Evangelism

Why Do we Evangelize?

#1 Because how can people know who to trust. they need to hear the sound...

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Ro 10:14–17)

#2 Because we are commissioned to...

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Chapter 28)

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

#3 Because its wise to...

The New King James Version (Proverbs 11:30 - 31)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,And he who wins souls is wise.31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Group Discussion:

How do you regard unbelievers who have messy lives - with compassion, or with judgmental, critical spirit? Why?

Comfort Zones

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Isaiah 52:7)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,Breaking the news that all’s well,proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,telling Zion, “Your God reigns!”

How comfortable are you with reaching the lost, or backsliders?

What are some reasons/comfort zones that prevent Christians from sharing the “Good News” or talk about Jesus Christ?

#1. Fear - So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”Romans 8:15

#2. Dead Faith - James 2: 14 - 26, You believe god will do it for them but don't realize that God allowed that person to be in your path so that you can show them faith in Christ by the works (feeding, clothing, giving of resources, etc…)

#3. Untrained - Acts 4:13 -14

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Untrained isn’t untrained as in because no one would teach you, but in the instance of you not wanting to do it because you didn’t go to bible seminary school, went through all these different training ect… Although good, it doesn’t stand against the training you’d receive from just being trained by the Holy Spirit.

#4. Discrimination, Prejudice, or Racist - Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The New International Version. (2011). (Col 3:11–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

#5. Lifestyle - Your life must line up with your witness, you can’t live messy and then preach the gospel

Group Discussion:

What kinds of people make you feel they’d never be interested in the gospel?

Keep in Mind

Our lives are our most effective and powerful evangelism tool.

Matthew 5:16

#1. Technique means nothing - 1 Corinthians 9:22 What this means is that there is no particular way to preach the gospel but there are different styles in getting the gospel across to the people - Just be you when you are delivering the gospel, as long as the bases of your delivery is: there is only one name by which we are saved - meaning forgiveness is given through Christ and you must believe with your heart and confess with your mouth; that Jesus hung bled and died for my sins.

#2. Your witness must match your lifestyle - 1Thessalonians 4:1 - 2 & 1 Thessalonians 4:12

#3. The Holy Spirit will Lead you - Don’t worry if you don’t know if your doing something right or if you are John 14:26

Don’t worry about getting out there and forgetting what to say or how to start off because once you’ve consecrated and prayed over self and those you will come in contact with the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Go in peace.

#4. Always Lead with Love - At times we may be faced with an individual who is not so nice or may not be so inviting, you have to keep in mind you are a christian and you are a child of God so you must always lead with love, still always discern when approaching but still even in the leaving of the individual end the conversation in love and not giving the same push back that individual is giving. Romans 12:9 -21

Group Discussion:

What areas of weakness in Evangelism do you struggle with?

Curiosity Kills the Cat

Evangelism is not the imposition of a point of view but the overflow of a thankful heart.”

Christians sometimes communicate their faith as if they are sales people trying to sell a product. But evangelism is not employing a super sales strategy. Why? Because the gospel is not for sale! It is a free gift of grace for those who will accept it. We are called to expose our faith in the most winsome way possible—not impose it.

Have you ever met a person and instantly concluded, “Oh, they’d never be interested in the gospel,” only to discover later how wrong you were? If you have, then you’re in good company. The disciples crossed the Samaritan woman off their list because a mere glance betrayed her immoral life and her Samaritan racial characteristics. But Jesus shows us that we must never look at a person superficially. Instead, we should ask ourselves, why are they doing what they do? Are they looking for the right thing but in all the wrong places?If that is the case, then the real challenge before us is how to arouse their curiosity in the gospel. Read John 4:4–30.

Group Discussion: If a seeker asked you to explain the gospel briefly and concisely, would you be able to do it? What aspects of the message would you need help in understanding?

That’s A No - No

#1. Never start off with sharing the gospel, some people may not be interested

#2. Don’t immediately lay hands on people to pray, always discern, sometimes people have spirits that you may not be at a level to handle yet - and that's “ok” - and you go and lay hands on them (spiritually or physically) and now your being attack or come under some harsh warfare you weren’t prepared to endure.

Which is why we.....

#3. Never go alone, always take a partner, Jesus sent his disciples in 2's or more never one by one. - this is not just accountability but also to make sure if there was something that took place healing, deliverance ect... you need a witness who can contest to it, to also equip/train, you need someone else for support, and also so that if you are not ready to handle something your partner should be able to. Mark 6:6-8

Mark 6:6–8 The Message

He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching. Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition.

#4. Never Argue - arguments isn’t good, ever, not only because it could end very badly and - that wouldn’t be Christ-like; but also because you as a witness must be level - head and ready at anytime when the enemy pops his head up in the midst of you witnessing 2 Timothy 2:24 #5. Never answer questions you don't know but always be ready to give a reason to why you believe in the hope you have in Jesus 1 Peter 3:15-16

2 Timothy 2:24 The Message

God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool,

1 Peter 3:15–16 The Message

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.