“Act of Grace”

Do you have your own special approach when it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus? Since I became a Christian, and being in the ministry for over four decades I have learned many but I’m always open to other ones that have been effective. So if you have a good approach share it with me. But for now I hope you will bear with me as I share some that I believe are Bible-based and beneficial.        

Let me begin by acknowledging that I do not believe that there is some magical approach or way to share the good news.

Sharing the good news about Jesus isn’t like teaching someone the alphabet or helping them learn numbers by reciting things. It isn’t done by going through a five step plan, twelve step plans or any formal plan. Sharing the good news about Jesus doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t work that way because those are often artificial and phony.

Sharing the good news about Jesus comes from the heart. It is to come from those who have accepted Him as their savior and who know the immense blessing of having their sins forgiven. This is the obvious reaction of Andrew, once he knew that Jesus was “The Messiah” he had to go and tell his brother Simon. It is also the same reaction of Philip when he had to go to Nathaniel. He had to tell him, “We have found Him of whom Moses and the Law and the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:40-45

Sharing the good news about Jesus is like one beggar telling another where one can find bread. This is clearly the case of the cleansed leper. Even though Jesus sternly charged him not to say anything about his cleansing, “He went out and began to, talk freely about it, and to spread the news…” Mark 1:40-45

Sharing the good news about Jesus just has to be done by those who know His power over evil. After Jesus had sent out the seventy they, “Returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” Jesus responded by saying, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20            

Sharing the good news about Jesus reveals that we are one of His followers. Peter experienced this the night Jesus was betrayed. As he, “Was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” When the girl said this to him he tried to deny his relationship with Jesus but he couldn’t and after denying Him, “He went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69-75Sharing the good news about Jesus should be something that we want to tell everyone. This is what occurred on the day of Pentecost. Even though the disciples had experienced fear due to the treacherous way Jesus was taken and killed. After His resurrection and being filled with the Holy Spirit they had to tell the good news. Their hearts were now on fire for Jesus. They knew that He is the bread of life. They understood that His power defeats the devil. So now they were determined to tell everyone the good news about God’s “ACT OF GRACE.”