Quoting Scripture as Evangelism

Text: I Timothy 1:3-11

 

I.         It is difficult to read the New Testament and not notice the number of times Jesus and the apostles make their points by directing the person to the Old Testament by means of a quote.

            A.        Regarding eating grain plucked on the Sabbath - Matthew 12:3-5

            B.        Regarding divorce - Matthew 19:4

            C.        Regarding whether there is life after death - Matthew 22:31

II.        A popular book called “Muscle and a Shovel” talks about the author’s conversion. It took a while, but the man who taught him would mostly quote passages to prove his points. The author didn’t know how to handle the truth revealed.

            A.        At the end of the book, he talks about “Randall’s Secret”

            B.        Randal wanted to make God’s Word a part of him

                        1.         Jesus has the words of eternal life - John 6:68

                        2.         Laid up in his heart - Deuteronomy 11:18

                        3.         Hidden in heart to prevent sin - Psalms 119:11

                        4.         A delight to do God’s will - Psalms 40:8

                        5.         A constant meditation for success - Joshua 1:8

            C.        So he set out to memorize one verse per week, writing them on index cards so he could review them

                        1.         Literally what Moses recommended - Deuteronomy 6:6-9

            D.        Those words transformed his life, but it also meant he could refer to those same verses when he encountered similar situations

                        1.         He did not need to be ashamed of his knowledge - II Timothy 2:15

                        2.         He put on the armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18

                        3.         He could discuss almost any topic without fear - II Timothy 3:16

III.       It takes the focus from the messenger to the message

            A.        Speak as the oracles of God - I Peter 4:11

            B.        No other form of doctrine - I Timothy 1:3-4

            C.        It is by the word that faith is established - Romans 10:17

            D.        Established according to the gospel - Romans 16:25-27

            E.        Walk according to the commandments - I Thessalonians 4:1-2

            F.        A story is told about an elderly American Indian who attended a church service one Sunday. The preacher’s message lacked real spiritual foundation, but he made up for the lack with much shouting and pounding of the pulpit. In fact, some commented that he preached up a storm that day. After the service, someone asked the elderly Christian what he thought of the preacher’s message. Thinking for a moment, he summed up his opinion in six words: “High wind. Big thunder. No rain.” When the Scriptures are neglected, there is no rain. Only when the message is based on God’s Word are His people blessed and refreshed.

IV.      Quoting doesn’t mean you are always right

            A.        When some wanted Jesus to give them free food, they wrongly cited Scripture - John 6:28-32

            B.        Satan cited passages, but he abused the meaning - Matthew 4:5-7

            C.        There will be people who will distort the Scriptures - II Peter 3:15-16

            D.        But if you keep a passage within its intended meaning, you are less likely to make a mistake

V.        Take note of something you ran into last week

            A.        It could be a friend who was having a problem, or something you heard in the news, something dealing with a sin, or something dealing with salvation.

            B.        Find a passage that suitably addresses that topic and then memorize it

            C.        The ones you are able to quote more often will stick with you.

            D.        Slowly build up a growing set of verses

            E.        As God told Joshua - Joshua 1:7-8