R1328 When Sharing Christ is Worth It

I'm just going to ask a question are you genuinely a changed person.

If if today you are asked this question. Are you a Christian man, a Christian lady and you said yes it is the next when are you genuinely trying is the proof in your life Bible says about this you will know you know about the fruit so I'm I'm going to a very deep level. Here, the people know that I am who I say I am in Jesus as a believer up. I want to show you today that you can know this.

I'm going to invite you to give your life to Christ. It's that important.

You will not go to heaven on and I think so. Or maybe so, or based upon our self-worth and goodness, and I look every week at unbelievably precious people do you really know Jesus. Do you want to really know Jesus because you can really know him. We can all use some encouragement and will find it together today from the Bible and the Bible-based printing of Dr. Don Wilton today's messages when sharing Christ worth it and other times in life where we realize it's going to be hard to do the right thing God has opportunities to bless us for stepping out in faith. He rewards our faith will talk about that and so much more with Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment, but you need to know where here for you. We love to pray with you and for you right now as we launch our days broadcast.

You can call us at 866899 word anytime that's 866-899-9673 and you'll discover what Dr. Don Wilton say we love to be your 2 AM friend pray with you and for you or me this online that The Encouraging Word.org now Dr. Don Wilton today's message with what we do with and I think that all of us would would on so that say it is it's it's worth, you know we've been talking for many months about going about serving about giving his worth is worth is worth what what we do for Christ is with you know you know I kept asking myself the question, how can we put all of this into the context of what God has to say. What is the Lord have to say to us so God directed me to a passage of Scripture the rest of you, you can turn in your Bibles will whatever means you've got today. You'll your iPhones and your black berries in your strobe or using your raw's reason. Everything else that goes in between and that but I want you to turn the acts chapter 18 and then listen real quick to something that God has put in my heart. This is a this is a message for all of us and I know that you are listening today and because your listening. I want to invite you to give your life to Christ. This is God's Encouraging Word just for you. You can be a part of what God is doing in the lives of many, many people and it's all centered around this question or the statement when sharing Christ is worth it. It's worth it for me to stand here today and do speak to you. I can tell you that not only because I love you and because I respect you, but because I know that what Christ has done for me that he will do the same thing for you down the book of acts God directed my attention to a man by the name of the Hollis I just that's kind of got a ring to it today. Listen to apartments I want to just read to you a few verses say a few things about this so in and ask chapter 18 in verse 24, not a Jew named Apollo's acts chapter 18 verse 24. There was a Jew. His name was a policy he was a native of Alexandria, which is right on the Mediterranean Sea in what we today know as Egypt. If any of you been on a cruise to that part of the world in years gone by. You probably wouldn't want to do today but do you mod of coming to the port of Alexandria and this man Alexandria even though he was a native. Then he went up into Ephesus and he was an eloquent man. The Bible says he was competent in the word of God going to talk about that he had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he was very different in spirit. I love that when I heard that word being fervent in spirit. I thought about church.

I thought of the students here today. I'm going to talk about that in just a moment, this issue being fervent in spirit, and then explained that you know to put it into modern-day terminology. It means there is a fire that is inside of you, for the Lord Jesus that we got a fire inside of us concerning a lot of things.

I hang around you, but there's a fire for a lot of things is real fire from good food yet.

I will part of that is a real fire for having a good time is a fire for traveling is a five again. The beach is a fire for enjoying life. But when you put it in your heart concerning the things of Jesus Christ that very unique. It's very special. Bible says he was fervent in spirit, and heat. As a result of that he spoke and he talked accurately concerning Jesus Christ. Even though full policy was a novice CO need really understood the baptism of John.

In other words, he he was trying to connect. But God by his spirit was giving to him the ability to be able to really understand the real meaning of what it means to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 26 I began to speak boldly in the synagogue and when Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately and it didn't stop there because the Bible says that in verse 27 as result of this member.

