Based on “How Jesus' Birth Changed Everything, Part 5” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
1/1-2/11, Message #MB445; Daily Devotional #3 - “Share the Good News in the New Year”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): What’s on your New Year’s resolution list? This is the time of year when many people, myself included, write down a few things they would like to accomplish in the New Year. Many people say they want to lose weight or start exercising, while others set financial goals such as paying off credit cards or saving for a vacation. While these goals are important and well worth the endeavor, have you considered adding some spiritual goals to your New Year’s resolution? One goal in particular that comes to mind is to share the Good News of salvation with others.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): For God did not appoint us to suffer but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9) This is great news for every Christ follower. However, it’s been said that only 5% of Christians ever share their faith with others. With so few people sharing their faith, it’s very likely that a lot of people might go for decades, or perhaps even a lifetime, without hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. How sad it would be for them, while standing before God on judgment day, to realize the hundreds or even thousands of times during their life when they spoke to Christ followers who chose to never say anything to them about Christ. On the other hand, consider this Scripture: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) Imagine yourself standing before God on judgment day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have dozens or perhaps even hundreds of people coming to testify on your behalf, saying that because you shared your faith with them, they believed and were saved. Imagine also being rewarded by God for the good things you had done.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) Christ followers should be motivated to share because of God’s love for the lost. Our heart should break for what breaks His heart. As part of the New Year, let’s each set a goal to share our faith with others, not just 5% of us, but 100%.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Mark 16:15
GH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted