Then And Now (Jn. 9:25)

1.  THEN.  "I was blind."

2.  NOW.  "Now I see."

3.  What a DIFFERENCE Jesus makes!

4. Witnessing Tip:  Don't talk about what you don't know; talk about what you do know.  "I know one thing."  What is your "one thing" you know for sure about what Jesus did for you?  Share that!

Unsalty Salt (Mt. 5:13)

Salt can lost its saltiness.  If not, Jesus' argument breaks down.  Certainly, the Son of God knew that NaCl (sodium chloride -- a.k.a. table salt) can't lose flavor on its own.  Some outside contaminant or compound must act to produce such thievery and corruption.

There is nothing wrong with the salt itself.  Trouble comes when people attempt to soften, alter or redefine 'salt."  You can't mention salt and neglect themes of purity, reverence, holiness and simplicity.

Christian, you are salt.  That's your identity.  Stop living under pretense that you can fit in, not stand out.

Is there anything compromising your witness and effectiveness for Jesus?

Number One Priority (Ac. 1:7-8)

The disciples wanted to know about a secondary matter.  "Is this when You will restore the kingdom to Israel"?  That's a good question with great subject matter.  It made for stirring theological debate but had little practicality at the moment.

Jesus wasn't meaning to be rude.  He knew there was a fixed time for the kingdom.  That time was not yet.  Jesus didn't want the disciples distracted by secondary, though important, things.  He wanted them focused on the here and now.

Jesus redirected them to priority number one -- Be His witness in the Holy Spirit.  That is still priority number one.  How will you be His witness today?

The 25 to 1 Ratio

Let's talk about the last card you bought.  Twenty-five people before you thought the message, feel or design of the card wasn't good enough. They didn't buy it.

"A greeting card is touched an

average of 25 times before it is bought."

www.twitter.com/OMGFacts. 6.22.12 

If you share the gospel, you WILL be rejected.  You will be rejected A LOT.  For every 25 people you speak with concerning the gospel, eternal life or even church for that matter, one gives you the time of day.  At least that's how it SEEMS.  (Is anyone with me on this?)

Card companies know this 25 to 1 ratio.  They sell to the one, not the 25.  Hey, that's good advice!  When you share the gospel, do it for the sake of the one who WILL listen.  You might have to endure 25 rejections, but the interested one more than makes up for that.

Realize that a 25 to 1 ratio means 4 percent success.  For every 50 people you speak with, 2 will at least be interested.  Why aren't more people getting saved?  MAYBE we're just not talking to enough people.  It could be that simple.

The Highlight of My Half-Day

Only half my work day is done.  Perhaps something can top what I already experienced, but I rather doubt it.  (Okay, the Rapture would definitely be better!)

This morning, I had the privilege to present the gospel to a religious person.  (Just for the record, there are thousands of religious lost people!)  When I asked about getting to heaven, he didn't have the right answer.  When I pressed about the day of his salvation, he had no answer.   When he said he was a good person, I had my opening.

He didn't seal the deal right there in the coffee shop, but he now has quite a bit to process.  The last thing I wanted was for him to give his heart to Jesus because I think it's a good idea.  I knew the decision had to be his alone.  I walked him through what to do next, should he want to take advantage of God's offer.

Wait.  It gets better.  One of the guys at a nearby table was quite interested too.  He'd never tell you that, but it wasn't accidental that he kept looking at me.  He was listening!

None of this was planned.  No, that's not true.  God had it planned for a long time.  I finally caught up with His plan.  Today God will position you to make a difference.  That person you'll meet -- it's not a coincidence.  That conversation that starts in politics -- don't be surprised when you're suddenly discussing religion.  God wants people to be saved more than we do. 

Division Over Jesus (Jn. 7:40-44)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 7:37-8:1.
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You cannot be neutral when it comes to Jesus. Whether your opinion is true or not, whether it is accurate or not, whether it is biblical or not, you do have an opinion about Jesus (Mt. 12:30). Who do you say He is? (Mt. 16:15)

Talking about Jesus is a passionate endeavor. Jesus' detractors certainly are passionate. The ease with which they use His name in vain! The ease with which they use His name as a curse word! May Jesus' followers also be passionate when talking about Him! (Ac. 4:8-12, 19-20)

When passion meets passion, watch your temper. Be prepared for someone not to like the idea that you're praising Jesus. Don't return violence with violence or insult with insult (Rom. 12:21).

Much of the detractors' argument is based upon faulty information. Such intellectual and spiritual laziness! They wouldn't do thorough, objective research. They'd do anything to avoid the possibility their findings might contradict what they prefer to believe. Some simple investigation could've cleared up the matter.

Evangelism Insights (Part 2) (Jn. 4:27-42)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 4:27-54.
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Ask questions to provoke thought or clarify content but not to distract. This is true especially when you are witnessing in pairs. Had the disciples verbalized the questions that were obviously on their minds, momentum would've been lost (Jn. 4:27). Jesus had this woman on the brink. How sad it would've been had the conversation drifted toward food, race or gender.

