Passing the Torch

Introduction to Scout Sunday

Comparing Christianity to Scouting is not apples to oranges.

"Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity"

Scouting is not irrelevant to Church, and Church is not irrelevant to Scouting.

Sermon Introduction

intro: passing the torch in car - minimum evangelism in a dark world

Today’s message is about “Passing the Torch.” This expression refers to ancient Greece races, in which a lighted torch was passed from one runner to the next. We use that term in leadership, where one retiring leader relinquishes their responsibilities to younger, more capable hands. True leadership is not just performing the task, but also preparing someone else to perform that task.

Being a Boy Scout is more than wearing a uniform and earning badges.

This expression refers to ancient Greece races, in which a lighted torch was passed from one runner to the next. We use that term in leadership, where one retiring leader relinquishes their responsibilities to younger, more capable hands. True leadership is not just performing the task, but also preparing someone else to perform that task.

Today’s message is about evangelism. Sharing the Christian faith. Telling others about Jesus Christ. Must we do that in a culture that says there are 3 things we don’t discuss in public: 1) Money. 2) Politics and 3) Religion. Ever been at the dinner table when the topic of politics comes up? People arguing for their favorite politicians and defending their preferred political platform. In the process, people get inexplicably angry. So sometimes it’s safer to avoid the subject of politics if you want to have an enjoyable conversation.

evangelism. Sharing the Christian faith. Telling others about Jesus Christ. Must we do that in a culture that says there are 3 things we don’t discuss in public: 1) Money. 2) Politics and 3) Religion. Ever been at the dinner table when the topic of politics comes up? People arguing for their favorite politicians and defending their preferred political platform. In the process, people get inexplicably angry. So sometimes it’s safer to avoid the subject of politics if you want to have an enjoyable conversation.

Try these questions during a conversation: “What is your salary?” “How much does your job pay?” How much of that do you spend on yourself? How much of your salary to you give to non-profit organizations? Money for many is a private matter, and quite frankly none of your business.

Religion is another topic that’s considered a private matter, and like politics can generate a lot of controversy and anger. If you push it too hard, it can leave a lasting bad taste in someone’s mouth. And yet, here are the words of Jesus - his last words, after :

Matthew 28:16–20 NIV

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:

and again in the book of Acts:

Acts 1:7–8 NIV

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This final command we know as The Great Commission. Or, to use a term that can make us uncomfortable: Evangelism. Before we did into these 2 passages, and what they tell us about evangelism, let me tell you...

What Evangelism is Not

Being a Living Example

One very clever and popular quote pastors and teachers often use is . . .

Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.

To sound even more clever, the quote is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, you know, the guy who loves angels and whose statue sits in your flower garden. There are 2 problems with that quote: 1) Francis never said that. Nothing even close to it. and 2) It doesn’t go far enough. Our actions should always be consistent with our words, which means words are important. How can be an example of Christ if people have never heard us say that we are disciples of Jesus Christ?

Building Relationships with People

Some of my closest friendships are with Christians. One of the hardest thing to do is to build a friendship with someone with whom you have sharp disagreements. Can a Republican be good friends with a Democrat? Can a Carolina Tarheel be good friends with a Duke Blue Devil? Can a Christian be close friends with someone who is indifferent or even hostile to the Christian faith?

Inviting Someone to Church

I wish more of us would do this. We have a great fellowship here. We have authentic relationships, and vibrant worship. But if our words stop with an invitation, and we sit back and hope the preacher gets through to him, then we’ve not done enough.

What Is the Great Commission? Chapter Two: What Is Evangeli̇sm?

These things may be good and helpful, but they are not evangelism. They may lay the groundwork for evangelism. They may allow others to relate to us, or they may cause someone to be curious about why we live the way we do. But they are not evangelism, because they don’t proclaim the gospel. They may say something about Jesus, but they do not proclaim the person and work of Christ.

Evangelism is declaring the message of who Jesus is and what He has done.

Evangelism is Rooted in Christ’s Authority

Matthew 28:18 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

ex. Public pool. The whistle was blown and it was time to get out and take a break. All of us were out except for one person, who was treading water comfortably in the middle of the pool. The lifeguard, who looked like he was in high school,

we can’t share what we don’t have the right to share;

Authority, Jesus said I have been given authority, therefore go. If we can believe that Jesus has authority over all things, then we can share the Gospel with confidence. With authority behind us, evangelism doesn’t seem so impossible.

We can’t share what we h

Rooted in the Holy Spirit’s Power

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

e.g. Greensboro parking lot, huge gathering of teens, Tyler, cross with wheel, megaphone; big show, no power;

Jesus’ disciples knew feared that Evangelism would be humanly impossible. Sensing this, Jesus reassured them:

Evangelism is humanly impossible. We are given the ability to speak, regardless of outcome.

Luke 12:12 NIV

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

We can’t share when we lack the power to share. We are given the ability to speak, regardless of outcome. e.g. friend being threatened, felt this rush of confidence and clarity and started talking about Jesus, got a cracked tooth. (e.g. mom, pregnant)

We are given the ability to speak, regardless of outcome.

Having power to witness is no guarantee that every time we share the Gospel people are going to respond in mass to our altar call. Some people are not ready to receive it.

People give up on mission because it doesn’t feel good or isn’t successful.

more than a message

Rooted in Relationship

It’s impossible to win one if you aren’t one. It’s impossible to pass the torch if you don’t have the torch.

John 6:68 NIV

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

How long did Jesus teach his disciples? The Gospel of John refers to three passovers, suggesting a period of about three years. They left their homes and traveled with Jesus for 3 years. Again and again we read the phrase “And Jesus taught his disciples...”

One of the biggest challenges facing the church is lack of evangelism.

Pew Center Research polled a few hundred Christians and then polled the same number of atheists. They asked the questions about the Bible and Christian doctrine, and discovered that the atheists did much better on answering the questions. One of the biggest impediments to evangelism is lack of knowledge - not that we have to be scholars, but a pattern, a discipline of reading the Bible an praying, always seeking a deeper knowledge of Christ. We need a relationship with Christ in order to share Christ.

we can’t share what we don’t know: we can’t share who we don’t know:

Evangelism is Ongoing

The New International Version Chapter 28

make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them

Jesus is not interested in hasty, superficial decisions. There were more than 12, but so many got tired of Jesus, disillusioned with demanding discipleship.

I went to a Baptist college in Lynchburg, VA. A friend from high school went a year before I did, so I asked him, “How do you like it there?” He said, “It’s great! I’ve been saved 8 times since I’ve been there!”

The preacher would ask if you wanted to give your life over to Christ and start a new life, and he would raise his hand, even walk up to the front to make his commitment. A few weeks later, he would feel the need to start over, raise his hand and walk up to the front.

There is nothing wrong with someone wanting to hit the reset button, but...

Sometimes we see evangelism as just dropping in someone’s life, telling our story, and then moving on. But Jesus chooses his words very carefully: baptizing them, teaching them. We don’t just share the message of Jesus, ask them, “do you believe?” Evangelism is ongoing. It is continual investing in others. Continuing to develop others. There is a big difference between developing fully committed disciples of Jesus, and getting someone to make a hasty decision.

continual investing in others

We need: authority (if we are in Christ, we have it). We need power (if we are filled with the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised, we have it). we need a sustained relationship with Christ. And we need to remember that evangelism is not a single conversation, but it is an ongoing work. It’s where we struggle, but it’s the most important thing we will ever do as a church. It is our number one task.

power:

pool lifeguard - authority

power:

relationship: megaphone, cross with a wheel evangelism, having all the passion, but not the knowledge