented and now the outpouring of the Spirit takes place on the day of Pentecost. Everyone heard God glorified in their own language and it's a reminder to us that the gospel is for everyone. It's not just for the white man. It's not just for the black man.

It's not just for the Asian man or woman or the Hispanic person.

It's for all people for all tribes for all languages, young people, old people. It's for everyone. In fact, the Bible tells us in Revelation 79 that we get to heaven they'll be people from everywhere up there. It says I looked and there was a great multitude that no one could number from all tribes and peoples and languages so amazing thing, but the critics standing nearby came up with their conclusion as to what was happening.

Visit all these people are just drunk really that the best you can come up with their just drunk and reminds us of the passage in first Corinthians 214 it says people want spiritual can receive these truths from God's spirit, nor can they understand it, you know, nonbelievers just don't get it. And these people didn't get it at all. God was about to change the world with this group of 120 people that were gathered together, how was God going to do it. Here's some Takeaway principles. The first one is so simple, but let's not miss it. Point number one, they were unified they were unified verse two on the deer Pentecost. All the believers were meeting together in one place. Understand these people are human being just like you and I are they of their disagreements. The other squabbles they had all of the issues that you and I have but they understood this was a moment to be together. There were gathered together and one place these believers had no earthly power. What so ever had no armies. They had no money there.

No political power, they had no status. But then Jesus and Jesus had them. They were together. Listen, I can't remember a time in my lifetime in America where we have been more divided, not just in our nation but also in our church work politically divided were divided over so many things I fear that sometimes even in the church we are letting our political views overshadow our theological beliefs were choosing the church that fits it's more politically than a place were going to be fed spiritually. Listen we are part of the family of God. And there's power when we pray together there's power when we work together and Satan knows that and that's why he divides us. Or at least, seeks to my responses to hell with the devil and his divisions. Let's get together. Let's pray together. Let's work together. Let's love one another. Let's not divide over secondary issues. Let's get together for the gospel.

What if God was ready to send a spiritual awakening to America, but he was waiting for his people to get together. Don't forget second Chronicles 714 God says if my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves. Notice that the dress to a group of people, not an individual, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way. Then God says I'll hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.

So there's this amazing phenomenon on the day of Pentecost, Luke uses the word suddenly suddenly there was a noise like a violent rushing wind, and the way he phrases this implies that this was a supernatural incident. Something unexpected in the spirit of God was poured out on the believers but let me point out again as I alluded to earlier, God fills us with the with the spirit and then he fills us again and again and again affect his weight go forward in the book of acts a little bit. We find them gathered together in acts chapter 4 they've been told by the authorities to stop preaching the gospel, sort of.

They do, they got together in a prayer meeting and said, Lord, give us even more boldness to preach the gospel we read in acts 431 after this prayer the building where they were meeting shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and then they preached God's Word with boldness there is on a better example of what happens when the spirit fills you, then Simon Peter himself less than two months before Pentecost, Peter wanted a hiding with the other disciples he outwardly denied the Lord and no doubt his faith was strengthened when the met the risen Christ. But this boldness, this courage. This is from the holy spirit listen to this the same Holy Spirit that filled Peter will fill you remember what Peter said on the day of Pentecost.

This promise. Speaking of the Holy Spirit is to you as to your children and all that are afar off, even as many of the Lord our God shall call the Teresa Moore versus together acts chapter 2 verse 14, Peter stepped forward with the other 11 apostles and shouted to the crowd.

Listen carefully follow Jews and residents of Jerusalem. Make no mistake about it these people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming it's only 9 o'clock in the morning.

It's much too early for that. Know what your scene was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel let me Lucy paraphrases a people and these folks are not drunk, the parts aren't even open yet. This is the fulfillment of prophecy. This is a fulfillment of what Joel said and then Peter quotes from Joel in the last days. I'll pour my spirit out on all flesh, and your sons and daughters will prophesy in your old men will dream dreams and only goes, but I love the way that he based on Scripture. Listen whenever we see God working we should be able to back it up biblically.

