Why Do Personal/Servant Evangelism Keeping the reason before you To evangelize means to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Christ.

 Jesus in giving the Great Commission to the eleven apostles says in Matthew 28: 19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." Imagine that Jesus saying these words to eleven of us today and we were one of the eleven. What would be our reaction? Impossible? Incredible? Absurd? Or Lord don't you see there are only eleven of us? Or would we think "Yes Jesus really means me also." We are also under this obligation to teach others. Jesus had just commanded the eleven to go teach and to teach those who were converted to observe all things he had command them which included that we are also to be taught to go and teach. Paul says in Romans 1: 14, "/ am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. 11 In like manner today we are debtors to every non-Christian because we have the good news that can save his soul. This places us under obligation to share the gospel with the lost so they can be saved. Because someone loved us enough to teach us the truth, shouldn't we do as much for someone else? What if you were unsaved and doomed to Hell, wouldn't you want someone to teach you the saving gospel of Christ? If people have not heard and learned the gospel they cannot obey it. In 1 Peter 4: 17 the question is asked, "What shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?" The answer is given in 2 Thessalonians 1 :8 which says when the Lord comes He will come "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." We should not want to see anyone lost but as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5: 11, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." People are going to be lost forever if we don't teach them. The Lord doesn't want anyone to be lost. We read in 2 Peter 3 :9, "The Lord. .. is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. " They can only come to repentance when they know what to do. We also read in 1 Timothy 2:4, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to knowledge of the trnth." Because of what the Lord has done for us, we have the obligation to teach others so they can come to knowledge of the truth and be saved. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Woe is to me if I preach not the gospel." How ~re we going to answer the Lord if we haven't bothered to tell the good news to others• Our Lord in teaching His disciples, tells them in John 4:35, "Do you say there are still four months then comes the harvest? Behold I say to you, lift up your ey~s and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest." Our Lord was speaking of the spiritual harvest of souls who would be lost in eternity if they are not harvested. There is an urgency to reach the lost for Jesus says in Matthew 9:37-38, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest t? send out laborers into His harvest." We must work in the Lord's harvest because if we don't then those we could have taught will be lost and we don't want that to happen. In the first century the good news of the gospel caused such great excitement that "And daily in the temple and from house to house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus" (Acts 5;42). We need to be as excited today. And even when they were being heavily persecuted, some even to death, we read in Acts 8:4, "Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word" What should stop us today? We are not being persecuted. We have many more advantages. We have the automobile, the airplane, the telephone, the Internet, and the printed page. We are without excuse. Teaching the lost is the work the Lord has commanded each of us to do. Successful evangelism is accomplished one person at a time. Evangelism is not only to be done in distant lands, but we must also teach those near us, our next door neighbors. God will be with us as we teach His word to the lost. We will be successful because we read in Philippians 4: 13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. " When we do what the Lord says to do we will not fail. . ~e? w: teach the lost we cause all of Heaven to rejoice. Jesus tells us that there 1s reJOJCJng. m the presen~e of the angels of God when one sinner repents (Luke 15 :7, description. 10) .. The Joy of teaching one the gospel and seeing them obey it is beyond description 

THE GREAT COMMISSION AND WITNESSING

            I. The Great Commission in two words: “witnessing” and “mentoring”.    Basically, it’s telling people the

               “good news” about the Lord and what He has done for us and then helping those who believe and receive

His message to grow into mature followers of His or “disciples”. Jesus has called each of us

                to share the good news with others and help them grow in Him.

              1.  What has God commissioned us to do in Matthew 28:19-20 and what is the result?

                   Acts2:41-42 __________________________________________________________________

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              2.  What should happen after you receive power?

                  Acts 1:8_______________________________________________________________________

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              3. What does God say about them that preach?

