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The Importance of Sharing Christ with Others.

I Peter 3:15

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”

1. What does it mean to be a Christian?  
   1. What does it mean to be a Christian? 
      1. I Peter 2:21 - “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
         1. It means that we follow Christ.  Not simply “believe” in Him, not simply following the traditions of “church,” it’s not “churchianity,” it’s not simply a set of ideals, it’s not a political view… Being a true Christian means that you follow Christ.  Following the teachings of Christ and His commandments, with your life.  It’s not all about simply “going” to church, and it is certainly not just a lame little “Dear God I know I have sinned please come into my life” prayer and “bam” you’re in heaven.
         2. Being a true Christian means that you live your life for Him.  You give everything.  Including your body.
      2. Romans 12:1 - “therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.”
      3. So in a nutshell, what does it mean to be a Christian?  It means we are followers of Christ, surrendering everything to Him.
   2. What do we have that others don’t have?
      1. There are so many different ways we can answer this question.  Eternal life, security, peace… But underlying all of these great things that come with the free gift of knowing God… Is the fact that… We HAVE GOD.  Do you know who God is?  Do know how how big He is?  Do you know what he is capable of?  We have God.  And you could come up with your own conclusions on what we have that others don’t have.
      2. So now we know what it means to be a Christian, and we now know that we have God on our side…
   3. Why do we need to share Christ with the nations?  Is it really important? 
      1. Matthew 28:10 - “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
      2. Mark 16:15 - “And he said unit them, ‘go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
      3. If you recall, one of the purposes to our existence is to share Christ with the nations.  Everything we do on this planet should go back to our purpose.  There really isn’t much to say except for the fact that we need to share Christ with the world because no one else will.

1. Why it so important that we share Christ?
   1. What is the significance of sharing?  Here’s a few small examples.  
      1. Let’s say your blonde friend goes to school one day and you notice that she’s extremely late to class.  You ask her why she’s so late and she says “It was extremely traffic on and off the freeway and I was stuck in a jam for a few hours.”  But you very well know she lives in a residential area literally down the street from your school.  It would be common sense to share with her the information that she’s extremely dense, right?  Okay… Bad example.
      2. Medicine analogy: Let’s say you’re a brilliant world renowned doctor who found this miracle treatment that can cure any disease.  Now tell me, how much is such a thing worth?  Priceless, right?  Now answer me this.  How significant would it be if you never shared it with anyone.  It would be as if it never existed.  Worthless.
      3. When you truly love someone… Whether in a friendly or even a romantic way, sharing, is another form to show someone you truly love and care about them.  What did we talk about last week?  Last week, we talked about friendship and why it’s so important in the Christian life.  Does anyone recall what a good friend is?  Someone who will keep you accountable, be honest and faithful, to help you in your time of need, someone who would lay their life down for you… There is something we didn’t mention last week… And that’s sharing.  The reason why it was never mentioned last week, is because in a true relationship, sharing becomes so passive and natural, that we do it almost “instinctively.”  Can you picture a true relationship in which two people don’t share with each other?  It’s very hard to picture.
      4. The bottom line is, even in our daily lives, sharing is instrumental in showing your love for somebody else.
      5. Now lets talk about what Christ did on the cross.  Christ shared salvation with everyone in the world He created.  But answer me this… Did He have to?

