Winning Your Family
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Before Jesus left He gave the Great Commission and the Holy Spirit Who would give us power to be witnesses. The disciples would begin in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and then into the uttermost parts of the earth.
It’s not just the city you live in.
Your Jerusalem is your family.
Do you want to see your family members saved? God wants their salvation more than you do.
Jesus’ Sisters and Brothers Were Saved During and After His Life on Earth
The God of Mary and Joseph became the God of James, Jude, and the other brothers and sisters.
James had a difficult time seeing his brother as God.
James was saved after the resurrection and became the pastor at Jerusalem.
Mary was present at Pentecost.
The prayer group for Peter in prison and attended the Jerusalem church.
James and Jude, Jesus’ brothers, wrote New Testament books.
First century writers tell us Jesus’ sisters married ministers and served in local churches.
Are You Praying for Family Members to be Saved?
“Again, the next day, John (the Baptist)stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).” John 1:35-42
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him.” One of the two was Andrew. The other was unnamed and they were with John the Baptist who pointed out Jesus to them.
After leaving Jesus’ house, Andrew first found his brother, Peter, and told him he had found the Messiah.
Andrew did not begin his ministry far from his home, but with his own brother, Peter.
Family members define our Jerusalem.
a. Peter believed Andrew when he saw the dramatic change in his life.
b. Being fishermen, they lived their lives as if each day was the last.
Probably because they were uneducated, crude men and had speech and lifestyles to match there dangerous jobs.
Jesus prophesied Peter would also be totally changed.
Thousands of Jews saw Peter’s change at Pentecost.
Only a truly changed life will speak to a sinful world and especially our friends and families.
a. The way most people come to the Lord is by a family member or friend of which they recognize a truly changed life.
b. This is why ministers and Bible school students are often called back to their hometown.
c. Peter was changed through his brother who had spent the night talking and fellowshipping with Jesus.
d. You are the only gospel people see first.
The gospel usually comes to a group of people by a stranger bringing the message of Jesus.
a. Missionaries who go to foreign countries.
b. Paul took the gospel to Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus, and multitudes received.
After the gospel is received, the greater part of people are won by converts winning family and friends.
Household salvation is a powerful truth:
Old Testament
The God of Abraham became the God of Sarah. Then Isaac, then Jacob and his sons. Then Joseph and his sons.
The God of Moses became the God of Aaron, his brother, and his sister Miriam.
When Rahab became a believer in the Lord, she led her family to the Lord and all were delivered before Jericho was destroyed (Joshua 6:23-25).
Joshua said, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)
New Testament
Mary probably brought her sister Martha and brother Lazarus to the Lord.
Ethiopian eunuch took the gospel back to his home in Africa and brought revival to his own people.
Lydia was saved by Paul, then led her family to the Lord and they were baptized (Acts 16:14,15).
The Philippian jailer took the gospel home and his family was saved and baptized. Paul told him faith in the Lord was all that was needed for him and his family (Acts 16:31-34).
The revival in Ephesus began with many receiving Jesus. Families came to the school of Tyrannus and then spread through the city taking handkerchiefs and aprons to the sick and bringing the saving message of Jesus to them (Acts 19:11,12).
Paul told the Corinthians the faith and lifestyle of a saved wife can sanctify the husband and family.
Salvation in a Home Joins Us to a New Family
Those who are saved become more of your family than your natural family (Matthew 12:46-50).
Your church has your real fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters (1 Timothy 5:1,2).
Your family on earth will only exist on earth, but God’s family is on earth and in heaven (Ephesians 3:14).
What Does Andrew Teach Us About Witnessing?
Andrew did not invite Peter to a service or give him a theological sermon although it is fine and scriptural.
a. He said, “I have found the Messiah.”
b. Peter wanted the change he saw in Andrew.
A new convert can win others to the Lord.
But, disciples are best. They can answer questions.
“…praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest (clear), as I ought to speak (as is my duty).
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:3-6
a. Pray for open doors.
b. Pray to keep the message simple.
Phrases used by those in the gospels of Jesus when telling others.
a. “We have seen Him”
b. “We have heard Him”
c. “We have touched and handled Him”
d. “We have heard Him speak”
e. “I once was blind and now I see”
f. “Come see a man who told me all I have done”
The gospel is measured from Jerusalem - our house - not India, or Africa.