He's now an emphasis upon us decides he wants to hop ownership and go across the Aegean Sea to the province of Asia and the Bible says that they all encourage demon wrote to the disciples to welcome him. So when he arrived on the other side of the sea amongst all those people, many of whom were in prison greatly hope those who through grace and belief, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was indeed the Christ wasn't really worth it is sharing Christ really worth it. Are you worth it away worth it. Is this worth it is worth it church for us to go with it for us to serve you giving so magnificently you fulfilling your obligations, your tithing is a congregation you meeting your pages for the special drive to take care of this place you're sending young people after providing for boys and girls your supporting vacation Bible school, we got mission teams going all over the world is up with the church is it isn't really worth in this manner. Paulus was an amazing person Bible tells us a lot of good things about him that he was eloquent in the Scriptures. Bible says that he was capable of. The Bible says that he wanted to know that he had a fervent spirit building up inside of me. A fire burning in him. He didn't quite know how, when, while all. Oh what was but he just knew that Jesus was real and so this man who was born in Alexandria, which by the way, was a cross cultural community understood the winds of change went and left and went to Ephesus when he got to emphasis the church got around him and said we got to do everything we can take the seat of your spirit and send you where God wants you to go and he hopped on board a ship in the wind across the Aegean Sea and he arrived in the province of Acadia and listen. Listen to what the Bible says the first thing that happened was that the believers were greatly encouraged by the way, I just wanted to say this to you. Did you notice how many times and how many prisons yet we look at we say man, look at all those inmates giving their hearts and lives to Jesus. But did you notice how encouraged the Christians in those prisons were did you notice that guys do. Now many believers. They are in our prison systems. You know how discouraged they get if we had any reason to go there and do what we do, that would be enough for me that would make it worth the drive. Had the privilege to speak to someone just recently and they were pretty down on off truck got through speaking to them. They said she will. Thanks so much for talking to me and spending so much time for me because I feel certain car. I said are you feeling encourage they said yes I said will then it's worth it. I don't know how many people of encouraged me the whole congregation. You always encouraging me always lifting me up and always encouraging me to tell you go into these prisons.

Folks in places that you can't imagine you not read about it. Read about two main killers who escaped from a prison in upstate New York that's on the front page of every newspaper in the headline in every news cost.

We we think about it and we look about it. We read about it.

We understand that we look upon some of these places where perplexed by the main groups like the students go with the fervency of the spirit, and they arrived there and if nothing else happens it's worth it because believers chaplain police officers family members.

Nurses and doctors, medical technicians, people who work in these prison systems many of whom are incredible believers and they are so discouraged that there is a group of people who believe it's worth it to go out across America in coverage.

Believers. Believers in America today are suffering from great discouragement, but is it worth it. Sharing Christ is with its worth it because people are all trying to look for all the same kind of things folks I say this from one person to another. Scott did the same thing this week talking about encouraging people wise Christ with the Christ is worth it because forgiveness is attainable.

Forgiveness is attainable.

You can be forgiven of your sin. You can we say amen all about Simpson.

The old proverbial if I was to school. Those who are sinners worshiping with us today, not only in our two venues worshiping with us here in downtown Spartanburg but the thousands upon thousands worshiping with us through The Encouraging Word television ministry. If I was to ask you right now to identify yourself as a soda surely re-single one of us would stand up inside by God.

I have said in the right does not need to be. I want to tell you why sharing Christ is worth because is attainable.

That's why Jesus died on.

That's why went to the cross, not in use, forgiveness attainable, but change is manageable. You're listening to Dr. Don Wilton. He's our teacher here on The Encouraging Word welcome and for some of you it may be the first time you've heard this unique South African Rd. and you're discovering what we are discovering is that you are listening to the voice of God through him because Dr. Don Wilton he has nothing to say except the Bible says we amplify that explore that in the rest of today's broadcast about when caring. Christ is worth it.

