Wisdom on witnessing

Introduction

Evangelism is not an option.

You are either a missionary or a mission-field.

Spurgeon- You are either a missionary or an imposter

Evangelism is communicating the gospel to people who are listening- tracts, videos, speaking to friends, preaching.

Evangelism is not simply making friends. Or making small talk and being nice to people. Neither is evangelism simply inviting people to Church.

Evangelism is sharing the gospel. Evangel Good news. Telling people their problem and telling them the only remedy.

Principles for evangelism from NT illustrates by proverbs

I. A wise witness tells as many people as possible

Mt 28:18-20, Mk 16:15-16.

Proverbs 1:20-23 “Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”

Aloud outside- If you want people to hear you go to where people are. You speak so they can hear.

Openings of the gates in the city- A busy place- purposefully put yourself in situations where you can reach people

These are busy places.

Application-

We must pray for and seek opportunities to tell others about Christ.

II. A wise witness warns

2 Cor 5:11 “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...”

Proverbs 24:25 “But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.”

Proverbs 27:5 “Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.”

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

This is what lady wisdom does in the previous passage.

Application-

Sometimes this is difficult. People don’t like to be told they are wrong. They don’t like to be told they are deserving of God’s wrath. But a wise evangelist warns. We could say a loving evangelist warns.

III. A wise witness gives the good news

Proverbs 12:18 “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.”

Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;”

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Application-

We have the best news and we must tell it. Preach Christ. Tell of grace.

IV. A wise witness is tactful

1 peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Proverbs 26:4-5 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

Proverbs 9:7-8 ““He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”

Proverbs 29:9 “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.”

Proverbs 29:20 “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.”

Application-

The first place to start is dependence upon the Holy Spirit for the right words to say. Secondly, in order to give the right answer we need to listen.

Excuse- I don’t have the knowledge. You don’t need a PHD

If you feel that then why don’t you study. We study diligently for our hobbies.

V. A wise witness depends on the Lord and overcomes fear

Notice I didn’t say doesn’t have fear.

Paul knew fear-

1 Cor 2:3 “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Being afraid of what people might say or do will cripple your efforts to evangelise. So you must not be afraid of them but rather trust in the LORD.

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Application-

We must trust the Lord and recognise that the fear of man will cripple us.

VI. A wise witness feels his responsibility

MK 16:15-16.

1 Cor 9:16 “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Pro 24:11-12 “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”

Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

Proverbs 14:25 “A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.”

Application-

The human soul is so precious God came in the flesh and suffered and died in order to save them. As wise evangelist feels the weight of this. It is this sense of the awesome responsibility that is laid on us that helps us overcome fear and opposition.

Excuse-

Conclusion

Recap

Questions