Chapter 5
       THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE

So far you've learned you cannot fail when you are obedient to share your faith. You've also learned how to ask questions as conversation starters. The answers to these questions will help you determine if God is at work in the life of the person with whom you are sharing. Plus, when you ask, “By the way, if what you were believing is not true, would you want to know it?” you will most likely win permission to go to the next step: to share the power of God's Word.

The Power of God's Word

God's Word penetrates and changes hearts toward his Son. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Do you remember what you were like before you became a believer? The Bible probably had little or no meaning to you or your life. Yet somehow, when you became a Christian, the Bible seemed different.

The Bible didn't change; you changed. You became a new creation. Suddenly, this book became alive with meaning about life and eternity.

The Bible says a man without the Spirit does not understand the things of the spirit (1 Cor. 2:14).

So, how in the world can you reach someone who cannot understand God's love? You cannot. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will move through God's Word.

The Scripture Principles

There are two basic principles at work when you share Scripture. The first comes from Romans 10:17: “Faith comes from hearing the message.”

The second principle comes from Luke 10:26, which describes Jesus' approach to a man who was reading the Law. Jesus simply asked the man, “How do you read it?” In other words, Jesus was asking, “What does this say to you?”

In this way, Jesus was able to discuss Scripture without starting an argument. What a great example—an example you can follow when sharing Scripture from the Bible!

“What does this say to you?” is a question. It is not a defense or an argument. All you have to do is listen to your friend's answer. Your only job is to turn pages and to stay out of God's way. The Holy Spirit will help your friend understand more from a simple reading of a verse than any explanation or sermon you could have preached.

Big Boomer versus the Derringer

But before you pull out the big Bible you use in your quiet time, the one I refer to as “Big Boomer,” let me hold up a red flag. Before I was a believer, I had a hard time being with Christians, let alone being with their Big Boomers. Perhaps, instead of pulling out what looks like a cannon in the eyes of a nonbeliever, you could pull out a little derringer, the kind you can hide in your pocket until you need it.

I suggest you get a small pocket-sized Bible, like Broadman & Holman's Share Jesus without Fear Bible, which includes my notes. This Bible is small enough to slip into your pocket or purse and looks like a checkbook or DAY-TIMER(r).

Your Commitment

This Bible represents your commitment. When you carry it, you are saying you are living under the anticipation that God is going to move in your life.

Have you ever left your wallet on the dresser or left your purse in your car? You run around feeling empty and lost. That's the way it should be when you leave your sharing Bible/New Testament behind. It should become such a part of you that you feel lost without it.

Objections to the Bible

You may get one of two objections when you open your Bible. Your friend may say the Bible has:

• Too many errors.

This objection is answered in this simple script:

• Too many translations.

When someone says to me, “There are many translations of the Bible,” I give him my Denver Seminary answer—an answer that cost me about fifteen grand to obtain. So don't miss it! I answer this statement by simply saying, “Yep.”

You see, the nonbeliever thinks he's “gotcha.” And when you say to him, “Did you know you are absolutely right? There are many translations of Scriptures. But did you know they all say the same thing?”

The nonbeliever says, “No, I didn't!” and you say, “Let's turn to Romans 3:23.”

Let's examine Scripture for a moment. For two thousand years, men and women have studied this book to prove it true or false. Isn't it interesting no one ever found an error? Think about it this way, if your heavenly Father can't write a book without a proven error, why would you expect him to be able to get you out of a grave?

In fact, I would concede that if anyone found a genuine error in the manuscripts, my faith would have been in vain. No matter how you examine it, historically, prophetically, or archaeologically, it remains flawless. God promised that not one crossed t or dotted i came about by the will of man. Man did not write or create the Bible. Instead, man was inspired and carried along by the power of the Holy Spirit to write down God's inerrant Word. (Please note that these and other objections and their responses can be found in chap. 8 as well as app. 3.)

Share Scriptures

The second step in sharing Jesus without fear is to allow the Bible to speak. God uses Scripture to change people's lives. You will provide a series of Bible verses to ask your friend to read out loud:

1. Romans 3:23
2. Romans 6:23
3. John 3:3
4. John 14:6
5. Romans 10:9–11
6. 2 Corinthians 5:15
7. Revelation 3:20

Share Bible Directions

You might be saying, “Uh-oh, I'll never remember all seven of these verses.” You don't have to. I'm giving you a Christian cheat sheet. Not only are you going to highlight the Scriptures in your Bible that you will ask your friends to read, you are going to jot down the next Scripture's page number and/or reference in the margin. It's better to use a “fresh” Bible, one that has not been marked and underlined. This will help your friend stay on track and not be distracted by notations not related to the presentation. (See app. 2 for directions on how to mark your sharing Bible.)

