Take time to examine your motives to ensure you seek disciples rather than validation, trusting God to rearrange your heart. Step out with expectation, offering clear timeframes and short prayers that honor the listener's context.
So I'm I'm gonna talk a little bit more practical. You guys received a lot of vision right there. Right? It was powerful. Some punches to the face here and there.
So this is recovery right here. So we're about to hit a lot of equipping, and this is what excites me most is the equipping. And so I'm here to talk to you about the practicals of outreach. And and number 1, I wanna share a little bit of heart too. There was a time in my life where I was a little burnt out from outreach and and so then I began to do outreach again, and I I was just doing it out of obligation.
I was just doing it kind kind of to just pay my spiritual dues. I mean, like, okay. I you know, I I tried to go share my faith. Well, the Lord had convicted me because the fear of the Lord's real. And I realized I you don't know until sometimes the Lord reveals it and exposes your own heart.
Like I was going on outreach and my heart was, I thought was pure, but then I realized as I was going out, I had actually had a motive that I just wanna try. And there's a little ounce of me that kinda just wants everyone to tell me no. And of course, that doesn't bear much fruit. So getting along with the Lord, the Lord exposes that in my heart and said, you're not actually expecting to have encounters. And so I *repented* with a lot of tears.
And next week, I I went out and and then I I went with expectation. I started prophesying and declaring, I expect God to move. I expect appointments from heaven to be set up today. I expect to be used by God to see someone saved and into the kingdom. Because what I didn't realize is that I put a ton of pressure on myself in that moment where I thought I was just too heavy of a burden to actually bear if they said yes, and then I had to disciple them.
Well, the Lord rearranged my heart and all a sudden I had a heart that was actually geared towards I wanna make disciples. So that's what this weekend is about too, is just rearranging your heart. That you, don't just pay your spiritual dues for the great commission, but you're going out with the actual pure heart of I want to see people truly saved and transformed like he transformed me. And allowing his overflow in my life to pour into someone else. So when we're going out, we're going out with expectation today.
We're gonna jump into prayer a little bit. Mike's gonna lead that and speak through why we pray the way we pray. But before we hit that, I just wanna hit simply the approach on how do we talk to people. When we're out on the streets, when you're on the cheese dairy aisle, when you're in the park, it could sometimes be, okay, I think I know how to share the gospel, but how do you get that conversation started? So what I like to do is be upfront with everyone.
Because we say at 30 third company, we start with the gospel. And so often if it's at a Publix or a shop, I walk up to them, you know, if I remember I smile, sometimes I forget just to be real. If I remember I'll smile and say, hey, my name is Robbie. We were just praying at church and felt led to come to this shop to see if anyone would like to hear the gospel. Is that you?
Would you like to hear the gospel? It'll only take 2 minutes. Some most of the time I say 90 seconds. I give them some sort of timeframe because when you're saying, hey, could I "pray for you" or share the gospel with you? Well, don't know what timeframe you have in mind.
They're like, well, are we supposed to have Are we having church right here? Like a full hour full service? No. So bring clarity, people don't have 5 minutes if you say offer them 5 minutes. But in America, they might have 2, they might have 90 seconds.
So you give them a timeframe, hey, would you have 90 seconds for me to share the gospel with you? Now, if you need extra time, say 2 minutes and then stay with your time. Be honoring other time because I realized if you honor people's time, they actually will honor what you have to say. And so there's been times where I've went over 2 minutes and I kinda checked in and said, hey, I went over 2 minutes, You cool? Are you are you still interested in what I'm sharing?
They're like, no. I'm like, okay. So have a good day. God loves you. But other times they'll be like, yeah, continue.
Please share. I'm I'm in I'm interested. And then I'll I'll go further. So I'm honoring their time and I'm giving, that space for them to say yes or no because ultimately we're looking for that ripe harvest. And so it's not that rejections are always unfruitful.
I love that that word. Rejections are never unfruitful. They just might not be in season right now. So we're looking for the the ripe fruit, and I love how Chris Donald explains it. He explains it like a apple orchard.
And when you go through an apple orchard and you see fruit that's that's not ripe, it's not gonna come off easy. But when you find 1 that is ripe, it will just you shake the tree and it just falls off. That's what we're looking for, is the low hanging fruit that is ripe and ready for harvest and we're we're shaking that tree. Hey, just wanna let you know Jesus loves you. Do you believe that for yourself?
