Classic Christianity – Book of John p9 (10-30-18)
Bob George continues teaching from the book of John, reminding people of the gospel that was preached to you. As believers, we have the wonderful privilege to share that same gospel message to others. He starts by sharing the mental roadblocks that prevents believers from sharing the greatest news ever. He reminds u again of how we would respond to truth when we were first lost in sin. Did we all accept the message upon first hearing? Some did. Others did not. So why do we not share? Sometimes we look to our insecurities, perceived lack of abilities in sharing truth, or even simply our fear of man in what they might think. Bob then shares some practical advice, from personal life experiences of God’s work in him, and finishes by sharing again what the gospel really is.
Bob George shares again the story of Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and his testimony of how his unsaved preacher came to know Christ through a simple letter that touched his heart. Bob used the passage to explain how his friend, Charles Spurgeon, did not know God, but God knew all about the longing in his heart, his weakness in the flesh. Although he went to seminary, and knew historical facts and had knowledge concerning Jesus Christ he did not know God. The Samaritan woman also had certain knowledge about a Messiah who was to come who would explain everything. God was at work in Bob also, to deliver a message to Charles. God had initiated in Bob’s heart to send him a letter, to reach out in love to him. So, Bob was sowing the seed of God’s word, sharing words of truth in regards to what it means to be born again. Through that word, God revealed Himself to Charles.
Continuing on in John 4, the disciples had left to get bread at the marketplace, and just returned and were surprised to see Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman. They had urged Jesus to get something to eat. But Jesus answered them by saying he had food they knew nothing about. As a typical style of speaking, Jesus would share spiritual truth using words in the natural realm. The disciples, thinking in the natural realm, totally missed what Jesus was saying spiritually.
Is that not like all of us when we were not yet born again spiritually. We totally do not understand. Just as the Samaritan woman had her own preconceived ideas of worship. Jesus told her: “You worship what you do not know”. So too today, we read historical facts about Jesus, which no one can refute, that he died, lived and did certain things, yet still missing a personal encounter with the living God until the time is right. Yet, a timely word, a loving action, all work together so that truth comes alive and God reveals himself to you. When someone is born again, one realizes Jesus died for him personally, spared the consequences of sin, which is death, and receives His resurrected life, the life of God to be lived in and through you.
When we start out as a young believer, we are new to spiritual things, and even have preconceived and faulty ideas of what God expects from us. Have you ever had the fear that God would send you to some remote area that you do not want to go? God is at work in you, to shape you and prepare you, so that He can send you where He wants you to go. Your mind is being renewed as you hear more and more truth from God’s word. Do you really think God would send you to a place when you are not ready? Since Jesus is with you, will He not also supply you with everything you need? God will give you the words to say or a single scripture to share that can turn a human heart to embrace a loving God.
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However, we overlook the obvious. Why do we think of God only sending us to some remote place? God often sends us first to a co-worker, a friend at the ball field or a person in the marketplace. The spirit of God is saying to all of us: “Where you are, there I am also”. Did you know that God lives in you so He can work through you. So whose work is it really? God’s or yours? Are we not simply God’s servants sowing the seed of the gospel. Who causes the growth? When someone comes to Christ, the sower and the reaper are both glad together, rejoicing in the work God has done in changing lives.
1 Corinthians 3:5-7
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
Continuing on in John 4, a harvest of souls is about to take place.
John 4:34-37
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
Notice that the disciples still did not grasp what Jesus was sharing. Indeed, not until Jesus rose from the dead and they received the Holy Spirit, did God remind them everything he had taught them and then they understood. That is how the scriptures became written down so we have the very words of God to read for ourselves today.
John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
And, even if we are slow to learn, is it not wonderful that God gives us the Holy Spirit to remind us of everything He has taught us.
Shortly after Jesus taught his disciples, the Samaritan woman went into town and told everyone what Jesus the Messiah had revealed to her. Then, the people of the town asked Jesus to speak, and after hearing him speak they no longer needed her testimony, and many more believed.
Oftentimes, we think that no one wants to hear the message concerning Jesus Christ and so we begin to stop sharing. But, God works in all believers to prepare them for a special encounter with those who need to hear. Have you made yourself available to the Holy Spirit to work in and through you? What keeps us from sharing wonderful news that changes lives?
Yes, at times we get discouraged, sharing again and again the same message, only for the message not being understood or well received. So, we are tempted to quit sharing. Bob was touched by a long time friend of his who always had “Born Free” gospel tracts in his pocket. Yet, Bob wrote the tracts, and was reflecting on how faithful his friend was, and he himself did not even carry them with him. At times, limited time to start conversations, but a gospel tract is an effective way to leave information with someone and get back with them to ask questions like “Did you read the book?” “Did it make sense to you?” What a joy to a believer to hear these word from Jesus when we meet him in glory: “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Bob too has been a faithful servant, and is in heaven hearing God say that to him. We all continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, making life corrections as we are being trained by God. What is most important to God? Is it not the lives of people that they may know Him and be with Him forever. So think of this verse in terms of spiritual harvest.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Another reason people do not share is the fear of what men may think. Yet, that is not even true, for people tend to think only of themselves, especially non-believers.
At times you were called a bible thumper or narrow-minded by those dead to spiritual truth. So, do you expect a non-believer, being spiritually dead, to readily accept truth? I know I once rejected the gospel the first time I heard it. Faith came alive in me in due time through the unconditional love of believers and the hearing of God’s word. God is patient and long-suffering with all of us. Why Charles could not receive until his latter years in life is not known? Could it be because he never had truth presented to him, in a manner he needed? But God saw deep inside his longing and found a servant to bring him the wonderful news.
Others think of how ill equipped they are, feeling inadequate in sharing truth. Yet, is salvation something we do by our ability or is it something God does by your availability and listening to God’s instruction for what he wants you specifically to do. God initiates, sends and directs you what He would have you do. A simple letter opens the door to further conversation, as one is moved by the love of God to reach out to someone with a simple thank you. At times, a simple smile and willingness to eat with someone in a cafeteria is the spark to lead them to salvation in due time. So how does a lost person think? He cannot discern the things of God without God revealing Himself to them. Only way to have life is in His son, and that is the only available life. So when a lost person refuses life, or lives in ignorance, then he creates a god he would like to have, idolatry really. False religions of all sorts men are ensnared in, which essentially justifies their position of darkness in their mind: “The way I am then that is the way God is too”, which is a lie they have believed.
1 John 5:12
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Bob shares how moved he was to hear believers gathering at a Dallas Athletic Club, and how believers would share openly about Jesus. Bob was moved and came as learner, listening into conversations, and noticed the loving relationship each had with one another. Two broken men, both loving the Lord, talking about Jesus, yet encouraging one another as both would have in common a heart-breaking story of a wife who left them. Bob shares this to show how easy it is to love someone when you have the love of God in your heart.
Be sensitive to what you can do and do not focus on what you think you cannot do. Can you trust God to give you words to say? What is your sphere of influence? Do they know what you know in regards to what Jesus has done for you? If they don’t know, find out. Where are their hurts? Apply Jesus to these hurts they have? Do you love people to do that?
So, what then is the gospel we share? The Apostle Paul reminded the believers of the gospel that was preached, and Bob reiterates the simple gospel also. While we were yet enemies, Christ died for us. We are forgiven by his death and saved by His life. He died for you then so He can live in you now.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
Romans 5:10
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
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