Presenting The Gospel

Text ​ 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV 1900 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. Ambassadors - (Websters 1828) 1. A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.  Introduction Anyone who is saved call tell someone else what they have experienced. Even if it is not a polished presentation. Illustration: The newly saved zealeous Barber. - This barber was just saved and was excited to tell others of what Christ had done for him and he thought who better to tell than my customers! The next morning his first customer arrived and asked for a shave. As the barber prepared the lather and grabbed his razor he began to search for the correct words as he mustered up the courage to speak. Finally, as he stood with his razor poised over the mans face, he asked, “are you prepared to meet God?” We may not always find the exact words to say, but God has given every Christian the task of representing him to a lost and dying world. ​ 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV 1900 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  Transition The message of the gospel is simple but it is not shallow. If we famaliarize ourselves with its basic truths we can be prepared to share the message with others. ​ 2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV 1900 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  I. Sharing the Gospel Illustration: Sharing the gospel with Gene multiple times. - What a blessing it is to be used of God to lead a soul to the saving knowledge of Christ and to see that soul saved!  A. Understanding the Gospel Before we can share the gospel we must be clear on what the gospel is! People often view church as an opportunity to show kindness They think of it as a way to alter political or world views However, our purpose is clear as crystal - we are to share and propigate the message of the gospel! ​ 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 KJV 1900 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  i. Avoid Extremes Many people make the gospel difficult - Lordship Salvation (whatever that is) Some make it very shallow - Just pray a prayer We must remain balanced - there is a ditch on both sides of the road! ​ Acts 20:21 KJV 1900 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  ii. Have a Plan We must be led of the Holy Spirit But we must also be familiar with Scripture that will help someone understand the gospel  B. Giving a clear presentation   i. Understand that God loves you ​ John 3:16 KJV 1900 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God not only loves you but he want’s you to know that you posses Eternal Life ​ 1 John 5:13 KJV 1900 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  ii. Realize your condition The Bible is clear that we are all lost in sin. Sin is simply disobedience to God. It’s not just murder or child molestation which are aweful sins, it includes lying and idolitry. ​ Romans 5:12 KJV 1900 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ​ Romans 3:10 KJV 1900 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ​ Romans 3:23 KJV 1900 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; We could even use a few of God’s commandments to demonstrate that we have all broken God’s law  iii. Notice the price for sin ​ Romans 6:23 KJV 1900 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wages are simply what we earn by what we do Some people (many people) believe they can earn and pay for thier own sin - by living a certain way ​ Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. “not of yourselves”  iv. Believe the Gospel ​ John 3:16 KJV 1900 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ​ Romans 5:8 KJV 1900 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. “Christ died for us” - We need to replace the us with “me” - “Christ died for me” The Gospel is a very personal matter It must be our individual heart that exercises faith ​ Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. “thy mouth…thine heart…thou shalt be saved”  v. Confess your faith in Christ ​ Romans 10:13 KJV 1900 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The mouth expresses what the heart believes We believe and then we call!  C. Leading to a decision Ultimatly our goal is to see a soul trust Christ. Sometimes we are planting, sometimes we are watering and sometimes we are harvesting. We must be sensative to what is taking place. Asking some questions is a good way to do this: Do you believe that you are a sinner? Do you believe that Jesus, God’s Son, shed his blood to pay for your sin? Will you place your faith in Jesus Christ to pay for your sin?   II. Dealing with Common Questions  A. Objections or Hurdles  i. I have always been a Christian ​ Psalm 51:5 KJV 1900 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. ​ John 1:12 KJV 1900 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  ii. I have asked God to forgive me many times While it is good to for a Christian to keep short accounts with God - reciving Christ is a one time event ​ John 3:3 KJV 1900 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  iii. I am a good person ​ Isaiah 53:6 KJV 1900 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ​ Isaiah 64:6 KJV 1900 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ​ Romans 3:12 KJV 1900 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.  iv. As long as you are sincere that is all that matters ​ Proverbs 14:12 KJV 1900 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. ​ John 3:36 KJV 1900 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. ​ Acts 4:12 KJV 1900 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.   B. The Deity of Christ This is the one truth that false religion attacks and one truth we as Christians should be very aware of and certain of.  i. Shown through His names    ii. Shown through His works  iii. Shown through worship  iv. Shown through His attributes  v. Shown through His resurrection   III. Making a Soulwinning Visit  A. Examples  i. Door-knocking or Canvassing Introduce yourself Give the name of our church Explain the purpose for your visit Invite them to church Determine if this is the right time - are they walking out the door Look for an opportunity to turn the conversation Leave an open door  ii. Specific Visit follow up visit on a visiting family   B. Practical Tips  i. Carry a New Testament - mark it with helps ii. Go with a partner iii. Be polite and courteous iv. Be led by the Spirit