Euangelistou

Personal Evangelism

Recap: 5th {Pente. Spirit Bap & gifts}; lstwk {Matt, heart of evang}

TODAY: Practical… Personal Evangelism

Gifts of Spirit feel illusive, mysterious, ONLY happen w/ divine supercharge that is HS Bapt. (something attainable; for everyone)

How many know ALL believers have HS. Not impotent; still powerful! Working!

Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,”

We need to tap into this power afforded to ALL believers to fulfill our God-given call right where we’re at.

Two Hallmarks of a life Dedicated to Chirst:

Inward transformation & Outward service

Goal of Spirit is to help us work on others' behalf...

Euangelion - Good news! Battle victory, Marathon-Athens.

Do you believe that the Gospel is a benefit to others?

May we run with the same king of determination to bring the news of battle that was fought on a cross and the victory that was won in His resurrection!

Evangelism: Myth or Truth?

Myth: “I don't have the time/opportunity.”

Truth: God will bring people to you

Spirit works on you before you have Him? John 16.

God uses people to lead us to him. Primary vehicle for getting stuff done!

God will move others’ hearts to be open, seeking. (We don’t get a say in this, but can expect it; He wants it t happen!!)

Command: We need to make most of our time!

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

We should be seeking to capitalize on any moment we are given to express the good news of God's love.

Words or actions!

Myth: “I don't have the education/skills.”

John 16:12-13 ““I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth...”

Truth: The Spirit will direct us on what to believe & what someone needs to hear

Power we are afforded, used to glor. Godhead, is truth!

As we read and study, Spirit leads us to underst!

Important to be conected w/ active faith family; all doing this together!

John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Truth: Spirit will give you the words of Jesus… && more!

Luke 12:11-12 ““When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.””

If you have to come to the defense of what you believe, we have a supern. helper!!

BIG Disclaimr: Does NOT mean we shouldn’t pursue greater underst! (“remind you…”)

Command: Open your mouth and speak! (step of faith, uncomf??)

Isaiah pulled up into throne room of YHWH, confronted w/ supern. beings!

Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!””

[Last month] God wants WILLING people! Doesn’t call qualified; qualifies the called!

Truth: “I will make mistakes!”

What if I don't know all the correct words? My example makes name of X look bad? Offend someone? My will conflated with God’s…?! Act selfishly? Ignore HS prompting?

Counter-Truth: God’s grace is sufficient!

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Even when we really mess up, all it takes is one step back to Him and He can forgive and redeem even the worst infraction (on our part)!

DCT: "What if I stumble?"

Myth: “I don't know how to do it!”

Truth: Can be awkward; where to start; what to say; don’t want to be pushy; [modern] don’t want to impose beliefs on others…

If you saw best movie, had best dinner/recipe, read amaz. book, found best deal, great new store… want to tell others about it?!

Naturally come up in conversation. Work it in. Start a conversation excitedly.

Comfortable enough w/ basics of Xianity that it just comes out.

Euangelion is the life that is eternal… ! Living water… life abundant!

Culturally, understand that it can be awkward, but you can learn:

Learn from others!

Examine Christ’s life… & emulate it (like Autobio… JM Comer)

Jesus spoke kindly, with patience, and grace to those who needed him the most. Was harsh with the religious people.

Apologetics - Practical!… (Greg Koukl, “Tactics” - QR code)

“Harvesters and gardeners”

Jesus in John 4:36-38 “Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.””

[modify] Seasons of each… planting seeds of hope/conviction OR…

Directly leading someone to Lord.

Problem: Most Xians aren’t willing to garden. Spiritual scarecrows!

May we at LEAST be ready to garden! Cultivate a heart; prepared w/ seed.

“Put a stone in their shoe”

Way X speaks to the woman… clever, back-and-forth

Leads her by her curiosity… !

Get them to THINK about their positiong or where it may be stemming from.

Ask clarifying questions. [Columbo]

Hallmark of Jesus’ ministry: asking >300 questions!

“All religions are the same” “How so?/What do u mean?”

“Seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4) Adding to the conv.

“Slow to speak, quick to listen” (James 1) Things X exemplifies

Seek Spirit-Help!

Examine your heart - what makes you insecure/timid about sharing your faith?

We need HS to give us the boldness where fear can steal away what God wants us to do!

We always have choice in the matter. He wants ppl who CHOOSE to be willing…

Spirit Bap. give us the edge we need… but this is the Spirit’s job ALL the time, so lean on Him!

People at grocery store, pumping gas next to you, on a prayer walk, or intentionally asking others if they want prayer & tell them about the gospel (Awakening Reach Teams).

Proclaiming the Good News [euangelizomai] is the very thing Jesus came for, the command he left with his disciples, & what is sgoing to usher in His New Kingdom!

We NEED to be about the father’s business…

We’re giving you an opportunity to take a step of faith this Awakening

Won’t you let Him use you? Choose to be used by Him! God is doing a new thing and we know what His mission always is - to see people saved and restored to relatioship with Him!

Starts with a fresh commitment now.

Continues w/ a prayer & faith-fueled endeavor. Sprit working through you & in them.