Evangelism
What are my reasons for wanting to share the good news about Jesus with others?
1.The Desire to do it.
God must want me to do it or why else would He put this desire in my heart.
The desire is always there. Its nothing I would have come up with- making myself a fool in the sight of others is not something I would naturally choose.
2.The Call
It is God’s call to us and our responsibility. Matthew 28:19,20 It's called the Great commision - It's the instruction Jesus left His believers with.
3. The need.
I see the need all around me.
People in bondage to alcohol, drugs, etc
Religion- a false since of salvation
Crime
A sick society
Seeing people missing out on knowing God
4. The reality
People will go to Hell without Christ –
They will not go to heaven –
5. The Truth
Only one way –
Why would God make several ways?
The Bible declares it. John 14:6
No other Name Acts 4 :12
6. The Joy
It is the most satisfying thing on earth besides knowing Jesus myself
To see God transform someone's life
Being used of Him is also awesome- to have God work through you is very satisfying and humbling.
It convinces you more of your faith, because you know it’s nothing you could have done
7. It's His Plan- Christ in you wants to reach the lost. He came to seek and save the lost- It's still his mission but He wants to do it through you. I don’t understand His wisdom in that but it’s the way He has chosen. Do you think now that he’s in you, His plan has changed? He doesn’t like you so much that He just wants to relax in you. Greater work will you do He said. Are you a disciple of His? if you are, you will do what he did? Not die on a cross, He did the hard work, we just need to accept what he did and start letting Him live in us.
8.But wait there is one more reason on God’s side- I am a competitive person, I like to win and I like to have fun winning – face it, winning is fun- I like to cross the finish line first. I Like to come from behind and win, with God we are on the winning team ! He is victorious- we win, we’re not on the bad team, or the cheating team, the losing team, the weak team. Though it doesn't always look like we are going to win- God always brings the victory- We get discouraged and beat down, discouraged in ourselves, our results- but it is God who will bring the victory in the end. We are running the race of faith, faith is no ordinary thing, it looks insignificant, like a mustard seed, but can move a mountain.
Lets face it, we are winners in Him, victorious, we are running on the right course, the lost are running the wrong way, we’ve got to get them to turn around.
My reasons for not doing it…
1. Fear- of what others think of me.
Fear of not knowing what to say
Fear of doing more harm than good
2. Satan- it’s the last thing he wants and will do anything to stop us.
He will accuse us of everything under the son,
3. Self- listens to devil’s lies instead of God’s truth
Is plain selfish- doesn’t make time for what God wants only what self-wants.
Too busy trying to serve self and no time for others. We go to great lengths to justify our selfishness
Too busy with Church activities, functions and programs. It gets comfortable in our church with our little group of Christian friends. All of the sudden we have forgotten the work of the Lord-it's not to be comfortable and blessed, but to reach the lost- this I think is the biggest trap and saddest thing that has happened to the Church today.
4. No eternal perspective.
Not thinking what will matter in eternity
5. No one to evangelize with- its very hard to find people that will go out witnessing with you.
There are so many excuses.
People don’t want us to. Christians and non Christians alike – Christians don’t feel they are called to it, Non Christians
Are afraid of it-afraid of the light. It is foolishness to most people
Christians and non Christians judge you. Sometimes those who call their selves Christians can be your worst critics.
7. I am not ready, I am not prepared- I have not been faithful to the Lord – I have not been in the Word.
No we don’t have to be Bible scholars but we have to be available willing vessels actively seeking God’s will and heart on how to reach the lost. Only by being with Jesus can you be prepared, being in His presence through prayer and hearing through the Word of God.
It's high time we forget about ourselves and concentrate on the great commission Christ gave us.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19,20
If Jesus is in your heart, then let him out!!
...One more thing of great importance that you will need to share God's love with others.
You will need..
A Burden for the lost.
What this means is you will need a concern for the souls of others, so much so that you will weep for them, pray for them, you will open your mouth even though it may make you look stupid or they might accuse you of being Holier than Thou.
You've got to Love them with the Love of Jesus.
That Love is a self sacrificing love that you can't work up, pump up or earn.
Just ask Him for it, He will give it to you
Your heart will break.
And you will begin to Enjoy Evangelism.
Once He gives you that love, a love for the lost, then keep asking for more.
No one ever died from too much Love.
If you know Jesus, why don't you introduce Him to others?
If you don't know Him, then ask someone who does, to introduce Him to you!