Pass it on!

TEXT:

‘For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me’ (John17:8 NIV).

Christianity is not designed to be a means of personal blessing only. God said to Abraham, ‘I will bless you … and you shall be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2). Being a blessing to others by passing it on, is usually where Christians come unstuck, claiming to be tongue-tied when it comes to evangelism. Strangely, the very same people can talk endlessly about the weather, work, recreation, holidays and any other subject they want to!

It’s only when we take on board the necessity to share our faith, will we ever do it. The famous quote, “If not now, when? If not me, who?”, is as true concerning sharing my faith as any other burning issue.

It’s a lie of the devil that people are not interested to hear about Christianity. Of course, not everyone wants to hear about Jesus, but you will never discover the ones who want to, unless you start the conversation in the first place.

1. The Example of Jesus – ‘I have given them the words you have given Me and they have received them  … and they have believed’ (John 17:8).

Jesus chose 12 disciples to be with Him, so that He could teach and train them and then send them out to pass on the teaching to others. Although Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds, He explained their meaning  to His disciples when they were on their own. ‘To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God’ (Mark 4:11). Jesus held nothing back from them and promised that after He had ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit would fill them and continue to show them the truths of the kingdom of God, ‘When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me’ (John 16:13-14 NLT).  

2. The Example of Paul

• To Timothy – ‘You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others’ (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT).

This verse cautions against one-man bands in church leadership. What you have received, you need to pass on to others who share the ministry with you. Get others to do it with you! Break down the church into manageable groups that home group leaders can cope with, so that everything gets passed on and is clearly understood.

• To the Ephesian Elders – ‘You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others’ (Acts 20:20 NIV). ‘For I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know’ (Acts 20:27 NLT).

Churches need to ensure the whole counsel of God is taught and not avoid certain subjects that are challenging, particularly teaching about giving, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. If leaders consistently read the whole bible, they are likely to teach from both the Old and New testaments.

3. The Example of Ordinary Believers

• Andrew – ‘Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)’ (John 1:40-41 NIV).

Andrew did this before he was chosen to be a disciple. This emphasises the importance of reaching one’s own family, especially as it’s there we can face the most criticism and persecution.

• Philip – ‘Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”’ (John 1:41 NIV).

This emphasises the importance of reaching one’s own friends. Don’t forget them.

• Woman at the Well – ‘Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”’ (John 4:28-29 NIV).

This emphasises the importance of reaching fellow-citizens, for they went out to meet Jesus and came back as believers.

• Servant Girl – ‘One day the little girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy!”’ (2 Kings 5:3 TLB).

This emphasises the importance of blessing those who have hurt us. I wonder if anyone said to her, “How can you bless your enemies like that? You should be cursing them!” She was made from a different mould that enabled her to bless the very one who had spitefully used her. As a result, a leper was totally healed and restored.

4. What example will you be?

As you read this teaching, what will you do with it? Church leaders tell me they use the teaching to preach from, for they believe it will help their congregations. Some leaders translate it and send it to those who cannot receive the emails direct. Others forward it to their friends via WhatsApp.

That’s all well and good and to be commended, but we will only make a real difference in this sin-stricken world, when we are willing to share the gospel in our everyday lives. That means in our homes, at school, work and recreational activities. Wherever people are, and we are, God will give us the opportunity to pass it on.

The question remains, “Will you do it?” Only you know the answer to that question!