You Have a Message to Share

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Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."

Jonah 3:1-2, ESV

 

God had a message for Jonah to share.  We see that he's called to go into that great city.  It would have been populated with over a million people, it was encircled with great walls, it had tall towers that overlooked the city's nightlife, and served as well as lookouts for potential dangers. It was home to massive theaters, parks, the city had winding rivers and canals, large housing developments, markets and shops scattered all throughout the city as well.

Jonah's mission was to share a message to the whole city!  And he did! Then we learn, God did the impossible. He changed the hearts of the highest of the high and the lowest of the low. These cruel and ungodly people turned from sin, repented, and believed in God.  This is by far the greatest revival recorded in history. And it started with a short message, from a man who said he had a word from the Lord.

Today as believers, we are called to share a message as well. We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. But how do we do that? I propose a simple approach. Talk about three things. 

SELF  

Start by talking about your own faith journey. How you have been blessed by God's mercy and grace in your life. How you have experienced peace in your life as a result of being a Christian. Talk about your church and what you love about it, talk about your family, your marriage. Don't pretend to be perfect, but tell them about your struggles but how God helps you and you feel his forgiveness in your life. Talk about how your faith impacts your daily life. 

Talking about yourself to start with, will warm you up and get you comfortable. It's also a good way to share your faith in a non-threatening way because you are simply sharing what you have seen God do in your own life. 90% of people are open to having spiritual conversations.

SIN

Never fail to talk about sin. People need categories, and too many people like to call sin things like mistakes or shortcomings, but people need biblical terms if they are going to experience forgiveness. No one needs a savior if they don't realize their sin.

Sin is what separates us from God. The Bible says all have sinned and missed the mark of God's standard of perfection. God's holy and completely just. He wants a relationship with us, but sin has to be atoned for. So in God's justice, he offers peace through his son Jesus Christ.  As the Apostle Paul said, "Jesus came to save sinners!"

It's important to talk about sin, give examples of it in your own life, and that God wants to forgive our sin too. 

SAVIOR

Lastly, don't fail to talk about Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) There is no salvation found in any other name than the name of Jesus. People need to know about Jesus. You should tell them that Jesus will forgive them, love them, never leave them, and give them eternal life. 

Remember, you have a message to share. People need help. People need hope. As Christians, we have a helper. We have great hope. Don't be afraid to share. Do your part to share with friends, family first and then be willing to share with any who come along your path.

APPLY

Today make a commitment to start sharing your faith on a regular basis. Ask God to bring people into your path and be faithful to share the good news of Jesus!