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Three Key
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Tips for Sharing Your Faith! |
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| Over the past several years Miriam and I have been privileged to help many Jewish individuals come to faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). Upon asking what we do to assist these people in their spiritual search, many are surprised that there are simply three diagnostic questions that we use. These three questions can be used to enable any believer in their witness to their Jewish friends, neighbors and family members. Q#1. If I could show you evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah would you believe it? This question qualifies the individual’s sincerity and willingness to genuinely examine the biblical evidence for Yeshua to be the Messiah. It does not just ask “would you like to look at the data on the subject?”, but “are you willing to believe based on facts?” Though it’s surprising to many, the fact is many Jewish (and Gentile) people choose to not believe not because there is a lack of information, but because of what they might stand to lose if they choose to believe: their standing with their family, with their community, at their workplace, etc. *Ellen, a Jewish woman was concerned that her faith would totally break her mother’s heart and their relationship. With encouragement from the Scriptures she was assured that though there might be an initial reaction from her mom, in time she would see that because of Yeshua, Ellen had become the kind of forgiving, caring daughter any mother could ever want. Many people’s social, economic or scholastic survival may depend upon manipulation, intimidation, or outright lies. *Joel, a Jewish sales manager of a used car dealership in NY was concerned that faith in Yeshua would keep him from being a ‘successful’ businessman. Belligerence, threats, lies and manipulation was the only way he knew to manage his sales force. After coming to faith he learned the vital difference between being firm (a godly attitude) and fierce (an ungodly attitude). Faith in Yeshua also threatens the fragile strategies many people rely on to survive. *Stan, a Jewish man was concerned about his lifestyle as a thief. But after coming to faith and receiving forgiveness and new life in Yeshua, he went to every business he had stolen from, apologized, and repaid each one. God gave Stan a dynamic testimony that only true repentance could provide. In our vocations, even if we’re not planning to coach at Notre Dame, there are many that depend on lies to protect or promote them. It takes faith, and courage that can only come through God’s grace, to follow Yeshua. *Harry, another Jewish man, was concerned that his wife would never forgive him if he admitted his lies of what he was doing on his lunch hours: porn. We prayed and to his surprise his wife, though very disappointed, was willing to forgive him! You mean, there really are ‘facts’?! People may say they are willing to look at the facts, but assume there can’t possibly be any. The first time I was shown Isaiah 53 I assumed that ‘those sneaky Christians’ had taken part of their New Testament and stuck it in ‘my side of the Bible’: I didn’t think anything could be that clear. And though I wasn’t willing to give them the satisfaction of showing any interest, a spiritual seed was planted, which later in my life blossomed into faith in Messiah Yeshua. Once someone is willing to look at and believe the biblical facts about Yeshua, then you can share with them: A. Isaiah 59:1, 2, how our sins separate us from God; B. Isaiah 53, how Messiah would die for our sins; C. Micah 5:2, Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, ...and many other Messianic prophecies. Q#2. Can you think of one reason that keeps you from coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah? There may be issues that need to be addressed. These issues may be intellectual (e.g. “I don’t understand the need for atonement?”), but are many times emotional or even psychological in nature. *Evelyn, a Jewish woman was dying of cancer in Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC. When I visited with her, I learned that her Israeli husband had only married her for a “green card”, and when she was diagnosed with cancer, her husband left her. She was bitter. After showing her facts of forgiveness in Yeshua from the Scriptures, this question surfaced the marital hurt she had experienced. “But I don’t want to forgive him!” She declared, “If I forgive Him it’s like he’s getting away with it!” From the Bible I assured her that no one actually gets away with anything, eventually all will have to pay for their sins, for the “Judge of all the earth will do right” (Genesis 18). She had to get past her bitterness to fully trust in Messiah. Usually, unless there is a deep emotional hindrance that has to be ministered to (as in Evelyn’s case), once a person sees the facts the answer to the question, “Can you think of one reason that keeps you from coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah?” is “No, I can’t think of any?” Most people are stunned by the fact that there is overwhelming historical and biblical evidence to support the truth of God, and the case for Yeshua as the Messiah. Consequently arguments melt before the light of Scripture. Q#3. Would you like to trust in Yeshua right now to have forgiveness and eternal life? If the answer to the question is “I’m not ready to trust in Yeshua”, don’t get discouraged. Just go back to the second question and see what the issues are that keep the person from trusting in the love of God in Messiah Yeshua. Of course, we really don’t want people to merely ‘pray a prayer’ unless they actually believe in the One they are praying to. Prayer cannot save; Yeshua saves by one’s personal faith in Him. Most of the time, though, the answer to this question has been, “Yes, I would very much!” *Phil, a Jewish man had many questions and issues, but once they were answered, he was actually thrilled to pray to trust in Yeshua. He continued to meet with me to study about how to grow in the Lord. The Time is Now Perhaps you have yet to personally trust in Messiah. Think about these three questions for yourself: 1. Are you willing to accept the biblical evidence about Yeshua? 2. Can you think of one reason that keeps you from coming to faith in Yeshua as Messiah? 3. Would you like to trust in Yeshua right now to have forgiveness and eternal life? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then contact us and one of our staff will be glad to share further with you about the Good News of Messiah Yeshua. If you are already a believer in Messiah then acquaint yourself with these questions that you might be a ‘ready witness’ for the Lord. God will use you! For more information on sharing Yeshua with your friends, get our book, “Even YOU Can Share the Jewish Messiah.” It will be a valuable help to assist you in communicating the Good News even more effectively. Y *The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individual. For more help with Jewish Answers to Jewish Questions, click here. For WMM ministry materials, including
Sam Nadler's book
"EVEN
YOU CAN SHARE THE JEWISH MESSIAH!, click here. |
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