John 4 Listen, to Fish Introduction Sermon John 4 Listen, to Fish Introduction

Ostrich Theology

Lifeguard God I Dream of (Genie)Jeannie God Monty Hall or Wayne Brady God – “Let’s make a deal” GUILT God

SURPRISINGLY, the first step is to LISTEN. The Gospel is Good News, and news is something that is announced, it’s not intuited. SURPRISINGLY, the first step is to LISTEN.

“We must learn to find the back door to people’s hearts because the front door is heavily guarded.” Ravi Zacharias

STEP #1: Make a list of those you want to know better; folks you care about and are willing to serve. STEP #2: Pray every day for your entire oikos. STEP #3 BE A FRIEND

STEP #4 – Learn to ask questions and be a good listener without feeling the need to correct their views. WHAT BUILDS TRUST? Trust is built by letting people into our lives to the point where they see our weakness and need for Jesus

What do you worry about? What do you wonder about? And what do you wish for?

Listen for the 3 “NOTS”… ….. when you hear someone say… “Things are not going well right now” “I was not prepared for this…” “I’m not from here”

“God space” is to create a safe place where people can poke their head out of their spiritual shell and have someone meet them where they are. -Doug Pollock One helpful idea is to think about what it is like to be on the other end of a conversation with you.

Conversation Killers Killer 1: An Unbelieving Heart Do you really believe the people in your Monday through Saturday world want to talk about spiritual things?

Killer 2 – Pre-conversion History “Only God knows how many of us might be two confessions away from the most significant spiritual conversations of our lives.”

Killer 3: OUR LANGUAGE, NOT THEIRS

The ABC’s of coming to faith – A - Admit that you’re thirsty and need living water – That means there is GOOD NEWS FOR YOU B- Believe that Jesus is the only savior who can satisfy your thirst. C- Confess to God that you want to trust Jesus as your savior and Lord