How to Use the Share Scriptures

This step couldn't be easier. Turn your Bible toward your friend and say:

He cannot say, “That's your interpretation,” because he's done all the reading and analyzing. The Holy Spirit, not you, is in charge of all the convincing and convictions. You are only in the page-turning business with one goal, to stay out of God's way.

Read It Out Loud

Why did I have my friend read it out loud? Because faith comes from hearing.

When people read Scripture aloud, you will be surprised how quickly they become convinced of their need to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. Watch God at work as you continue to guide others to read these Scriptures.

Share Scripture Script

To show you how to use this technique, I have provided a script for each Scripture. Don't let this script intimidate you. It is only meant to show you how easy it is to ask your friend:

1. “Read this Scripture aloud,” and
2. “What does this say to you?”

This script is that simple. It does not contain a lot of other material to memorize.

When you get a positive response to the question “By the way, if what you were believing is not true, would you want to know?” it is time to pull out your sharing Bible/New Testament and turn to Romans 3:23. Turn the Bible to face your friend.

• Verse One: Romans 3:23—“For all have sinned.”

Turn to Romans 6:23.

Note: You don't have to take time to explain sin, although you may want to point out the divine standard for humanity is perfection. Most of us readily admit we don't know anyone who is perfect as God is perfect. The Bible tells us that “there is no one who does good, not even one” (Rom. 3:12). This means all people have sinned and do not reflect God's righteousness and perfection. Also, see response 16 in chapter 8 or appendix 3 if your friend does not believe he is a sinner.

• Verse Two: Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death.”

Note: The reason Romans 6:23 is important is because many lost people hope their actions, such as baptism or membership in a church, will get them to heaven. This Scripture allows the Holy Spirit to show there is no hope of heaven without faith in Jesus and surrendering to live for him.

Turn to John 3:3.

I was asked to talk to a young woman who was in jail for murder. After asking her the five “Share Jesus Questions,” I determined no one had ever shared about Jesus or Christianity with her. When I asked her what Romans 6:23 meant, she said, “I need to ask God to forgive me for all my sins and invite Jesus Christ into my heart.” I was surprised. Does that verse say that? Not exactly. Where did she get her answer? The Holy Spirit.

I did not say, “Hold it. I have five more verses.” We stopped, and she invited Christ into her life to forgive her of her sins right then and there.

We must be open. Through the power of Scripture, God may reveal truth in one verse or several verses. Simply turn the pages and ask questions.

• Verse Three: John 3:3—“Must be born again.”

Turn to John 14:6.

• Verse Four: John 14:6—“I am the way.”

Turn to Romans 10:9–11.

Note: John 14:6 is very clear. You never have to explain it. Even if your friend states she feels there are other ways to get to heaven, John 14:6 will stick in her mind.

I would like to point out as you are sharing Scripture, you do not have to explain or discredit false teachings. The key to sharing Jesus without fear is to present what the Bible says and let it stand on its own.

• Verse Five: Romans 10:9–11—“If you confess.”

Note: One of the most difficult things for many people to believe is that they can be forgiven. You may not have knowledge of the lost person's sins, but you can be sure most lost people have particular sins they'll be thinking about and considering. The person may be thinking about adultery, alcoholism, hatred toward a spouse or an enemy, a bitter heart, living with a lie about a past experience, or any of a multitude of sins that burden people. You do your part by showing your friend the Word of God. It is through the Word that God will pour his power. If for some reason your friend doesn't understand or misunderstands the Scripture, please don't correct him. Just say, “Read it again!”

Remember you couldn't “fix” yourself, so don't expect to fix others. Please stay out of the way and let the Holy Spirit do his job.

Handling an Objection to Romans 10:9–11

Someone may say something like:

Turn to 2 Corinthians 5:15.

Note: Remember, it is your job to trust the Holy Sprit to teach your friend the truth of God's forgiveness. Your objective is for your friend to understand that Romans 10:9–11 includes even her. The Holy Spirit will be at work in the person's heart to help her understand the unconditional love of God.

• Verse Six: 2 Corinthians 5:15—“No longer live for themselves.”

Turn to Revelation 3:20.

Note: If your friend gives the wrong answer, have her read it again out loud until she understands it on her own accord. The lost person must understand that salvation—promised through Jesus' death—comes to all who surrender their lives to him in faith. We all are on level ground at the cross. When we surrender to Christ as Savior, we are inwardly transformed to have new life. When we surrender our lives to Christ in faith, we no longer are slaves to sin and selfish desires. We have hearts turned to Jesus and his example for how we should live. The Christian heart is freed by the power of the Holy Spirit from being self-centered to being Christ-centered. A Christ-centered heart will be filled with love for others.

