Personal Evangelism

Evangelism is often perceived as insensitive or even threatening in our culture. Because evangelism demands that we press the authority of Scripture and the claims of Christ on sinners as we invite them to the free gift of salvation provided through Christ’s atoning work of the Cross and resurrection.

Unfortunately Christians fail to appeal Scripture or employ Scripture in evangelism. But Scripture should be our primary tool for introducing people to Jesus.

What better way to let people encounter Jesus than simply to show them Jesus in the pages of Scripture?

We must talk about God’s holiness and righteousness, we must talk about sin, and we must talk about our need of a Savior.

The core of the good news is the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is one we must talk about most of all - and without fail.

10 Ways to Foster Evangelism in the local church:

The story is told of two soldiers huddled together in a foxhole, pinned down by enemy fire. During a lull in the shooting, one soldier peeked out to survey the situation. He exclaimed to his fellow soldier, “We are surrounded by the enemy!” To which the second soldier replied, “That’s great! Let’s not let any of them get away!”

While we must never view unbelievers as the enemy, but they are held by the enemy “Satan”, we certainly are surrounded by those who do not know Christ. How can we seek to not let any of them get away?

Which reminds me of the statement that Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unplayed for.

1. Conviction: Believe people are lost and need Christ -

we must realize that there are people all around us that are lost and in need of salvation, they are in need of hearing the gospel message. They need to know that Jesus is the only way. John 14:6

John 14:6 CSB

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

And as believers, as followers of Jesus Christ we have all been called to share this message with those that are lost. 2 Corinthians 5:20

2 Corinthians 5:20 CSB

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

2. Commitment: Be an Evangelistic Church -

If we are going to say that Real Love Begins with Christ as our motto here at Red Level, then we have to be a evangelistic church. If we are being truly obedient disciples of Jesus, than we cannot be conformtable unless we are sharing the gospel with those that are lost. Romans 10:14

Romans 10:14 CSB

14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?

3. Climate: Cultivate a friendly Atmosphere -

The church should be welcoming, guest, especially lost people, no matter what they look like, or how they dress should be welcomed with arms wide opened. But the worship, preaching, message all should make them feel uncomfortable because when it is biblically focused, it will convicted them, it will reveal their sins. But then again, believers will also be uncomfortable also, as the Holy Spirit speaks through the message and the Scripture. Luke 5:32

Luke 5:32 CSB

32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

4. Connecting: Identify the Lost Persons God has placed around us -

God has placed people in our lives - family, friends, neighbors, work associates, classmates, and acquaintances and we need to identify those whom God has placed in our path that need to receive the gospel message. Acts 17:26

Acts 17:26 CSB

26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.

5. Caring: Display concern for others and serve them -

serve in tangible ways by meeting practical needs. Unbelievers tend to be more open to the gospel message when they see it lived out. Also pray for those unbelievers, spend more time praying for the lost then for the believers that are trying to stay out of heaven. Matthew 10:28

Matthew 10:28 CSB

28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

6. Calendering: Indentify specific Harvest days and Special Events -

Invite those unbelievers to special events, Easter, Christmas, services, also other events like the fall festival, rodeos, Veteran day service, Memorial Day service, Services when we will have dinner on the grounds. Ephesians 5:15-16

Ephesians 5:15–16 CSB

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

7. Courage: Overcome the Barrier of Fear -

Fear hold us back from talking to people about Jesus, we have to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 CSB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

8. Coaching: Providing regular training in sharing the gospel -

Learn different methods to sharing the gospel, do not think just because you have been to one evangelism training does not mean you are good to go, the more training you can get the better.

9. Celebrate: Applaud those who are reaching out with Christ’s Love -

Encourage each other, and invite others to come with you, and when someone knew goes, encourage them, applaud them on their accomplishments.

10. Christ: Seek to make knowing Christ a Consuming Passion in our Lives -

Witnessing is fueled by the overflow of our daily walk with Christ. Matthew 12:34 Have you ever seen a infomercial for training on how to talk about your grandchildren, no you sure haven’t, and you never will Why not?

Matthew 12:34 CSB

34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

Because grandparents do not need any training on how to talk or brag on their grandchildren. We love to talk about our grandchildren.

Well as Christians, as believers, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we should love to talk about and brad on Jesus Christ. See when love for Christ fills our hearts on a daily basis, it will be natural to talk about him to others.