So whatever is happening in your life or in your church you should be able to say this is that which was spoken of by in the case of Peter the proper Joel should be able to support what is happening biblically College of cures because God gives us his power for a purpose is not know how you can jump itself straight when you hit the ground again. Let's go back to acts 18 it says you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you to be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. God gave this power to the church so they could evangelize the world.

God wants to do the same throughout.

So let's talk now about how to share the gospel effectively go back to acts chapter 2*numbers 36. Peter gives this sermon. This is the first sermon of the early church. A very important message. He says that everyone in Israel know for certain is God is made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord Messiah, Peter's words Pierce hearts and they said to him, and the other apostles, brothers, what should we do Peter replied every one of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This promises to you, your children, all that are far away as many as been called by the Lord our God. Verse 40.

Then Peter continued preaching for a long time.

That's an interesting verso therefrom, and to give a three hour message because Peter did not.

Peter continued preaching for a long time strongly urging all of his listeners, save yourselves from this crooked generation of those who believe what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that they about 3000 in all.

While 3000, that's a lot of people to believe in one day. You know sometimes I hear people say, well, I'm not in the numbers of them were not into mass evangelism. Oh well, God's in the both gods in the mass evangelism and I don't even really like the phrase mass evangelism but if you want to use it. I guess you can evangelizing the masses. That's what Peter was doing. He was speaking to thousands of people and 3000 of them said they wanted to follow Jesus Christ. And then they were baptized as well. Gods in the numbers God cares about numbers and we are not ashamed to tell you how many people of come to Christ over a given year, at least of made a profession of faith to follow Jesus Christ and in the book of acts we see what you might call mass evangelism and we see one on one evangelism a while talk about this in a moment, but Philip talking to the man from Ethiopia, one on one evangelism.

Peter speaking to the masses on the deer Pentecost mass evangelism or what I like to call proclamation evangelism. We are standing up and proclaiming the gospel and that's what we've done for over 30 years of what we call harvest crusades were doing it again in October 3 this month at Angel Stadium for one night and all step up to the podium and I will give a clear direct evangelistic message that I will call people to follow Jesus Christ. Did you know that over the last 30 years we have seen well over 500,000 people make a profession of faith to follow Jesus. Now why believe all those people became Christians. No, I don't do. I believe many of them did.

Yes I do.

My job is to proclaim the gospel. My job is to sow the seed, it's a work of the Holy Spirit to determine where that seed ends up what happens in the life of that person. Let's come back now to what Peter said and let's see if we can learn something about sharing our faith, whether it's in a public setting. Speaking to a group of people or just you having a one on one conversation with someone about Jesus. Point number one Peter knew his audience.

The fact of the matter is, the people that Peter were speaking to witness the crucifixion of Jesus. Not all of them, but many of them did in even more. There were some in the crowd that literally played a role in the actual crucifying of Jesus, so he speaking to them. He quotes a lot of Old Testament Scripture, because this was largely a Jewish audience and new the Bible that is not our culture today.

By the way our culture is more like the people Paul spoke to on Mars Hill in the city of Athens in Greece. These were people that worship many God and Paul walked around and took note of the fact that they were very religious and had many idols in the said men of Athens. I see your very religious and his message was quite different in its structure them.

Peter's was using Peter was speaking to a biblically literate audience.

Paul was speaking to a biblically illiterate audience, and by and large in our culture today.

