Good morning Could we start with prayer please because we want God to speak to all of us. Let's pray
Lord, thank you that you've given us your word To thrill us to reassure us but to motivate us to live for you Please will you speak to us now as we study it for your sake? Amen There's a subject to evangelism is always a little bit difficult. There is a a speaker who came to a church who is introduced as having an interest in evangelism and there's some elderly ladies at the back who we're not very good at hearing and One of them turned her neighbor and said What see say? Don't know something to do with vandalism And to be honest, that's very much what a lot of church people think evangelisms to do with Many years again the sixth century there was a bishop a bishop the other end He wrote a book called the history of the monks in Syria An Indus he describes a visit that he made to a monk called Salah leas Thalah leas had built himself a very small cage He'd entered this cage and had it suspended from the ceiling He was in that cage for ten years He ate there he slept there in fact it was so small that when he When he slept he had to have his forehead on his knees. He was a big man The bishop the other it went to visit this dear monk and He said I questioned him out of a desire to learn the reason for this novel mode of life The monk answered immediately Listen to this Life was to be lived as uncomfortably as possible as an Insurance policy against worst discomfort in the life to come Burned with many sins and believing in penalties that are threatened I Have devised this form of life contriving moderate punishments for the body in order to reduce the mass of those awaited For the latter are more grievous not only in quantity but also in quality So that if by these slight afflictions I lessened those awaited Great is the profit I should derive therefrom That's an interesting way of thinking horrendous but interesting What is life really for now many of you know dr. Martin Lloyd-Gernes great Christian leader the last generation He used to run a monthly some training class for ministers and And people would come up and ask lots of questions and one of his great replies used to be Now which scripture applies to this situation so what I want briefly for us to do is just to turn to Colossians What's the page number if we do look it up please because it'll be very helpful is it 118 or something like that?
And just look at what life is focused that's what this whole book is about Let's just do a very quick run through turn back to chapter three of Colossians right at the beginning It's written to a a young church. He'd never visited probably and He wanted all of the Christians there to be really clear what their priorities were and Here he goes through starting with chapter three since you've got this new life in Jesus There's three things I want you to put to be clear about live with heaven in mind live biblically and As will major in live evangelistically and Starts off live with heaven in mind. That's three verse one See the one thing that Thalalaeus had got right Was he did have heaven in mind his doctrine was completely up the creek but he did have heaven in mind So three verse two But because you've got heaven in mind set your mind on pleasing Jesus can you see that? That means don't do anything that displeases him verse five Put to death those things those desires that are Against Christ have a decisive commitment Not to do things not to watch television programs not to say things that you know Jesus wouldn't approve of It's decisive, but then goes on positively First 12 Close yourselves Put on that behavior that's that of Jesus you won't feel like it But do it I was talking to a young Christian recently and he says yeah, but I've got to be true to myself to my character to what I am You heard that sort of talk It's it's certainly not Bible teaching In fact in the Bible it's very interesting that a person is what they do is not what they think they are I Has been interested recently to learn that in the languages that Of the ancient east in Israel at the time of Jesus Greek Hebrew Latin in all three languages. There was no word for character You know what we think we are You know a person's was what they did Not what they thought himself to be and so we Christians are called To put to death the things that displeased Jesus and to do whatever you feel like the things that please him So if we're Christians Have heaven in mind and live this way the next bit I Find it's very much in the middle of this chunk is to live Biblically look at 316 the interesting isn't it the way the Hebrew thought they always put in the middle the central gem There it is let the word of Christ That's the Bible dwelling you richly Does when Christ sees us not when the because sees us or friends when Christ sees us does he see that? Does he see that we really are determined to know our Bibles? We're studying them daily we're in Bible study groups We are working at Understanding this Bible Do you realize what the trouble in our church the church of England is now not just the church of England? We've got a real disease We are malnourished We are dying of malnutrition Biblical malnutrition And that's something we've all got to work on let the word of Christ verse 16 But the third thing that I really want to major on is this one that comes up again in chapter 4 4 verse 2 Live evangelistically Everything we do as Christians must be to live for Jesus Christ I'm look look back. It's it's introduced here 3 verse 17 Whatever you do What if you say whatever you do Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus? Paul and his friends did this This was the mark of a Christian in those days and even in this letter. It's there isn't it look back at two 28 So I want So I can't be 28 must be one 28 yesterday 128 we proclaim him a monishing teaching everyone Wisely so that we may present everyone in Christ to this and I labor struggling with all the energy With all his energy which he so powerfully works in me It's not an incredible picture of a Christian
Jesus was like that the apostles were like that But so often we modern Christians aren't Do you remember the words of Jesus? I hope you learn Bible verses dear Great one Luke 11 23 He who is not with me is against me and what's the next bit He who does not gather with me scatters Each one of us is either part of the solution We gatherers or we're part of the problem
just when I've been preparing this At home there's a ring up on the door at home and one of the people who I recognize used to come to our church In fact, he's still on the What if it is the the role of the church? It was coming around to solicit my vote for the local elections coming up And he very ardently did this year in year out Now I've no objection to him doing in fact. I think it's great that he's involved in these problems in society What is appalling is that this man will do nothing of the sort for Christ? There's something wrong when people will put so much energy into other activities even work and Not the Jesus Christ look on it are this chunk that was read to us four two to six just read it too quickly to yourself Can you feel the passion of these early church leaders? There must be partners for Christ partners in sharing the gospel and This passage makes it abundantly clear That evangelism consists of two parts It's prayer and speaking Actually speaking and speaking effectively for Christ Last year I was down at the King's church or King's Center. They call themselves down in Chessington And I was introduced to an elderly man in his eighties who had only recently become a Christian about three years beforehand I don't know if I was being a bit cheeky or whatever I was I said oh that's lovely and tell me what do you do for Christ? And instead of looking at these shoes as most people would he looked me straight in the face and he said I'm a prayer warrior He said confidently not lovely and I also learned that he doesn't actually only pray he also talks out for Christ But prayer is absolutely vital Those of us who involved in trying to share our faith will know very very quickly Did if you not praying nothing happens? It's when you pray and speak that then these fabulous coincidences happen that all of us involved in person what you can tell you again and again Speak and prayer. This is the message Devote yourselves to prayer verse two. I expect some of you know Bishop JC Ryle Bishop of Liverpool he wrote this No Christian duty is neglected as much as private prayer I used to think that most people who call themselves Christians prayed But I've come to a different conclusion now. I Believe that a great majority who say they are Christians never pray at all It's something we've got to do whether we feel like it or not To further God's kingdom. We've got to work at prayer devote ourselves. Not what are we praying for? Obviously, we're praying for our needs our opportunities That's taken for granted, but not just for ours. Can you see that fifth word in verse two? So I am verse three That little word two So don't just pray for yourself and your witness Pray for the ministers for the friends who people are putting themselves out whose head is above the power pit Pray for them but God will protect them because they are going to be in trouble Anyone who talks to Jesus will we'll get it in the neck Now what should we pray for for each other for ourselves? Let's go through this quickly verse one Sorry, not verse one point one That God may open a door verse three How we need open doors today there are so many Christians it's reckoned that if you've been a Christian more than five years You won't know many non-Christians now not unless you work at it Please open a door we need to pray that we'll get to know non-Christians and so often the door that's going to open will actually be your front door Do all of you every week? Positively invite non-Christians in for tea for a meal. Do you work at it? And something I've been doing recently with the rugby season I love watching We just turn up some men and say look will you come watch the rugby with us? Because when you've got them in your home. Oh funny things happen Pray for an open door work at it Please Squash with them do something our church is now you know what we're known for for having fates and for collecting money And not bad things They do build up a community, but that's not what we're here for We're here to help people to be right with God One church I know they had a bowl the typical bowl at the back of church This one had for the sick The there's a notice had to go into the magazine next week Please with the congregation understand the bowl at the back label for the sick is for monetary donations only It is sickening there isn't it we are known not as people who will help others get right with God But as a