There are many thoughts about apologetic techniques in which we are prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us about our faith. But the key in our preparation is our close communion with the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) — 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
That is important, so with that premise in mind let’s think about how would you introduce someone to God? Jonah had the opportunity when he is called into question by those considered pagan idolaters, through their own admission. Jonah was trying to escape from the presence of the Lord by taking a ship across the Mediterranean instead of going to preach at Nineveh. Consequently, the Lord sent a storm upon the sea causing great havoc for the ship so the mariners drew straws as to point out who was responsible as the cause behind the storm. When the lot fell upon Jonah they inquired as to who he was. Please notice how his response included an introduction to God.
Jonah 1:9 (ESV) — 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
That was a simple statement. Simple, but full of impact. Consider their response:
Jonah 1:10–11 (ESV) — 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
As the narrative continues, Jonah tells them to throw him into the sea because he is the cause of the tempest and when he is gone, the sea will calm. But they wouldn’t have it, so they rowed all the harder but to no avail. So, they gave into Jonah’s counsel and threw him overboard, but consider how the pagans prefaced their action and what happened after they threw Jonah overboard.
Jonah 1:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
All that from Jonah’s brief introduction to God.
Jonah 1:9 (ESV) — 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
Now we know that our witness of God is only effective by the power of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless many times people are stifled in giving a testimony of introducing people to God because they feel they must have just the right words, and many words to be sure. However, look again at Jonah’s testimony of few words.
Going back to Peter’s admonition, the right words begin with a heart that is set on honoring God. Interesting that Jonah’s testimony was in the midst of dishonoring God by fleeing from His presence and His call to go to Nineveh. However, his testimony demonstrates that when God requires a testimony, He can use even a rebellious servant to get the job done. Isn’t it more rewarding to go about it as a humble obedient servant seeking to honor Him?
The prophet Jeremiah had to reintroduce the people of Israel to God after they sought after idols and forgot Him. Here’s what Jeremiah had to say:
Jeremiah 10:10–11 (ESV) — 10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. 11 Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
The psalmist David encouraged an introduction to God everywhere.
Psalm 96:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
The apostle Paul introduced God to the philosophers at Mars Hill in Athens:
Acts 17:22–25 (ESV) — 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
Being a witness for the Lord as in introducing people to the true and living God is not something for which we need great oratory skills and preparation. We need our hearts changed so that we desire to honor God in our hearts, and we need to have our focus upon Him and His greatness so that when we are called upon to give a witness, what flows from our mouths is actually what is overflowing in our hearts. Maybe something like Psalm 23.
Psalm 23:1 (ESV) — 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or from our website: www.bobbrubaker.com
