A couple weeks ago, my
brother experienced a real life test of this verse. Here’s his account of the
evening:
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
A couple
Saturdays ago, we celebrated our daughter’s 22nd birthday by having a family
dinner at a local restaurant. After we were seated and our orders were taken, I
got up to go to the bathroom. After completing my bathroom “business,” I began
washing my hands. As I rinsed the soap from my hands, an elderly man (I’m
guessing @ 75 years old) burst into the bathroom. Before I could do anything,
this man began sobbing. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I must
confess, my first inclination was to leave the bathroom as quickly as possible.
Men don’t acknowledge each other in the bathroom much less strike up a
conversation. This man was obviously distressed and I couldn’t just leave. I placed
my hand on his back, and said, “Sir, what’s wrong? Is there anything I can do
to help?”
This well-groomed, nicely dressed man looked up,
eyes swollen
and red and replied, “I’m here with my entire family to celebrate
my retirement.” I immediately replied, “Well, this should be a happy occasion,
why all the tears?” The man looked at me, took several deep breathes and replied,
“I saw my doctor today and he told me I have a very aggressive form of cancer
and have 3 months to live. I haven’t told anyone, and I don’t know how to break
the news to my family when everyone is so happy.” WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I responded,
“at least you’ve got your faith to fall back on.” This tortured man looked at
me with a blank look and said, “What ‘faith’ are you talking about, I’ve never
been to church.” (I had made some basic assumptions based on his outward
appearance and on the fact that most everyone in the Bible Belt has at least some
passing knowledge of God and “church.”) WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I quickly
sent God an urgent prayer and asked Him to please give me the right words to
say to this lost man. As my new friend began to wash his face, getting ready to
return to his party, I blurted out, “I’m not trying to make light of your
situation, but you were always going to die. I’m going to die, all those waiting
for you at the table are going to die. It’s not that important that we’re all
going to die, but what is important is what happens after you die.”
I continued, “I know one day I will die, but the
grave doesn’t have a hold on me. Jesus promises that if I believe in Him and
ask Him to come into my heart, I will spend my eternity in a place that doesn’t
have cancer or pain, a place of constant joy and happiness.” My friend politely
listened and then said, “Tell me more about this Jesus.” I gave him a short
version of my testimony and spent the next few minutes taking a walk down the Roman
Road (see below).
When I finished, he fell to his knees and cried out,
“I need this
Jesus you’ve been talking about!” I got down on my knees beside
him right there in the bathroom of a busy restaurant. We prayed and my friend
accepted Jesus.
When we
finished praying and stood up my friend looked like a different man. He smiled,
and looked like he was ready to run a marathon. I offered to go back to his
table with him to help explain what the Doctor said, and to explain what
happened in the bathroom. He felt like he could handle it himself, so I told
him to come get me if he needed help.
I invited him to church and he indicated his sister
and a few of his co-workers in attendance were church members. He thought once
they heard his good news they would want him to try their church first. We
exchanged names and phone numbers and we agreed to stay in touch. He left the
restroom and I prayed one more time, praising God for taking over the conversation.
God is good and always faithful to provide, even in the men’s room at a local
restaurant!
Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15)
Tommy John
What will you do when you are asked to tell what you
know about Jesus? Plan now for when that time comes. All you are required to do
is be ready to tell what you know. Take a few minutes and make a list of the
things you know about Jesus. If you still feel unprepared, do some more Bible
study on Jesus. Use the internet to look up a sharing technique that works for
you, The ABC’s of Faith, the Roman Road and others. Use scripture when possible
because the Bible tells us scripture won’t fail to accomplish what it is sent
out to do. May God bless you as you prepare.
I’m going out with joy today to share the Good News-
Cathy
How to Use the Roman Road to Witness:
from "The Next Step" by J.T.C., (pages 55 to 59)
The Roman Road lays out the plan of salvation through a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans.I don't think witnessing is easy. My idea here is that you just have to read the red text below.
******************************************************************************
To be a soul winner, you should get yourself a small New Testament.
Coming at people with a large Bible scares them.
