Share the Gospel with a Friend

Share the Gospel with a friend

If you were asked by a friend how to be a Christian, what would you say? Do you know how to walk someone through what the Bible teaches to be saved? What does that even mean? Saved?

Sin problem 

Begin by explaining that the world God created is not the way it was meant to be. People are not acting the way God intended for them to act either. When men and women hate, war, fight and destroy themselves and each other - they are not acting as their creator intended. The Bible calls this "sin." It's basically disobeying God. Or going against His will. It's a problem because it separates us from God.

Sadly, everyone has to deal with this problem because everyone sins. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We're all lost so to speak and need someone to guide us back to the original plan God had for us.

God's Solution - Jesus

That's where Jesus comes in. He is the "middle man" between us and God. Jesus came to earth about 2000 years ago, was born a baby, grew up in modern day Israel as a Jew, claimed to be God, and lived a sinless life! Having never sinned put Jesus in a unique place. He was arrested and accused of many wrongs that he didn't do. So when they sentenced him to death, he was dying an innocent man!

The Metamorphosis

There is an illusion performed by magicians today called the "Metamorphosis." In this illusion, the magician is tied up, placed into a burlap bag, which is also tied tightly. The bag is then locked up securely in a large wooden trunk. The magician's assistant then climbs up on top of the trunk and raises a bar with a curtain attached to it high hiding her from sight.  She lowers it each time as she counts "three, two, one". Upon saying, "one," the magician is suddenly holding the curtain and there is no sign of the assistant. He drops the curtain to reveal the trunk still tightly locked. It is unlocked, the bag untied and inside the assistant emerges hands tied just as the magician's had been.

In an even more amazing fashion, Jesus, God's son, changes places with you just like the Metamorphosis. The saint for the sinful. The righteous for the guilty. How exactly does occur? Let's take a look behind the curtain!

God's Love

We already mentioned that God created you. And by virtue of being your maker, he also loves you. In fact, the Bible says that God loved you so much that "he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God actually knew ahead of time that evil men would put Jesus to death on a Roman cross. But that's not the end of the story! God also knew that after 3 days, he would raise his son from the dead! Jesus would be the first man to ever die and then resurrect to live again. This time, living a life that would never end. No ending! No death!

Our Part

God's part is done. He sent Jesus. Raised him from the dead. And offered the invitation to all of us. The invitation is to simply believe this incredible story of sin and salvation! Romans 10:9 says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  

God also tells us to stop sinning. Again and again, in the New Testament, Jesus would say to people he met, "Go and sin no more." The Bible calls this "repentance." "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30 I love the youtube video of the Honest Preacher who just gets real and says, "Guys! Stop it! You're making me look bad in front of God!"

Finally, being baptized is the signature act of God's saving us. What happens when we're baptized? Many things. The Bible says, our sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38; 22:16); we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27); we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38); we are given a new life (Romans 6:1-4); and we're saved from our sins (1 Peter 3:21).

In Conclusion

So, your friend may not have enough time for you to explain every detail about salvation. That's okay. In fact, it may be more appropriate to share more of this amazing story over a period of time. Don't stress over it. Allow them to ask questions. Try not to use "Christianese" or words that people in the church know, but are not all that common to others like "redemption" or "sanctification." Keep it simple. Your knowledge is great, but remember, your best witness is your own story! Don't forget to share how you came to know the Lord. It may prove to be your best means of sharing the Gospel with your friend.