Evangelism

Notes
Transcript
2025 Theme
2025 Theme
We have had some great themes over the last years with the central theme being “Simply Christians, Studying God’s word.”
As we now enter 2025 after prayerful consideration our theme for 2025 is “Evangelism it is for you and for me.”
How are we going to be prepared and doing it? Good question, today we will start the journey together. As I hope here is some of the things we can do.
Several dedicated series regarding evangelism to equip the saints.
To be devoted in prayer for evangelism, and results of it (discipleship).
Evangelism through our outreach efforts.
To hopefully put on a gospel meeting (outreach w/gospel message)
To do an evangelist campaign (door knocking) associated with the gospel meeting.
Introduction to series:
Introduction to series:
We have to admit it, we need to be honest, while the topic is good, the theme is good, it comes with struggles too.
We feel inadequate in doing this; so often times we do not do it.
Some attempt it without the proper equipping and it can make things worse or shed a bad light on Christ and His church.
Maybe you see people come in the door, respond to the gospel then leave without being rooted in and discipled.
Today the message beyond the theme is to start looking at how we can overcome some of the obstacles that can hinder our evangelistic efforts and growing the Lord’s church.
We need to have the right motivation and perspective to be effective.
The Lord does not expect everyone to be a teacher (Jm3:1; 1Cor12:29; Rom12:3-8; 1Pt4:10-11); but we can participate by using the gifts God has given us, and that may be bringing in someone else to teach and you sit in.
From motivation to motion we need to go from verbalization to actuation, from talking to acting, letting people see the gospel alive and well in us.
Motivation!
Motivation!
Motivation defined in a book entitled “the joy of working” by Denis Waitley is:
“Motivation is an inner drive, an idea captured in the imagination.”
Can you image this building being filled? People coming with Bibles, Bible App’s to study Gods word and to go out and make disciples?
“Motivation can be harnessed to an intense drive toward a goal.”
Think of a steam locomotive the fire, that internal burning, creates steam, and the steam when harnessed creates motion. Jesus is our conductor, the word is the fire, Jesus uses you to create motion for His church.
“Men and women who are motivated push themselves forward, plow through the inevitable setbacks, heading ever onward toward their dreams.”
Yes we need to know there will be struggles along the way, but we are to be motivated to press on, to persevere regardless and not give up.
“Motivation is essential to succeeding in any endeavor we try.”
It was said motivation is like “steam” when properly channeled it can move large objects. Without the steam all the building, all the planning is great but will go no where without the motivation (steam) to move.
Our hope, our desire should be that the Lord by His Spirit, by His word can give us the right motivation to build His church.
What should our motivation be, let’s look together at 1Pt2:21-25)
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Our key scripture for this series is turn to (Mt9:35-36)
35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus motivation was his compassion for lost souls. This motivated him to enlist laborers to go out (Mt9:37-38)
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
This is when he equipped to send out the apostles (Mt10:1, 5-7)
Do You have a heart of compassion for the lost, may your heart be your motivation to action in doing something to help save the lost souls.
Evangelism and sense of purpose
Evangelism and sense of purpose
Jesus had a sense of purpose, to do the will of the Father (consider Jn5:30, 36, 6:38).
What was the will of the Father to save those who believe (Jn3:16) to seek and save the Lost (Lk19:10)
We are to have a sense of purpose to live and do God’s will, and that starts with seeking Him first turn to Mt6:33)
33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
We can all have many different purposes from being Husband, wife, Mom, Dad, good employer, employee, friend but we need to have the right motivation for the “right” purpose. Now consider, turn to (1Pt2:9-10)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
How can we develop the “right” purpose? We do it by putting the word of God in us, so the word of God can transform us and use us for His purpose (to seek and save the lost) may be worked through us.
Another example we can see in Jesus, who is our example was His love for the Father (Quote Jn15:9)
9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
The love was so great that he wanted to share it with others- turn to (Jn17:26)
26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
the Fathers love in Him, His love for the Father is the Fathers love through Him so others may come to know Him.
Have you truly experienced Jesus love, the Fathers love in your life. Has it changed you from the inside out? How can you not be motivated to share it with others. How can we develop a great sense of God’s love for us and God’s love working through us?
One way to develop and grow in the Fathers love is to keep the commandments turn to (Jn14:21)
21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
When you do that, then you have the Fathers love turn to (Jn16:27)
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
The Joy of the Lord
The Joy of the Lord
Jesus was purpose driven
Jesus endured
It was His joy to take on our sin, consider turn to (Heb12:1-2)
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He had the joy set before Him, He enduring the cross for us.
May the joy of the Lord be the joy in us that through us look what the LOrd will accomplish- turn to (1Th2:19-20)
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
That we may know that because of the joy of the Lord in us, that we become His glory, His joy when we share the Good News with others.
Conclusion/Invitation
Conclusion/Invitation
As we go through this year, as we go through this series may we
Have the compassion of Jesus for lost souls
Have the “right purpose”
To grow in the love of the Father and the joy of the Lord and his finished work for the believers, that is available to all who will believe, who are born again (invitation) (Prayer) (Exit)