Austin Bible Church
The Presentation
They made an effective contact. In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, “brethren” refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was in Thessalonica only three weeks. Their witness was not in vain. They presented the Gospel in spite of opposition. They had just come from Philippi where they were shamefully mistreated and put in prison, but they kept on proclaiming Christ. Satan tried to cut them off at Philippi. The greatest opposition to personal witnessing is the old sin nature.
“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, NASB)
The Gospel must never be “watered down.” It had not been given in deceitfulness of uncleanness or guile. The Gospel had not been “watered down” or diluted. The believer is tested by the Lord for the purpose of approval. They had received the Gospel as a deposit. Since God has deposited in us the Gospel, we must not please men, but God. God is the depositor and He examines our hearts or the right lobe of our souls. Flattery is no good. Do not witness for materialistic purposes. It is better to offend people than to offend God. 1 Thess. 2:3-6.
“For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6, NASB)
We must love others unconditionally in presenting the Gospel. Paul was as a nurse with the Thessalonian believers and worked hard. He didn’t want to be a financial burden to them. An interest in people is produced by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess. 2:7-9.
“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, NASB)
The Gospel must be followed up by your behavior and verbally. In our lives, Christ makes the difference. Paul, as a spiritual leader and father, exhorted them and comforted them. The purpose of follow-up is to walk worthy of God. 1 Thess. 2:10-12.
“You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, NASB)
The Response
They received the Word as authority. They applied the Word. It is the Word that keeps working. They stood up under pressure and persecution, opposition, and suffering. The churches in Judea had been persecuted by the Jews who wanted to wipe out Christianity. These believers had been treated similarly. 1 Thess. 2:13-16.
“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, NASB)
The Reward
The reward includes fellowship, hope, and accomplishment. You should want to see them again. Personal witnessing gives the believer a new realization of their own hope. Winning a soul to Jesus Christ gives a sense of accomplishment, a reward in time, and also a crown in eternity. 1 Thess. 2:17-20.
“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, NASB)
Personal Witnessing Techniques
These techniques are merely suggestions. Use your own techniques. No one method is the “sure fire way.” It is always the Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit that does the work.
The Christianity definition technique. Ask people for their definition of Christianity.
The difference between good and bad technique. Show that there is no absolute criterion between good and bad among friends and then show that God is absolute righteousness.
What is the worst sin technique. Get people to give their answer and then show rejection of Christ is the worst sin an unbeliever can commit.
The investigation of Christ technique. Get people to investigate who Jesus Christ is. Either He is God or a liar. He can’t be just a “good” man. He has to be the Son of God.
The influence of Christianity technique. History gives evidence of its influence among nations, etc.
The memory card technique. Place Bible verses on cards and have a person check you on them for memorization.
The quote a verse technique. Quote a Bible verse, as from Proverbs, to provoke some thought in a conversation.
The good Church technique. Show the Church is not of primary importance at this point, it is the person of Jesus Christ that is the issue.