LEARNING DAILY

2 Corinthians 5:19-20, For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!'

Pastor Jonathon Moore continued his series on Decide to Thrive this weekend. In the third message he talked about The Purpose Decision – What you do with the gift/talent God has given you. Audrey wrote in her sermon notes, “We often tie our purpose to our occupation or think our talent is our purpose. But our purpose is what we do with that talent or job.” Pastor said the verses from 2 Corinthians above show that every Believer is God’s ambassador – that is our purpose. “He has placed us where He wants for His purpose. He places people in our path for His purpose” (JM). Audrey wrote, “All of our purpose leads back to us being a minister of reconciliation.” Pastor related the calling of the disciples in Matthew 4:19 by Jesus and Jesus talking to the woman at the well in John 4 as people being placed in the path of Believer’s. For Believers these are opportunities to share our faith with those God places in our path.

The disciples did not understand Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. “Jews did not talk to Samaritans. They did not understand the opportunity before them” (JM). In John 4:35, Jesus told the disciples the fields were ripe for the harvest. Believers must begin to see the opportunity before them today. Audrey wrote, “Jesus is asking all of us to open and lift our eyes to see the people desperate for an encounter with the One they [the Believer] have already had an encounter with.” I believe Pastor Moore was right when he said, “People do not feel responsible for the things they do not see. Open your eyes to the needs around you!”

He gave three thoughts on what Believers can do. One, “Accept personal responsibility.” Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” The enemy would try to get you to believe sharing the gospel should not be done – cultural barriers (JM). He related this back to Jesus sharing with the Samaritan woman. The enemy would want Believers to not feel or do anything regarding sharing the gospel. But is that not our purpose? Audrey wrote, “we may not be asked to completely bring someone to Christ, but it is our responsibility to plant a seed in them and then ask God to continue the work through you [or someone else].”

Second, “Share your personal story.” Be aware of the “barriers” that keep you from sharing your faith – fear and insecurity, lack of knowledge, misconceptions about evangelism (from Decide to Thrive booklet). Share where you found a changed life and how God has changed your life. “People may argue about theology and doctrine, but they cannot argue with your personal story” (JM).

And last, “Give a personal invitation.” “Every Jesus story begins with another relationship attached to it” (Audrey’s notes). I can agree with the statement Pastor Moore made, “I know Jesus because someone shared Jesus with me!” John1:46, Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."