Spiritual Disciplines – 07

EVANGELISM

Text: Psalm 126:5-6,  Matt. 28:18-20

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (11/16/03)

Introduction:   

Two things are thrilling & exhilarating in the Christian life.

1). Spending Time alone lost in the worship of God.

Talking to God

SONG: All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus

Many other things may occupy our soul, but for the Christian none can thrill the soul like Jesus!

2). Spending time with others lost in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

In pursuit of their eternal soul.  Witnessing of Salvation in Christ.

Share some favorite personal soul-winning experiences...

1). Mrs. Linda Patterson

2). Mr. Robin Birkett

3). Anne Devlin & her Mother Muriel

As thrilling as that can be, perhaps there is nothing at the same time that cause us as much anxiety, knocking of knees and fear as to attempt the exercise of our personal responsibility in evangelism.

Sinful Fear paralyzes us – we know we should do more, but we fail.

I. Evangelism is Expected

Soulwinning is not a gift, it is a command.

We may not all use the same methods, or be involved in the exact same evangelistic ministry, but we are all expected to evangelize.

A. What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people with a view to them receiving Him as personal Saviour and Lord and joining the fellowship of the local church.

It is the communication of the Gospel.

When a saved person meets an unsaved person – that is a Mission Field!

A Picture of Evangelism can be seen in the Old Testament text of.. II Kings 7:3-11

B. We are Expected to Evangelize because we are under Christ’s Authority

Five Times in NT we find the Great Commission

Mat 28:19-20 / Mark 16:15 / Luke 24:47 / John 20:21 / Acts 1:8

C. We are Expected to Evangelize because we are under Christ’s Calling

1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

II. Evangelism is Empowered

Why dos o few obey?  What is Missing?

Is it.....

1. Specialized Training? NO

2. Bible Knowledge? NO

SEE John 9 – The formerly Blind man witnessed moments after trusting Christ.

John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

John 4 – The woman of Samaria witnessed the same day.

3. Is it fear?  Many times yes

• Afraid that people will reject us – What will they think of us?
• Afraid of offending people – really we are the ones who don’t want others offending us.
• Afraid of creating tension among people we know and love.
• Afraid of confronting people we have never met – This is true in door-to-door evangelism.
• Afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing – When so much is at stake.
• Afraid of being consistently unsuccessful.

What is success anyway?  Seeing a soul saved every time or faithfulness on our part?

Was Noah a Failure?  How about Jesus? – Obviously Not!!

Sharing the Gospel is successful evangelism.  Conversions are fruit that God alone can give.

ILLUS: We are like the postal service – just responsible for delivery of the message, but not responsible for action taken by the recipient.  If a bill is delivered it is not the postman’s responsibility to pay it!

A. The Power of Evangelism is the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

It is expected of every believer because every believer is empowered to evangelize.

The evidence that you have this power is a changed life.  The power that is needed for evangelism is the same power that transformed your life!

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

B. There is Power in the Message

The power is in us and in the message we proclaim.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

God blesses the Gospel message.  See I Cor. 15:1-3

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

SEE Acts 8:29-35 – Esp verses 30-31 & 35

Not all who hear will believe.

None who do not hear will believe.

But some who hear will believe!!

C. There is Power in a Changed Life

ILLUS: The best advertisements for some products are the free samples that are offered or placed on your doorstep.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The best witness is the combination of Spirit-filled ministry of the Word with a consistent Christian testimony.

III. Evangelism is a Discipline

In one sense evangelism should be a natural overflow of our Christian Life.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Most often we fail not because of lack of training, lack of knowledge, not even fear or lack of power, not lack of time...

...but many times due to lack of discipline.

For EXAMPLE – A Pastor’s ministry to believers is never done, yet because he is commanded, he must make plans and take time to go to unbelievers.

This is true also for homemakers, businessmen etc.

It is not only about being with unsaved people, but seeking appropriate opportunities to have a meaningful witness to them.

Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Every relationship you have with an unbeliever should have a redemptive purpose.

What situations might this involve?

1). Formal visitation program of the church ie. Door-to-Door

2). Seeking out Newcomers and unbelievers at church.  Rub shoulders with them – get to know them – 3 minute rule.

3). Make appointments with unbelievers – Lunch – Breakfast – Meal in your home.  Other activities – Shop, Golf, Fish

4). Invite them to church and church activities.

5). Have an evangelistic home Bible Study.

6). Learn to ask good questions that will open up the conversation to Spiritual things.  Ie – How can I pray for you? Etc.

7). Provide good literature for them.

8). Spend time with them – You won’t win them if you are not with them!!

Now there are many different methods, but the common thread is discipline!  It won’t happen if you don’t plan for it.

Just as there are serving and speaking gifts, evangelism can be implemented in both speaking and serving ways.

Servers and speakers can come together in a collaborative effort – such as a home Bible study.  One person opens there home, provided refreshments and another speaks.

Eventually someone must speak, there can be no evangelism apart from verbalizing the message.  There must be a Gospel presentation!

What about the rest of the world?  What about the places I cannot go?

You can Pray, Give, enable others, allow your children to go. Etc.

Conclusion:     (Review)

1. – Since Evangelism is expected – will you obey?

Will you witness, will you speak, will you serve, will you be a soulwinner?

By your Words – By your Life?  -  By Design, rather than by default?

In a disciplined and intentional way, not merely by accident, will you look to spread the Gospel message?

It is sinful not to seek the lost!!

2. – Since Evangelism is empowered will you believe God to use you in the salvation of others?

Don’t doubt the Power of God

ILLUS: Salvation of John Bunyan – He said God used the conversation of some poor women sitting in a doorway in the sunlight talking about the things of God to draw him to the Saviour.

If it depended on our fitness, readiness, or a state of sinless perfection it would never happen!!

We should be clean vessels, but it is the power of the Gospel and God’s Holy Spirit that changes lives.

The Lord can use us through our failures and weaknesses.

He uses us inspite of these things, not because of them.

3. – Since Evangelism is a discipline, will you plan for it?

Put it on your calendar -  Talk to someone – Go with someone

Make it a team effort.

Get involved with the church.

SONG - .Going After Sinners

1. When you look at others as you meet them day by day,

Do you see their souls as you hurry on your way?

Stop and take a moment to reach out as would Christ.

Are you going after sinners? Let’s go and find the lost.

2. They won’t knock on your door – You must knock on theirs.

They won’t want your Lord – until they know you care.

They won’t come to seek Him, so you must go and find them.

Are you going after sinners? Let’s go and find the lost.

CHORUS: Going, Praying,  Pleading, Saying,

“Won’t you come to Jesus? He died for you on the cross.”

Sinners all around us! Will we go not counting the cost?

Are we going after sinners? Let’s go and find the lost.

1 Corinthians 9:23  And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.