How to Witness on the Internet
Good evening and welcome to
CyberBaptistChurch.
To night we are going to talk about how to witness on the net. There are a few
basic "rules" to cover first.
The number one Rule is what we are going to do right now. Pray.
Bear, would you pray please ?
Rule number 2 is to realize that we do not, ever, work alone. We are co-laborers
with God.
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's
husbandry, ye are God's building.
As that verse says, we work WITH God. It is a team effort and of course, it MUST
be done God's way. Not ours.
If you want to do it your way, well, you may as well go watch TV or something
cause you are going to be useless to God.
Not only do we work with God, but with Him as in the triune Godhead. Watch these
verses.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
God the Son shed His blood on the cross so we can have salvation.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely.
God the Holy Spirit AND...God the Son draw men to salvation. Team effort again.
1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but
God that giveth the increase.
God the Father is the One that brings it all together because He gives the
increase. As those verses clearly show, we are NOTHING without God. Period.
If you think different then here are some verses for you.......
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in
him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself.
1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words,
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according
to godliness;
6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Keep these things in mind. God wants people that will work WITH Him. And it is
easy to do really. Now, I'll show you some things I have learned about working
with God.
Some people may think I am special here. You are wrong. Dead wrong. I myself am
nothing. Absolutely nothing.
God uses me because I have learned to "work" with God. I have done nothing good
by myself. Period. I can't !
I am not capable of doing anything for God in any way by myself.
Just like man cannot save himself or get saved any way except God's way, we must
do God's work God's way.
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and
your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your
flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to
iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness
unto holiness.
The Third Rule is to yield to God. People are individuals and ONLY God can know
their hearts. ALL we see are words on a screen.
There are an endless number of ways to deal with people and only God can show us
the right way. We MUST yield to the Spirit for guidance.
There are some "Basics" to witnessing. Here are a few.
Be polite and friendly. You wouldn't go door to door witnessing with a ballbat
would you? Of course not. Witnessing is a lot like "selling" something except it
is harder.
Would you buy something from a salesman if he walked up to you and said " Yea,
and just what do YOU want?" No you wouldn't and neither would anyone else.
Be genuinely concerned about that person as a person. You only see words on a
screen, but there is a person with a soul behind those words.
That doesn't mean believe everything they say or anything they say. Only God can
know and the closer you get to God the more you will know how to deal with that
person.
God deals with us as individuals and that is why we have a personal relationship
with God.
Pray while you are talking to that person and LISTEN to what God says.
Be prepared. Be armed. Have your armour on and laced up tight. Loose armour
leaves "gaps" that Satan's fiery darts can enter. You are a soldier in a battle.
NEVER forget that.
Read Ephesians chapter 6 if you are not sure about how to do battle or 1/1 me or
BaptistBear after the study.
Being a soldier for Jesus is about the easiest and the hardest thing I have ever
done or probably ever will do.
We are by far the MOST unique type of soldier that ever existed. In the book of
Revelation you will see that Jesus leads this "army" that we are a part of.
Where He leads, you need to follow. It takes time and training to be a good
witness, soldier, disciple for Jesus Christ. And God is the best teacher there
is. He taught me.
I didn't have any help really learning about the net, how to witness, and how to
deal with people. I learned a lot of things the hard way. But you do not have to
do that. You can learn the easy way. Just yield to God.
There are times to be tough, compassionate, loving, understanding, etc, etc, and
the list goes on. You just have to yield to God to be able to do what is right
for any particular person.
Above all, no matter what happens, DO NOT get discouraged. That is of the devil.
Pure and simple. NEVER underestimate what the devil WILL do and NEVER
overestimate what the devil CAN do.
Satan will trip you so quick if you get discouraged. That is why it is so
important to pray. Pray for the lost, pray for wisdom, pray for guidance, pray
for a burden for the lost.
Pray for the right scripture to post, pray for the right words to say, pray for
the ability to understand the person you are talking to.
Pray for strength, pray for boldness, pray for protection and above all, pray
for God's will to be done with the lost. The lost getting saved IS God's will.
That is why Jesus shed His blood.
Know when to quit. Sound strange? Not really. How long will you chase a bus down
the street before you realize it isn't going to stop? BEFORE you have heart
failure maybe?
Don't waste your time. You can only plant and water a garden for so long before
you damage it or wind up neglecting other "fields" that need planting, watering
or harvesting.
Many times you will have a very short time to witness to someone or lead them to
the Lord. If you are wasting time then you will miss them.
Folks, please listen to me. I don't know everything but all I have said is from
experience. I have made all these mistakes at least once and usually several
times before I learned not to make them.
Christian, are you working WITH God, or just trying to do a little bit FOR God?
There is a difference. Know what it is. Did you ever notice how much easier it
is to do something with someone when you are communicating together?
It sure makes things go a lot smoother. Even when there are problems they just
don't seem as bad because you know you are not alone.
Talking to God is easy. It really is. But to yield to God, you MUST be able to
listen. You have one mouth and two ears. There are very good reasons for that.