People don't know the Bible anymore. There was a time maybe 34 years ago when you would say that someone arrest him. Are you a Christian then safe. Guess I'm a Christian. Nowadays a lot of people say no I'm not a Christian I don't even really know what a Christian is. That was a time maybe 30 or 40 years ago and you would reference Bible stories like Adam and Eve in the garden or no was our core or even talking about Jesus and they would understand what you were referring to. Today people are oblivious of so many of those things. So you have to adapt to your audience, you need to adapt to the person you're speaking with and make it understandable to them. Don't assume your listener knows what you're talking about. This is why think it's a good idea to get to know the person you're speaking with. When I speak in a crusade it's effectively a monologue, it's me speaking might be an occasional person that yells back at me, but it's mainly me saying whether I want people to hear, but mom Ricky Jim evangelism with individuals. It's a dialogue it's give-and-take it's it's listening and getting to know people, you know, if you really want to get a conversation going asked someone about themselves because everyone's favorite subject is themselves.

Point number two knowing his audience. Peter adapted to this situation. He adapted he understood he had the pivot now in make it understandable to the group of people that he was speaking to, and that's what we need to do as well. The apostle Paul said, I become all things to all men affecting first Corinthians 9.

He says I become a servant of everyone so I can bring them to Christ. When I'm with the Jews. I become as one of them so I can bring them to Christ. When I'm with the Gentiles. I do not of the Jewish law, I try to fit in with them as much as I can so I can gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. Paul says I try to find common ground with everyone that I might bring them to Christ is the it just starts with caring about people, listen to this. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Let me say that again people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. So to start with some compassion taken interest in the person you're speaking with number three. Peter's message was effective because it was scriptural. There's a lot of verses in his message. He quotes Joel 228 to 32 apparently from memory.

In verse 25 eases. David said, and he quotes some 16 in someone 10.

The only thing of like a scroll of Joel that is rolling out looksee were as adult was in his heart was in his mind and he quotes freely from it and that's why we should commit the Scripture to memory, listen to this. Any Christian worth their salt should be able to stand up in a moments notice and articulate the gospel in three minutes or less on me say that again any Christian worth their salt should be able to get up at a moments notice and articulate the gospel in three minutes or less to stand up and say here's what the gospel is here is what I believe about Jesus, you say well it's let's see you do a good shot, you would say to a person listen. There is a God in heaven who loves you.

He has a plan and a purpose for your life. But here's the problem you're separated from God by your sin because you and I have broken his commandments. We've crossed the line.

But here's the good news 2000 years ago God sent his son Jesus Christ on a rescue mission for you and Jesus died on the cross for your sin, and he took God's judgment upon himself. The fact is Jesus, Peter Dent. He did not owe because you owed a debt you could not pay if you will turn from your sin and put your faith in Christ. You can be forgiven and find the purpose and meaning of your life on earth and of the absolute confidence that you will go to heaven. We should all be able to do that. And as we do it we want to quote Scripture. Why, because Isaiah 55 says God speaking as the rain comes down in the snow from heaven social my word be that goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me void, it shall accomplish what I please, it will prosper in the place where I sent. There is no power in Greg's words.

There's a lot of power in God's word. That's why I quote Scripture.

How many of us can remember seeing Billy Graham holding this Bible, he would hold it like this sometimes sort of fullback and point to it. The Bible says it say it over and over again. The Bible says. The Bible says and we should do the same. You know it's interesting that the Bible is referred to as the sword of the Spirit, so I've gotta sore down here. I don't always carry a sword around but happen to have one for this occasion. This is a replica of a Roman sword, so this would be the sword that Paul is referring to the Romans short sword of four close battle.

So what Paul is seen as the word of God is like a sore solenoid you with the sword woke the sword can be a defensive weapon, but the primary defensive pieces of armor are the breastplate and the helmet and the shield, but the sword. This is when I attacking this is when I'm stepping in and I'm gaining ground. It's an offensive weapon, and the same is true of the Scripture.

I use the sword of the Spirit's alumni ask you a question.

