"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

PRIORITIZE WITNESSING. The Apostle Paul had a passion to witness. For him, witnessing was a high priority. His heart was broken for lost people ... especially for his lost Jewish kinsmen, Romans 9:1-5. Paul described his priority in Romans 1:14-16 as "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Jesus' priority was also clear. He came to earth for the specific purpose "to seek and to save that which was lost" Luke 19:10. Jesus and Paul saw beyond the temporal to the eternal condition of man. You and I must give witnessing the same high priority that they did. Sharing the Gospel should not be your program ... it should be your passion.

SEE WITNESSING AS A PROCESS. Witnessing is a process. It is a lifestyle based on the Word and lived out in your world. It is not a program. In some circumstances you may be a sower ... in another a waterer ... in another a cultivator ... and in another a harvester, John 4:36-38, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9. You may be a combination of some of these ... or occasionally all. You are more than a postman. You are an ambassador living in a foreign land, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, 1 Peter 2:11. Being an ambassador is more than delivering a message ... it is living a life among foreigners as a representative of your King.

SEEK PROGRESS FIRST ... THE PRODUCT SECOND. Desire to win others to Christ. Your specific objective should be their salvation. Paul used the phrase "that I might win" five times in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 ... and concluded with the words "that I may by all means save some". You should desire and seek the goal of their salvation. However, you must realize that although it might take only one or two conversations, it might also take weeks, months, or years. Keep your focus on the goal. Witnessing is a process. It is like building a wall one brick at a time. It takes time. But be prepared because you may be called upon to lay the final brick. Seek progress first ... the product will come on God's schedule.

PAY THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE. Witnessing isn't easy. It is often difficult and costly. Paul paid a high price to spread the Gospel, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. And Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross. His suffering and death, motivated by His love for lost people, is your example, John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:20-24. Follow their example. Be willing to live a life of sacrifice to bring the Gospel to lost people. Pay the price!

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Disciplemaking 2, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org.