Why Every Christian Must Share Jesus
The audio of this teaching is available on Spotify.
Message 14 | The Unstoppable Church Series | Acts 8:26-40
What Does Acts 8 Teach About Sharing Your Faith?
In this message, Pastor David explores Acts 8 to answer a crucial question: Why should every Christian share Jesus with others? Through the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, we discover that spiritual depth isn't found in more Bible studies or prayer books—it's discovered on mission. Using the practical "Who, What, When" framework, Pastor David challenges believers to reframe their lives around God's primary directive: to seek and save the lost.
Why Is Spiritual Depth Found in Evangelism Rather Than Bible Study Alone?
Jesus's Primary Directive is Now Ours — Just as Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), this mission becomes the primary directive for every follower of Jesus.
Depth Comes Through Mission — Spiritual growth and a vibrant relationship with Jesus are found more through evangelism and discipleship than through Bible studies alone.
The Who, What, When Framework Works — Instead of feeling overwhelmed by reaching "everyone," identify one specific person (Who), understand what it takes to reach them (What), and schedule time to invest in that relationship (When).
One Act of Obedience Changes Everything — Philip's obedience to reach one man, the Ethiopian eunuch, resulted in the spiritual awakening of an entire continent. God multiplies what we surrender in obedience.
A Plan Without a Date is Just a Daydream — Putting your evangelistic intentions on your calendar transforms them from abstract dreams into concrete reality.
You Don't Need to Be Perfect — You don't need to be a theologian or mega-church pastor. Start with what you know and allow the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation.
What Bible Verses Should I Know About Sharing Jesus?
ScriptureTopicActs 8:26-39Philip and the Ethiopian eunuchLuke 19:10Jesus's mission: to seek and save the lostMatthew 4:19"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men"Matthew 28:19-20The Great CommissionActs 1:8Power to be witnesses through the Holy SpiritJohn 3:16God's love for the worldLuke 15The parables of the lost (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son)Isaiah 53The suffering servant (what the Ethiopian was reading)1 Peter 3:15Always be ready to give a defense for the Gospel1 Corinthians 9:22-23Becoming all things to all people to save someGalatians 3:23The fullness of timeWho Was Philip in Acts 8 and What Did He Do?
Philip, a follower of Jesus who had been effectively sharing the Gospel in Samaria, is directed by an angel to a desert road. There he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch—a high-ranking official returning from Jerusalem who was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit prompts Philip to approach the chariot, and Philip discovers the eunuch is confused about Isaiah's prophecy concerning the suffering servant (Jesus).
Key Detail: The Ethiopian had gone to Jerusalem seeking God but didn't find Him there. He was spiritually searching—the soil was already primed.
Philip explains that Isaiah's prophecy points to Jesus: His death, resurrection, and mission to restore people to a right relationship with God. The eunuch immediately believes, asks to be baptized, and goes on his way rejoicing.
The Impact: Scholars trace the roots of 300 million Christians in Africa back to this one encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.
How Did Jesus's Mission Become the Mission of Every Christian?
Jesus summed up His life's purpose in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."
Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated this:
He called His disciples to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)
He died on the cross to restore humanity's broken relationship with God
Before ascending to heaven, He commanded: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19)
Application: If we truly follow Jesus, His primary directive—to seek and save the lost—must become our primary directive. This reframes everything about how we live.
What Does the Fishing Illustration Mean for Discipleship?
Pastor David uses fishing as a metaphor for discipleship and evangelism:
Learning to Fish: Growing in your faith through Bible study, prayer, and community
Fishing: Actually sharing the Gospel and building relationships with non-believers
The Bobber: The Gospel message is already cast. Your job is to notice when it's working
Throughout the Christian life, we're constantly in a rhythm of learning to fish and fishing—growing deeper while simultaneously reaching outward.
What Is the "Who, What, When" Framework for Sharing Your Faith?
This is the practical tool for living out your evangelistic calling:
Who Should I Reach Out to About Jesus?
Identify one specific person (or a few) God has strategically positioned you to reach:
This might be a family member, coworker, gym buddy, neighbor, or friend
Ask yourself: "Who is God sending me to?"
Key Principle: If everyone is your mission, no one is your mission. Be specific.
What Does It Take to Reach Someone for Jesus?
Understand their interests, hobbies, struggles, and worldview:
Find common ground (Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 9:22: "I became weak to save the weak")
This might mean joining a gym together, having regular dinner dates, attending their sporting events, or engaging in their hobbies
Build authentic relationship through genuine interest in their life
When Should You Schedule Time to Share the Gospel?
A plan without a date on your calendar is a daydream:
Schedule regular, intentional time to invest in this relationship
Make it part of your normal rhythms (weekly dinner, monthly coffee, regular gym sessions)
Put it on your calendar and commit to it
How Does the "Who, What, When" Framework Work in Real Life?
Why Billy Graham's Conversion Matters (1934 Tent Revival): At a 1934 tent revival, Billy Graham and a friend were turned away at the entrance—the tent was full. One man in the crowd recognized these two teenage boys needed to hear the Gospel, chased them down, and got them in. Billy Graham heard the message that night, gave his life to Jesus, and eventually led 3.2 million people to Christ through his ministry. All because one person was obedient to reach one person.
How Mission Creates Authentic Faith (Ken Isaacs, Samaritan's Purse): Pastor David referenced Ken Isaacs, who has worked for Samaritan's Purse for over 35 years, been through 24 wars and four genocides. His life reflects someone whose primary directive has been reframed around seeking and saving the lost. The depth and authenticity of his faith comes from living on mission.
What Questions Should My Small Group Discuss About This Sermon?
Personal Reflection: What is your current primary directive in life? How might it change if you fully embraced Jesus's call to seek and save the lost?
Identifying Your Who: Who is one specific person in your life that God may be prompting you to reach? How has He strategically placed you in their life?
Understanding Their What: What are the interests, hobbies, or struggles of that person? What common ground could you establish?
Planning Your When: What regular activity or schedule could you build into your calendar to invest in that relationship? What's holding you back from putting it on your calendar?
Has Evangelism Deepened Your Faith: Have you experienced deeper spiritual growth through engaging in ministry or evangelism? How did mission deepen your relationship with Jesus?
Overcoming Common Fears: What fears do you have about sharing your faith? How does Philip's story of simple obedience address those fears?
Understanding God's Bigger Plan: How does understanding that God is working through history toward salvation (Genesis 3 → prophets → Jesus → us) change how you see your role in His plan?
Church Community and Mission: How can our church at Bear Creek Community Church better equip and encourage one another to live out the Who, What, When framework?
How Can I Apply This Sermon to My Life This Week?
Immediate Action Steps:
Identify Your Who: Pray and ask God to reveal one person He's placed in your life who is far from God
Research Your What: If you haven't already, learn about their interests, hobbies, values, and questions
Schedule Your When: Put one specific time on your calendar this week to invest in that relationship
Pray Strategically: Don't just pray for blessings; pray for their salvation, softened hearts, and divine appointments
Study the Gospel: Refresh yourself on how you would explain Jesus to someone who's never heard
Long-Term Practice:
Keep your Who, What, When list in a place where you regularly review and pray
Allow your Bible study to become more purposeful as you study to understand this person
Let your prayer life deepen as you intercede for someone's salvation
Find an accountability partner in your small group or church community