What shape is your spiritual sorting is a policy daily use as you study the Scripture on a regular basis and sharpen on the gamble of experience as you apply it's truth and obeyed it in your life or raise your sword. Rusty or Dole by disobedience of keep your sword sharp. Keep your sword ready and really what I'm saying is know the word of God having close to you on him falling over is no room down here. There keep your sword ready keep the word of God hid in your heart. Listen when you're sharing your faith. You don't have to carry around a large Bible, you can but sometimes people sort of freak out when you pull Bible South libido set in your in a plane you're flying in and you know you have someone on your right, left, and you're talking everything's fine reach into your briefcase, your backpack, you pull of the Bible you start to read a people visibly recoil. That's IQ broad a rattlesnake out of your baggers and will what side is is not a Bible and you know so there's a symbolic power in the Bible remember some years ago we were doing a crusade here in town and on our poster. It said so call harvest and it was a picture of me just holding up the Bible is like this, what's, in fact, it didn't even say Bible on the Bible. So in effect I I'm just holding a book up. It could have been any book you can think up.

But there was a symbolism in somebody holding up a book and it offended some people and so people complain in the mall were was displayed asked if they could take this down to became a national news story people are offended by someone holding up a book, but there's power in the symbolism of the Bible, but there's even more power in the words in the Bible so you can jury Bible. If you want. It's good to carry a Bible in your briefcase in your backpack in your first but the best place to cure the word of God is in your heart and is you're talking with someone you just tell them what the Scripture says, so we you know what Jesus said of for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son. Whoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life. There's power is power in those words uses sword of the Spirit. Peter's message was powerful because he used Scripture is able. Greg, one of a person doesn't believe that your sword is real. So let's come back to the start analogy and the and I say this only this is the sword and they say well I don't believe your sword is real really. Or you say this is the word of God. They think I don't believe in the word of God. I suggest stab them with the sword. And I mean literally I say quote the word of God though feel it. Sometimes when you're quoting Scripture to people. It may not impact them in the immediate moment, but it will come to them later. 3 o'clock in the morning like a little time bomb detonating in their heart in their mind where they realize well I remember that thing that that person said that's the power of the word of God.

Listen to this Peter's message was effective because it was Christ centered. It was effective because it was Christ centered look at acts two verse 22, he says, Jesus of Nazareth, verse 32 this man speaking of Jesus. Verse 36 God is made this Jesus whom you crucified the Lord and Christ. Peter spoke of the crucifixion of resident and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the core of our message.

Paul said I don't want to know anything else among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Listen to what I'm saying here when you're sharing your faith. Remember there is power in the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul says it is speaking of the gospel. The power of God under salvation to everyone who believes. She I've heard messages that are supposedly evangelistic. The never mention the cross, sometimes in our attempts to cross over. We don't bring the cross over. I've told you before, I once asked Billy Graham this question Billy of older Billy could speak to a younger Billy what would you tell yourself to speak more on it without hesitating, Billy said I would preach more on the cross of Christ in the blood because that's where the power is, I never forgot that when I'm interviewed is going to one of her crusades. I'm often asked the question what you speaking on this year. What is your thing. We always have a theme but you know what I'm speaking on Jesus, and 10 years ago I was speaking about Jesus and 30 years ago when we started these crusades I was talking about Jesus. And if I'm around 10 years from now I'll still be talking about Jesus.

That's my message. You need Jesus.

Whatever your problem is unique. Christ tell me what you think you want, I'll tell you what you really need. It's Jesus. Tell me what you think you need of tell you what you really want it.

Jesus and Peter proclaim Christ is another important point.

Peter's message was effective because he called sin. Sin and he told people to repent. The people come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They realize that they need God and we read in verse 38 of acts two Peter said rep can't let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sin and you receive the gift of the holy spirit. We have to tell people their sinners. I know some people are uncomfortable with that. I know some preachers aren't comfortable with that.

Well, this is what the Bible says I don't think you can fully appreciate the good news until you know the bad news and the bad news is, according to Scripture, all of sin and fallen short of the glory of God. Every one of us a broken God's commandments and then of course if I really want to get right with God. Peter says I must repent, repent needs to change my direction.