We must Matthew 9:28

Matthew 9:28 CSB

28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”

We tend to think that Evangelism has to be some kind of program, or some formula, some drawn out speech, but Evangelism is more spontaneous and relational than we often think. Evangelism encounters often happen in the full-court press of everyday life, the best kind of evangelism is more organic. Another words, instead of having some drawn out speech, some formula, or to use some step-by-step approach, evangelism works best when we allow the Holy Spirit to use us in our everyday life, in our everyday circumstances and speak right through us.

When we truly believe, as mentioned before, that God is mighty to save us from Hell’s damnation, from the consequences of our sins, when we truly believe that with all of our heart, it will drive us into the highways and byways of our community.

It is not our job or our responsibility to convict or draw people, that is the job of the Holy Spirit, not ours, but that does not give us the right to sit on the sidelines. We are still to be used by the Holy Spirit, to call the lost to repentance, to spread the gospel message, but if it is rejected, they are not rejecting us, they are rejected the work of Jesus, they are rejecting the call of the Holy Spirit, and the drawing of God the Father.

Evangelism and missions does not just happen when we go over seas, or on a mission trip. While the Lord is using thousands of people that are over seas, and in other countries, and even right here in our own country, to do the work of the gospel, He is also bringing the nations to our doorsteps right here in America, and even so in Florida.

It is very hard to go into a lot of countries over seas and spread the gospel message, but when those from those countries come here, we are able to openly share the gospel message with them without any threat of the government.

Christians struggle to share their faith with unbelievers for the same reason criminals struggle to find policemen - most are not looking for one. Instead of pursuing others with the gospel, we cocoon ourselves with others who already know it.

When we truly draw near to Christ, when we truly immerse ourselves into Christ and into our relationship with Jesus, will cause us to desire fellowship with other believer’s but it will more importantly thrust us towards others who are on their way to hell in order to share our faith with them.

We are called to be the salt and light of this world.

Matthew 5:13–16 CSB

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Mark recorded the Great Commission a little differently in Mark 16:15

Mark 16:15 CSB

15 Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Jim Stitzinger says, “If we know enough of the gospel to be saved, we know enough to tell someone else. The repentant thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus had no problem calling the other thief to believe in Christ. Neither should we. Our problem is not ignorance; it is pride. The solution is not information; the solution is action.”

To put it simply - meet unbelievers and talk to them about Jesus. That is evangelism.

8 Steps to accelerate Evangelism:

1. Spring Load the Gospel

Memorize foundational and key verses - John 3:16, Romans roads.

You may not always have your Bible in your hand, but we generally always have our phones with us. You can put it in the note section, take pictures of handouts. That way you have the verses with you at all times.

Be alert and stay ready to share at all times.

2. Recruit a Prayer Team

Evangelism begins with prayer, we must petition God to work in the hearts of those we are pursuing.

Romans 10:1 CSB

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation.

Recruit others to pray with you for those that you are specifically trying to reach.

3. Live Excellent

Live with integrity.

1 Peter 2:12 CSB

12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.

Live so that when others see us, or think of us, they think of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we are the only Bible people will ever read, make sure they are getting an accurate translation.

In humility, repent when you sin, and use your failures to magnify God’s mercy.

Keep in mind that your example may be the first exposure many receive to the transforming power of the gospel.

4. Engage your Mission Field

Be Specific.

Everyone that knows you, should know your identity as a Christian and should also know your desire to see them come to salvation in Jesus Christ.

5. Create New Mission Fields

Find new ways to interact with new unbelievers.

Go out of your way to build relationships with new people at places you frequent, grocery stores, gas stations, doctor offices, neighbors, co-workers. Get to know them and begin to build that relationship in order to share the Gospel.

As you begin to build these relationships, find creative ways to let people know that you are a representative of Jesus Christ, and have been forgiven by him, are loved by him, and are trusting him for your eternity.

Then as you develop relationship, and conversations, you have already identified with Christ, it may have been very briefly, but as you develop conversations, you will continually build on that identity, and develop the conversation of Christ.

6. Relentlessly Love other Believers

John 13:34–35 CSB

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

When we biblically love other believers we make the love of Christ visible for the whole world to see.

7. Lead by Example

It does not matter our age, or our Christian maturity level, we are to lead by example, some times those that are younger have to step up and lead those that are older, and some times those that are older need to show those that are older how it is done.

The thing is do not wait for some one else to lead, go out and do it.

Be the obedient one.

8. Celebrate Salvation

Just as we celebrate the birth of a new baby, we should celebrate even more the birth of a new believer.

Luke 15:7 CSB

7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

We should share testimonies, share when we have had the chance to share our faith, share when some one has prayed to receive salvation.

We can never hear enough of the work Christ has done in drawing someone to salvation.