Are you struggling to share your faith effectively? Do conversations about Jesus get derailed by endless questions? Many Christians feel overwhelmed when witnessing, but there's hope.
Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of how to reach the lost. In Luke 19:10, He declares, "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." This wasn't just His mission—it's our model for biblical evangelism.
Imagine having the confidence to witness naturally, staying on track during difficult conversations, and approaching lost souls with genuine compassion rather than frustration. This is exactly what Christ demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry.
Let's examine how Jesus sought sinners and learn practical steps for effective Gospel sharing.
Christ Came to Seek Sinners
The purpose of Christ's first coming was crystal clear. As Scripture teaches us in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
Jesus didn't wait for sinners to come to Him—He actively sought them out. In Luke 19:9-10, after encountering Zacchaeus, "Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Jesus Was Actively Among the People
Matthew 9:35-36 reveals Christ's approach: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
Notice three key elements:
He was actively present - "went about all the cities and villages"
He saw the multitudes - He was observant and engaged
He was moved with compassion - His heart responded to their lostness
Just like sheep without a shepherd, lost people scatter when they encounter obstacles. But instead of frustration, Christ responded with compassion. That's our biblical example.
Never Get Sidetracked from the Gospel
One of the most practical lessons from Christ's witnessing comes from John 3, where Nicodemus peppers Jesus with questions. Notice how Jesus responds:
Nicodemus asks: "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" (John 3:4)
Jesus stays focused: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
Rather than getting lost in biological explanations, Jesus briefly addresses the question and returns to the core message: "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)
The same pattern appears in John 4 with the woman at the well. Questions about drawing water and Jacob's well don't derail Christ from the spiritual truth: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
The Necessity of Repentance
Many Christians shy away from preaching repentance, but it was the very first word of Christ's ministry. Matthew 4:17 records: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Jesus clarified His mission in Luke 5:32: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Repentance isn't about cleaning up your life before coming to God—that's impossible. Biblical repentance means having a change of mind about your condition, turning from whatever you've been trusting in (religion, good works, etc.) and placing your full faith in Jesus Christ.
As Paul preached in Acts 20:21: "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
Practical Steps for Gospel Witnessing
1. Be Present Among People
Like Christ, we must actively seek opportunities. The Gospel isn't meant to stay within church walls. Acts 5:42 tells us the early Christians were "daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
2. Approach with Compassion
When someone says "I'm good" to the Gospel, remember they're like the sick person who refuses a doctor. Show compassion, not frustration. As Mark 5:19 records Jesus saying: "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."
3. Stay Focused on Christ
Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Don't get caught up in showing how much you know. Keep it simple, clear, and Christ-centered.
4. Remember Who Gets the Glory
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 reminds us: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."
Our job is to plant and water. God does the saving.
The Gospel Goes Everywhere
The Great Commission wasn't given only to pastors. Acts 8:4 shows us that when persecution scattered the early church, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."
Whether in a chariot (Acts 8:29-35), in homes (Acts 5:42), or on the streets, every Christian has the responsibility to share the Gospel.
As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"
Your Weekly Challenge
This week, find someone and share the Gospel. Remember Christ's example:
Approach with compassion
Stay focused on the core message
Don't get sidetracked by questions
Trust God for the results
The harvest is ready, and Jesus said in Luke 14:23 to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
Will you follow Christ's example this week?
🎧 📖 Want to hear the complete message with all the biblical examples and practical insights? This blog post only scratches the surface of this powerful expository preaching on biblical evangelism. Listen to the full verse-by-verse bible teaching sermon for deeper understanding of Christ's witnessing methods and more practical applications for your daily Gospel sharing. Click here to listen to the complete message
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