United Reformed Church Northern Synod

Dying to Live

Sowing for God’s kingdom -

Worship Resources: Evangelism

The “Not yet” is over the “Now” has arrived! Bible Study / Sermon Outline

Read: John 12:20-26
No longer can we as Christians and church hide the light of Christ!
Principles of Evangelism and maturing of Discipleship required!

Evangelism:
1. The Greeks wanted to see Jesus: so do countless thousands of real people with real lives across the north-east. Realise that this is post denominational era: ultimately the Body of Christ needs to be what it says it is. Can people see Jesus in our individual lives or our congregation
2. They came to Jesus through someone who spoke their language (Philip). We need to communicate in a language people understand. How much of what we do is needs to change because its too religious or using language no-one understands?
3. They were “sons and daughters of peace” (Luke 10:5) drawing closer to God (proselytes or converts to Judaism) who found appeal of Jesus far more satisfying. Do you prioritise Jesus or Church in our invitations? Are we creating new relationships which give us the right to share Christ?

Discipleship:
1. Jesus never asked of us something He has not done himself: the way of life for Him is through death (v23-24). Baptism is about dying, burying and rising (Romans 6:3-4). Am I truly living out His Risen Life?
2. He will be most honoured not when people (Jews or Gentiles) flock to see Him but when like grain of wheat he dies as a prelude to rising and giving life to many. Am I putting popularity before faithfulness?
3. We too are called to die to self and live for Christ. The genius of the Christian Life is that having died to self, we have nothing left. The person who has been crucified is not going back, cannot look back, and is only set on what’s ahead.
4. Our love for Jesus in comparison to our love for self is the issue. This love relationship is not an abstract concept, it’s a dynamic experience which changes us and transforms us from one degree of glory to another: that’s the heart and reason to follow Christ!
5. Hate self-centred living, positively serve Christ: reward presence of Christ and honouring by God the Father. We are called to lay down our lives for Jesus, to sow our single seeded lives into the fabric of His Kingdom, and let Him use us as He chooses? What is the call of Christ upon my life at this time? Am I responding to it? Is my congregation encouraging and supporting me in this commission?

Pastor David Bedford
Trinity, Gosforth. 16/8/11.

Top of page