social institution Pray that God will open the door for our message point two One of our church wardens has talking to recently said I don't believe in thrusting my opinions down people's threats I wait for them to ask me why I'm different. He's quite a hard man actually and I really felt like asking I wonder how often people ask you that It's not thrusting our opinions. It's God's message. We want to share with people We've called this talk top secret It's got a rather pun on the word. This is a secret that we've got that is absolutely the tops In fact, if you know this book of Colossians a key word here is mystery or secret Today most people think it's a real secret why an earth any of us bother to come to church Well, we we know what it is just quickly. I think we've got time one go back one twenty six Just look at how this key word comes in here The mystery that's been kept hidden for ages and January that's what our society now have they haven't a clue It's a mystery look at verse 27 one twenty seven To them God has chosen to made known make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery It's fantastic. And what is it? The hope of glory the hope of eternal life Verse 27 Christ in you that's real riches If we believe that we will share it we'll work at this look on two of us two So that you may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery the secret of Christ That is the secret Jesus is our secret I don't know does it actually thrill you this does it still thrill you? That Jesus is our secret It's mentioning in this this bit the The word message in collotions is the Greek word logos You know who the logos is don't you so word of God in the beginning was the word logos Jesus This mystery that our society desperately needs just like the Roman one did Is described in no uncertain terms those of you who know collotions Paul just can't stop it 115 he talks all about Jesus Jesus is God the creator He made the world he made the universe he came as a baby, but he did all these things Jesus is Lord. He is Yahweh and this Jesus Paul goes on 122 He's overcome the divide we've all got with God By coming and dying he took on himself our sin He's reconciled you by Christ's physical body Through death to present you holy Can you all explain that to other people what Christ has done? If you're not certain Please will you make a commitment to come back this evening when we're going to talk about how we do it? How do we get this secret how do we explain it to other people it is an absolute priority for Christian people to be able to do this When we're dead in our sin Christ made us alive. That's our secret Jesus alone is Lord of creation He alone can can can forgive us You know we in the church we're calling about this now we muddle through some of you heard of what has been Great Bishop He went to one of these training days sorry selection days for the Lay readers in his diocese 12 people there He very astutely asked every one of them tell me do you think Jesus is The best way to God or the only way to God Do you know every single one of them said I think Jesus is the best way to God? Absolute rubbish. He is the only way to God And wonder if our teachers are saying such rot People who are listening are not getting clear He's the only way to God But these apostles certainly didn't muddle anyone did they back to Colossians four These apostles knew that salvation is found in no one else in No other name given under heaven by which we must be saved The way we're going to reach the masses that we've got to do as Spurgeon said is one by one The best fruit is hand-picked Our job is to make sure that I mean if every year each one here One just one person thought that's not difficult It really isn't Think of what a change would be They don't say but when did you last need someone to Christ when did you help someone? When did you invite them to a to a mission when you invite them to a discovering Christianity or whatever Fruits go on Make them most of the opportunities look down here Open a door that we may proclaim the mystery Pray that I may proclaim it clearly We must be able to proclaim the gospel clearly. I Had a man come in as preparing some talks. I did a Mission down in Eastbourne and I was paying lots of things as in my lounge with books everywhere and some are knocked on the door to sell me cable tell you know the cable television wire Telephone business and He came in and sat down and we were chatting away and all he saw that I got my bibles out and he said I See that you're religious Do you know if you subscribe to cable tell You could have the Christian channel free Little did he know what I thought of that But I thought that's an interesting opening said just Said oh are you interested in these things then and he said well He said I call myself a Christian. I don't go to church or anything like that. I think these things are a private and personal, you know I don't know he's trying to just you know cool things a bit But I said haha, yeah, I understand that point of view But there is one problem with it, you know It was I Said it probably means that you don't Discuss these things very much with other people to make sure you've got them right Are you sure you've got it right and this dear man said what I hope so I want a marvelous opportunity So I said look would you mind if I just briefly explain it to you to make sure you have He said no that would be interesting So I said now this is the point could you all explain it in 20 seconds the gospel? If you can't then do come see me because if you can't explain it succinctly then You're never going to be an Expand if you get lost in the blood of the lambs stuff like that The Christian gospel is that God made the world He made it through Jesus and put Jesus in control The trouble is we don't want to be under Jesus. We want to be independent The gospel is that Jesus calls us back to live in Fellowship with God to be God's people and He will achieve it He has achieved it by dying for us on the cross to take us in if
