*These next 4 weeks, we are taking a pause in our usual sermon-based curriculum for you to take time to review our One Life curriculum. We hope this will encourage you and equip you to take steps in sharing your faith with the people around you!
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
The other day I was grilling chicken for the family. I had the grill heated up, the vegetables cut and prepared to season my chicken. As I went to pour the McCormick's Montreal spices on it gently, the top cap fell off right into my raw chicken. Then, almost a whole cup's worth of seasoning poured directly onto the meat. Most, at this point, would have probably scrapped the meal and started over, but not me! I took a paper towel out and tried to wipe the seasoning off. Most of it came off, and I threw the chicken on the grill. What arrived on our dinner table was way over-seasoned chicken. My kids were crying, my wife ate it smiling but turning red, and even our cat wouldn't eat the leftovers.
No one likes something that has too much or too little seasoning. The same is true when we share our faith. If we close ourselves off and never have a conversation, people will never hear the good news of Jesus Christ. They don't even get a taste of His goodness. On the other hand, if we push people so hard and don't build a relationship with them, it can be like an over-seasoned chicken. The message of the gospel might be poured on so strongly that it pushes them away. That is why we have to have a "taste and see" approach to sharing our faith. We can't come off too strong, but we also can't retreat away from conversations about Jesus with others. So how do we adopt a "taste and see" approach? Here are some ideas:
1. Build relationships with the lost. Get to know people who don't go to our church. Be intentional about building friendships so that you can make a difference.
2. Live a changed life. When people see that God has changed your life, they will want the hope you have. Show your love for God through your actions and behaviors.
3. Sprinkle spiritual concepts into conversations. When they ask you what you did this last weekend, say, "I went to church; it was great." They may ask you more about your church or what you learned. If they are hurting, ask if you can pray for them. If they ask you why you are different from everyone else, share that you are different because you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember to sprinkle these concepts so that you don't push people away.
4. Invite them over. In Bible times, if you wanted to get to know another person, you invited them over for a meal. Do you know what has changed over all these years? Nothing. If you want to get to know another person and develop a relationship with them, you invite them over. This way, you move from a passing conversation to something more intimate. If you don't have a house or a space that can accommodate everyone, invite them out for lunch or coffee.
If we are committed to helping people to "taste and see," God will be faithful to draw them in through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are praying that you can build these types of relationships in our community!
Take some time now to pray. Pray that God would use you to introduce another person to Jesus and look for opportunities to invite people to church with you. We hope that God will fill our lobbies up with people we have actively shared Jesus with as a church over the next few weeks. Pray that God would use you and that you may even be bold enough to take the step of inviting someone to church this weekend.
Psalm 34:1-22 (NLT)
"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned."
©2024 Sagebrush Church