You must first prepare your little New Testament with guide notes, for your own benefit.
Take a colored pen or pencil and turn to the book of Romans.
Your first verse is Romans 3:10
Now that you've marked it like we have above, you move to the next verse.
The next verse is Romans 3:23
Always indicate in the margin the next verse you are to read.
Here is the list you will follow on the Roman Road . . .
1) Romans 3:10
2) Romans 3:23
3) Romans 5:12
4) Romans 5:8
5) Romans 6:23
6) Romans 10:13
7) Romans 10:9-10
Mark all of these down in your New Testament - so you won't make any mistakes.With this technique, you don't have to memorize the scriptures . . . that will come in time as you use the system.
Before witnessing, pray, asking God for power through the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to use you to win someone for Christ.
Never hit them cold with a question like . . . "Have you been saved?"
Talk about the weather or their job for a few minutes.
Then ask . . .
May I ask you a question?
"Sure, go ahead!"
If you were to die tonight . . . are you sure you would go to heaven?
Any reply less than 100% certainty is a sign you must present the Roman Road.
If it were possible to know for sure that you could go to heaven - would you be interested?
"I'd be a nut if I didn't!"
If I could show you how you can know from the Bible, would you do what the Bible says?
"Sure!"
People aren't always interested. Some get angry. Be pleasant, leave a tract, and go talk to someone else.
Romans 3:10 points out that I'm not righteous and you're not either ... "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Ro 3:10)
Romans 3:23 says we all fall short of God's standard! ... "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Ro 3:23)
Point out that you are a sinner first, then that he is also. Never put the sinner below you.
Romans 5:12 says in the beginning, God and Adam's hearts were knit together. Through Adam's disobedience, their sweet togetherness was broken.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Ro 5:12)
Adam died both spiritually and physically. We inherit spiritual and physical death from our parents, Adam and Eve.
In Romans 5:8, we find Christ died on the cross, He became our substitute by taking our place!
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Ro 5:8)
Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death ... "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Ro 6:23)
Most of us work for wages. Our pay for being a sinner is death!
"Why did Adam listen to Eve, and sin?"
We'll come back to that later!
Warning: Never get off the Roman Road by arguing doctrine or opinion.
". . . but the gift of God is eternal life . . ." (Ro 6:23) ... If someone gives you a gift and you receive it, you know you have it - right?
"Right!"
Romans 10:13 is a promise, if we call on the name of the Lord, we shall be saved - not maybe! but - shall!
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Ro 10:13)
Revelation 3:20 is another promise. This shows Christ outside our lives.
He wants to come into our hearts and be the center of our lives. He says He will come in, if we ask Him!
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to call on the Lord.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ro 10:9-10)
Would you like to call on the name of the Lord right now, ask Him into your heart, and know that you are saved?
"Yes"
Let me pray for you - Lord, thank you for this opportunity to present my friend, Mr. Jones.
Now, Mr. Jones, will you please pray?
"I don't know what to pray!"
I'll help you!
If you mean business with the Lord - you tell Him these words: Lord, I know I'm a lost sinner
(let Jones repeat these words)
I'm asking you to forgive me of my sins
(Mr. Jones repeats)
and come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior
(Jones repeats)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Jones repeats)
Amen
(Jones repeats)
Do you mean business?
"Yes!"
Then according to Romans 10:13 you called upon His name.
Do you believe He saved you like He said He would? If you died tonight, would you be sure you'd go to heaven?
"Yes!"
How do you know?
"God says so!"
Now go tell somebody what's happened to you - because the Word tells us to in Romans 10:9
Also, Matthew 10:32 says: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Mt 10:32)
Why don't you come to church with me and make a public confession of your faith?
"I will, thank you."
You have just been born again spiritually and, like a newborn you need nourishment to help you grow. The Bible is our spiritual food - you must read it daily!
The more you know about scripture - the easier it is to present the Roman Road.
How to Use the Roman Road to Witness:
from "The Next Step" by J.T.C., (pages 55 to 59)
The Roman Road lays out the plan of salvation through a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans.I don't think witnessing is easy. My idea here is that you just have to read the red text below.
