By TA York
Revelations 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death.”
Many Christians believe quoting the Bible to unbelievers will win people over.
Yes, if they are ready and have been tapped on the shoulder by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).
If not, we disciples of Christ need to be trained to deliver on another level.
Romans 10:14 “how can people hear if there is no preacher?”
Romans 10:17 “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
Think of it like this. Jesus is not tangible to an unbeliever. Blind can’t see, deaf can’t hear.
The Bible is just a book to those who are dying. We need to live the Word of God, that is what people can see. This is how we can preach without words. Slower? Yes, it may mean you have to spend time with them.
Note: Jacobs Well is 151 feet deep. Can a sheep pull the water from the well? No. The Shepherd must do it. Pulling water from a 151 deep well takes work. That’s what Shepherds are training for.
First, we ask the Father, “what does this person need?” Then we have to train ourselves to listen. Listen to those people around us, and the Holy Spirit.
I was involved with a ministry serving the homeless. We were in a park, delivering food and clothes. We played music and people gave testimonies.
The Holy Spirit said to me, “turn around.” I did, a homeless man was sitting in the distance, listening to the music. “He’s thirsty,” were the next words I heard.
I went and gave him a cup of punch. “You look thirsty.” He drank it in one gulp.
“Hi, I’m Tony. Come join us for a meal.” He replied, “I’m Robert.” He got up and stuck out his hand at me. I grabbed him and gave him a big bear hug.
When I let him go, he was crying. “Do you know how long its been since someone has done that?”
“What?” I had no idea what was happening.
“No one has hugged me for a while.” I believe I hugged him again.
He ate, he talked, and he smiled. He accepted Christ that beautiful day. We found him a place to live temporarily.
This man’s salvation was not due to a sermon or quoting the Bible (Yes, these are good things too}.
He was a man on the outside looking in at “Christlike” tangible people.
Our testimony is required to soften hearts. Not necessarily words, but actions.
If we Christians don’t study the word, pray and love God with an obedient heart. We will not have compassion and empathy.
The church is missing this (John 5:30, Mark 9:35) point. The church has lost its zeal.
Time to return to Pentecost!
God bless
Called 4 Jesus 