                 Romans 10:15 ___________________________________________________________________

                 _______________________________________________________________________________

              4. What does Proverbs 11:30 state about the soul winner?_______________________________     

               ________________________________________________________________________________

              5. What does 1 Peter 3:15 encourage us to do?________________________________________  

                  ___________________________________________________________________________­___  

  

         II. As a new Believer, your initial witness is the simple truth about what Jesus has done in your life.      

             Because you know God has rescued you, freed you from past sins forever, set you in a safe place;

             because you have felt God’s love, joy, and peace; because you have experienced God’s care for you;

             because you know He speaks and you have heard His voice in your heart; it will be almost impossible

             not to tell others around you that He will do the same for them.

            The great thing is that no one, no matter how hard they try, can argue or explain away what you have experienced Christ.  Many will be interested, even fascinated by your life-changing story, so you can  

            be confident in what you say, relax and let the Holy Spirit do the work in those with whom you are

            sharing You must never underestimate the power of your personal testimony to lead others to Jesus.

        A. Why were people amazed and influenced by Peter and John’s testimonies? (Acts 4:8-14)     

        __________________________________________________________________________________

        __________________________________________________________________________________

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        B. How do you witness? We covered testimonials, can you think of other ways?_______________    

       ____________________________________________________________________________________  

       ____________________________________________________________________________________

                1. The following are some other methods of witnessing:

·Direct Confrontation: “that which you are doing is sin, and you will go to hell if you don’t stop”

·Invitational: Invite someone to an event, church, small group or Christian drama activity.

·Intentional Lifestyle: being different with our actions, that glorify the Lord.

·Relational: Forming a friendship with the intent of sharing the Gospel of Jesus.

·Literature: Giving out tracts, books or other forms of writings that portray Jesus Christ.

·Romans Road: Verses in the book of Romans that lead to salvation-6:23. 5:8 and 10:9.

     

        Week Four – Lesson Eight

                                                         

      THE GREAT COMMISSION AND WITNESSING  (con’t)

        C  What truths should you cover in sharing the Good News?

            1. Mathew 4:17____________________________________________________________________

                 _______________________________________________________________________________

            2. John 3:3_________________________________________________________________________

                __ _____________________________________________________________________________

            3. John 14:6________________________________________________________________________

               ________________________________________________________________________________

            4. Acts 4:12________________________________________________________________________

                ________________________________________________________________________________

            

        D. How should you help someone grow in their walk with the Lord?

              1. Mathew 28:20___________________________________________________________________

               ________________________________________________________________________________

            . 2.1 Corinthians 9:19-22______________________________________________________________

              _________________________________________________________________________________

        E.  What should motivate and encourage us in being effective witnesses?

            1. 2 Corinthians 5:14________________________________________________________________

              ________________________________________________________________________________

            2. 2 Corinthians 5:11________________________________________________________________

              _______________________________________________________________________________

            3. Ephesians 2:10__________________________________________________________________

              ________________________________________________________________________________

            4. Romans 1:16_____________________________________________________________________

              ________________________________________________________________________________

       F.  Why does the Lord expect us to be faithful even in the face of persecution?

            1. Mathew 28:20(b).__________________________________________________________________

              _________________________________________________________________________________

            2. Mathew 10:17-20_________________________________________________________________

              _______________________________________________________________________________

            3. Mathew 10:27-28__________________________________________________________________

              ________________________________________________________________________________

            4. Mathew 10:32-33 _________________________________________________________________

             ________________________________________________________________________________

            5. 2 Timothy 1:8_____________________________________________________________________

            ________________________________________________________________________________

            6. Psalm 126:5, 6____________________________________________________________________

            ________________________________________________________________________________

7 REASONS WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN

Acts 26:24-29

²⁴ Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” ²⁵ But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. ²⁶ For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention since this thing was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” ²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” ²⁹ And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

I.                   THE EVIDENCE

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.

