When Do You Use Your Testimony?

In a personal setting.
Your testimony can move them to consider Christ.

In a public setting.
When speaking before an audience that includes non-Christians, your testimony can present the gospel so that others identify with it and with you.

In a difficult setting.
In situations that are stopped by arguments, misunderstandings, or rejections, your testimony can relieve the tension and clear the roadblock.

In a casual setting.
In conversation, your testimony can share Christ without being “preachy.”

In a short-term setting.
When you limited by time your testimony can be what the non-Christian remembers to take with them.

What Will Enhance Your Testimony?

BE CLEAR. Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.

BE CLEAR. Eternal life is received by trusting Christ alone to save you.

BE CLEAR. Use terminology that non-Christians can understand.

BE CLEAR. Use the Bible but don’t try to teach the entire Bible.

BE CLEAR. Avoid mentioning church denominations.

BE CLEAR. Use a strong opening and closing line.

BE CLEAR. Keep it short.

Four Principles for an Effective Testimony

Pray
John 6:44 says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
Pray that the Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of our listeners.

Prepare
A story God could use to bring someone to Christ deserves to be well-prepared. Prayerfully think it through, listen to the Holy Spirit, write it out and refine it.

Practice
Give it to a friend, invite feedback, give it again, and practice it until it becomes natural.

Plant
Once it is prepared, use it. Plant the seeds and watch the Holy Spirit use it to bring someone to a better understanding of the gospel and Christ’s death and resurrection on their behalf.

Prepare as if it all depends on you.
Pray as if it all depends on God.

Reachlife Ministries Podcast – Part 3 of 3

We conclude our three-part podcast series featuring conversations with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife. Miguel grew up in New York City and served in the U.S. Navy. He came to know Christ while he was serving in Norfolk, VA. After his naval service, he attended seminary and is currently working as curriculum director for ReachLife Ministries.

What is My Role in Evangelism?

Perspective in evangelism is crucial and the right attitude and perspective can make a big difference in how you approach evangelistic opportunities. Perhaps you have said something like, “I am afraid to share Christ because I might be rejected” or “If I say the wrong thing, my friend might be lost forever,” or “I don’t have the gift of evangelism, so God can’t use me.”

Be assured that you are not alone. For many believers evangelism is the weakest part of their Christian life – not because they don’t care about the lost or don’t want to share the gospel, but because of a misunderstanding about their role in evangelism. Attitude affects action. Perspective affects performance.

Three People Are Involved in Evangelism

In John 4: 35-38, Jesus said:

35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

A quick look at John 4 reveals three people involved in evangelism. Notice that there are those who are a part of the harvest – the non-believer – who is your friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker. Jesus tells us that they are ripe; ready to hear the good news. Then there are the disciples to whom Jesus is talking – the believer. Notice the words used to describe the believer in the different stages he may be in – reaper, gatherer, sower, laborer, and finally rejoicer. God is the third person involved and He is the One who sends out the laborers – it is His harvest and they are His fields.

The Role of the Believer in Evangelism

John 4 reveals that three people are involved in evangelism… the non-believer, the believer, and God. Let’s look at the third of these roles – You, the believer:

God has given us the privilege of partnering with Him in His eternal work.

The Scriptures describe you this way:

Saints – Colossians 1:2 - We are saints - set apart for His specific work
“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:”

Servants – Acts 16: 17 – sent by God to proclaim the good news
“This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”

Planter – 1 Corinthians 3:5 – you are called to plant the seed
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?”

Waterer – 1 Corinthians 3:6 – you are to water the seed
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”

Laborer – Luke 10:2 – you are to labor in His field
“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Witness – Acts 1:8 – you are to tell your story – your eyewitness account
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Discerning – Colossians 4: 5 – using wisdom to take advantage of the opportunities to share Christ.
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Dependent – John 6:44 – we bring Christ to the lost – He brings the lost to Christ
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…”

Remember:
We bring Christ to the lost
He brings the lost to Christ

Can you think of anything more exciting than being a partner with Jesus Christ in populating heaven? He wants to use you. The question is, “Are you willing to be used?” He’s ready if you are.

