First Presbyterian Church                                                                 Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

Salt Lake City, Utah                                                                           July 16, 2006

                                                                      “Telling About Christ”

                                                                              I Peter 3: 8-18

Introduction

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” Some Christians think that faith is a private matter that should be kept to oneself. It’s true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we are called to be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our life-style, or our Christian perspectives. The question is: can others see your hope in Christ? Does your faith make an obvious difference in the way you think, speak, and live? And, are you prepared to tell someone what Christ has done in your life and what your faith means to you?

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.” And he brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:41). “They went out and spread the news about him all over that region” in response to the healing ministry of Jesus (Matthew 9:31). “So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed” (Mark 20).  “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39). “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:7). “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

And here we are twenty centuries and half a world away from where it all started. There are so many occasions and various ways that you and I can speak with others about our faith, share with others the saving message of Christ, spread good news in our world.

I. Occasions for Sharing Your Faith

This past week, over 50 children plus two dozen teachers and helpers spent five days in Bethlehem Village, our 2006 Vacation Bible School. We had a great time celebrating Christmas in July. Every Christmas is a natural, easy, open time to talk about your faith with others. “I love this Christmas song,” you can say to a friend, a store clerk, your child, anyone. “I’m so glad that Jesus invited me to part of God’s family by coming into our world and into my life.” Then just leave it there for a conversation to develop.

Most holidays give us a chance to connect to God’s blessings. On Valentine’s Day you can tell someone about your marriage and how faith has enriched your relationship. On St. Patrick’s Day you can celebrate the spread of the gospel into Ireland by this famous missionary. On Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, you can share about the influence your parents had on the development of your faith. Each month, pick a holiday to celebrate and talk about as it relates to your faith. It’s quite easy to do and can open up faith conversations with your family and friends.

Events in everyday life are occasions for reflecting with others. Graduations from high school or college give opportunity to talk about purpose and direction, hopes and dreams for life. How easy to connect them to God’s ideas and possibilities. Good news on an engagement to be married, the birth of a baby or grandbaby is natural ways to give thanks to the Lord and share the blessings. For me it was the first week as a freshman in college. Walking from dining hall to dorm, a new friend (Ron Matthews) simply asked me, “So, Mike, are you a Christian?” It began a whole line of conversations and thinking about my life. Starting a new job, moving to a new home, joining in a new activity like working out at a gym, coming to church today: these are all common life experiences that open up the possibilities of faith talk.

There are also the down times of life, the disappointments, the worries, the problems that present faith sharing. “I’ve just been diagnosed with (fill in the blank). But I know that the Lord will help me through it.” You hear that someone has lost mother or father, wife or husband. Offer to pray for them. Speak of the comfort and hope that you have in Christ.

II. Sharing the Message of Christ

These are the many occasions that are quite natural and easy to share your faith. Further conversations may or may not develop. But when they do, be ready. The plan of salvation is quite simple. Each one of us should have some basic structure for telling about the Christian faith. Here’s one way that I have found helpful when someone starts asking about my faith.

Creation-Fall-Redemption-Faith is a biblical pattern. Talk about the wonder and beauty of creation, the world, the universe and being human. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Life is supposed to be wonderful, fulfilling, amazing, good. That’s creation. Ask people what they enjoy most in life.

But something obviously went wrong with the whole world and with each one of our lives. That’s the fall. We human beings have made a mess of life. Last week we heard in the sermon how all of us need a Savior. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… for the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Who can deny that selfishness and self-centeredness have led to great harm? We humans are on one hand glorious beings, but on the other terribly shameful. Ask people how their sin or the sin of others has caused problems.

Then comes the good news of redemption. “God so loved the world (God loves you and me so much) that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you are healed” (I Peter 2:20). That’s redemption. Talk about the need and offer of forgiveness.

Then close with faith. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 quoting Joel 2:32). What must one do to be saved? Go to church, tithe your income, serve in a ministry, be kind, do good, etc. etc. etc? No! “Call on the name of the Lord.” Accept Christ the Anointed One, Jesus the Savior. “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:11). Talk about receiving Christ by faith. Trust in him. Believe in him. And everything else will fall into place.

This is another way of saying that God has a wonderful plan for our lives but we have messed it up by going our own way. God doesn’t give up on us. He has provided the way to return, recover his plan of grace and goodness. It’s in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His life shows us the way. His death is the atonement, payment, redemption of our sins. His resurrection proved the truth of God’s plan. But it takes personal faith to receive, apply, enjoy, and live in the salvation Jesus has provided.

Conclusion

Have you ever established a spiritual base fro your life? Believe that Christ died on the cross for you. Accept God’s free forgiveness in his love. Switch to God’s plan for your life. When you become a Christian you put a new sign on your life that says, “Under New Management.” Then express your desire for Jesus to be Lord and Savior.

Every Christian person is enjoying faith in Christ and is going to heaven because someone else cared enough to tell them about Christ. Who have you cared enough to tell? Who are you taking to heaven with you?

Write down the names of six people you want to discover the joy of faith. They may be friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers. They’re people you care about, people you can invite to our church, people you can share the Good News with.

The Gallup Poll did a survey that said in America there are 34 million people who said, “I would go to church if somebody invited me.” Do you think you might know one of those people?

Write down the names of those six people. Then pray and ask God to give you an opportunity to strike up a conversation or to invite them. God wants to work his grace and goodness through you. What an extraordinary thing it is to share our faith and see others come to Christ.

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.”

Let us pray together.