Sermon Tone Analysis

Evangelism 2

SLIDE 1

An Approach That Works!

The importance of sharing the gospel of Christ with those who are lost cannot be overemphasized.

Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation Mk 16:15-16, “15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

and has provided the gospel as God’s power to save all who believe it Ro 1:16-17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

But what is the most effective way to reach people today?

The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: “What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?”

Their replies were:

I had a special need ‐ 3%

I just walked in ‐ 3%

I liked the minister ­‐ 6%

I visited there ­‐ 1%

I liked the Bible classes ‐ 5%

I attended a gospel meeting ‐ 0.5%

I liked the programs ­‐ 3%

A friend or relative invited me -­‐ 79%

What can we learn from a survey like this?

It does appear to confirm that gospel meetings as traditionally held have lost their effectiveness in reaching the lost.

It also seems to justify churches’ concern to pick their preachers carefully and to give special regard to the quality of their Bible classes.

The obvious point of the survey is this: If churches are to grow, it will be through the efforts of individual members!

Preachers, programs, classes may help, but in most cases they will only maintain the size of the congregation.

Such congregational efforts are worthwhile, however, for they can reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact.

But the fact remains: The greatest potential lies with those people who have some contact with members of the local congregation.

Each of us have daily contact with tens of people who need the gospel of Christ.

In addition to efforts designed to reach people “en masse” (via television, radio, mail), we need to utilize the contacts made through the members.

In other words, the ideal would be to provide a “two-­pronged” approach to evangelism.

Two fundamental things are needed to utilize the contacts made through individual members of the congregation:

Concern for the lost by those members Mt 9:36-38 Ro 9:1-3 10:1

Knowledge of how we can increase our opportunities to share the gospel with those with whom we frequently come into contact

What follows are suggestions with accompanying “action steps” on how anyone who is a Christian can increase opportunities for the gospel to be shared with their relatives, friends, neighbors, and others.

The first suggestion, along with its “action steps,” is to . . .

SLIDE 2

DO THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR A CARING CONGREGATION

This suggestion is important if our efforts in evangelism are going to be fruitful in the long run.

First, because it will help to confirm our claim to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jn 13:35 “35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Correct doctrine, organization, worship, etc., are certainly important; but it is our love for one another that the Lord intended to convince the world that we are truly the disciples of Christ!

Also, our love makes us useful to the Lord!

From Re 3:7-8 “7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 “ ‘I know your works.

Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

we learn that the Lord knows the true condition of His churches, and that He will “open doors” for those that can be useful to Him.

If we are a church that can be used by Him to:

Reach others with the gospel

Assimilate them into the family of God

Nurture them in their spiritual growth

. . .

then He will “open doors” for us as well!

It is important to practice hospitality towards Christians because it prepares us for the kind of personal work that is the most effective in leading others to Christ.

I am referring to “friendship” evangelism (also known as “relationship” or “lifestyle” evangelism), which will require a willingness to be hospitable and giving to those we are trying to reach.

If we are unable (or unwilling) to practice hospitality towards our brethren, what makes us think we will practice it towards the lost?

Here are some "action steps" that one can take:

Make it a point to get to know all the members and regular visitors by name

Try to learn someone new at each service until you know them all

Practice hospitality towards the members and regular visitors - 1 Pe 4:8-9

Invite them into your home, or out to eat (set a goal of one new family or member per month) Visit other Christians each week (esp.

the sick, shut-ins, new members, absent members)

When a congregation is filled with loving members who care for its own, it is ready to be used by the Lord to reach out and care for others!

Where does one begin in trying to reach the lost?

Try this...

SLIDE 3

MAKE A LIST OF SOULS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAUGHT

Making a list may not seem important, but it is!

It utilizes a very helpful technique used by people successful in all walks of life (i.e., having a things to do list).

For us, it helps to focus our attention upon those we hope to reach for the Lord, and not neglect them.

In making up this list, one should observe the following suggestions:

Start with those who are close to you and work outwardly:

Family

Friends

Coworkers

Neighbors

Relatives of fellow church members

Regular visitors to the services of the church

Casual acquaintances (mailman, store clerk, etc.)

Limit this list to five or eight souls (a list with too many and you will not be able to focus your efforts effectively).

Give priority to those who are the "unchurched"

I.e., who are not active members of any denomination or particular religion

Active members of a denomination or religion are often very satisfied with their human traditions and are not as receptive to the pure and simple gospel of Christ

Keep this list where you will see it daily.

This will help you to be constantly reminded of these people and thereby more likely to do the things mentioned next...

"PRAY FOR THESE SOULS ON YOUR LIST DAILY

Why pray?

First, that God will work together with you....

• To give us opportunities to do good for them - 1 Co 3:5-7 ; Co 4:3

1 Corinthians 3:5–7 (ESV)

5 What then is Apollos?

What is Paul?

Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Colossians 4:3 (ESV)

3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

• To give you the wisdom to make the most of those opportunities - Co 4:4-6 “4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

• To give you boldness to say what needs to be said - Ep 6:18-20 “18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”