Want to know why?
Do this; go and pray for awhile then listen twice as long as you prayed and God
will give you that answer. I know He will. He told me. See for yourself what God
has to say.
Now we'll look at scripture to witness by. Are you taking notes? There will be a
test on Friday. LOL
It is of the greatest importance that you know the plan of salvation and the
verses that go with it. Remember, you are working with God and He will use what
you know. If you only know a little but are close to God then God WILL use you.
Don't doubt it for a second.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
There is the key. Are you learning or have learned what God wants you to know?
Forget me and everyone else. Is GOD pleased? If not, then make Him pleased.
Christians, you know how to get saved because you got saved. That right there is
where it ALL starts AND !!! ends. That is our primary goal. Leading people to
Jesus Christ. Period. Let NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING stop you from doing that.
Learning and knowing scripture is just a past of how God works with people.
Watch people in chat rooms. There are many people on the net that have a great
deal of knowledge about Greek, Hebrew, manuscripts, etc. They have 4 or more
years of college and type without error of any kind.
Do they have any "fruit"? Have they led anyone to Jesus? Have they helped anyone
through a crisis? Nope ! Know why? They are stupid and know nothing ! Sounds
harsh I know but hey, I call it like I see it. They have become so "smart" that
they are not close to God, are not used by God, and sometimes do not even know
God !
I can name several people like that on the net. They are a total waste because
!!!!! They did not study and learn what is pleasing to God. They pleased
themselves. Isn't that sad? I am talking about people that have forgot more
things in the Bible than I will probably ever learn. And what good are they?
NONE ! Period.
If you have an I.Q. of 7 or 8 and are winning souls for God then you have just
about every college student or graduate beat by a mile. Brains never meant
anything to God. But a child of God that loves God and serves God and works with
God means everything to God. God gave you a brain to use. To use for Him. Not to
make someone else happy.
I am going to post some scriptures and I want you to take note of them. Read
them twice. Hide them in your heart because the day WILL come when you will need
to fall back on them if you stay on the net.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew
not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe.
1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of
them, that they had been with Jesus.
The preaching of the cross is foolishness ! It makes about as much sense to the
lost as a room full of people in a mental hospital. They think your crazy. Now
how much brains or education do you need to be crazy? It doesn't matter how
smart you are according to men. They will still think you are crazy.
Now some time when you get a chance I would like you to read in your Bibles what
Peter and John wrote. They were "unlearned and ignorant" according to men. But
you take a look and see how God used these men. If you do that, then you will
know exactly what I am trying to say tonight. Pray and get some wisdom and
understanding from God first though.
There are also some advantages to the net. You cannot see who you are talking
to. You cannot tell what they look like at all. This helps in several ways.
You are not distracted by beauty. You are not distracted by what many people
consider to be ugly. You are not distracted by clothes, bad breath, kids in the
background, people chasing you down the street and things like that.
And the other good thing to that is that it goes both ways. They are not
distracted by anything about you.
Now that you have a few "basics" I will go into a few things I have learned
about "fishing". And I have another point there that backs up what I have been
saying. Jesus Christ himself spoke these words while on earth and I want you to
pay close attention to WHO He said them to.
Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon
called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers.
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men.
Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son
of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending
their nets; and he called them.
Take a close look there. WHO will make you fishers of men? Jesus Christ. God
Almighty. How? Look and see. Andrew, James, Peter and John dropped everything
and did what? Followed Jesus. They got close to God and learned what God wanted
them to know. Not what some man thought was important.
Remember what I said about Peter and John? Unlearned and ignorant fishermen. Yet
look how God used them. Of all the people that have walked on this earth, here
are two of the dumbest and yet God used them to write books in His Bible.
God uses all kinds of people regardless of their past. IF !!!! they are willing
to work with Him His way. Not man's way. I am not telling you what or how to do
anything really. That is up to God. But there is nothing wrong from learning
from someone else's mistakes.
I am trying to encourage you to get close to God and do HIS will, not mine. I am
nothing but words on a screen. That's all you see. So why do you listen? Why are
you here? Are you supposed to be on the net? If you are here and God doesn't
want you here than you are going to be eaten alive by Satan.
Make sure you are called to be here. This is the "front lines" of spiritual
warfare. Plain and simple. This is where the "spirits" fight for the souls of
men. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Never-ending.
Some "tips" on fishing;
You can go to any room and just sit and watch. Look for people that are asking
for prayer or have questions about the Bible or God. The "christain" type rooms
are best because that is where most people go when they come online for help or
prayer.
They sure wouldn't go to a room called #Flirt. Go where the "fish" are. But
again, as ALWAYS, let God lead. Only God knows where the "fish" is that he wants
you to fish for.
Pray while you are fishing and above all LISTEN ! You cannot drive cross country
without a map and only God knows the way. Listen for directions.
Be careful about engaging in debates. There is a time and place for them but you
can easily miss a fish if you are busy talking or fighting. Make sure you are
doing what God wants you to do.