Reachlife Ministries Podcast – Part 2 of 3

We continue our three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife. Miguel grew up in New York City and served in the U.S. Navy. He came to know Christ while he was serving in Norfolk, VA. After his naval service, he attended seminary and is currently working as curriculum director for ReachLife Ministries.

Reachlife Ministries Podcast – Part 1 of 3

Reach Records and now ReachLife, has a tremendous impact contextualizing the Christian message into the Hip-Hop culture through music and curriculum. Featuring Hip-Hop artists such as Lacrae, Trip Lee, and the 116 Clique, Reach Records continues to impact a generation heavily influenced by not just the music, but the culture of Hip-Hop. Seeing a greater need for discipleship, the leaders at Reach records branched out and formed the ministry of ReachLife.

This three-part podcast series features conversation with two of the passionate, creative leaders from ReachLife Ministries:

BJ Thompson is the Outreach Coordinator for ReachLife Ministries where he spends his time evangelizing, discipling men, and training leaders. BJ grew up in inner-city Dallas and trusted Christ as a freshman in college. Not long after, along with the Hip-Hop artist Lacrae and Executive Director Ben Washer, BJ helped create Reach Records. BJ has been married six years and he and his wife are raising two wonderful children to be God-honoring leaders.

Miguel Davilla is the Curriculum Director for ReachLife Ministries. Miguel grew up in New York City in the Bronx; immersed in the Hip-Hop culture with virtually no contact to authentic Christianity or any connection to church. It was while serving in the Navy that he trusted Christ through a Bible Study led by a friend. Having discovered a passion for Christ and desire to minister full time, Miguel attended seminary after completing his service in the Navy. Shortly thereafter, through God’s providence, Miguel connected with the team at ReachLife.

The Prosperity of Pluralism

Pluralism is doing quite well while Christianity seems to be feeling a little ill.

A couple of weeks ago I touched on the spread of mainstream populist tolerance for Islamic law and the potential effects on Christianity in the public forum. Evidence of the complete breakdown of orthodox Christian doctrine in American life is, of course, everywhere. However, it is interesting to note that even within the ranks of those who would state that they believe Jesus’ claim to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life, many also believe that Christ does not have a monopoly on the concept.

In a recent survey of 35,000 adults, a full 57% of “evangelical church attenders” believe that the teaching of other religions can also lead to eternal life. It’s important to avoid a clever play on words—implying that yes, although everyone has eternal life we won’t all be enjoying it—because I don’t think that’s what they had in mind.

The following percentages may not be as surprising, but are nevertheless of concern:

“Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent).”

It is interesting to note that the smallest percentage belongs to the Muslim group—once again; the commitment to their religion should make us look inward.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more interesting,“Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent “absolutely certain” of it.”

WOW—isn’t that telling?  So do not give up on those atheist friends of yours—most of their talk is defensiveness and insecurity anyway.

“The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep,” said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion. “There’s a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences,” he said.

The consequence, or perhaps the cause, is that Americans jump from one belief to another. There is a lack of commitment to their faith and an avoidance of the deep waters of theology where one can truly grow roots and therefore grow strong in their convictions. Without convictions, no one stands on principals—when it comes to anything. Therefore, they are easily swayed—the first clever orator to come along captures their attention, and soon their lives.

Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput offered a quote which I believe applies to all in the Christian faith:

“Being Catholic means believing what the Catholic church teaches. It is a communion of faith, not simply of ancestry and family tradition. It also means that the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members.”

We should all work harder at evangelizing our own members—an often overlooked field ready for the harvest and sometimes desperate to be fed the truth—as painful and exclusionary as it may be. That Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life and NO ONE can go to the Father except through the Son.

-AJ Rinaldi

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