******************************************************************************
To be a soul winner, you should get yourself a small New Testament.
Coming at people with a large Bible scares them.
You must first prepare your little New Testament with guide notes, for your own benefit.
Take a colored pen or pencil and turn to the book of Romans.
Your first verse is Romans 3:10
Now that you've marked it like we have above, you move to the next verse.
The next verse is Romans 3:23
Always indicate in the margin the next verse you are to read.
Here is the list you will follow on the Roman Road . . .
1) Romans 3:10
2) Romans 3:23
3) Romans 5:12
4) Romans 5:8
5) Romans 6:23
6) Romans 10:13
7) Romans 10:9-10
Mark all of these down in your New Testament - so you won't make any mistakes.With this technique, you don't have to memorize the scriptures . . . that will come in time as you use the system.
Before witnessing, pray, asking God for power through the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to use you to win someone for Christ.
Never hit them cold with a question like . . . "Have you been saved?"
Talk about the weather or their job for a few minutes.
Then ask . . .
May I ask you a question?
"Sure, go ahead!"
If you were to die tonight . . . are you sure you would go to heaven?
Any reply less than 100% certainty is a sign you must present the Roman Road.
If it were possible to know for sure that you could go to heaven - would you be interested?
"I'd be a nut if I didn't!"
If I could show you how you can know from the Bible, would you do what the Bible says?
"Sure!"
People aren't always interested. Some get angry. Be pleasant, leave a tract, and go talk to someone else.
Romans 3:10 points out that I'm not righteous and you're not either ... "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Ro 3:10)
Romans 3:23 says we all fall short of God's standard! ... "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Ro 3:23)
Point out that you are a sinner first, then that he is also. Never put the sinner below you.
Romans 5:12 says in the beginning, God and Adam's hearts were knit together. Through Adam's disobedience, their sweet togetherness was broken.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Ro 5:12)
Adam died both spiritually and physically. We inherit spiritual and physical death from our parents, Adam and Eve.
In Romans 5:8, we find Christ died on the cross, He became our substitute by taking our place!
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Ro 5:8)
Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death ... "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Ro 6:23)
Most of us work for wages. Our pay for being a sinner is death!
"Why did Adam listen to Eve, and sin?"
We'll come back to that later!
Warning: Never get off the Roman Road by arguing doctrine or opinion.
". . . but the gift of God is eternal life . . ." (Ro 6:23) ... If someone gives you a gift and you receive it, you know you have it - right?
"Right!"
Romans 10:13 is a promise, if we call on the name of the Lord, we shall be saved - not maybe! but - shall!
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Ro 10:13)
Revelation 3:20 is another promise. This shows Christ outside our lives.
He wants to come into our hearts and be the center of our lives. He says He will come in, if we ask Him!
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to call on the Lord.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ro 10:9-10)
Would you like to call on the name of the Lord right now, ask Him into your heart, and know that you are saved?
"Yes"
Let me pray for you - Lord, thank you for this opportunity to present my friend, Mr. Jones.
Now, Mr. Jones, will you please pray?
"I don't know what to pray!"
I'll help you!
If you mean business with the Lord - you tell Him these words: Lord, I know I'm a lost sinner
(let Jones repeat these words)
I'm asking you to forgive me of my sins
(Mr. Jones repeats)
and come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior
(Jones repeats)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Jones repeats)
Amen
(Jones repeats)
Do you mean business?
"Yes!"
Then according to Romans 10:13 you called upon His name.
Do you believe He saved you like He said He would? If you died tonight, would you be sure you'd go to heaven?
"Yes!"
How do you know?
"God says so!"
Now go tell somebody what's happened to you - because the Word tells us to in Romans 10:9
Also, Matthew 10:32 says: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Mt 10:32)
Why don't you come to church with me and make a public confession of your faith?
"I will, thank you."
You have just been born again spiritually and, like a newborn you need nourishment to help you grow. The Bible is our spiritual food - you must read it daily!
The more you know about scripture - the easier it is to present the Roman Road.
