Personal Evangelism
Introduction. Near the end of Jesus earthly ministry, Jesus commissioned the apostles to preach the gospel to the world (Matt. 28: 18-20, Mk. 16: 15, 16, Luke 24: 47, 48). The Great Commission was the beginning of an organized effort to have the gospel preached to the populated world in the shortest amount of time (Acts 1: 8). In fact, in just twenty-six years the world had heard the Jerusalem gospel (Rom. 10: 18).
Do Christians today need to continue to teach others? In Ephesians 4:11-12 we have the work of the church set forth. The work of the church is three-fold: Evangelism, Benevolence, and Edification. Now let’s remember, the church is a divinely established and divinely organized institution (Ephesians 2:10). The church must be satisfied with doing what God authorized for her to do through His Word and nothing more.
The work of the church is an extension and continuation of the work of Christ. His mission was to seek and save the lost. That is still a work that the church must engage in today. Since individuals are saved by the gospel (Romans 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14), the work of the church is to preach the gospel (Acts 11:22-24; Philippians 4:15-17, 2:25; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).
These are all wonderful examples of local churches engaging in the action of evangelism. They were all evangelistic minded. I like especially the last example of the brethren at Thessalonica. They didn’t simply do evangelistic work by sending money to evangelist who were afar, they evangelized their own community by telling people they came into contact with about Jesus.
I would to God that we would ever try to emulate the church in Thessalonica and be actively involved in telling people about Jesus. Why isn’t the church growing in some places? One reason is because we are neglecting to do the work of the church. We are keeping the gospel to ourselves, and that is not going save anyone. The gospel is meant to be spread (Matthew 28:19-20). If we truly believe in the gospel and its ability to save, we won’t keep it to ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:13; James 1:21; Psalms 19:7).
This is what the parable of the sower is all about (Matthew 13:1-20). Of several lessons in this parable, one is vital: "Behold, a sower went out to sow”. This is "the parable of the sower" (Matthew 13:18), not just the hearers. For both His disciples and the multitudes, Jesus taught a basic lesson about His kingdom: its establishment and growth would be accomplished through teaching. Why? Because faith cometh by the word of God (Romans 10:13-17). The church and individuals today have a responsibility to preach the same gospel (I Tim. 3: 15, Phili. 2: 16). Men and women are made disciples in precisely the same way today ( Gal. 1: 6-9).
Consider some additional teaching on this subject of Personal Evangelism. God expects us to grow and mature spiritually. " ... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," (1 Pet.2:2). Growth must continue over a lifetime.
Soul winning is one of many ways to grow and bear fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... " (Gal.5:22-23). What better fruit is there than precious souls being added to the Kingdom? The Lord expects his branches to bear fruit. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn.15:5-6).
The responsibility is placed upon each of us by the general teaching in the Great Commission to be active in personal evangelism.
We must care for the lost- One of the greatest expressions of love we can show anyone is to tell that one about Christ. James put it this way, "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (Jas.5:19-20).
We must be teachers- "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).
We must be ready- "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).
We must have faith in the message- “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Cor.3:6).
What can I do in personal evangelism? I can offer a simple invitation- Next to actually teaching someone the gospel message, you will probably never do anything more helpful to influence someone for the Lord than to get them to services. Every member should be on the alert for prospects to invite to services.
I can offer a Bible study- One of the best way to teach others is a one on one Bible study.
I can show hospitality- An area where members can be most effective in personal evangelism without actually doing any teaching themselves is by being hospitable. Even experienced teachers need time with the prospect in order to get acquainted and establish credibility.
Things that hinder us from sharing the Good News of the Gospel.
Fear- We may have fear that we don’t have the ability to teach others. Remember you won’t learn how to do it unless you begin the process of doing it. Get with those that do it and learn from them.
They won’t listen- One of the most valuable lesson we learn from the parable of the sower is we simple must sow and the obligation is upon the hearer. The parable is recorded in Matthew 13: 3-9, Mark 4: 3-9, and Luke 8: 4-8. It is explained by Jesus in Matthew 13: 18-23, Mark 4: 14-20, and Luke 8: 11-15. It was told by Jesus to illustrate different reactions to the gospel message.
The problem Jesus faced was that many people, though they had ears to hear, their ears had become “hard of hearing” - Mt 13:14-15
I will be rejected- Many did not listen or have interest in the Word of God. Noah, Moses, Job, Jeremiah and even Jesus were rejected. (John 6:66).