Be careful of EVERYONE. No exceptions. Satan will do anything to get rid of you
and he doesn't follow any rules either. Satan uses people to hurt Christians and
at some time, you will be hurt. Be ready for it. It is going to happen.
People will send you the most vile words and comments you ever heard. I was a
sailor for 6 years and I have been embarrassed by some of the things said to me.
Be careful of your children also. I have had to explain several new words to my
kids. And also why people say those things. It isn't easy to explain to an 8
year old boy.
People will try and trap you in contradictions about the Bible, your lifestyle,
you name it. Remember this and do not forget it. Satan knows you as well if not
better that you know yourself. Satan knows which "buttons" to push to make you
lose your temper, get discouraged, or say something wrong. And it is VERY easy
to do.
You WILL, WILL !!! be having your faith tested like you never imagined was
possible. It IS going to happen. Be ready for it. Read Ephesians chapter 6 every
day if you have to. I have seen many, many people on the net quit. Period. They
are "killed" in battle because they were not prepared or were not following God
or not in God's will.
Folks, please listen. You WILL NOT fall alone. NO ONE EVER !!! falls by
themselves. I am so very sad to say that I know that from experience. And I have
seen it happen many times. If you fall at least one other person is going with
you and it will most likely be someone you love the most.
Make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that your faith is standing only on God.
Not your family, friends, church, and most of all, not on yourself. If your
faith is not 1000% in God and His power then Satan will knock you out so quick
it'll be next month before you have a clue what happened. It happened to me and
it can happen to you.
Jesus sent the Apostles out two by two. Try and do the same. Go with someone you
know or find someone in the room you know. Now ! Be careful NOT to misunderstand
what I am about to say here. It is important. The main goal is salvation.
Period.
When you team up with someone in a chat room you do not have to agree with them
or their doctrine 100%. If you both believe the same verses about salvation then
make a plan and go for it. God will sort out the rest later. Doctrine will not
get anyone to heaven and is useless to a lost person.
WARNING ! That can and many times is a test of your faith. Be careful. Satan
LOVES to use Christians to hurt other Christians. Make sure you are not hurting
another Christian.
I have learned how easy it is to be hurt by another Christian. I am not a very
big guy, but I grew up on the streets of a big city and have almost died many
times. I have the scars to prove it. I have almost been in tears because of what
good Christian friends have said to me.
And there is NEVER any warning. It comes straight out of the blue and "hits" so
hard it really cannot be described. Be careful. Keep your armour on tight. STAND
on the rock, Jesus Christ. But be bold as a good soldier should be.
I have tried to show you some ways to lead the lost to Jesus Christ. But there
is really nothing I am saying that isn't in the Bible. Everything I have said
goes straight to scripture. And the more scripture you know, the easier the
battle will be.
The more you pray, the safer you will be. The closer to God you get, the better
you will work with Him and the results will be well worth it. The rewards cannot
be described. I just don't have the words. But the Bible does and here they are;
1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible.
9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth
the air:
9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Christian, are you running your race? Are you doing God's will? Are you living
right? You will NOT last in this battle if you are not. Don't be deceived. You
don't stand a chance trying to win by yourself and if you are not right with God
then you are fighting alone.
If you are a Christian and you aren't right with God, 1/1 me or BaptistBear or
any Op in here. We will be happy to help in any way we can and pray with you and
for you.
If there is someone here that does not have Jesus as their personal Saviour then
now is the time. Do not delay any longer. You know and I know God is touching
your heart. You know God is calling you. You are not fooling God. Surely if I
know it then God knows it. How else could I know?
Accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour today. You don't have to say anything in the
main room. Just 1/1 any Op and they will show you how to get right with God this
very day. Read these verses and you will see that Jesus Christ dying for your
sins is the only way that you can go to Heaven. I pray I'll see you there with
me in the Glory of God.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Everyone has sinned. You nor I or anyone in this room is an exception.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
You cannot save yourself. No one can save you except Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus died for YOUR sins. Buddha, Mohammed, a priest, or Billy Joe Bob didn't
die for you. Jesus Christ died for YOU.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
Salvation is just a prayer away. It is a free gift from God. You do not deserve
it, you cannot earn it. It is free. All you have to do is ask for it. Jesus is
waiting to hear from you right now.
God may not call you again. Did you ever think about that? How many times has
God already called you? Do not risk your eternal destiny my friend. Come to
Jesus now.
BaptistBear, would you lead us in prayer please?
While Bear is praying I want everyone in this room to examine themselves. Are
you right with God?
You don't have to tell me or Bear or anyone else. You do need to tell God what
is on your heart today.
Right there where you are sitting, just bow your head and speak to God. There is
a time to speak to God and a time to listen to God. Has God spoke to your heart
tonight? If so, won't you please answer Him now. God loves you more than you
know and wants to fellowship with you. Right now. Not just later, but right now.
Folks, I have done my part, the rest is up to you. I have said what God put on
my heart. Have you told God what's on yours?
If you need prayer or someone to pray with you, 1/1 any of the OP's. God Bless
and have a Jesus filled day !
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love
him.
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