Effective Evangelism

Start Timer - Read Acts 13:13-52 - Pray

The Buffalo Bills made history during their game against the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” in 1976 when Art McNally experimented with the concept of an instant replay using a video camera and a stopwatch. In football, instant replays and review footage can be helpful. By studying what happened, officials can correct bad calls and coaches can improve their team’s strategy. Our study of the Bible is often like a team reviewing game footage.

Considered one of the greatest missionaries in Christian history, the Apostle Paul serves as a good model for us to follow as we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to others.

What can we learn about evangelism from Paul in this text?

(30m)

If you want to have effective evangelism you must…

Make Sure You Have Something To Say

Acts 13:15–16 NASB95

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

Many Christians are afraid to share their faith because they don’t know what to say. Decide ahead of time so you are prepared in the moment.

Affirm What They Have Known

Acts 13:17–22 NASB95

“The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. “For a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness. “When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about four hundred and fifty years. “After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. “Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’

Defining terms and finding agreement builds trust. Take time and listen to understand what they really believe. Be attentive to your environment and use it to find common ground.

Address What They Have Heard

Acts 13:23–31 NASB95

“From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. “And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. “For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. “And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. “When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. “But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.

Most people have wrong ideas about who Jesus is, what He has done, and why it matters.

Appeal What They Have Denied

Acts 13:32–43 NASB95

“And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ “As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ “Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. “Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: ‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’ ” As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.

Once you have listened and gained understanding about what they believe, offer respectful correction to any suspicions they may have about Christianity and urge them to repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone for their salvation.

(20m)

If you want to have effective evangelism you must…

Make Sure You Have Someone To Say It To

There is a balance between being in the world and not of the world. If you hide in a Christian bubble you will never be able to obey Jesus’ commandment to make disciples of all nations, and if you are more influenced by unbelievers than Christians you will never be able to obey Jesus’ commandment to love God.

Acts 13:44–52 NASB95

The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ” When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Adjust To Their Response

Acts 13:44–47 NASB95

The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ”

Paul took rejection as a sign to try again instead of giving up, and we should do likewise.

Attribute To God The Results

Acts 13:48–52 NASB95

When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Glory goes to God’s Word, not the messenger. God decides when and if people believe, not us. Joy and power come from obedience, not success.

(10m)

CONCLUSION

Do you struggle with knowing what to say to an unbeliever?

Decide ahead of time what you will say, affirm what they know, address what they’ve heard, and appeal what they’ve denied.

Do you struggle with the fear of rejection when you share the Gospel?

Make sure you have someone to share with, adjust to their response, and attribute to God the results.

Pray, Communion, Doxology