WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?

Text- Colossians 4:2-3

Introduction

This week I would like to continue my message on evangelism.  Last week we heard who has the responsibility to evangelize and why there is an urgent need to preach the Gospel.  This week I would like us to look at some things that can hinder your testimony.  The title of my message today is, “What’s Stopping Your?”

When a wealthy man died, 40 sundials of various sizes and configurations were found among his collection of antiques. They were stored in a windowless room, displayed in special cabinets or standing on the floor.  None of the instruments served any practical purpose, however.  No one could tell the time by looking at them because they were kept inside.  Only the sunshine could make them functional!

What good are we to the Kingdom of God if we are not witnessing to those who don’t know Jesus?  IN our text today Paul shows us helping others know about Jesus ought to be a priority in our life.

Colossians 4:2-3 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (NIV)

How many people had an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus Christ last week?  Now how many of you prayed to God for an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus Christ last week?

If you didn't have an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, maybe it was because you didn’t ask God for an opportunity to witness to someone.

James 4:2d You do not have, because you do not ask God. (NIV)

Jesus tells us that the key to opening doors is to ask.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV)

CIRCLE THE FIRST LETTER IN THE WORDS “ASK”, “SEEK” AND “KNOCK”.  What do they spell?  They spell the word “Ask”.  That’s the key to finding open doors or opportunities to witness.

Maybe you had an opportunity to talk to someone about their salvation this last week but you did not use it because you did not recognize it, because you were not looking for an opportunity to witness to someone.

Or maybe you had an opportunity to witness to someone, but something hindered you from using the opportunity.

Prayer will open a door (an opportunity) to tell someone about Jesus.  But after we have prayed for this open door, and our prayers have been answered, it is then up to us to enter that open door and use the opportunity that God has given to us.

What are some of those things that keep us from stepping through that door and using the opportunity?  This morning I would like for us to look at six hindrances to witnessing for Jesus.