Audio
Video
Outline
PRS: SHARE
- Because Jesus asked you to (Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:10; Luke 19:40; Romans 1:19-20; Quote; Matthew 25:29; Ezekiel 33:1,7-8; Quotes; Romans 12:2; Luke 8:38-39)
- Because Jesus is attractive (John 12:32-33; John 15:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Quotes; Deuteronomy 31:8; John 15:11)
- Because Jesus transforms lives (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Acts 20:22-24; So Why Share?; Why Else Share?; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 5:11-13; Titus 3:5-7; Matthew 5:16; Revelation 14:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Lyrics; Erwin McManus; 1 Peter 2:9)
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
John 10:10
10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Luke 19:40
40 If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!
Romans 1:19-20
19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Ellen White
Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. - The Desire of Ages, p.638
Matthew 25:29
29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Ezekiel 33:1,7-8
1 Once again a message came to me from the LORD. 7 Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. 8 If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 9 But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.
Morris Vendon
Do you believe that our works have nothing to do with causing us to be saved? If you believe that, you can have spiritual certainty. If it is His works that cause me to be saved and not my works, I can get up and go out in the streets." - Why Didn't They Tell Me? p.53
Edward Fudge
Interestingly, the fear of punishment is not the driving force behind most scriptural exhortations to godliness or abstinence from evil. Love for God, and gratitude for what he has accomplished for sinners in Jesus Christ, are far greater incentives to good than fear of hell...The Acts of the Apostles reports the gospel as originally preached during the first generation following Jesus' death, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost. And the fact is that, aside from two general statements about a coming judgement (Acts 17:30-31; 24:25), this book of apostolic preaching never mentions hell and speaks of final punishment only once (Acts 3:23). Instead, almost every discourse in Acts focuses on the reality of eternal life in Christ for those who believe in him. - Edward Fudge in Neal Punt, A Theology of Inclusivism, pp.190-191
Romans 12:2
2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Luke 8:38-39
38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 "No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you." So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
John 12:32-33
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
John 15:16
16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Augustine (354-430)
Love God and do what you like.
Ellen White
The shortness of time is frequently urged as an incentive for seeking righteousness and making Christ our friend. This should not be the great motive with us; for it savors of selfishness. Is it necessary that the terrors of the day of God be held before us, that we may be compelled to right action through fear? It ought not to be so. Jesus is attractive. He is full of love, mercy, and compassion. He proposes to be our friend, to walk with us through all the rough pathways of life. He says to us, I am the Lord they God; walk with Me, and I will fill thy path with light. Jesus, the Majesty of Heaven, proposes to elevate to companionship with Himself those who come to Him with their burdens, their weaknesses, and their care. - Signs of the Times, March 17, 1887
Deuteronomy 31:8
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
John 15:11
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Galatians 2:20
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.
Acts 20:22-24
22 And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don't know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
So Why Share?
- Because Jesus asked you to (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 8:38-39)
- Because Jesus is attractive (Ellen White)
- Because Jesus transforms lives (including yours)
Why Else Share?
- Because salvation is all about grace but sanctification is all about gratitude (Edward Fudge)
- Because grace is not opposed to effort only earning (Dallas Willard)
- Because you are certainly saved (2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 5:11-13; Titus 3:5-7)
- To help others glorify God too (Matthew 5:16; Revelation 14:6-7)
2 Timothy 2:19
19 But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: The LORD knows those who are his.
1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
Titus 3:5-7
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life
Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Revelation 14:6-7
6 To every nation, tribe, language, and people...7 Give glory to him.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Give Me Jesus
When I come to die / When I come to die / Oh, when I come to die / Give me Jesus / You can have all this world / But give me Jesus
Erwin McManus
You are the tip of the spear. You are the future. This is your fight. I pulled the bow back as far as I could and gave you all the strength I had to send you into flight. Fly far adn true. Cross enemy lines. Hit the mark. Set captives free. Keep striking until the battle's won. - The Last Arrow, Author's Dedication Page
1 Peter 2:9
9 You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.