There Is Still Hope
Lesson 2: Know Hope, Show Hope
October 24 & 25, 2020
Luke 15:1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story. The Message
Luke 15:4-5 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, The Message
Luke 15:6-7 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.” The Message
#1 MY FAITH IS PERSONAL, BUT IT’S NOT PRIVATE.
47% of millennial Christians think evangelism is wrong.
– The Barna Group
Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Common English Bible
FOLLOWERS FISH
Acts 1:8 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. New International Version
95% of Christians never lead another person to faith in Christ.
– Gallup & Lifeway Research
#2 I CAN’T SHOW JESUS UNTIL I KNOW JESUS.
2 Peter 1:16 “For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” New International Version
#3 I CAN REACH THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS.
WE BUILD BRIDGES / NOT BARRIERS
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 … I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view.” The Message
1 Corinthians 9:22 “…I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” New International Version
“The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim Him with their mouths and deny Him with their actions is what an unbelieving world finds unbelievable.”
– Karl Rahner
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. New International Version
#4 I CAN WITNESS FROM MY WEAKNESS.
1 Timothy 1:15 “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I’m the biggest sinner of all. Common English Bible
2 Corinthians 12:9 …Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. New International Version
#5 AVAILABILITY IS THE BEST ABILITY
God Doesn’t Work Through Perfect People. He Works Through Available People.
1 Peter 3:15 …If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. New Living Translation
Colossians 4:3 “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…” New International Version