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A Practical Look At Evangelism Matthew 9.35-39 Introduction:
Recently I saw a headline that was asking the question if evangelism was dead.
We realize there are numerous passages in the Bible dealing with “personal
evangelism”, Matthew 9.35-38; Luke
10.2; John 4.35. Obviously there are people in need of the Gospel. The
harvest can be either be good or bad but there will be a harvest. We need to
have the right attitude and commitment to evangelism. I)
Facts A)
The word of God is truth, 1 Peter 1.23 1.
Heaven and earth shall pass away but not God’s word,
Matthew 24.25 2.
Those with honest hearts can understand and accept God’s will, Ephesians 5.17 3.
We live in a time when “truth” is seen as relative or simply a matter of
interpretation. God’s word is the truth. We can not doubt its message. B)
The only way to spread the Gospel is
by teaching 1.
This requires workers, Mark 4.14; Romans
10.13ff 2.
Out task is to sow the word to the best of our ability. 3.
The seed does no good in the barn; it only produces fruit if it is put in the
ground. 4.
The word of God is the best seed ever made but it must be sown. C)
Obstacles will occur 1.
Religious division, apathy, false teachers, etc all can hinder the Gospel, 2Corinthians
11.23-28 2.
Obstacles can work to our advantage, Acts
8.4; 11.19-21 3.
We must not get discouraged when we face challenges. D)
Not all will obey the Gospel 1.
Despite the best or efforts some will not render obedience to God.
a. Jesus did not convert everyone
b. The Apostles were not able to convert everyone 2.
We must redefine success and failure. Matthew
25.25ff
a. Trying is success
b. Not trying is failure E)
God’s word will accomplish its task, Hebrews 4.12 1.
It is timeless and powerful 2.
Do we (you) believe God’s word still applies to us today? 3.
Do you believe it has the ability to convict the sinner? 4.
Do you believe it has the ability to save?
Romans 1.16 F)
It some times takes time for God’s word to accomplish its task 1.
It would be nice if all results were instant but most often they are not. 2.
People often have to think about what they have read and learned. 3.
One may build on another man’s work, 1
Corinthians 3.5-10
a. One Bible Class teacher will build on earlier lessons
b. One preacher will build on earlier sermons
c. The one doing the baptizing is usually reaping the efforts of others G)
The following will not work: 1.
Out recreating the denominations 2.
Gimmicks or trickery 3.
Watering down the Gospel H)
Evangelism is what we are to be doing now, John 4.35-38 II)
Teaching in John 4 A)
Teach where you are, v. 7 1.
We all have people around us 2.
Look at those you can reach: work, school, neighbors, friends, the person next
to you B)
Teach where the other person is physically 1.
Realize the situation
a. Buildings do not sow; they serve to edify the saints
b. People are not converted through or to a building
c. Gospel meetings aid in our evangelism but will not do the job by
themselves. Takes preplanning, studies, the foundation must be laid.
d. Tracts and handouts do not convert people, they aid in the
conversion process. 2.
We must go to them. C)
Teach where the other person is spiritually 1.
Problem with formulas is they often miss the need of the person. 2.
Realize most people know nothing about the Bible.
a. That can be good for we can teach them without un-teaching
them.
b. Don’t be afraid of questions they ask. 3.
Look for problems people are having, questions that arises, listen to
statements, John 4.9, 11, 12, 15, 19 III)
Positives A)
There are people with honest hearts B)
The word of God is the truth C)
The darker the night the brighter the light Conclusion:
Are we willing to do our part in spreading the Gospel?
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