999. Learning Gospel Conversation

Welcome to The Daily Platform from Bob Jones University in Greenville South Carolina today on The Daily Platform were continuing a three-part series on evangelism, led by Dr. Jeff Musgrave. Jeff has more than 30 years experience in pastoral ministry and he now travels the world training believers in evangelism and discipleship. Today's message is a leading gospel conversation good morning, good to see you here today. We talked about relational evangelism and what I think it relational evangelism.

I really do think of bringing Jesus up close and personal to people and this is the way I kind of see it is only when we know Jesus intimately ourselves that we have the ability to show him effectively to the people we come in contact with and it's in the context of that genuineness that we can speak him boldly into someone's life and so yesterday we spoke about learning how to have compelling conversations in which the other person enjoys it and wants to talk to us. I believe that there's a component of genuineness of Christianity in which we genuinely care for that person. Show them their value by listening to them and then in the context of that genuineness and closeness having the opportunity now. I do want to say this were not talking about waiting until someone asked you how because I don't think we show the urgency to give the gospel by waiting, but I do think we show that that value of the gospel by being patient and persistent and and strategic and I actually believe yesterday. What we what I wanted to focus on is helping us to realize that if were going to be effective at reaching people to gospel would have to be a little strategic about how we approach it. So today I want us to focus on the content of our gospel conversations and this is my favorite day of the three that I plan for us because I'm exiting to give the gospel to you today and I hide it every single time I give the gospel it's a little different because every person I give it to every every I believe the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom into what's going on in that person's heart, but sometimes you need to stress something else and so it's it's never to be exactly the same but at the same time there is a certain content that a person needs to be able to understand before we can expect them to make a credible decision, so that's what we'll focus on this morning, I would read a few of these next sections because I want to introduce you to a tool that I believe will help you in being able to be confident in having gospel conversations with people at the exchange. We are very focused on training God's people to be clear, compelling and concise as they give the gospel, and frankly because I believe in the power of the gospel. I believe that every Christian ought to be able to articulate the gospel effectively and so were we work really hard training people to do that I used to try to train people to memorize a certain outline and M.I still think it's very important for us to get thoroughly acquainted with it, you probably ought to try to memorize a presentation so that it's in your brain and you don't have to worry about what comes next. When you're talking, but at the same time. I'm we found that if we could just give people the tools that they need that that something they want to focus on the memorization. They can actually focus on the communication.

So the tool that I will walk you through today is the exchange message And because I want to help you to understand the applicant because I will not use our time wisely. I'm gonna read a couple of these next slides to make sure that I'm clear the gospel presentation that the exchange uses is a simple introduction to God as a person and how we can have a close relationship with him.we've developed this thorough God centered gospel presentation because we noticed that just giving people the Romans Road or the ABCs of the gospel didn't really work the way it used to. The problem is not so much the people are gospel hardened, I ask, I don't like that term because it accepted impugns the power and efficacy of the gospel. I think the problem usually is that are short gospel presentations were developed for an age in which nonbelievers came to the table with a little more information than they do today and that we actually not only have a lack of information and gospel ignorance, but we have misinformation and so I believe that it is probably more important for us to give more information before we can expect credible decisions.

I mentioned this to you yesterday.

We love the thought of more time with more truth versus brief encounters with the gospel so the exchange message. I believe is out a powerful tool and it presents to the gospel in two separate ways. So we accept two different tools and into in the exchange. The first is the exchange experience and it features a responsive gospel presentation that reads like a digital gospel tract with interactive illustrations.

The wording can be adjusted to be used in it as a gospel presentation tool so that you can use it during the gospel conversation. The second tool inside the app is the exchange responsive reader and it features the exchange of Bible study this for lesson evangelistic Bible study has been used.

To see hundreds of people saved all over the world and I think this is interesting. A recent survey question or ask this question. If a friend asked you to study the Bible with them. What would you say on of people in their 20s, 61% of them said if a friend asked me to study the Bible with them. I would say yes and 42% of people 30 and above said yes and I believe that many in our world are open to hearing and having a gospel conversation and so you and I have to be bold about those these Bible studies are available in the app through in app purchases here in North America but it's cool. We've been able to geo-fence the gap so that outside of North America. All of the materials that are inside of the app are a free download so that the mission feels the world can use this material without difficulty exchange Bible study will help introduce your friend to Jesus and our desire is to put this tool into your hands so that you could use it.

