Psalm 107:2
Let the
redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom
He has redeemed from the
hand of the
Enemy.
Revelation
17:6a
6 And I saw
the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the
martyrs of Jesus…
μάρτυς
mártus; gen. márturos -
A witness. One who has information or knowledge of something, and hence,
one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something.
Matthew 18:15-16
15 Moreover if
thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee
and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But
if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
I.
THE BEFORE CHRIST PICTURE.
Acts 22:1-5
“Brethren
and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they
heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more
silent. Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of
Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according
to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all
are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and
delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high
priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also
received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even
those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
1. What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
2. What did my life revolve around the
most? What did I get my security or happiness from? (The
non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)
3. How did those areas begin to let me
down?
·
Your goal: to give specific, yet appropriate, examples
of what your life was like (attitudes, needs, problems) before Christ.
·
Remember that examples you give will establish you as
a credible witness in the minds of non-Christians. However, avoid a religious
focus. (You want to make it about Jesus and your need for Him.) Don't spend a
great amount of time talking about church activities or denominations before
your life began to change. Likewise, avoid being over explicit and sensational
in speaking of drugs, immorality, crime or drunkenness.
II.
HOW I GOT SAVED (GAVE HIM COMPLETE CONTROL).
Acts
22:6-11
6 “Now it
happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great
light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground
and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So
I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,
whom you are persecuting.’ 9 “And those who were with me indeed
saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke
to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said
to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which
are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for
the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I
came into Damascus.
1. When was the first time I heard the
gospel? (Or when was I exposed to transforming Christianity)
2. What were my initial reactions?
3. When did my attitude begin to turn
around? Why?
4. What were the final struggles that
went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?
5. Why did I decide to surrender to
Christ?
·
Your goal: to allow the listener to walk away with a
clear understanding of how you became a Christian and how he or she can trust
Christ as the payment for their sins.
·
Be careful not to use clichés and church language.
Talk in terms they'll understand.
III.
LIFE AFTER SURRENDERING TO CHRIST.
Acts
22:12-21
12 “Then a
certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony
with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood
and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I
looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has
chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the
voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men
of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you
waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of
the Lord.’17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and
was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw
Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will
not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord,
they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on
You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I
also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those
who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I
will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”
1.
Specific
changes and illustrations about the changes Christ has made:
2.
Why am I motivated
differently?
·
Your goal: to explain specific ways Christ has changed
your life -- to show that having Christ in your life really does make a
difference!
·
Avoid using general statements such as “I have so much
peace now.” Be specific. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to draw someone
to Christ, but you want to communicate your story in such a way to show the
listener that your life is different and more meaningful with Christ.
IV.
THE INVITATION.
Acts 26:25-27
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows
these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his
attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King
Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe”
1.
Pop the
question. (Have you done anything like this?)
2.
Would you
like to surrender your life to Jesus?
V.
HELPFUL HINTS.
1.
Glorify Jesus not your past.
2.
De Church your
language. Use common phrases all can understand.
3.
Do it in three
minutes.
4.
Write testimony
out.
5.
Practice over
and over until you get it right in 3 minutes.
6.
Give the
invitation in a non-open ended way.
7.
Make the
invitation personal.
