Do you recall when you became a Christian?  Do you know the name of the person who led you to faith in Christ?  Would you consider that person as one of your heroes?  Now the big question:  Have you become a hero in someone else’s life?

            In a book called Reveal, questions were asked of members of seven churches across the United States.  We aren’t going to cover all the information which was revealed, but I would like to share just a few responses:

The expression of Spiritual growth:

Those who evangelized others:

            Exploring Christianity:  6%

            Considered Close to Christ:  28%

            Considered Christ Centered:  38%

 Those who served others:

            Exploring Christianity:  15%

            Considered Close to Christ:  35%

            Considered Christ Centered:  42%

Those who gave a 10% tithe:

            Exploring Christianity:  14%

            Considered Close to Christ:  42%

            Considered Christ Centered:  52%

 Reasons people began to explore Christianity:

            58% grew up in church and knew about Christianity.

            28% felt something was missing or needed a higher purpose.

            14% desired to overcome a negative life-style.

Reasons people began to attend church.

            43% were invited by a friend or relative.

            41% the church was recommended or they knew someone who attended.

            16% drove by the church and stopped to see.

            Eighty-four percent of those who began attending church were influenced by someone connected to the church!  When you invite someone to attend church with you, that is powerful!  And the easiest person to talk to is someone who grew up in church!  Fifty-eight percent of those who began attending already have some background in church.  You can be an evangelist! 

       The first “evangelist” in the ministry of Jesus was one of his disciples by the name of Philip. 

John 1:43-45

43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
45 Philip found Nathanael (Bartholomew) and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

            The heart stirring call for Philip to follow Jesus changed his life, and Philip responded to the call with great joy and enthusiasm!  Something happened in his spirit which revealed the truth, that this man called Jesus was the one whom Moses, the Law, and the Prophets had all spoken about … the Messiah!  And He was here!  Now!  He’s Jesus of Nazareth!  He was convinced!

            My desire is that all of us would catch the enthusiasm which Philip exhibited! Once he found the Messiah he was excited to share his find with a friend!  Perhaps one of the greatest motivators for touching someone’s life with the Gospel is birthed in this reality: Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God is here, and He alone can provide salvation for lost humanity! 

            The joy of Philips discovery is apparently based on his understanding of who the Messiah was to be.  The Messiah was the redeemer, the one who came to set the captives free and open the prison doors.  In a land filled with the dead legalistic religiosity of the Pharisees, and the overbearing occupational forces of the Roman Government, the news of a Deliverer was exciting!

             The world still needs a Redeemer/Deliverer!  Those who know the power of God to redeem and to deliver are the ones who enthusiastically take the message of redemption and deliverance to those bound in darkness.  If you recall the enthusiasm you had when you were first saved!  We wanted to tell the whole world!  The sad news is that some of us have forgotten how wonderful it is to be redeemed and delivered from the power of sin.  And we forget to tell.

            If you aren’t sure what to say about our experience with Christ I want you to know that you don’t have to understand the Bible and you don’t have to know a lot of Scripture.  All you need to do is tell your story.   Listen to the story of one man who had an encounter with Jesus:

John 9:25 One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.

            That’s simple enough!  Your story may be a little longer than that, but if it isn’t, that is enough.  It isn’t necessary to tell the details of your past life and about the mistakes you made.  “I once was lost, but now I’m found; I once was blind, but now I see!”  That could make a good song!  And it is all about amazing grace!

            If you want someone to examine your story, write it down in two short paragraphs and give to me or send it to me on email.  I’ll look it over and if it needs a any changes I’ll send it back so you can use it!  It’s time for you to tell your story!

            How do you approach someone and be able to tell your story?

Luke 19:1-10

1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." 

9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

            First, find someone who is up a tree!  Well perhaps not a real tree, but find someone who looks like they need a friend.  It may be a neighbor, someone in Wal-Mart, or someone you meet while you are working.  Just be a friend.

            WO told a story about seeing an older man behind a store, leaning against the wall, bawling his eyes out.  He approached the man and asked what the problem was and the man answered, “My wife died recently and I don’t know anyone in this town.”  What an opportunity for making a friend!  And that man isn’t the only lonely person in this city! 

            But it isn’t just lonely people, it is someone waiting on his wife while she shops, it’s the person sitting by themselves, it’s the person who seems to be a little blue or disturbed as you pass them in a public place. 

            Be a friend!  Invite them have a cup of coffee with you and then listen to their story!  The best conversationalist is a person that will listen!  Ask where they came from, ask where they worked, and then ask what their church background is.  Don’t push, just listen!  Let them ask you questions about your life and then tell your story!

            I think that’s what Jesus did with Zacchaeus.  He invited him to have a time of social conversation with him.  There wasn’t a restaurant close by so Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house.  That was okay for those times, now we need to invite someone for coffee at McDonalds!  And Zacchaeus got saved.

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."

             You can tell that Zacchaeus got saved because redemption reached all the way down to his pocket book!  Jesus got excited! 

 "Today salvation has come to this house … for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

            Who is it that God has given to you to pray for in the last couple of weeks?  Do you remember that prayer list?  We all remember to pray for family and friends … but who is the person whom God has given to you for your list?  Is that someone who needs to hear your story?