Personal Evangelism 1 - Prayer: That a Door May be Opened

Reading: Colossians 4:2-6
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:3 (NIV)
Intro: Personal Evangelism starts with Prayer.

I.    Devote yourselves to Prayer

      A.  Be Prayerful

            1.   Prayer refreshes us

                   a.   Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Ps. 40:1-3

                   b.   Who needs a bunch of worn out Christians?

            2.   We need to pray

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Lk. 5:15-16

                   a.   If Jesus (of all people) needed prayer, what does that say about the rest of us!

      B.  Be Watchful

            1.   Looking ahead to what God will be doing

                   a.   What is God up to right now?

                   b.   What is God up to with Alger Al/Alice; Glen Haven Glen/Glenda; Mt. Vernon Vern/Verla?

            2.   In prayer take the focus off yourself and put it on God and His People.

                   a.   God wants to hear what we want.

                   b.   When that’s done, it’s time to let go of our perspective and look for God’s.

                   c.   ...Time to watch for the needs of others.

            3.   Watching is in the same camp as listening.

                   a.   In prayer be on the receiving end too!

                         (1)       Prayerfully reading the Bible.

                   b.   Watch for God’s work in Alger Al/Alice.

                         (1)       He got there before you did!

      C.  Be Thankful

            1.   Looking back at what God has done.

                   a.   Taken a Blessing inventory lately?

                   b.   We see the gentle nudges of God directing us to the life He gives.

                   c.   How has God been at work in your friend’s life.

            2.   Remembering to say “thank-you.”

                   a.   God wants our thanks (the 10 lepers)

            3.   Living thankfully.

                   a.   Live a life that says thank-you with more than words.

                   b.   Looking at God at work in the life of your pre, or nominal Christian friend, how could you best thank God with actions?

II.   Pray for an Opportunity

      A.  Prayer Creates opportunities

            1.   Paul believed this completely

                   a.   Paul wanted opportunities

                   b.   He didn’t believe he could create them.

                   c.   He also believed God could, when ordinary Christians pray.

            2.   Some doors won’t open until we pray.

                   a.   God doesn’t need to wait for our prayers, but He does.

                   b.   Do you want an opportunity to share the Gospel w/ Alger Al/Alice? Pray for it!

            3.   Watchful praying can help you see the doors open when the open!

                   a.   How many times have we missed the open doors and later realized it!

                   b.   Prayerfully look for the openings.

      B.  Prayer removes Obstacles

            1.   Sometimes the problem isn’t the door, but something in front of the door.

                   a.   Distance, time, language, conflict.

                   b.   An emergency slams the door shut.

            2.   Are there hidden obstacles to the obvious opportunity—Spiritual oppression?

                   a.   Hipolito and the “hombrecito”

      C.  Prayer provides Resources

            1.   Equipping those who deliver the message.

                   a.   Equipped with the ability to speak, the time to speak, the relationship, etc.

            2.   Sometimes the speaker needs to be sent.

                   a.   Missionaries go where we can’t.

                   b.   We commission specialists (Joe Strong)

                   c.   Sometimes it helps the message that the one giving it is authorized.

            3.   God has all the resources.

                   a.   He gives us everything we need to do what he calls us to do (we have 90% now!).

                   b.   Ask and it will be given.

III.  Pray for Clarity

      A.  In Combat with lies

            1.   False Religions

                   a.   All religions point the same way?!

                   b.   God is just the great Whatever.

                   c.   Religion is for the weak.

                   d.   Hell is where the party is.

            2.   Just be Good

                   a.   Christianity confused with morality.

                   b.   The idea that God can simply ignore wrong—let injustice go unpunished.

            3.   I’ll never be good enough

                   a.   I’ll never make it, why bother?

     Pray that God will expose the lies as lies

      B.  Clearing up the Mess (others leave behind)

            1.   Churches are just full of hypocrites.

                   a.   Hypocrites are everywhere. Isn’t it hypocritical to just pick on the Church?

                   b.   Don’t be a hypocrit.

            2.   Christians are judgemental.

                   a.   What are Christians known for: Grace or judgmentalism?

                   b.   Undo the errors of emphasis that fellow Christians make. (Don’t be judgemental!)

            3.   Somebody told me. . .

                   a.   Specific lies and false teachings.

      Pray that God will make Himself known

      C.  An Understandable message

            1.   What good is the Gospel message if those who hear it don’t understand the words?

                   a.   Our lingo doesn’t help the people who don’t know the lingo (Salvation, Justification, Atonement, Redemption, Propitiation)

            2.   What if it doesn’t make sense?

                   a.   If it makes no sense, they haven’t heard the message.

            3.   What if the message doesn’t seem to scratch where they itch?

                   a.   If the message is technically right but doesn’t connect with their life—where God is at work with them now they won’t have heard God’s Good News.

      Pray that the message will connect

The Bottom Line:

Red#437 O Master Let Me Walk With Thee (1,2,4?)