Questions for further study…
Look at all the areas in your life (example: school, child, parent, husband, wife etc.) and answer these questions…
(My suggestion would be take your time and prepare these answers before you share with your Community Group or another person)
1. Have you ever been made fun of or mocked for being a Christian? Explain
2. Share with your group a situation in which you shared Jesus with someone and it went well.
3. Share with your group a situation in which you shared Jesus with someone and it did not go well?
4. What are some of the reasons you don’t share Jesus with others?
5. What are some things that inspire you to share Jesus with others?
Vrs 24 Here we see Paul a man who is living out verse 11 “strengthened by trouble” Paul went through alot for the Gospel. 2 Cor 11:22-33
But he had joy in suffering for the purpose of the Gospel.
“fill up what is lacking” Paul is saying He is a partner with Jesus and I am blessed to share in suffering because Jesus did.
The reason that Christ suffered was “the church” the elect but John Calvin says this on this point.
Christ has suffered once in his own person, so he suffers daily in his members
Not only did Jesus suffer for us He suffers with us.
Another aspect is that Paul in His suffering benefited the church
Vrs 25 It was obvious Paul had a gift from God to preach the Gospel, “Abnormally born” 1 Cor 15:8
Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, Jesus appears and says “Why are you persecuting me?”
Remember when you suffer Jesus suffers.
Vrs 26- 27 The mystery revealed is that now Gentiles (non-Jews) can be saved or are chosen
There is a solution for our dilemma GOSPEL
And now we find our mission
Vrs 28 to tell everyone around us about Jesus
We are all called to be a light to the world Matt 5:15-16
We all as Christians have been given the gift of being placed where you are to preach the Gospel.
Most of us want to rush through life, rather then look at each stage and place in life is an opportunity for the Gospel. Work, school, who you spend time with, family
We do this because we want good for others.
Jesus is the great cause, we participate in other causes because we want others to love Jesus
Sometimes we look at the people around us who are lost and we make fun or write them off or call them stupid. In “The God Who Is There” by Francis Schaeffer said “These people are dying while they live, where is our compassion for them?”
So what are some common excuses for not sharing Jesus with others?
Excuses
1. They don’t want hear it.
2. I feel awkward.
3. I don’t know enough
4. I don’t feel like it,
5. They may think I am a freak.
6. They will make fun of me.
So how do we talk to people about Jesus?
1. Have confidence that Biblical Christianity (Jesus) has a basis on which to give answers to people’s questions.
2. Remember a month ago I brought up the six different types of non-Christians and their worldviews
1. Indifferent- I don’t know or I don’t care
2. Intellectual- I am too smart to have a crutch like God, proud
3. Religious- I am a good person
4. Spiritual-Believe in yourself, usually agnostic -unknown
5. Hedonist-pleasure is the most important thing
6. Atheist- no God
Push people toward their belief system and they eventually come to conclusion that it does not work
How do we push? If we truly love the people around us will ask them questions that will help them realize their worldview cannot hold up and they need Jesus.
What are the questions?
Ask people…worldview issues. We want our friends thinking about these issues.
1. Where did we come from? Imago dei
2. What is wrong with the world? It is fallen
3. What is the remedy? Jesus
4. How is this working out for you? Great I love Jesus, I have hope, I know this world is not my home.
There is going to be an inconsistency because this world was created by Jesus. They will not be able to live that out in Jesus’ world.
This may bring some suffering to our lives but it will be for the gospel
Vrs 29 Paul then reminds them that he is working for the Gospel but it is really Jesus working through Him and that is “How We Live”
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