How Do I Talk to my Friends and Family about the Gospel?

1. Read: Revelation 3:20

2. About the Text:

1) Jesus stands at the door and knocks.

2) Where are we standing?

3) Are we on the other side of the door or are we standing with Him knocking?

4) If we are on the other side, then we need to open the door and let Jesus in.

5) Otherwise, we need to be knocking with Jesus.

6) We call this personal evangelism.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Example is not enough.

1) Jesus didn’t say “go into all the world and exemplify” (even though it is right to do).

2) He said, “go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

3) We must use words to tell others about the gospel.

4) Example is necessary, but it is not sufficient.

5) We cannot preach the gospel without our example, but someone cannot be converted without hearing the word (Romans 10:17).

6) Faith doesn’t come from someone’s example.

7) Say, “I want to talk to you about the gospel.”

2. Schedule a time to visit with them.

1) We can talk about talking to others all day long, but until we schedule a time, we haven’t made a commitment.

2) Each of us should have time in our schedule to talk to visit with others.

3) We should offer these times to them when we schedule a visit.

3. Give them a Bible.

1) If we are going to talk to our friends about the gospel, they need to have it!

2) When you visit make it a point to have a Bible and read the Bible with them.

3) We have these great new Bibles that our elders have purchased with their own money.

4) They are available for you to take and study with others.

4. Say, “Let’s schedule a time to sit down and study the Bible.”

1. Sin causes us to devalue ourselves.

1) Isaiah 59:1-2 – We are the cause of our own problems.

2) Romans 6:23 – Wages of sin is death, but the free gift . . .

2. People need to know that God values them.

1) He has made them in His image – Genesis 1:27

2) He has given His Son for them – John 3:16

3) He doesn’t want anyone to perish but all to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

4) Tell them, “God values you!”

3. People need to know that they are worth the blood of Christ.

1) 1 Peter 1:18-19 – “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

2) 1 Cor.6:20 – “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

4. Say, “You are worth the blood of Jesus Christ!”

1. People want to know who they are.

1) People are not just their occupation.

2) They are not just their family associations.

3) They are not their happenings, hang-ups, and habits.

4) We are easily confused about what we are and wonder why we don’t know.

2. The Christian, of all people, should know who he/she is!

1) Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ . . . .”

2) Philippians 1:21 – “To me to live is Christ . . . .”

3) Colossians 1:27 – “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

4) John 14:6 – He is the way, the truth, and the life.

3. There is a way to identify with Christ!

1) Galatians 3:26-28 – “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

2) “We wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

3) We reenact the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – Romans 6:1-11.

4. Say, “Put your identity in Jesus.”

1. How do we talk to our friends and our family about the gospel?

1) We must make the effort!

2) Talk about their value.

3) Talk about identity in Jesus.

2. Invitation