By their response, you can tell if that tree is shaking or not. By their reception of it, or you know, they continue walking away with not acknowledging you, that might be a sign that it's not a shaking tree. But we shake the tree and see what fruit falls and then we are here to catch it. So we're approaching and when when we approach, say, you know, I say it many different ways, but I'm just very upfront and I often just share that Jesus led me to this place to find someone to to share the gospel with and to pray for, is that you? And I find that when you're upfront with people, they're no longer sketched out by a stranger approach to them.
Because we're not trying to create anxiety, we actually wanna lessen anxiety and show that, hey, we're we're simply believers in Jesus and we wanna bless you today. We have no other agenda or motive today. Our only agenda or motive should be love. And and with that love, we bring that invitation to receive Jesus. And so we're going out and our heart is full of love and obedience in itself is our success.
Another piece I wanna share is short, powerful prayers. When you offer to pray with someone, especially when you're on outreach, maybe don't lay hands and like get a lot of, I'll go with your shaky hands, like, maybe let's not do that. Maybe let's not do that to someone who has no context for Christianity or any of those moments. Like, let's show that we can show we can pray short powerful prayers. We're not jumping into intercession.
I often said, would you let me pray for you? It'll only take 10 seconds. And no matter what prayer requests they have, I really do make it 10 seconds. Lord, I pray that you'd bless this family and let your presence be revealed to them in Jesus name, *"Amen"*. If they need healing, knee be healed in Jesus name.
Check it out. And then have them check it out. And then from that, if they do get healed in that moment, I said, what Jesus just did to your knee, he wants to do with your whole
life. And
so jumping into these short powerful prayers, because Jesus very he he did not pray long when he prayed for people's healings or elements in their life. He prayed very short. He said, demon come out or be healed in Jesus name, raised from the dead in Jesus name. I'm like, wow, that's a short prayer for a resurrection. That's amazing.
Remember, people and if you are up front, hey, it's only gonna take 10 seconds to pray, their their mind's no longer wondering, are you talking about like a full hour prayer service? Because people's context of prayer, they if they think back into their childhood, they might remember their grandma praying for 2 and a half hours. And they're like, I'm just trying to go. I'm just trying to leave the store. You know what I'm saying?
So we wanna be respectful and mindful. And when they come to the point of decision of Jesus, I always ask them this before I lead them them into a salvation prayer. Would you say that this is actually a sincere moment for you to say yes to Jesus right now? That gives them an out if it's not a sincere moment. And that way we're knowing we're not pressuring them into it, and they don't feel pressured into it.
We're giving them out because their decision needs to be genuine. *Amen*? Amen. Go and pass it off. And be can we go ahead and do chairs right now?
Yeah. You wanna do that after?
Let's do that after. Okay. Okay. So Yeah. *Amen*.
So I'm gonna I'm gonna do a little bit of equipping for you guys on sharing the gospel with people. And I want you to listen to do it. Because after I get done with what I'm saying, we're gonna stand up in groups of 2 all around the room, and I'm gonna encourage you to go with people you go to a person you don't know or someone you didn't come come with in this group of 2. So spouses split up, you know, and share the gospel with 1 another. And my ask is to do it in the exact way that I equip you.
It's prideful to say, oh, that's good, but I have my own way to do it. I'm just gonna confront that pride now. Okay? I learned to share it this way from Chris Donald even though I had been leading people to Jesus for 15 years before. And I had to confront that own pride in my life.
Because here's the deal. *Jesus* was a fisherman and he's teaching you to be a fisherman. My uncle is a fisherman. I I would go fishing with him. He'd at 5 different poles with 5 different baits.
And he'd go to his fishing hole and he cast the first bait he thought because of what he thought about the atmosphere and the clouds. And and if they weren't biting after 5 casts, he'd put it down and pick up the next 1. And if they weren't biting after 5 casts, he'd put it down and pick up the next 1. Alright. And then when he finds the bait that's biting, that's the 1 he uses.
If you're learning to be a better fisherman, well, first you gotta get good at 1 bait. And when you get good at 1 bait, use that bait over and over and over till you know exactly how and and what are the conditions for it. And then, learn a second bait. But you gotta put down your pride to say, well, is the way that I do it. shut your mouth.
Be humble and learn a different way. Otherwise, you'll never grow. So to your pride, humbly, I'm telling you, I love you, shut your mouth. Learn this way and practice this way, and and you'll see God raise it up, anoint it, and it'll be another bait for your life. *Amen*?
