(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better — and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
How should you first talk about Jesus?
Intro:
Some things you’ve done you remember because it went really well. And then there are those other times…like when I preached a sermon based on part of Luke 11. My worst ever. But there’s an interesting ending to the story, and it relates to today’s focus question, “How should you first talk about Jesus?”
NEW TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
Just to be clear as we get into our NT segment today, the answer isn’t the main point of the passage, but as we usually do here, it plays off it. So since Luke 11 is a long one, let’s get after it.
Passage: Luke 11
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 54
Words: ~1154
ORIGINAL TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
In our OT passage today we continue to hear about the ascension of David to Kingship. You might remember part of the story from when we went through Samuel how David was at Ziklag, still hiding out from Saul. Given that the Chronicler, though, is painting the picture of David as the promised King, one thing you probably don’t pick up unless you really pay attention is the people who come to him there are from many of the tribes throughout Israel, and all of them rejoice. In a very real sense, David’s army is like the army of God.(1)
Passage: 1 Chronicles 12
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 87
Words: ~1710
Wisdom SEGMENT:
Passage: Proverbs 12:16-
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses:
Words: ~
THE BOTTOM LINE:
One thing you wouldn’t know is that I’m working on a whole new website for this ministry, and it has me thinking about how I help people see their work in light of serving Jesus. So when I asked today’s focus question — How should you first talk about Jesus? — it was a question that draws on the stuff in Luke 11 that speak to Christian living.
And it’s a sorta-trick question. Of course we’re commanded to be witnesses, but that begins with “ask, seek, knock” we heard about in Luke 11:5-13. We are all leaders, at very least of ourselves, and we can’t lead others where we don’t go. God’s promise to give good things comes with a presupposition — that we’re asking for something that’s consistent with His will, but then that’s the essence of a truly successful life anyway.
Later in verse 28, the dude Himself responds to the lady who shouts out, “Your mom is so lucky! She’s blessed!” And He responds, “No, those who are blessed are the ones who respond — hearing God’s word and obeying it.”
Hear me correctly, I’m not saying we only live lives for Jesus and never have to open our mouths as witnesses of Him as our Savior from sins and Lord of our lives. But day in and day out, those words come from people who ask about why you’re different. When they do hear, one of two things is going to happen — Some won’t respond no matter what you say and how you say it. Some will respond no matter what you say and how you say it.
The way it relates to that opening quip about my worst sermon ever? The church had a visiting choir leading worship that day, and after the service the choir director came up and told me what a great sermon it was. He assumed I was the pastor. I sheepishly said, “Thank you” and told him that no, I wasn’t the pastor. But that’s the power of God’s Word and Spirit — some won’t respond no matter what you say and how you say it. Some will respond no matter what you say and how you say it.
But you’ll have done your job in partnering with the Holy Spirit. We’re the witnesses, He’s the closer.
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) David S. Dockery, ed., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 272.