THE HOLY SPIRIT & evangelism

pre-service passage:

Acts 1:6–9 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Introduction

Why are we here — who are we? What has Jesus called us to do with our lives?

We are called, first and most important, to know Jesus and follow Him all the days of our lives — to live lives that honor and uplift God and His truth — as His ambassadors and representatives

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

As followers of Christ, we enjoy the privilege of personal evangelism.

Personal evangelism — the act of sharing the gospel, with the goal of leading people to the teachings and message of Jesus Christ.

Many of us, when we hear the challenge to share our faith with others, get nervous — often sweeping the whole notion under the rug b/c we can’t imagine stepping out of our comfort zone.

God’s design is that we boldly share our faith — with no shame or fear — without having to put on a show, but by simply telling our own story.

Why do we avoid sharing our faith? Often it is because we think we are alone, or we just don’t know the Bible well enough, or we don’t know how to talk to people like that

Big Idea: We can willingly share Jesus because the Holy Spirit helps and equips us in everything we say and do

Why is personal evangelism important?

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:13–14 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Jesus commissioned us to take His love to the world

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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

What is the most important ingredient of personal evangelism?

There are many important elements: your personal story is huge / understanding the Biblical message of life in Christ alone / a humble and prayerful heart / love for the world/people

But the most important ingredient…the one that gets you off the bench and into the game...

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

PRAYER

Backdrop: the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch

In Acts 8:5-25 Philip went to a city in Samaria, where a great revival took place. Multitudes heard the message of Christ, saw miracles — the setting was one of mass evangelism with many coming to faith in Christ.

This spot in Samaria was the happening place to be in the early days following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — it was powerful. If you were there…you would not want to leave.

Transitional: Philip was right in the middle of this move when God gave him a new assignment — and Philip obeyed God.

The Holy Spirit helps us in personal evangelism...

WHEN WE HEAR AND OBEY

Acts 8:26–30 (ESV)

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him...”

God will lead lead you in sharing your faith

Philip was busy in Samaria…but when the angel of the Lord showed up, he listened and followed God’s plan

How was Philip able to be so obedient — to have such a willing heart? The presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was tuned up and tuned in

Application

Will you obey when the Holy Spirit stirs your heart?

What will your attitude be when He directs you to share your testimony?

Acts 8:30 (ESV)

So Philip ran to him...

The Holy Spirit helps us in personal evangelism...

WHEN WE HEAR, OBEY, & INITIATE

Acts 8:30–37 (ESV)

“Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

It has been said, “preach the good news of Jesus…and, when necessary, use words.”

There is much truth to this statement — our lives should reflect Jesus’s love and transformation.

I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but...

We must take the initiative to share the Gospel, with our voice

Conversations do not happen until someone breaks the ice

Body language and smiles can only take you so far

What words will you use?

What does it look like to take initiative? — Ask, Listen, Respond, Give Opportunity to Respond

Ask: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (8:30b)

Listen: “And he said, How can I, unless someone guides me?” (8:31)

Respond: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (8:35)

Give opportunity to respond (8:36-38)

“Here is water — can I be baptized?” And Philip baptized him right then and there

Final Challenge

Acts 8:39 ESV

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Off to the next assignment

We can willingly share Jesus because the Holy Spirit helps and equips in everything we say and do

Philip’s willing and obedient heart led to the salvation of a man who had never heard the Gospel before

God saw the hunger of the Ethiopian — so the Holy Spirit showed up at just the right time and place — giving Philip the opportunity to share Jesus with the lost man

Altar — whoever is willing, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to become a more effective witness for Jesus, let’s join together up front as a sign of our commitment and our need for the Holy Spirit’s presence and enablement in our lives.