Sign of the Beggar, Storyteller, Lifeguard, and Cook
These four talks can be used to tie the Sign course together, complete with note outlines and even transcripts of the talks.
#1: Sign of the Beggar
Remember the story of the Prostitute with her alabaster jar of perfume? She cried tears of joy on Jesus’ feet and fragranced the room for she was set free—an aromatic witness. She knew how much her life stunk; she was truly poor in spirit. If you’re forgiven much, then you love much. How much have you been forgiven? And why is Jesus good news to you? All evangelism is the overflow of worship, a loving response to God’s grace that you can’t help but tell others about. So if you want to point people to Jesus, then be a BEGGAR … Smell your own cess pit to share from the heart.
Note Outline
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Transcript
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#2: Sign of the Storyteller
Remember the story of the sower who cast Gospel seeds on every soil looking for a fruitful response? What’s our seed? What’s my message? Evangelism isn’t about offering our world the Church now and Heaven later. Instead, we must be storytellers who open ears, offering the Gospel of the Kingdom which sprouts now and is full grown later when Jesus returns and sets everything right. But Kingdom stories follow Kingdom deeds. A radical Christian life provokes questions to which the answer is the Gospel— we must tell our story walking , living and sharing God’s reign. So if you want to point people to Jesus, then be a STORY TELLER … Forget about Heaven to tell good news now.
Note Outline
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Transcript
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#3: Sign of the Lifeguard
Remember the shepherd leaving the secure 99 to save one lost sheep? He totally left his comfort zone to track it down, and threw a huge party when all was well. There are no two ways about it: Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost—and He sends us to do the same. Do I care about those away from Jesus? Does my diary reflect this? How am I throwing a life-line to those sinking all around me? Salt’s for meat going off, not for heaping in a pile; light’s for dark places, not for one more bulb in an already bright room. True Christians aren’t stuck in a “Church” building; the true church is a people who, like Jesus, are willing to cross the universe out of love to save a wayward planet. So if you want to point people to Jesus, then be a LIFEGUARD … Leave the “Church” to embrace the world.
Note Outline
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Transcript
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#4: Sign of the Cook
Remember the Master who prepared a great banquet and sent his messengers to deliver the invitations? Many were asked, but most were preoccupied; so the summons extended to take in anyone who had grumbling stomachs and wanted a feed. Who are you inviting to God’s feast? And what are you offering as an entrée? Our Kingdom cooking offers a taste of the great banquet where Jesus Himself waits the table; all are invited, but only the hungry come home. Elder brothers resist as they’re full on self-righteousness. Younger brothers resist as they’re full on sin’s pleasures for a season. But when our best efforts look like pig-slop, it’s time to taste God’s grace. So if you want to point people to Jesus, then be a COOK… Call the hungry to get the party started.
Note Outline
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