Why it is time for permission...
What is Evangelism: Evangelism - noun - the preaching of the gospel.Evangelism is important for the non-Christian as well as for you. It helps you to understand and clarify what you believe. If you don't know what or why it is you believe, how can you effectively share to anyone about Christ.
Sharing the gift of God's love is not just a duty or an obligation, but is also blessing. We get to share Christ’s love with everyone.
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Evangelists: Billy Graham, Ray Comfort, and Jarod Ramirez would be that type.
Missionaries: Christen Morrow, Jeremy & Suzy Bullard, Steve & Andrea Cabrillos, etc.
Pastors: Sheppard’s of Christ’s flock in the Church. Reaching out to new people, while growing the believers.
You!: We are all called to be an evangelist. To our co-workers, Friends, Neighbors,
Family, Children, etc.
Prerequisite to evangelism:
No matter which type you are, you MUST show Christ through your life.
If you don’t display Christ with your life, actions, words, deeds, you are not a good witness.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
It is a commandment.
Apart from Christ, everyone is going to hell.
Show love to our neighbor: Matthew 22:36-40
I grow, because it forces me to learn and study. I need to learn how to respond to answers.
We get blessed for evangelizing and by evangelizing.
Table Time Questions – 1 per table: 5 min
1. How do you know whom you should start a conversation with about the Gospel?
2.How does a Christian relate to a non-Christian?
3. How do you communicate the work of God in your life.
4. How do you know when to talk and when to walk?
1. Confrontational - blunt, forward - Simon known as Peter.
2. Intellectual – reasoning and rational explanations - Paul the Apostle
3. Testimonial – like the blind man who Jesus opened his eyes. "25He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" John 9:25
4. Interpersonal – Jesus did this often. i.e. speaking to the woman at the well one on one. John 4:1-26
5. Invitational– you can invite people to church, your home, anywhere so they see Christ.
6. Service – serving others is a great way to evangelize with your life.
***Everyone should be sensitive to the situation and the Holy Spirit when evangelizing.***
Table Time: Which style are you more drawn to? 3 min
The American culture is on of self centered, selfish, and inclusive. They want everything their way right away. The media shows celebrities getting and doing whatever they want. Businesses are exploiting this in their marketing and are perpetuating it. American’s feel like you need their permission to “invade” their personal space, possessions, and time. This is not everywhere around the world. In places like El Salvador, where we send missionaries to, people can’t wait to hear the Good News. They come running. In places like Europe/England they are so against religion, because of the Church of England, that they do not want to have anything to do with conversations about religion/Christ.
Telemarketer: Hello, I was wondering if you are interested in switching telephone companies?
Jerry: I can’t talk right now, why don't you give me your home number and I'll call you back later?
Telemarketer: Umm, we're not allowed to do that.
Jerry: Oh, I guess because you don't want strangers calling you at home.
Telemarketer: Umm, no.
Jerry: Well, now you know how I feel.
American's believe that people must earn the right to talk to them. In being all things to all men, we need to earn the right to be heard by others. They feel like you are violating their space and that you should be invited in. Same goes with evangelism. People expect you to have permission to "Invade" their life.
Conversion Cycle for Believers
Old Cycle of Conversion: Person Church GOD (Salvation)
The New Cycle is really the old cycle which originated from Jesus Christ. We are called to go out and make disciples of all nations. The Old Cycle, I believe, came about with good intentions but did not totally follow the biblical model Christ portrayed.
(Church is the body of believers. Christ said, wherever 2 or more are gathered, There I will also be.)
Read Church Statistics on page 19 and 21 “Permission Evangelism”Of all the people who accept Christ, 80% - 90% “Backslide” after they make a confession. Example: 294,000 people accepted Christ in a denomination; only 14,000 can be accounted for in Church.We need to look at how to evangelize like Christ did. What Did Jesus Do
The Rich Young Man
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'[d]" 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus did:
Corrected the man. – “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God alone.”
Instructed about the law – “You know the commandments…”
Loved the lost person – “Jesus looked at the man with love in His heart.”
Showed that the man broke the law. – “One thing you lack…”
Called for a decision – “Then come, follow me”
Think if I told you someone paid a $25,000 speeding ticket for you breaking the law, you would say, “That’s ridiculous, I haven’t broken the law! I don’t need anyone to pay for me!”
Now, imagine if I elaborated on the offense. If I told you that the law caught you driving 55mph through a 15mph school zone that was clearly marked and that offense costs $25,000. But, someone you don’t even know loved you enough to pay the fine for you and take the penalty in your place; you would say, Thank you! To that person who paid for your breaking the law.
This is how Jesus did it. We should follow his example and do what he did.We are not all called to become Missionaries, Evangelists, or
Pastors. But we are called to make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Where is your calling? Where does God have you right now?
Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Every Christian has all of these necessary elements already, but those that have difficulty sharing their faith are living with one or all of the following barriers:
* They don't understand how to relate to today's seeker.
* They can't articulate the work of God's grace in their own lives.
* They don't share God's passion for the lost.
* They don't know how to respect each individual's unique journey.
Homework
Answer the following:
Why do you believe the Bible?Why do you follow Jesus?
Why do you care if anyone else does?
Why do you have hope in Christ?
What has He ever done for you?
What would your life be like without God?
If you would like to learn more about evangelism check out these Evangelism ministries:
Way of the Master: http://www.wayofthemaster.com
Evangelism Explosion: http://www.eeinternational.org
Christian Business Men Committee: http://www.cbmc.com
Exodus International: http://www.exodusinternational.org
you are so intolerant!!!!!!----don't worry, Jesus was too.
ReplyDelete- Jarod