Conclusion. Consider the teaching of these verses:
Do Christians today need to continue to teach others? In Ephesians 4:11-12 we have the work of the church set forth. The work of the church is three-fold: Evangelism, Benevolence, and Edification. Now let’s remember, the church is a divinely established and divinely organized institution (Ephesians 2:10). The church must be satisfied with doing what God authorized for her to do through His Word and nothing more.
The work of the church is an extension and continuation of the work of Christ. His mission was to seek and save the lost. That is still a work that the church must engage in today. Since individuals are saved by the gospel (Romans 1:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14), the work of the church is to preach the gospel (Acts 11:22-24; Philippians 4:15-17, 2:25; 2 Corinthians 11:8,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).
These are all wonderful examples of local churches engaging in the action of evangelism. They were all evangelistic minded. I like especially the last example of the brethren at Thessalonica. They didn’t simply do evangelistic work by sending money to evangelist who were afar, they evangelized their own community by telling people they came into contact with about Jesus.
I would to God that we would ever try to emulate the church in Thessalonica and be actively involved in telling people about Jesus. Why isn’t the church growing in some places? One reason is because we are neglecting to do the work of the church. We are keeping the gospel to ourselves, and that is not going save anyone. The gospel is meant to be spread (Matthew 28:19-20). If we truly believe in the gospel and its ability to save, we won’t keep it to ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:13; James 1:21; Psalms 19:7).
This is what the parable of the sower is all about (Matthew 13:1-20). Of several lessons in this parable, one is vital: "Behold, a sower went out to sow”. This is "the parable of the sower" (Matthew 13:18), not just the hearers. For both His disciples and the multitudes, Jesus taught a basic lesson about His kingdom: its establishment and growth would be accomplished through teaching. Why? Because faith cometh by the word of God (Romans 10:13-17). The church and individuals today have a responsibility to preach the same gospel (I Tim. 3: 15, Phili. 2: 16). Men and women are made disciples in precisely the same way today ( Gal. 1: 6-9).
Consider some additional teaching on this subject of Personal Evangelism. God expects us to grow and mature spiritually. " ... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," (1 Pet.2:2). Growth must continue over a lifetime.
Soul winning is one of many ways to grow and bear fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... " (Gal.5:22-23). What better fruit is there than precious souls being added to the Kingdom? The Lord expects his branches to bear fruit. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn.15:5-6).
The responsibility is placed upon each of us by the general teaching in the Great Commission to be active in personal evangelism.
We must care for the lost- One of the greatest expressions of love we can show anyone is to tell that one about Christ. James put it this way, "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (Jas.5:19-20).
We must be teachers- "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).
We must be ready- "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).
We must have faith in the message- “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Cor.3:6).
What can I do in personal evangelism? I can offer a simple invitation- Next to actually teaching someone the gospel message, you will probably never do anything more helpful to influence someone for the Lord than to get them to services. Every member should be on the alert for prospects to invite to services.
I can offer a Bible study- One of the best way to teach others is a one on one Bible study.
I can show hospitality- An area where members can be most effective in personal evangelism without actually doing any teaching themselves is by being hospitable. Even experienced teachers need time with the prospect in order to get acquainted and establish credibility.
Things that hinder us from sharing the Good News of the Gospel.
Fear- We may have fear that we don’t have the ability to teach others. Remember you won’t learn how to do it unless you begin the process of doing it. Get with those that do it and learn from them.
They won’t listen- One of the most valuable lesson we learn from the parable of the sower is we simple must sow and the obligation is upon the hearer. The parable is recorded in Matthew 13: 3-9, Mark 4: 3-9, and Luke 8: 4-8. It is explained by Jesus in Matthew 13: 18-23, Mark 4: 14-20, and Luke 8: 11-15. It was told by Jesus to illustrate different reactions to the gospel message.
The problem Jesus faced was that many people, though they had ears to hear, their ears had become “hard of hearing” - Mt 13:14-15
I will be rejected- Many did not listen or have interest in the Word of God. Noah, Moses, Job, Jeremiah and even Jesus were rejected. (John 6:66).
Conclusion. Consider the teaching of these verses:
- Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise
- Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek”
- John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest”
- Luke 10:1-2 “Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”