So we've come up with the conference promo code that if you put into the app you can get 50% off of all of your purchases. I would suggest if you want to use that exchange, Bible study for yourself that you would purchase for yourself and exchange leaders guide because you're to be the leader of this particular gospel or a Bible study and then purchase as a gift. You're not the exchange Bible study and you can give that to your friend electronically. My plan is that tomorrow at the end of chapel to leave you with a 30 day challenge of the 30 day challenge is simply this, that I will either strive to have a gospel conversation with someone or invite someone to do an evangelistic Bible study with me in the next 30 days of reason. I I do that is theirs to phone number one you're going to be traveling out of here and those are to be the days in which God is going to begin to open doors for you. But in addition to that I said I know human nature and we get excited about this this week and then just put on the back burner.

It it could possibly never happen. So what I want to do is as we walk through the gospel using the exchange app this morning. I want you to envision yourself having this gospel conversation with a friend that you would like to talk to.

So when you first open the app you're welcome by screens that will help you and your friend know what to expect inside the ad. And since the exchange with Jesus as a personal experience. The very first step is to personalize the app and so he's put your name in there. Put your friend's name if you're talking to them about this first section is an introduction designed to draw the reader into the experience of the app for himself and the end of each section ends with the next topic button that guides the reader through the gap. There are two modes for the exchange experience.

The default mode functions as an interactive gospel tract is a full explanation of the gospel. It has interactive illustrations throughout to demonstrate the truth and to hold the attention of the reader takes about 12 to 14 minutes to read through the entire app and to experience each of the ill interactive illustrations. The presentation mode lets the app function as a gospel conversation tool and you can enter the presentation mode by tapping the monitor icon the top in the left-hand corner of the screen and this adjust the content so that now you're only looking at the main points the Scriptures and those interactive illustrations just facilitates being able to use it for conversation. Each of the points of the gospel in the presentation are supported by Scripture passages and under each one of those Scripture passages you will find a more button now the more button by tapping on it will open a slide out tray that gives you more Scriptures on that particular topic because all of us know that there can be times when you're going to need information.

There's also translation switch at the top of the more button slide out tray that will actually allow you to be able to go back and forth between King James and ESV app comes in the default translation in the ESV in order to be able have a close relationship with anyone you really have to get to know them spend time with them in the same thing is true about a relationship with God.

And so the exchange message app introduces people to four attributes of God for a central truth of God that help them to be able to have a close relationship with him. One way to explore these topics is by tapping on the icon at the top of each page you can see, it talks about God is holy and cannot tolerate our sin, but God is just and can overlook our sin he has to judge it. But the God is loving and is reached out to us and is provided a way for us to be close to him that satisfies the demands of his holy just nature, and then finally God is gracious and offers salvation as a gift so you if you have the app you can follow along in your own app. As I begin now to actually just walk through the gospel with us will beginning with God is holy and one of the essential attributes of God is his holiness. The Bible tells us of the word holy means to be set apart separate sure pristine.

In fact, the Bible says that God is up your eyes than to behold evil, and cannot log on sin. Using God is completely holy and he can tolerate no sin, so then comes a logical question so what is sin in the Bible tells us to sin is the transgression or the breaking of the law sin is when we rebel against God and his walls. Each law is actually a reflection of a portion of God's character. When God says thou shalt not have any other gods before me.

It's because God alone is God. And when you and I have something in our lives. It is more important to us than God. It offends him and that my friend is the essence of sin. The essence of sin is offense to a holy God. When God says you should not commit adultery. It's because God is faithful and loyal and when a man commits adultery. Not only is offended, his wife, but he offends a covenant keeping God. Here's one that affects all of us, thou shalt not lie to me ask you question. Have you ever lied. II have probably given this gospel presentation and classrooms in the Philippines. Well over a thousand times and many times I'll ask how many of you are willing to say I have never lied and I've never had anyone raise their hand and keep it up.

I would out again. You need a prankster but the reality is all of us know that we've lied anything we can actually say. So what's the big deal and and here's the big deal is the God's truth and every time I lie I separate myself further and further and further from a God who is truth and never changes is a God made me to have a close relationship with him and my sin separates me from him and maybe that explains some of the emptiness and loneliness, and lack of love that every person apart from Jesus Christ experiences that leaves everyone of us in a dilemma because the Bible says that we have all sinned, all come short of the board.

Imagine having a contest with you and a friend standing on the edge of a huge canyon and both of you to try to jump across. I know we wouldn't do that but even if we did one might jump further than the other but both would come short of the other side is, like trying to be good enough to have a relationship with God. Some people are better than others, but no one is holy like God is holy and our sin separates us from him and others more truth than this, but this is the only thing you knew about God who would be able to have a relationship with him and the answer is no one when you're done with that and your friend understands that you can move on in the Bible tells us that also. God is just that we don't want to just God, until it comes to our own guilt because the Bible tells us that we've all sinned, and God and his justice must judge everyone by the exact same standard in the Bible says that when our sin earns death.

