Sharing Our Faith 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 July 9, 2006 Speaker: Randal Myers

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Effective Outreach

The Legend of the Taj Mahal

• Through the legend of the Taj Mahal, we have illustrated for us how it is so easy to allow the focus to shift ever so slightly but significantly. As we extend ourselves into our community and reach out to seekers and searchers among our friends and acquaintances, it is critical that we do so in a way that produces true results...that people are being reached for Christ and not for our plans and programs.
• The apostle Paul is certainly a great model for how to reach out effectively and with the proper focus.

Four Keys to Effective Outreach

• Speak Courageously
  • You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2
  • We must realize that if we want to reach out to the lost, there will be opposition. Satan won't just stand there and lose his subjects without a fight.
• Minister Sincerely
  • For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. - 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
  • If we just want to have a bigger church to say, ìLook what we did,î or to satisfy some selfish ambition, why would God want to bless it?
  • Paul makes the statement, "God is our witness." And he certainly is our witness...he sees all, knows all, perceives all. Nothing will get by him.
    • All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD . - Proverbs 16:2
    • "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts . - 1 Chronicles 28:9
• Share Completely
  • As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. - 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8
  • Reaching out effectively isn't just a sacrifice of time to market your wares...it is in sincerely investing yourself in people.
• Live Righteously
  • Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. - 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
  • Effective Outreach isn't about winning a theological debate. It's not just convincing someone to believe a certain doctrine. Christianity is about transformed lives.
  • If I am not living a transformed life how could I hope to influence anyone else to accept my belief system?

Conclusion

• We must live in such a way that others would like to know our God.

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