We don't respond We'll be separated from God for eternity If we do come back to live under the authority of Jesus Christ We will then be with God for eternity We had a fantastic discussion after that talking about how we know it's true I then as I hope you all know whenever you talk about Christian things have a follow-up point. I gave him a copy of cure for life This is the way that things are moved forward when every Christian can For us to for for us for proclaim the gospel clearly We've got to be clear about it So few people understand the gospel now Pray that I may proclaim it clearly Now as you gather it's not going to be a sermon. It's got to be a dialogue I mean Billy Graham's the story said that he was at a dinner and someone asked him Billy, have you always enjoyed going to church? They could have used that as an opening for a little sermon But on a one-to-one that gets nowhere So he was he was superb. He said no, he said I used to hate church Until I was 18 and then something happened to me that changed that what did the person have to ask him then? What happened when you were 18? Ah, he said and then he gave his testimony. Can you all give your testimony? Very succinctly Both how you became a Christian and what Jesus means to you now? We've got to be clear about these things and yet do it The six always full of grace never argue never heated Or is understanding sympathetic caring because that's what Jesus was like. That's how he should share the gospel But never weak always with a tang
Seasoned with salt the six The stakes are very high If people have not committed themselves to live under the authority of Jesus to live his way They will go to hell and if we don't tell them we are partially responsible
Sometime ago I had a talk to one of my patients. I'd asked them They had cancer. Do you have a faith that helps you and they said I wish I had Now being a bit stupid And and a young young in these things. I said well, would you like to talk to the chaplain? And I asked the chaplain to go and have a word and explain the gospel. I Didn't realize the chaplain couldn't do it. I Asked the patient after I said have you seen the chaplain? Yes What did you talk about? Oh only wanted to talk about was what I'd like to do on my next holiday? Isn't that pathetic Fortunately, we then had a chance to talk about the gospel I also talked to the chaplain and I said why didn't you explain the gospel to this person who wanted it? Oh, I didn't think he was ready for it yet That person died in three weeks We have a real crisis on we've got to get these things out It will be tough Martin Luther said if you'd think right of the gospel Do not believe that its cause can be advanced without thermal trouble and up raw The word of God is a sword You may get known as being an enthusiast for Christ Even a crank Been in two markers of a book small is beautiful. He says I don't mind being called a crank It may be small But it causes revolutions And that's what we've got to do We've got to be prepared for this Right of the ends so that you may know how to answer everyone Can you all do this? Please learn how to share the gospel if you're embarrassed Come and learn I think the great need now in churches is not just discovering Christianity groups But also regular groups that are teaching us How to answer questions how to open up conversations to talk about Jesus Christ We're here to live for Jesus. He's our priority If he's not your priority Seven days a week Then beware Because it is likely or not yet a Christian. Can I say that again? If Jesus Christ living for him is not our priority my priority We are not yet Christians. We are not living for Jesus Let's go for it. This is what Colossians is about What are we Christians for? To live constantly with heaven in mind To live biblically because it's the very word of God his words these are To live evangelistically looking out to win people to build them up in Christ which means Train and learning to talk about him If you're a person who's not yet started really that you may be religious then please Be like these early Christians Devote yourselves to Jesus Christ for his ends Because then then a load we'll have eternity with him That's closing prayer Lord, thank you that as we devote ourselves to you to your service As we go to make disciples Low you are with us Thank you that it's then we have the thrill of enjoying working with you Then we see these remarkable coincidences of prayer working of People responding and saying yes, I'd love to come. I'd love to learn about this Lord, please help all of us in your church We're so weak We're getting smaller and older Lord help us to live under your authority for you Because we know that when we meet you in heaven we look forward to hearing you say to each one of us well done Good and faithful servant Amen