Tag: Personal Evangelism

timon studler abgavhjxwdq unsplash

The Role of Relationships in Disciple-Making (John 1:44-46)

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:44-46)

Explain

v.44 – Geography and relationships

Jesus had already impacted Andrew and Peter. Now he was calling Philip as a disciple. This new way of getting disciples was interesting to Philip. The Messiah had arrived and he was doing things differently. No doubt Philip knew Andrew and Peter which explains the next verse.

v.45 – Sharing their discovery

Philip is already imitating Jesus in that he “findeth Nathanael”. Notice the pronoun “we”: “We have found him”. Who? The messiah was written of in the books of Moses and the prophets. This would have been an expression of all of the scriptures then written. Moses wrote the first five books, and the prophets wrote the rest.

Where did Moses write about the Messiah? Insert Deuteronomy 18:15-19.

Where did the prophets write about the Messiah? Psalm 22. Isaiah 53. Many more places speak of this Messiah who would come.

v.46 – A cynical response

Nathanael’s response reveals his doubt that anything of this worldwide, historic, prophetic importance could come from Nazareth. Instead of arguing, Philip simply replies, “Come and see.”

Apply

Relationships are key in evangelism and discipleship. All of these people – John the Baptist, Andrew, Peter, John, Philip, Nathanael, and even Jesus himself are interacting not only on the basis of the person of Christ, but on the relationships they had with each other.

Jesus Christ sells himself. What do I mean? Yes we proclaim Christ, and of course we “prepare to give an answer to every man that asketh…”. Yes we want to grow in our boldness and our ability to articulate. But in the sum of it all, Jesus Christ Himself can be experienced through the power of the Word of God, and through the convicting, regenerating, sealing, indwelling, and illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. Philip’s answer to Nathanael before he had much training at all was enough. “Come and see.” Jesus did the rest.

Respond

  1. What relationships do you have in your life that are ripe for evangelism and “discipleship”?
  2. How are you experiencing Christ daily?
arek adeoye ljocgjs63sm unsplash 1

Andrew’s Evangelism (John 1:40-41)

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(40) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. (41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:40-41)

Explanation

Here we are given the name of one of those two disciples, Andrew. He was one of the 12. He is known in the scripture for bringing people to Jesus. We see that he does that here.

He experiences Jesus, and is convinced of his position as Messiah. He then goes and finds someone he loves, in this case Simon, and declares the good news to him. 

We see faith exhibited here. Andrew believes that Jesus is the Christ strongly enough to take that position with Simon.

We see the idea of going here as well. He didn’t stay silent with that good news. He went and told someone that He loved about it.

Application

Let’s not complicate our spiritual lives and our spiritual responsibilities. We who believe that Jesus is the Christ, once we have experienced Him, should share this good news of who He is with others. A good starting place may well be with our family who we have influence with and whom we love. 

Response

  1. How is your faith?
  2. When was your last trip to “go tell” someone about Jesus?
deuteronomy

Week 9: Day 4- Deuteronomy 4:7-8

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

(7) For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
(8) And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Deuteronomy 4:7-8

Explanation:

Moses continues his argument for the obedience of the nation by asking two rhetorical questions. He has stated in the previous verses that their keeping the law would garner a reputation and platform for the children of Israel to glorify God among the surrounding nations. These two questions provide a logical argument for why that reputation would be gained.

The first question regards the privileged status of the nation of Israel in regards to God’s interaction with them specifically. He asks if there are any other nations that have God working so closely with them, and ready to answer their prayers. What is the answer? There is no other nation with that unique privilege.

The second question regards the privileged status of the nation of Israel in regards to the purity and wisdom of the law that God had given to them. The revelation of God in terms of this law was a huge benefit to this nation, bringing them an immense advantage. Who else had a law like this? Again, the answer is no one.

Why would their keeping the law garner a good reputation among the nations?

  1. God Himself has so closely aligned Himself with this nation by choosing them and revealing Himself to them.
  2. God Himself, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, has given His law for them to follow in written form.

Application:

Of course we know that God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, and through their law because He had a plan of redeeming not only them but the whole world.

(11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
(15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
(17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:11-17

It was always God’s plan to use the nation of Israel to bring about redemption for the whole world, Jew and Gentile, to redeem both to Himself in Christ.

And so we in Christ have not replaced Israel. Their are still promises made to them uniquely as a nation. Yet, these two privileges have been given to us.

  1. We can go to God, because He has revealed Himself to us, saved us, sent His Spirit to indwell us, and uses His Word and His Spirit to grow us.
  2. We have His Word, in written form, available to us in our language. We get to think God’s thoughts after Him. We hold a miracle in our hands.

And for these and many other reasons, we should keep God’s Word and allow our obedience to be a platform for Gospel ministry!

Response:

  1. Are you thankful for the relationship and communion you can have with God because of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus? When is the last time you expressed that to God? Take some time to be thankful.
  2. Is your obedience to Christ a platform for you to speak about him? Are you using it? Who is someone that needs to know about Christ?
deuteronomy

Week 9: Day 3- Deuteronomy 4:6

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Deuteronomy 4:6

Explanation:

Moses continues his instruction after warning the children of Israel. He had said, in yesterdays text, that he gave them the statutes and judgements because God had commanded him to do so, and so that they would obey them as they go in and possess the land. In verse 6 he says to obey the statutes and judgements and gives them multiple reasons in the next few verses as to why they should do so. The reason stated here is that they would be seen as a wise and understanding people by the nations around them because of their obedience God’s law.

The laws of God were a great advantage to the Jews. If you think about the dietary laws, many of them would have kept them from things that could really effect their health. For instance, they could not eat pork, or certain kinds of shellfish. Today we understand that there are many sicknesses that could come from ill prepared pork and shellfish. In regards to the moral law, a nation that is full of people striving not to commit murder, not to steal, not to commit adultery, and committed to teaching their kids to do the same will fare more well than nations where those immoral acts are rampant.

The scripture says about God’s law:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

As the people of God obeyed the law of God, they would grow in wisdom, and therefore appear more wise to the nations around them. They would be a witness of the greatness of God to peoples who did not know Him.

Application:

The application here is obvious. As believers, we understand that we are right with God because Jesus kept the law for us and we have repented of our sin and put our trust in Him. We don’t have to keep the law to be saved.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Our good works, our keeping the law, does benefit ourselves, our families, our churches, and our communities. When we live rightly, we will grow in wisdom and be seen as wise. This is God’s will for us after we are saved. He wants to change us into who He wants us to be, and then He’ll lead us to do what He wants us to do.

When we do that, people will see, and we’ll have a platform to reach them for Christ.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Response:

  1. What kind of platform for the Gospel is your behavior? Are your good works pointing people towards Jesus?
  2. Would you say that you are wiser now than you were this time last year? If you are growing in wisdom, how is that happening? If you are not, how do you see that happen in your life?
  3. Is there someone that you’ve built a reputation and connection with that it’s time to talk to about Christ?