Is it what is and look like what what kind of death was a verse in the Bible where Jesus gives us a picture of this judgment incident shall he talk about the judge say to them on his left hand apart from me you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I like to think that is a good news bad news. First the good news is that God doesn't want people to go to hell he created hell for the devil and his angels. The bad news is that there are people in this verse, those on his left hand that are going there. If I were you, I'd want to know who those people are the last book of the Bible does virtually gives us a list of eight different kinds of people that have to go to this lake of fire, but the fearful and and unbelieving and abominable, and murderers warmongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

This is the second death. Unless you question how many murders would someone have to commit before you considered him a murderer and cigarettes of the question. Just want to know will master this. How many lies do you think I would have to tell you think you would at the towel before God considers you a liar you and we all know, with no more than one line.

The fact is, the Bible says that every single one of us are deserving of hell you Sue. Oh, I thought God was a loving God. How could he do that. Imagine a murder trial and the judge looking at the evidence and knows that the defendant is guilty and he says them. I know you're guilty what you look like a nice guy to me and when eligible for with Debbie justice not we would get that we understand that but what if the judge in the murder were brothers and I know would happen that way were to discover, imagine it what he said you know, I know you're guilty but I love you like I can't. I can't punish you.

So even though you're guilty I'm gonna let you go free because I love you. Would that be justice. The answer is no because love does not undo the necessity for justice and praise the Lord friend God is loving but his love doesn't undo his justice. The good news is his justice doesn't undo his love and the Bible tells us that God so love you put your own name and their God so loved Jeff God so loved you, that he gave his only begotten son, and I believe the real question two what Jesus did is who Jesus is. So I always stop and ask my friend who would you say Jesus is. We have a conversation about that because it is essential for person to recognize that the Bible tells us that Jesus is God, and they came down to earth and became a human lived a perfect human life so that he could give himself in exchange for us to see the Bible says because of my sin.

I deserve to go to hell.

Jesus Christ came to earth became a human lived a perfect human life and earned a place in heaven. Literally, completely perfectly fulfilled the law and the Bible says that Jesus died in my place so that I could go stand in his place and have his righteousness. It's in exchange. So if you can imagine punishment coming through the room, aimed straight at me and Jesus Christ stepping between me and that punishment and taken in his own body.

That's what Jesus did when he died on the cross for me.

The Bible says that God made Jesus to be sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. It's it's not just that he comes in. Ask my punishment but they literally wants to give you his perfect righteousness is a chart in the app that will really help you to be able to see that and you can actually put your friend's name up there and help them to see that when Jesus died on the cross he took your penalty. Your record on himself. He died for your sin he wants to give you his perfect record. You see God cannot let me into heaven and still be just but when Jesus made that exchange with me and he gave to me his perfect record now. When a person makes an exchange with Jesus like that God can let that person come to heaven and still be holy just God might say will wait a minute. That just seems too easy. Maturely have to do something. Look at this verse the Bible says the blood of Jesus Christ.

God son cleanses us from all sense. Imagine a list of all your sins doesn't mean all of us is all about the things you haven't done yet but you know you you're going to do what about those. Think about this Jesus blood of Jesus was that was 2000 years ago. How many of your sins were future when Jesus shed his blood. He answers all of the good news is that when Jesus Christ died for us. He died for all of our sins, past president, even future. In fact, the Bible says it hanging on the cross, Jesus said it is it's an accounting term.

It literally means paid in full. So massive?

If Jesus Christ paid for all of your sins what's left for you to pay.

That's good news affect the good news keeps getting better because the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ did not stay dead, but the three days later he came back to life. So literally he died the death I deserved and then defeated death and delivered me from it. The Bible tells us that not only is God holy and just and loving but that God is gracious and it offers this salvation from sin's penalty as a gift God. The word grace literally means God's riches at Christ expense and so the Bible tells us that is not by works is not by myself. It's gift of God.

That's a picture of grace. [If this gift of salvation from sin and his penalty is a gap how do I receive it.