• Verse Seven: Revelation 3:20—“Here I am standing at your door.”

Note: You want your friend to understand that opening his heart to Jesus is his choice. Jesus is eager to come into our lives, but he never forces open the door.

That's it! You've just finished sharing the Scriptures. Check appendix 1 or the review at the end of this chapter for quick reference.

Read It Again

What happens when someone doesn't understand the Scripture? You simply say, “Read it again.”

Now let's see if I can trick you. I would like to pretend you are sharing the last Scripture, Revelation 3:20, with me. You've got your Bible facing me, and you have just asked me to read the Scripture.

I hope you caught it. I gave you the wrong answer. Jesus never crashes a party. He does not go where he is not invited. If you caught that, good for you. If not, think how tender it is to say, “Read it again.”

One time I got a phone call at two in the morning from a pastor who did not want to deal with an intoxicated seventeen-year-old boy. I remember when Todd called me. He was so drunk he vomited on the telephone and fell off his bed screaming. Yet he agreed to meet me the next day. I figured only the Holy Spirit could help him to remember our conversation. I borrowed Frank Armenta, a friend of mine. Frank was on heroin for twenty-eight years before he found Jesus Christ. I didn't borrow Frank because of his inner-city experience; I borrowed Frank because he was the biggest guy I could think of! When I got to the restaurant, I realized I didn't have a clue what Todd looked like. I figured out if he really was that drunk last night, I would be able to spot him. Sure enough, here came a guy who looked like death warmed over. I looked at him and asked, “Are you Todd?”

When he said yes, I could see tears in his eyes.

I turned to him and Frank and said, “Let's get out of here.”

It was a hot day, and we got in my car and rolled down the windows. We drove down the road to find a place that was cool. We stopped in front of a shady tree that happened to be in front of the Denver County Jail.

Frank sat and prayed while I asked Todd to read Romans 10:9–11 out loud.

He read, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’”

I asked, “What does this say to you?”

Suddenly, another voice—a demonic voice—came out of Todd and said, “It cannot save him.”

My hair stood straight up. I ignored the voice and said, “Read it again.” After all, I'm not going to fight with this demon. Let God defend his Word; he's been doing it for eternity.

Todd read it again out loud, and the voice got nastier. “It cannot save him or anyone else.”

We repeated this process, ten to twelve times before the Word of God broke through. As it did, a horrible shriek rose from Todd as the nasty spirit left.

Todd was weeping in the back of my car, broken for his sin. Suddenly, his hands shot up as he praised God. For ten minutes he alternated between weeping and praising God. Did you ever have a silly thought that comes in from nowhere? After about ten minutes of watching Todd, weeping over his sins and praising God, I remember, this silly thought came into my head: What in the world am I going to do if a cop comes along?

Because I hated to be alone in my stupidity, I jolted Frank from his prayer by tapping his leg and asked, “Have you ever seen anything like this?”

“Yeah,” he said. “At my own conversion.”

We both laughed and praised God. The good news is, ten years later Todd is still active in the church and free from the power of darkness, all because of the Word of God.

Another time, I remember sitting with a young lady named Sharon. I turned to Romans 3:23 and said, “Would you read this out loud?” She did. I said, “What does it say to you?”

She said, “I don't believe what it says.”

I said, “Read it again.”

She did. I asked, “What does it say?”

She said, “I don't believe there's sin.”

“Read it again,” I said. She read it again.

I asked, “What does it say?”

She said, “I don't believe in sin.”

I said, “Read it again.”

She did.

“What does it say?” I asked.

“Well,” she said, “it says we have all sinned, doesn't it?”

I smiled because God's Word had done the work, and I said, “Yes. Does that include you?”

She said, “Yes.”

She continued on in the Scriptures, then gave her life to Jesus Christ. I will never forget the sight of her weeping over the fact she was forgiven. God is good!

Review

The following is a quick review of the Scriptures you will share with your friends and family. Remember, ask them to read the verses aloud, then ask, “What does this say to you?”

1. Romans 3:23—“All have sinned.”

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

What does this say to you?

2. Romans 6:23—“Wages of sin is death.”

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

What does this say to you?

3. John 3:3—“Must be born again.”

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

Why did Jesus come to die?

4. John 14:6—“I'm the way.”

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

What does this say to you?

5. Romans 10:9–11—“If you confess.”

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’”

What does this say to you?

6. 2 Corinthians 5:15—“No longer live for themselves.”

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

What does this say to you?

7. Revelation 3:20—“Here I am standing at your door.”

“‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’”

What does this say to you?

Decision Time

Now you have seen the power of God work through his Scripture. It is time to help your friend come to a decision about what he will do about God.