It's a military term and needs an about-face, so if I'm running from God. I run toward God. Repent of your sin, turn from your sin. Don't be afraid to tell people they have to repent. Don't be embarrassed to tell people their sinners, you're simply giving them the gospel, but yet there's a trend among many young people who identify as Christians to not want to say these things. In fact, I just read that more than 60% of born-again Christians between the ages of 18 and 39 believe that Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed are all equal in regards to the path to salvation. I'm sorry what that says to me is these people that were pulled do not understand what the Bible says that Jesus stands apart from every other religious leader. Every profit every Guru. The Bible says there is salvation in no one else, there is no other name given under heaven among men by which we must be saved.

Jesus said it so clearly. John 14 six.

He said I am the way the truth and the life no man comes of the father but by me. Buddha or Mohammed or any other religious leader could get me to heaven, then why did God sent his son Jesus Christ to come to this earth to suffer and die and across and effectively be murdered in cold blood answer because there was no other way to satisfy the righteous demands of God is he Jesus was not just a good man.

He was the God when he died on the cross with one hand he took hold of a holy God that we've offended with his other hand. It took all of sinful humanity and spikes were driven to those hands and he died for our sin, yes Jesus Christ is the only way to the father.

If you see anything short of that you're not giving the true gospel as a final point.

The Holy Spirit will do his part. Make sure you do yours, the Holy Spirit will do his part. Make sure you do yours. Remember it's a work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to Jesus. Right. It's my job to proclaim the gospel. The Bible says, how will they hear unless someone tell them how will someone tell them unless they be sent. So we have to be the ones to tell people about Jesus and the verse here verse 37 says the bones were cut to the heart cut to the heart.

This phrase appears only here in the New Testament and the word cut needs to peers or to staff as though it were something sudden and unexpected. This is a conviction of this spirit only God can do this. So let's review. Number one. Know your listener, ask questions, take time to talk to a person number two adapt to the situation. Make sure they understand what you're saying. Number three called Scripture number four focus on Christ crucified and risen again.

Five calls sin. Sin tell them to repent. Six. Ask them if they want to accept Jesus Christ. And finally, remember conversion is God's job, not yours. I going a little acronym that I call blast BL ASTB stands for build a bridge L stands for.

Listen a stand for ask questions at Stanford. Share your testimony and T tell them about Jesus. So our last thing we do is ask them. Would you like to accept Jesus Christ. Worst-case scenario they say no best case scenario, they say yes, these people were overwhelmed with their own guilt and they said what should we do Peter tells them to repent and believe in Jesus maybe I'm talking to somebody right now that feels the same way sub talked about sin you're aware the fact that you're a sinner. No one needs to convince you of that. You know that you need God, but you don't know what to do. You know how to make that change, here's the answer to come and say God I know I'm a sinner but I think you for sending Jesus to be my Savior. I'm sorry for my sin.

I repent of my sin.

I put my faith in Jesus Christ right now and ask him to be my Lord and Savior Jesus says behold I stand at the door in a not many men will hear my voice, and open the door, I will commit. Would you like Jesus to come of your life would you like to be forgiven of all of your sin.

Would you like to be certain that you will go to heaven when you die.

If so I want to lead you in a simple prayer I would ask you to stop whatever you're doing and just bow your head and pray this prayer with me. This is a prayer we are asking Christ to come into your life. So if you want to go to heaven when you die if you want to start life all over again if you want to fill that hole in your heart if you want to find the meaning and purpose of life.

Pray this prayer with me, you can print out loud if you like. Let's all pray Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. I sure now from my sin and I choose to follow you from this moment forward in Jesus name I pray, amen. Everybody thinks you're listening to this podcast to learn more about harvest ministries follow the show and consider supporting it.

Just go to a harvest.org and to find out how to know God personally go to harvest.org and click on know God