Learning to Speak Effectively
Acts 14:1-7
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Know Who Needs To Speak
Fear of man is a snare. We are paralyzed by the thought of rejection or people's reactions assuming that we live in a city that is hostile to the thought of God. However, people are suffocating and want to breathe. Always remember that the gospel is good news!
Hebrews 5:11-6:3
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.
“If a man were to sow a field, he could not excuse his neglect by saying that it would be useless to sow unless God caused the seed to grow. He would not be justified in neglecting tillage because the secret energy of God alone can create a harvest. No one is hindered in the ordinary pursuits of life by the fact that unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon, All of Grace
We believe someone else will do speak. You are uniquely designed to reach the people who surround you in your world.
“Introverted seekers need introverted evangelists. It's not that extroverts can't communicate the gospel, either verbally or nonverbally, in ways that introverts find appealing, it's that introverted seekers need to know and see that it's possible to lead the Christian life as themselves. It's imperative for them to understand that becoming a Christian is not tantamount with becoming an extrovert.”
- Adam S. McHugh, Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture
Know What You Need To Speak
Either we do not truly understand what we say we believe or we believe that we are not qualified. We feel condemned by our sin or lack the confidence in our ability to effectively explain the message. If you haven't truly encountered Jesus Christ, there is not much to tell. However, when you have literally met and been transformed by the risen King, there is nothing that can hold you back from telling the world! We lack boldness because we lack real encounters with Christ. Yet in a moment like this, this is what he intends to rectify. You need a story of his transforming and saving love so that you can tell his story!
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
- Charles H. Spurgeon
This is one of the unique purposes of our Purple Book that we encourage everyone to complete. Work through it not only to be exposed, but to learn to articulate what you have come to believe.
“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon
Know Why You Need To Speak
We always believe we'll have more time when we don't.
Story of DL Moody and the Great Chicago Fire
Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017