13th Jun 08 - Sharing Our Faith_Part1Speaker: Pastor Tani Omideyi Topic: SHARING OUR FAITH part.1 Text: Philippians 1: 15-18 . 3 ways to share your Faith 1) Defending your faith: To do this we need to know the scripture, be clear on what we believe, learn to articulate it and know the common questions people might ask. 2) Sharing your testimonies (1 John 5:10-11) 3) Preaching the Gospel (Acts 10:42, 1 Cor 9:15-17) . Defending your Faith · Commit yourself to know the word of God 2 Tim 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness Heb 4:12 (accomplishes directives) Eph 4:14 (prevents us from being led into error) Eph 6:17 (sword of the spirit) Mark 13:31 (trustworthy, unchanging, does not pass away) · Knowing the word of God helps us to contend for our faith. This encourages the spread of the gospel and nourishes the growth of our faith. . How do we get to know the word? 1. Study: Personal study Group Study (Acts 2:42) Use of the word as guide in our daily lives i.e. as a light and a lamp (Job 23:12, Luke 9:23, Luke 11:3) . 2. Be clear on what it is you believe. Check it out with God’s word, and submit to what it says. (1 Peter 1:21) . 3. Work on it until you get it right . 1 John 4:1: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.) Ask questions from older believers to help guide and build your faith and understanding. . 4. Practice articulating it to others (believers first). Try finding scriptural backing and explanations for common questions people ask e.g. if God is a God of love, why is there so much suffering in the world? . In defending our faith, we have to choose our battles carefully (Matt 7.6: Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces). . Avoid the temptation of getting into fruitless arguments (Titus 3.9: But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless). . Make God known, avoiding drawing attention to yourself (2 Chron 20:15) Use God’s word as often as possible. Refer back to it. The word of God is filled with power. |