We want you to know that were here for you.

Would love to walk beside you and encourage you that knowledge that forgiveness is obtainable to Dr. Lukens talking about something we can share with those around us. You need someone to pray with you about who you know you need to be sharing Christ with someone it works on your family someone that's close to you in your neighborhood and your and your baby a group of sports, whatever it might be. Let us be your prayer partner for seeing that friend come to Christ, 86689 is our phone number there would be nothing more thrilling for us and to pray with you and watch God work in changing that person's life for Christ, 866-899-9673 for your prayer partner leaders keyboard keyboard online@theencouragingword.org. We would love to pray with and for you that back today's message when sharing Christ is worth it with Dr. Don Wilton.

I want to tell you why sharing Christ is worth it because forgiveness is attainable. That's why Jesus died on the cross.

That's why went to the cross, not Amy is forgiveness attainable, but change is manageable. Just think about that you think about all those places that you got it in our minds. I'll guarantee you right now you thinking of someone you looking at someone's face between here in New York City and back.

I'm telling you for weeks if not months. Those faces will not leave you in autumn sign like you have this print in your mind. Pray for them every time you see that face pray for that person you know so many people will say you know I want to give my life to Christ and confess my sin. I II want to be changed and we believe that Christ is worth it. In sharing Christ is worth the wish because we know that change is manageable. That's what the Spirit does the spirit of God enables us to maintain and manage meaningful change in Christ. I am different. Not because of myself, but because of Christ in me some who are worshiping today your sign to me but pasta water.

What cannot you. I'm so tired am tired of the same thing I'm tired of going back to the trough. I'm tired of boys falling back. I'm tired of tripping.

I'm tired of the sin, I'm tired of being angry. I'm tired of being lonely and I turned my life over to Christ. I want to be different. Change is manageable. That's what God by his Spirit does. But you know it goes even further than that.

We believe that sharing Christ is with it because hope is eternal where in the world today.

My precious friends that people are saying everywhere, ways real, meaningful, hoping this will you know we attach hope to the here and now we say well you know I've got something to look forward to and hope tomorrow. Christ is worth it because the hope that we having him is the same yesterday today and forever, and when you give your life to Christ. It's not only what he does for you for me today and tomorrow and next week and next month but for ever. He takes away the sting.

Even a thought about dying. If you haven't, you will and you get diagnosed with something you really start thinking about. I spoke to a frame just three weeks ago, the daughter very, very bad report from a Dr. and he said those exact words to me said pasta Rob never thought about dying, but I can't get issue of it out of my mind. And that's the thing about knowing Christ hope is eternal. It's for ever and this life is like a vapor every one of us listening today. We are all going to die and what an incredible message that we could know Christ forgiveness is attainable and changes manageable and hope is eternal because joy is sustainable. You know when I look at these inmates in these prisons you know when you get through in these prisons. It's it's always to me. One of the most it's one of the hardest times for me personally on how you guys feel but you know when weeks on and we get up and we share the word of God and all these people might decisions for Christ and then maybe the warden will one of the officials come up and say a few words and then we tell them will not forget forget you, and then we will have to stay where we are because they voted to start dismissing people by the cellblocks so we want to just stand and wait. I got a clear everybody out seeing them back into some little hole where they stay some little tiny room some little place surrounded by concrete and and that's one of those times that just gets all over me because we painted into the zone by you can see they came in their sudden God began speaking to say something, and many of them encountered a holy and a righteous God, and then it's time to go and I can just see the lines of them as they begin to walk out and you know how many of them turn around and they wave say thank you thank you thank you and like they trying to say something to you and I walk out and then suddenly you see them with all the guards and I begin to walk out many of them with their hands behind their back or whatever the circumstance and I begin to parade out and I go through that door on that door closes, and they disappear back into the nothingness and I love the fact that in Christ the joy that we have in Christ is sustainable perhaps one of my favorite statements is you know when the Lord Jesus comes into your heart.

