INTRODUCTION: Legend of the starfish. The little boy walking along the seaside with his Grandpa, throwing starfish back in the ocean. His Grandpa says, “There are so many, you can’t make a difference in them.” The little boy bends over, picks one up, and throws it back in the ocean and says, “I made a difference in that one.” Lk. 19. 1-10, esp. 10.

THE PASSION FROM ETERNITY—1Tim.1.15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
--Jesus came with a realization in His spirit of the reality of eternity. He had a  passion to make a difference for one, and for all, for eternity. We each have this same life and passion of God in our spirits. We must learn to be led by our spirit.
--He was not distracted by the things and issues of the world.  He had focus.
--He had one mission. Every believer has one mission: Seek and save the lost.

THE PREPARATION OF EXCELLENCE—Lk. 2.52; 2Tim. 2.15
--If anybody on earth should be prepared with a focus on their mission, it should be the church. Doctors. Lawyers. Olympic athletes go through extensive preparation with intense focus. Believers should top them all. Eternal issues.
--You are the only light of eternal life that the world has. That’s not just nice rhetoric—that’s reality. There’s a lot of territory for each one of us to cover.
--A good car salesman is “always selling.”—always interacting with people, so that when they need a car, they will know who to go to, to buy.
How do we sell? By:
    --an exemplary life, commands respect, even if they disagree with you
     --being at ease with public speaking, able to seize the opportunity at hand
     --being an expert in leading people to Jesus so you can “close the deal” for
 people’s eternal salvation. We each should be an expert at one-on-one
 encounters.
    --Woman at well—Jn. 4;                      --Jarius’ daughter—Mk. 5.22;
    --demon possessed man—Mk.5.2;        --Zacchaeus—Lk.19;
    --rich young ruler—Mk.10.21  He looked at the man and loved him. Love
    and compassion is the key to hearts.
--A Gift? Yes, Some are gifted. But every believer has the commission to develop themselves personally to “go”, make disciples in all nations, teaching duplication.

THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE—2Tim.1.6-8;  2.1-3 (2Co.12.9,10);  4.1,2
--Jesus took 12 and trained them well. He practiced duplication for exponential growth. 12, 70, 120, 3,000, 5,000, > unlimited as the stars of sky, sand of sea
--Everything—faith, love, healing, miracles, gifts of the Spirit, ministry gifts, prosperity, studying church ministry, growth, and activities, edifying the saints, Holy Ghost meetings and moves of the Spirit of God—is all the power of God for one purpose: TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST. Requires us to GO. Jesus gave His life a servant/ransom for many (Mt.20.26-29). We are to do the same.
--There are billions of people in the world right now who don’t know Jesus, and you, as a believer, are the only qualified ones to reach them! A big job ahead.

CONCLUSION:
You are the only ones who have the power to make a difference. Mt.5.14-16.Only you can choose to make that difference.WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?

A Track To Run On
I want to give you a simple track to run on to accomplish the task of reaching the world one-by-one. The basis of the following “track to run on”is (1)trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit that works with the Word of God and (2) working with the fact that faith comes by hearing the Word, especially when it comes out of one’s own mouth.
Here is a FORM for casual conversation to warm up to the person:
Family. Occupation. Recreation. Mission (their goals). Use any part or all of this.
In casual conversation, as you are finding out about this person by showing interest in them, by listening and responding to them, and getting to know them, you can easily get to know them in another area. Since you are already asking questions about them…

--What are your spiritual beliefs? (Just listen with “Humm.” Offer no confrontation, no correction, no beliefs of your own.) (You are locating them.)
--What’s your understanding of who Jesus Christ is? (“Humm”…)
--What are your beliefs about heaven and  hell? (“Humm”…)
--If you died right now, where would you go?( If heaven,) Why? (“Humm”…)
--(Ask) If what you are believing is not true, would you want to know?
--(Or ask) Could I share some scriptures that have been meaningful to me?

If yes, take your Bible out and turn to Romans 3.23. You have already highlighted it. Turn the Bible around, hold it for them to read,  and ask,
“Could you please read this out loud?” (Point to the verse. They read it.)
“What does that say to you?” (Lk. 10.26—the basis of this question)
If they give an accurate answer, showing they understand it, go to next scripture.
If they don’t give a good answer, ask them to read it again, and again, and again if necessary, asking the Holy Spirit to give them a good understanding.
(You have already written in the next reference on the top of your page upside down.)

Rom. 6.23. Ask to read aloud. Then, what does that say to you. “Humm.”
Jn. 3.3. Ask to read aloud. Q. Why did Jesus die? (This will let you know if they have put it all together yet. If a good answer, go to next. If not repeat.)
Jn. 14.6. Ask to read aloud. What does that say to you? “Humm.”
Rom. 10. 9-11. Same.
2Cor. 5.15. Same                            (Short version of these seven
Rev. 3. 20. Same.                             scriptures is just using Rom. 3:23;
                                                       Rom. 6: 23 and Jn 3: 16)

Commitment Questions (to close the deal if the person has been open)
--Are you a sinner? (If not convinced, have them read Rom. 3.23 again)
--Do you want forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life? (…Rom. 6.23)
--Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? (…Jn.3.3; 14.6; Rom.10.9-11)
--Are you willing to surrender you life to Jesus Christ? (…2 Cor.5.15)
--Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart right now? (…Rev.3.20)

At any point, if there is opposition, just have them go back and read the scriptures.
Learn to run on this track real good, real casual. Become an expert at being a non-confrontational fisher and trainer of men using the Word in this manner. Mt.4.19. You can use the same principle to teach any subject.

Adapted from the book, “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay, found at Lifeway Christian Stores, 10333 E. 71st S Tulsa, OK    Phone 918-461-1034    $9.99