Faith works through? Hearing. Well, no, it comes by hearing. faith works by love. Faith works by love.
Sharing the gospel works by love too. We're not on an agenda. We're not picking out targets. We're asking the Lord, how can I love this person? 1 of the best ways is through the gospel.
When Robbie is talking about approaching somebody in the place, in the grocery store, wherever you go, you're going to love them. That's your agenda. That's it. If it's anything else, they're gonna smell it. Right?
Because God's given everybody a really good *discernment* on on selfishness and agenda manipulation. So let's let's let's our agenda be to love and you'll see it work some out. Lord, give me who do you wanna love through me right now? Alright. So you see somebody, now this is this is where you turn on your brain because this is what you're gonna do when we break up into into groups.
You approach them, maybe like Robbie said, hey, saw you. I just believe Jesus loves you a lot. Would would you happen to have 90 seconds for me to share the *gospel* with you? Maybe you're too nervous for that. And man, I don't know if I wanna jump into that.
Well then, ask them if you can have 15, 10 seconds to pray for them. Hey, I I saw you over there and I just felt in my heart that Jesus loves you a lot. Would you have 15 seconds for me to pray for you? That's it. Most people say, sure.
You can pray for me. And then before they walk away, start praying. They'll stand there. I just and I I pray I'll I'll pray what Robbie prayed. Sometimes I'll pray this.
Lord Jesus, thank you that you love them so much. I pray you bless them, that they're precious to you, and give them a desire to know you more. Now, I'm gonna test after I pray that prayer if "the prayer" worked. Because sometimes there's instantaneous answer to prayer. So if you approach somebody and you ask them that, afterwards ask them, hey, would you have 90 seconds for me to share the gospel with you?
If God gave them a desire to know him more, they're gonna say yes in that moment. Alright. Fair enough. So once again, I'm at lunch, go to order, get done ordering. I see there's not much of a line.
Say, hey, excuse me, would you there's nobody here. Would you mind if I just took 15 seconds to to pray for
you?
I think Jesus loves you a lot. Okay. Sure. Alright. Well, Lord Jesus, thank you that you love Denise so much that she's precious to you.
Would would you give her a deep desire to know you more and bless her in every way? Amen. Denise, question. Would you mind if if I just took 90 seconds to share the gospel with you? If she says no, have an amazing day.
Thank you for letting me pray for you. It was an honor. It was an honor. And go about your day. They say yes, here's what we say.
We got the gospel guide. Do we have a "gospel guide"? Over here? I got it. Cool.
Alright. We're actually gonna give you this so that you can use it if you need it. Memorize it would be better. Yes. Actually, this is what you say first.
Do you remember? Come here, Trip. Go ahead. I'm holding it.
Okay. Hi. My name is Trip. I have 2 questions for you.
Alright. What's what's the first question?
The first question, do you believe that you were created to have a "relationship with God"?
Okay. Simple question. If they say yes, just say exactly like this. I put I put my fingers up Because when people see what you're saying, they process it better. And and you're like, well, I don't talk with my hands.
Learn a new way to talk. We can grow as people and change. Right? I'm teaching you how to communicate this clearly. Put your fingers up.
I have 2 questions for you. First question. Do you believe that you were *created* to have a relationship with God? It takes care of creation. It takes care of God pursuing you.
He he created you to know him. Right? You don't have to say all that. Just the first question. Do you believe that you were created to have a relationship with God?
Alright. Let's say it together. First. Okay. If they say no, don't go.
If you do, hey, praise the Lord, you tried. Obedience is your success. We're growing together. Celebrate. But you're gonna feel like you wanna do that.
Don't. Just say, oh really? Why is that? And listen. And then, hey, maybe the conversation goes somewhere or maybe you learned something about someone.
You're getting to know them. You're loving them by listening. If they say, yes, then what do you say?
You say, second question. Do you believe that sin separate separates you from having a relationship with him?
Second question. Do you believe that sin separates You can say if you're feeling bold, you. But but usually I say, do you believe that sin separates people from a relationship with God? Okay. Now, what's the first question?
Do you believe you created for a relationship with God?
What's the second question?
Do you believe this is separation? Right.
Now, if they say no, don't go. If they say no, say, hey, let me define sin for you. Sin is simply choosing myself instead of God. Like, if I'm in a relationship and I always "choose myself", that's probably gonna put a barrier between us. Right?