He set you free with your on the inside will be outside you gone through divorce.

I'm so sorry Christ set you free. You going through a circumstance in your life. I'm so sorry Christ set you free. You see, when sharing Christ is worth it. It's just worth it and I'm going to invite you today to follow the Lord Jesus Christ you been listening today you been hanging on every word. Paulus grew up in Alexandria when the emphasis boarded the ship and went to a Kia began to encourage believers there, and he began to present the gospel and when he presented the gospel you not happened. He crashed the argument of the unbelievers, and right now God by his spirit is crushing the arguments that you guarding your heart. These releasing your spirit any saying. Trust me, give your life to me during a hot stove over to me you will be forgiven. You will be changed forever. You will have an eternal hope and joy that will give to you is so sustainable you will never be the same again.

I invite you today to give your life to Christ. I invite you to turn your heart over to him.

Jesus is so worth it. My goodness, I pray that if you been listening and God start some questions. Let's get the answers together from the Bible itself guides Encouraging Word we send Ray take the next step and communicate and pray with you and for you 866-899-WORD that's 866-899-9673 or online@theencouragingword.org and maybe you're just you're just not sure you're just so close. Please take a moment and hear these next words from Dr. Don Wilton are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer with me today.

Dear God, I know that you love me very, very much and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came and died on the cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Today, I repent of my sin. I confess my sin to you, and I invite you to come into my heart and into my life by faith in Jesus name I pray. If you pray that prayer, let me be the first want to welcome you to the family of God.

This is wonderful. I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying for you and how very important this is for me. Call us so that we can talk to you and connect you in the right place so you can begin this wonderful journey.

And in just a moment I'm in a come back with the final word of the Lord is spoken to you through Dr. Wilson's preaching to the pulpit or the moments just seconds ago here in the studio. I pray you would know we stand ready to help you with the next step to pray you through our phone number is 8668866899673. If you'd rather go keyboard keyboard. Let's connect on our website@theencouragingword.org that's the Encouraging Word.org would love to pray with you and for your input some great resources in your hands will help you grow in your faith with Jesus Christ. One of those unique resources is a book written by her pastor Dr. Don Wilton here. The details are skip trading? Now what happened when you die, where exactly do you are not go you know over my many years of ministry and from so many of you I get so many questions about life off today all of us. People like you and me off fascinated with the subject of life off today.

That's why God led me to write the novel the absolute certainty of life off today this novel that I wrote was out of my own personal I think near-death experience and it just flowed from my heart.

It's the story about to meaning a real world one died and the other man died. One way to heaven.

The other man did not and it's based on what Jesus teaches us in his word. This book will change your view of heaven and it will help you to understand the significance of what it means to be with Christ or to lives separated from him for ever. I want you to have a copy: number and request your own personal copy of my novel, the absolute certainty of life off today. The Encouraging Word is a viewer or listener supported bone cost ministry and your financial support helps us to reach just one more for Christ.

This look has been used to change lives all across America: get your copy now. Hope you get not only copy for you, but copies to give away as Christmas gifts.

866-899-WORD is the number that's 866-899-9673 and you'll discover ways to connect to get those resources on our website as well@theencouragingword.org, but no the greatest resources we have to offer is the power of prayer. Let us pray with you 866-899-WORD 9673 or online@theencouragingword.org or here I am again what a day this is been, you know, one of the things I want to say to you is. Let's stay connected. You know we got so many means to be able to do that you can write dress email I she got all the details right there in front of us.

We all were a family together. We stay connected in so many ways and your life is very nice and gone and I want to be held.

Part relationship growth needs a mind I'm walking and I want to pray for you. Please don't stop this practice keep crying, giving, connecting, rejoicing, keep celebrating keeps driving. God is on his throne.

This is the Encouraging Word and now you know why I feel strongly and encouragement