1.     The Existence of God

·        Fine-tuned Universe

“Stephen Hawking has estimated that if the rate of the universe’s expansion one second after the Big Bang had been smaller by even one part in a hundred thousand million, the universe would have re-collapsed into a hot fireball”

2.     The Resurrection of Jesus

a.      The Broken Roman seal. Matthew 27:63-66

b.     Large Stone Rolled Away. John 20:1

c.      Roman Guards Fled. Matthew 27:65

d.     The Empty Tomb. Matthew 28:6

e.      Empty Grave clothes perfectly formed. John 11:44

f.        Jesus’ Confirmed Appearances after He died

g.      Transformation of the Disciples Lives

II.                IT MAKES SENSE

The message of the Bible is

1.     Man failed God

Romans 3:10-11

“There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

2.     We are helpless to do anything about our condition

Romans 7:14-18

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do…¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

3.     God came and did it for us

Romans 8:3-4

³ For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit

III.             MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Acts 4:18-20

¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

IV.            I LIKE HIM (JESUS)

1.     The way He teaches you to live

John 8:10-11

¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

2.     The Way He teaches you to treat people

Luke 6:31

And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

3.     His Compassion for the sick and hurting

Luke 4:18

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹ To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

4.     His personality and Nature

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

V.               I LIKE WHERE HE IS GOING

1.     He is Coming Back.

Acts 1:9-11

⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

2.     He will reign on Earth 1,000 years

Revelations 20:4

⁴ And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them….And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years

3.     He will make a new Heaven and a New Earth that will last forever

Revelations 21:1

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

VI.            I LIKE WHAT HE PROMISES

1.     Abundant Life

John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

2.     He will be your Shepherd

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ³     He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

VII.         I DON’T WANT TO GO TO HELL

Luke 12:4-5

⁴ “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Answer Key: Existence; condition; Compass

DOWN UNDER III

Helps to Humility

James 4:6

⁶ But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

I.                   POWER OF HUMILITY

1.     It’s the Highest Rank in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:4

⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

2.     It’s the Foundational Virtue

3.     It’s what God looks for above all else

Isaiah 66:1-2

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And the earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

           

4.     It’s the pathway to grace

James 4:6

                        God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble

5.     It’s the key to peace

Psalm 131:1-3

¹ Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me. ² Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

II.               STEPS TOWARD HUMILITY

1.     Obeying biblical lines of authority.

a.     Citizens must submit to government

1 Peter 2:13-15

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

b.     Employees must submit to their supervisors

          Colossians 3:22

²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in the sincerity of heart, fearing God. 

c.      Wives must submit to husbands

Ephesians 5:22-24

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives….

d.     Young people must submit to older people

1 Peter 5:5

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

e.      Believers must submit to their pastors.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

2.     Realize how much we need the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-16

¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

3.     Discover your spiritual gifts.

         

b.     Embrace the different gifts God has given to you

4.     Be realistic about your successes and failures

a.      Don’t be afraid to admit failures

b.     Don’t  shy away from  or minimize successes

5.     Beware of Yearning for Praise

Being the object of praise is not necessarily cause pride.  But yearning for praise and very rapidly lead to pride. We should acknowledge praise but not enjoy it too much. Praise is often

a.      formality of protocol

b.     someone trying to get you to like them

c.      someone trying to set you up that you might do them a favor

John 5:44

⁴⁴ How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

6.     Beware of Unhealthy Comparison

Keeping track of accomplishments and adding them up. It’s counting so as to compare with others.

2 Corinthians 10:10

¹² For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

7.     Resist Cultivating a Creator Complex - expecting everybody to be like you and perform at your level and coming down on them when they don’t.

8.     Resist Rejoicing in others’ Failures and Resenting Others’ Successes

Philippians 2:3

³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

a.      Do you get irritated when someone receives a tremendous blessing

b.     When in a competitive situation pray that the other person will do better than you, get more praise than you and be more used by God.

9.     Beware of Compulsively Defending Yourself Against Criticism

a.      Let Critics have their say

b.     Thank critics when they are right

10.            Stay Humble When Adversity Comes

a.      Don’t harden your hearts

Hebrews 12:4-9

⁴ You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶       For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much.

b.     Be careful about the nuances of your language

c.      Don’t dredge up past failures

d.     Never say I told you so

Answer Key: rank; Looks; Holy Spirit; Successes and Failures;