And they'll say, yeah. So you say, okay. G Then you make a gospel statement. This is not a question. It's on this card.
The gospel statement. *Jesus* is the answer to the sin problem. He came and died on a *cross* to pay for our sin and restore us into relationship with him. And then he rose again so that I could receive his life. When you believe that Jesus died and rose again oh, wait.
Even demons believe that, but they don't follow him. So you gotta believe it so much that you're willing to say, I'm gonna follow you instead of myself. When you do that, he forgives you of all of your sin, past, present, and future. The "weight of sin" and shame falls off your back, and he puts the Holy Spirit inside of you to lead you like a father leads a daughter or a son. You I know you've experienced God out here, but have you ever experienced him coming to live inside of you To lead you like a father leads a son?
And wait for them to respond. You got it? And then they'll say, no. I haven't. Would you like to?
And they say, yes. You say, no. I wanna make sure this means that you're giving your life to Jesus and following him, and he's gonna lead you. But this is the first step. Are you sure you're ready?
Yes. And then we pray. Make sense? Let me rehash that. K.
Hey, man. I saw you over here, and I just I felt in my heart that Jesus loved you a lot. Would you have 10 seconds for me to pray for you? Yes. Okay.
Is there anything specific I could pray for? No. Okay. Well, I'll just pray. What's your name?
Tripp.
Okay. Lord, I I thank you for Tripp that you love him so much. Lord, bless him. Let him experience your peace, and let him have a desire to know you more in Jesus' name. Bro, thank thank you for letting me pray for you.
You're welcome.
Yeah. Quick question. Would you mind if I took 90 seconds to share the gospel with you?
Sure. Why not?
Okay. Well, thank you, man. So 2 questions. Number 1, do you believe that you were created to have a relationship with God?
Yes.
Second question. Do you believe that sin separates people from a relationship with God? No. Well well, let me let me define sin. Okay.
*Sin* is choosing myself instead of God. Do you think if you always chose yourself, it would separate you from a relationship with someone?
Yeah. That makes sense.
Okay. So Jesus is the answer to the sin problem. He came and died on a cross to save us from our sin and rose again so that we could know God, have a relationship with him. Right? Do you believe Jesus died and rose again?
Yeah. Okay. Crazy thought, though. Even demons believe that, but they don't follow him. So we gotta believe it so much that we're willing to say, I'm gonna follow you.
I'm pointing in the air when I'm doing this. I I I wanna follow you instead of myself. I wanna follow what you say instead of what I think and feel. Right? In that moment, he forgives us of all of our sin and puts the Holy Spirit inside of us to lead us like a father leads a son.
Man, have you ever experienced that before? Say no. No. Would you like to?
Yes.
Okay. So that means you're ready. Like, this is an like Robbie said, this is an "authentic moment", like where you can authentically say, I wanna give my life to Jesus?
Yes.
Okay. So we're gonna pray. You guys good so far? I know it's a lot, but you're gonna practice with each other. And you're gonna stumble.
When you stumble, the other person's gonna help you and remind you. You're gonna go over and over. Okay? Now, at the prayer point, very simple, very simple. I just make sure that they are saying that they believe Jesus died and rose again.
They're turning their life over to him and receiving him. And then I pray for him. This is the way I do it. Alright, man. Right here, we're gonna hold hands and we're gonna pray this prayer.
And only say it if you believe it with all your heart. Okay? And in this moment, you're gonna sense the weight of sin and shame falling off your shoulder, and you're gonna sense the presence of God coming to live inside of you. It's gonna be awesome. You ready?
Yeah. Alright. Say this with me. Say, Jesus Jesus. I've been "living for myself".
I've been living for myself.
Did you hear that? *Jesus*.
*Jesus*.
I've been living for myself.
Been living for myself.
And right now
And right now.
I choose
I choose
live for you.
To live for you.
You **died for me**
You died for me.
And you rose again
And you rose again.
So I choose
I choose
**give you my life**. Come into my *heart*
Come into my heart.
And make me new. And "make me new". Let me pray for you, bro. Lord, I thank you for trip. Bless him.
Holy Spirit, come. Let him sense your peace and your presence. Lord, I thank you that the "best is yet to come", that he's forgiven and loved by you. Amen. Can you do that?
Alright. Now, 2 questions are on here. *Gospel* statements on here. You gotta work through the gospel. Right?
But "you can do that". You all know him. *Amen*? You're keep them in the chairs for the prayer? Oh,
Transcribed with Deepgram