1. 1. Why is it so important to share the gospel?
      1. Does anyone know what the word “Gospel” means?  Gospel literally means, “good news.”  Do you keep good news to yourself?
      2. Mark 16:15 - “And he said unto them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
         1. The bible puts it very bluntly- go and preach the good news.  This implies that its common sense to now keep good news to yourself.
      3. Matthew 24:14 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world and then the end will come.”  
         1. Here’s an interesting verse.  According to this verse, once the whole world has been preached the gospel, then Christ will come again.  Interesting, eh?
      4. So these random verses are great, but let’s come down to earth a little bit.  
         1. Please describe to me, how much of an impact Christians have on this planet today.  Let’s evaluate our performance.
         2. Now compare this to that of the world’s gospel: hollywood, fashion, material things, fame, respect, money…  Who has the bigger influence?
         3. Why is it that with a single text, you could jam pack a nightclub, but it takes like 30 texts to get 5 people in youth group?
         4. Why is it so hard to share the gospel?
         5. Think about the modern churches in America.  I always say this, but a lot of you guys don’t understand how freaking easy we have it here in America with our given rights to say whatever we want at any time and any place.  In our country, it is legal to talk of and believe in God.  In other countries, it is illegal.  So tell me why is it that God has more influence in third world countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, or countries in Africa- where they have nothing at all, yet God’s name is slowly being removed in the country where the Christians who inhabit it- have everything.  Have you ever experienced what it’s like to starve?  Do you know what it’s like to not have a place to live?  Do you know how to a basic life without our material luxuries?  Do you know life outside World of Warcraft?  I certainly don’t.
         6. My point is, generally speaking, a good chunk of the Christian population in the United States is failing miserably when it comes to sharing the gospel with others.  What statement does it make about us?  Remember earlier when we were talking about friendship, how sharing is a form of loving one other?  If we aren’t sharing the love of Christ with people around us, we are not LOVING them as we are called to.  We are not being the “true friend” God is calling us to be.  And not only are we not being true friends, but we are doing the exact opposite of sharing the gospel with the people around us- we are CONDEMNING people around us by not speaking up!!
         7. Why are we so afraid to speak of God?
   2. The cost of sharing the gospel
      1. I believe a lot of “God believing” Christians out there, don’t share the Gospel simply because… They’re to comfortable.  They’re content with their cars, and their homes, and their jobs…  You know, they want God to return, but not so much, you know?  They’re content with their lives, and they are NOT DESPERATE ENOUGH.  Compare these kinds of people who radical Christians in 3rd world countries who don’t have ANYTHING.  DESPERATION comes out of extreme discomfort.  And here in America, there is too much comfort.  Therefore, the Gospel isn’t being spread.
      2. Another reason why I believe people don’t share the Gospel is because… They’re too afraid to tarnish their social status.  They’re too scared to look undesirable, or unpopular, or uncool.  You’ve all seen high school movies, right?  Is there ever a movie where the most popular girl is on fire for God?  No, she’s always putting people down.  What if she was a God believer- do you think she’d stand up for what she would believe in at the expense of losing her popularity?  Highly unlikely.  Fame and power is addicting.  And sometimes, we would compromise our beliefs to maintain them.
      3. But you guys, you need to understand that this generation is a generation that listens.  Here’s an example.
         1. In a big lecture hall, or a big classroom of quiet people… Is it easy to hear two people having a disruptive conversation?  Yes, very easy.  All it takes is one person to break the silence.  All it takes is one person to challenge the norm.
         2. You see, Christianity isn’t easy.  Sharing the Gospel isn’t an easy thing.  We are called to live radical lifestyles for God- giving everything back to Him.  Look at the radical activists who stood up against the norm: MLK, Rosa Parks, Ghandi, Jesus Christ… It takes one person to stand up and say to the world, “This is the truth.”  But quiet frankly, it may cost us our very lives.  But that’s the risk you’re taking in being a Christian.  And to be honest, if you’re not down to sacrifice your life for Christ, and lay down your life for God, you’re being lukewarm.  And the bible says that its far worse to be in the middle- a lukewarm Christian- than it is to never have been down for God at all.
   3. SHARE THE GOSPEL
      1. So guys, share the good news with your friends.  Tell the world what you have.  Good news is something that should never be kept to yourself.  
         1. Share the gospel through your words, through your actions, through the example you set through your lifestyle…
         2. I challenge you to not be another mediocre Christian living a comfortable lifestyle.  I challenge you to break free from the identity the world has given you.  I challenge you to be more passionate and radical for Christ…
         3. So SHARE THE GOSPEL with the world.  Make disciples out of all the nations.  Because just as Christ shared his saving grace to you… You must do the same and share it to others.