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EVANGELISM Matt 4:19 In this sermon I want to talk about EVANGELISM!

For too long I think we in GCI have been too passive when it comes to evangelism. I think we have and even now do not take our responsibility as Christians seriously enough. We are Christ’s ambassadors. He is making his appeal through us. I think every day Jesus brings people into our orbit, or into our sphere of influence who desperately need the Good News of salvation and if we are not open to those opportunities it will pass us by. If we do offer a word of encouragement, or share our faith, or say or do the Christian thing that opportunity will pass. I wonder how many opportunities like that have passed us by?

 

I think we need to change our mindset.

We need to be more intentional when it comes to evangelism.

 

What do I mean by this? We should take our responsibility for sharing the Gospel personally. We were called to be saved. But it should not stop there. We have a responsibility to be a witness to the lost. Jesus wants us when we go about our business, when we are living our lives, when we are out in the world, to make disciples.

 

Matt 4:19  Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

This means we will be led, guided and guarded by Jesus when we step out in faith to talk the Gospel.

 

What we rather need to realise, is that Christ is carrying out his will on the earth and we become a part of that. It should be our desire and our intent to follow Jesus, wherever he is working and whenever he brings people into our orbit to whom we can minister.

 

What difference does following Jesus and being intentional about evangelism make?

 

1. We will become more aware of the people around us who we can influence in a positive way with the Gospel message. It can be a family member, a neighbour, or a total stranger. God can and will give us the right words to say, or the right action to take. We can pray for such opportunities.

 

1. We will be growing spiritually.

It is Christ in us that makes us attractive to those that do not know Jesus. Know what you believe and what the church teaches. In that way we will be able to give a sensible explanation when we have the opportunity.

We will focus more time on people and not on things. Concentrate on relationships that we have or that can be developed. Be available for people when the need a hand, or someone to lean on. We will pray. Prayer is the 1st step in evangelism. But we need to get out of the closet. We have nothing to hide!

 

Ask yourself this question.

When other people look at you, at your lifestyle, do they see Jesus? Is what they see attractive. When you look at you, are you attractive? I am not talking about your appearance, but about your inner self. Your personality, your demeanour, your lifestyle. Would a non-believer be attracted to Christianity because of your behaviour and actions, or because of your lifestyle? This has to do with what you say, the things you do and how you live.

 

Luke 10:2 (NIV)

2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

 

Ever thought of yourself as an evangelist! In God’s world he is relying on you to be his witness, to be a labourer.

 

PRAYER NOT ENOUGH

There comes a time when we need to do more than just pray. We need to get out of the closet and into the world. We talk about ”gay” people “coming out”. Revealing to the world their status.  We need to let the world know that we are Christians. To be in the field and begin working, sowing, watering and harvesting. We must take action. Do the work of an evangelist.

 

Evangelism: Our Sovereign Obligation

"Stimulate me today, Lord, with that sense of sovereign obligation. Then lead me to the right person with whom I could share Your grace. Amen."

 

Evangelism: Calling Us Back

"Thank You, Father, for Your grace that continues to call so patiently. Lord, You're calling some today with whom I could have the privilege of sharing the Gospel. Give me a sensitivity today to opportunities where I might be Your human voice. Amen."

 

SCRIPTURES AND NOTES

 

BEGINNING OF JESUS‘ MINISTRY

Matthew 4:17 The Voice

17 From that time on, preaching was part of Jesus’ work.

Jesus: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

He then begins to call his disciples, to help him carry this urgent, precious message to the people.

 

END OF JESUS’ MINISTRY –

He had this to say to his followers and disciples.

Matt 28: 18-20

Jesus: I am here speaking with all the authority of God, who has commanded Me to give you this commission: 19 Go out and make disciples in all the nations. Ceremonially wash them through baptism in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 20 Then disciple them. Form them in the practices and postures that I have taught you, and show them how to follow the commands I have laid down for you. And I will be with you, day after day, to the end of the age.

 

From the beginning to the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus’ main concern was the proclaiming of the Gospel and the salvation of the people.

 

Luke 15 (NIRV)

The Story of the Lost Sheep

15 The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were whispering among themselves. They said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

 

3 Then Jesus told them a story. 4 He said, “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Won’t he leave the 99 in the open country? Won’t he go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it? 5 When he finds it, he will joyfully put it on his shoulders 6 and go home. Then he will call his friends and neighbours together. He will say, ‘Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.

 

PARABLE EXPLAINED

Imagine that you have 4 kids. One gets lost. You would move heaven and earth to find the child. We are all children of God. Even the tax collectors and sinners. It is our job to reach out to every single person with the love of God.

 

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