Our message series Change Your World is about how we can make a difference in our world for Jesus. Obviously to change the world, you can’t just go along with what the world is doing and saying. God calls us as believers to be radically different than the world. That’s the only way that we can, with God’s help, change our world.
Today my message is called “Talking with Friends about Jesus.” There are all kinds of levels of friends. The lowest level is simply acquaintances that we see from time to time, maybe working out at the gym, in the workplace or in the neighborhood. The next level of friends are the people that you see regularly and get to know more deeply. Most people will have those type of friends in your workplace, in the church, perhaps a neighbor or relatives outside your immediate family. Finally, you have your close friends, which are people you spend quality time with, you share your heart with them. That will be those in your immediate family, some in the church family and in other areas where you’ve really gotten to know someone. As a believer, the Bible teaches that our really close friends should be other believers. However, our other friends at the lower levels can and should have people who are not yet believers.
Today, we’re going discuss how we can talk to those friends about Jesus. What is our goal in talking with friends about Jesus? It is to introduce them to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only one who can give them purpose in this life. What are the things that hinder us from talking with our friends about Jesus? Perhaps you’re just embarrassed to talk about Jesus. It’s just not the cool thing to do. What will they think of me? I’m sure they wouldn’t be interested in talking about Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV) So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
God’s power can grant you the strength to suffer embarrassment for Jesus. Maybe you’re just afraid. You’re afraid the other person will reject you or maybe not be your friend anymore. You think you’re a shy person and just couldn’t bring yourself to talk to someone about Jesus.
Acts 4:29 (NIV) Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
The early church was under all kinds of threats from the government to not talk about Jesus. Yet they prayed for boldness to overcome any fear and God answered those prayers. Maybe you just feel weak or that you don’t know enough to talk to others about Jesus. You wonder what you will say if they ask you questions.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This is Jesus’ promise to every believer. The power of the Holy Spirit will enable you to be witnesses for Jesus everywhere you go.
So today, we’re going to learn how Jesus started with no followers and began to build His core group of disciples. How did He and His followers do it? By talking with friends about Jesus.
God is good when he gave Jesus to be with us forever in the HOly Soirits power and telling his teaching arond us to blessing and for life in heavenly moving among us to joy and love Christ winning our the towns to Christ too in with the power of God,thanks and bless and pray,keijo sweden