Tell people what you do know (Jn. 4:28-29). Share your personal experience. It's even okay to acknowledge you have some unanswered questions (Jn. 4:29).

The harvest fields are ready (Jn 4:35). You can't make someone ready. All you can do is be available, seize the opportunity and witness. Sure, some will say no. But some will say yes. Do it for the yes. Get in the harvest fields.

Failure to "seal the deal" is not failure (Jn. 4:36-38). Both sowing and reaping are needed. Sow all the seed you can. Sow long enough and you will reap. When you reap, remember that someone else has done some preparatory work ahead of you. You're not in this alone.

Don't underestimate the power of authentic, passionate testimony (Jn. 4:39). Many believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony.

Get ready for disruption and inconvenience (Jn. 4:40). The Samaritans wanted Jesus to stay with them. When people make requests from you, do all you can to help. Now, that will alter your schedule and will require an expenditure of energy. On the other hand, it might create an even greater opportunity.

Evangelism Insights (Part 1) (Jn. 4:1-26)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 4:1-26.
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Go where many don't want to go. Evangelism begins with initiative. No Jew wanted to travel into Samaria, if at all possible. In your community where is it no one wants to go?

Hang out where people hang out. There in Sychar people hung out at the well. Stay long enough and someone was bound to come. In your community, where do people hang out?

Initiate conversation. Jesus didn't wait for the woman to speak to Him. (He knew she probably wouldn't, since that was culturally frowned upon.)

Don't be defensive. The woman knew that Jews claimed superiority to Samaritans. She knew that men claimed superiority to women. So she puts it right out there with a twist: "How is it that you, being a Jew (supposedly superior) ask (as my inferior) me (superior) for a drink, since I am a Samaritan woman (supposedly inferior to you)?" Jesus remained calm. He stayed on subject.

Be willing to associate with outcasts. Strike one, she was a woman. Strike two, she was a Samaritan. You'll never be a successful evangelist if you ignore the diseased, distressed, dysfunctional and disadvantaged.

Stir curiosity about Jesus (Jn. 4:10). Use analogies. Jesus mentioned "living water." The analogy stirred a desire to know more.

Be a good listener. Jesus listened to each of the woman's questions and responses. You can't respond to what you haven't understood. Evangelism is a dialogue. Those who won't listen won't be listened to.

Press the issue. At some point you have to deal with the problem of sin. By this time you've built adequate rapport with the person.

Take what you're given. Work from the other person's agenda, not your own. Answer questions. Keep the relationship open for further impact. It seems the woman is trying (Jn. 4:19-20) to avoid the truth (Jn. 4:17-18). Jesus goes with the flow and continues to engage her.

The Impact of Testimony (Hab 3:1-2)

God spoke, Habakkuk listened and then he wrote. Testimony must be transmitted and continued.

1. Testimony is information. Testimony says, "This is what God did. Here is His record."
2. Testimony is inspiration. Testimony says, "I'm amazed, awed and overwhelmed when I consider His record. What a great God!"
3. Testimony is instigation. Testimony says, "Since there is sufficient evidence to show a pattern, why wouldn't God do it again?" Testimony stirs faith expectation in you and others.

Notable Pairs

Some things are just meant to go together: love and marriage, Abbott and Costello, root beer and vanilla ice cream. In John chapter four, we find another notable pair: a transformed life and a compelling witness.

One reason some Christians never (or rarely) witness is that they have nothing to witness about! They've forgotten their testimony. Perhaps they never calculated their testimony at the start. Ask yourself, "Exactly what difference has Jesus made in my life since I first surrendered to Him?" That difference is your testimony. Now...who are you going to tell?

Seminar on Evangelism (Part 1)

Rev. Steve Danser presented a 3-hour seminar this morning. There will be three parts to this series. These comments are from my notes.

• Not every believer has the gift of evangelism, but every believer is called to do the work of evangelism.
• Effective evangelism requires God's wisdom. You need to deliver the right content at the right time for each prospect. This requires total dependence on the Holy Spirit.
• Doing the work of evangelism means more than having a series of revival meetings.
• Evangelism is a systematic, continuous and zealous effort to spread the gospel.
• An evangelist is someone gifted to win people to Jesus.
• There are many ways to evangelize. Don't get stuck in one mode. Use multiple methods.
• You are in sales, not production. You don't save anyone. Your job is to tell. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, convince and change.
• It takes many "touches" with the gospel before someone finally gets saved. You don't know what "touch" your witness will be. Maybe you're touch #1. Maybe you're touch #30. This reminds us that evangelism is a process, not just an event.
• Evangelism is the process of exposing people to the gospel by any means or methods. (I mean means and methods that are not illegal, immoral or unbiblical.)
• Prayer is your preparation. Prayer is the means by which you water the seed and plow the hard ground.
• 2 Tim 4:5; Mt 28:19-20; Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 3:6