The Bible tells us, but as many as received him to them. He gives the authority to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name. See, this is not about if you want forgiveness just ask him because even God can't absolve sin, only an exchange with Jesus Christ. Only the finished work of Jesus on the cross and what we do friend when we put our faith in Jesus as we put our faith in that finished work of him and when we trust him. He comes in the Lord Jesus Christ himself, changes us and saves us from sin. This word believe we receive him by believing on him is critical. It's important for us because if if all of our eternity hangs on this one word wheat we need to know how to define it. Some might say that to believe something is to understand it and to agree with it and I and I get that. That makes sense, but let's let's try that definition out on this story in 1859 a man named Charles bonding stretch a tight rope across the Niagara right at the Niagara Falls. And he went across the many times to get a wheelbarrow and pushed it across and the story said that one time when he was working with Wilbur. We went to the crowd is and how many of you believe now that's our word. How many of you believe that I can put a man in a wheelbarrow and push them across while the crowd wanted to see if they went while they begin to chant I believe is man in the front row with his hand in the air. I believe and and Blondie looked at him. He said user come get in the Wilbur and the guide hold in the other direction. Melodrama, he didn't believe he may be. Maybe he believed that blinding could do it but he wasn't willing to put his trust and blinding to take him across. And I believe it's that way with a lot of people in Jesus, they believe in Jesus, they believe that Jesus died, but they never personally chosen to put their own trust in Jesus we see in order to be able to put your trust in Jesus, you have to be able to understand the truth of our sand and our separation from God and Jesus Christ exchange for us. You have to be willing to agree with it. I'm a sinner.

I need a Savior. But most important, you need to make a choice that I'm in a put my personal trust and she's another word, the Bible uses to describe this decision is the word repent now. To repent means to change your mind means to admit God you are right I'm the one that's wrong. So maybe you been thinking that sure II know I sin but but my sin is abandonment to submit a how you have to change your mind about that. Maybe even thinking if I do enough good works and I when my bad words and I'll make it to heaven to change her mind about that.

The Bible says that our sin cannot be covered by works. What you need friend is the Lord Jesus Christ. See, it's a decision that we have to make it's it's something that we have to do a mansion to chairs sitting right next to each other one shares in a represent you in your good works, or religious activities.

The other chair is gonna work represent the chair of the finished work of Jesus Christ. So if you're sitting in a chair representing your own good works. But when you have to do to this chair before you go sit in this chair if get out of if the transfer your trust from this chair to venture naturally the picture they got is painting for us, with a stop trusting what we been trusting in and put our trust in Jesus Christ alone. What I set in the middle of both the posters and frankly I find a lot of religious people that that's what to do and I died.

I trust in Jesus been hanging out among good works and and and literally why did I leave the chair representing my good works wasn't enough. So why am I not totally sit in the truck. The chair trust in Jesus, because I don't believe it's enough. You see what God wants is for us to put our trust.

Only in him on the Niagara River. There is a place for the current get so swift if you get it up boat class past that place you'll be pulled over by the falls and so they market very clearly. But imagine you being in a rowboat and you absentmindedly get your Robo past that point and you begin to feel the current pool using a rolling away as fast as you can, but is not enough someone throws you a rope and lands right in her lap.

Now you have a choice to make and keep trying to rescue yourself and die or you can grab the rope and and that's the picture of everything a person without Jesus you know that that water is like this and it's pulling them to destruction. Those ores are like the good works of the religious activities they're trying but it's not enough and that world is like.

Jesus and right now what God wants you to do is put your trust in Jesus alone. Two quick questions. Do you believe that Jesus loves you and he would save you from your sin and its penalty. If you ask him.

And then the second question is simply this, and are you willing to follow Jesus and put your trust in him right now. I've been given an illustration of how to give the gospel, but there probably people here right now and as you heard this message. It wasn't wow that's cool I want to talk to someone about it. It's like wow that's that's touching my heart I need to make that exchange with Jesus and I just want you to know God loves you whatever you've done and where have you been God must have a close relationship with you and right now you can put your trust in him to be in the den this afternoon from 230 to 4 o'clock. If any of you would like to talk with me about this. I would love to come and talk with you about it. I did want to just mention that another way of being able to give the gospel would be that for lesson Bible study and it's in the app you can go and look at it.

If you have any questions about that at love for you to come and here's my last thought for us today. The fact is that whether you use a nap with you just talk someone through the gospel. The gospel is powerful, but we need to do is give the gospel chance father, thank you for the work that you're doing in each of our hearts will.

We want to thank you and praise you for the gospel itself and I pray Lord that you would give to each of us a confidence in the power of the gospel and that confidence would display itself in our being to tell people the truth of what you've done for them. Previous things in your name. Amen.

You been listening to a sermon preached by Dr. Jeff Musgrave, which is part of the series on evangelism preached at Bob Jones University. If you would like to learn more about the ministry of Jeff Musgrave's evangelism training.

You can visit his website exchange message.org. Listen again tomorrow is we continue this series on The Daily Platform