Acts 17:16-34
Today's Passage: Acts 17:16-34
I am going to use this Jumpstart to take you through a training time Drew used with the staff on a Monday morning. The reason: It is clear, but also should make us aware of evangelism opportunities.
1. Prompting – stirred spirit (v. 16)
Paul looked at the city of Athens and it was full of idols. He knew the people around him were lost, and it bothered him. Do you get the same feeling being around those who do not have a relationship with Jesus?
2. Perception – active eyes (v. 16, 22-23)
Paul saw the city of idols and sees one idol named: To the unknown God. This was Paul’s on-ramp to the Gospel. He noticed what was happening in their culture and used it to get into a Gospel presentation. Are you looking for ways to get into Gospel conversations?
3. Proclamation – open mouth (v. 24-31)
Paul talks about who God is (v. 24-29), the ignorance of man (v. 30a), the need for repentance (v. 30b), and the second coming of Jesus (v. 31). If a Gospel conversation presented itself, would you be ready to share?
4. Providence – resting heart (v. 32-34)
God is the only one who can change hearts. We are commanded to share. Paul had people mock him and others believed. Paul knew it was ultimately up to God and so he was content. Do you trust in the sovereignty of God?
Drew also used this quote from Charles Spurgeon: If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped around their knees imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go unwarned and unprayed for.
Who do you need to share the Gospel with TODAY?
Written By: Brice Stockton
I am going to use this Jumpstart to take you through a training time Drew used with the staff on a Monday morning. The reason: It is clear, but also should make us aware of evangelism opportunities.
1. Prompting – stirred spirit (v. 16)
Paul looked at the city of Athens and it was full of idols. He knew the people around him were lost, and it bothered him. Do you get the same feeling being around those who do not have a relationship with Jesus?
2. Perception – active eyes (v. 16, 22-23)
Paul saw the city of idols and sees one idol named: To the unknown God. This was Paul’s on-ramp to the Gospel. He noticed what was happening in their culture and used it to get into a Gospel presentation. Are you looking for ways to get into Gospel conversations?
3. Proclamation – open mouth (v. 24-31)
Paul talks about who God is (v. 24-29), the ignorance of man (v. 30a), the need for repentance (v. 30b), and the second coming of Jesus (v. 31). If a Gospel conversation presented itself, would you be ready to share?
4. Providence – resting heart (v. 32-34)
God is the only one who can change hearts. We are commanded to share. Paul had people mock him and others believed. Paul knew it was ultimately up to God and so he was content. Do you trust in the sovereignty of God?
Drew also used this quote from Charles Spurgeon: If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped around their knees imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go unwarned and unprayed for.
Who do you need to share the Gospel with TODAY?
Written By: Brice Stockton
2 Comments
Wow! We have done Prepare to Share, and of course we have talked about being open for opportunities to share the gospel. But I asked myself, do you actually get ready before you leave the house? Do I run through Bible verses and say a prayer specifically about sharing Jesus today? No. But I am going to do that now.
Great points! Thank you for this simple, much-needed, and very-applicable exhortation! This is a lesson I want to keep in mind for sure.