PAINTING A REALISTIC PICTURE

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Where we are as a church – Some Observations

• We are around lost people on a regular basis.
• We seem to be unsure how to approach someone who hasn’t shown interest in spiritual things.
• We seem to feel unprepared about what questions we might be able to answer.
• We seem to feel more comfortable witnessing with another believer.
• We are praying at most weekly for the lost people we do know.
• We seem to connect outreach programs with a better evangelism effort.

Evangelism is not…

• Giving your testimony
• Inviting someone to church
• Imposition
• Social action
• Apologetics
• Mutual agreement – getting someone to agree with you
• Outward professions

What is Evangelism?

Outline for Everyday Evangelism

• Commonality – establishing a common ground within the context of the type of relationship you have with the individual
• Comparison – bringing everyday subjects around to spiritual subjects
• Confrontation – helping the individual see themselves as a sinner and the necessity of punishment for their sin

There is a balance involved in our confronting lost people with the gospel message.

• “Honesty – First, we tell people with honesty that if they repent and believe, they will be saved. But they will need to repent, and it will be costly. We must be accurate in what we say, not holding any important parts back that seem to us awkward or off-putting…What is repentance? It is turning from the sins you love to the holy God you’re called to love. It is admitting that you’re not God. It is beginning to value Jesus more than your immediate pleasures. It is giving up those things the Bible calls sin and leaving them to follow Jesus.” - Mark Dever (The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, pg. 55, 57)
• “Urgency – Also, though, if we are to follow a biblical model of evangelism, we must emphasize the urgency with which people ought to repent and believe if they will be saved. They must decide now. They certainly shouldn’t wait until a “better deal” comes along.” - Mark Dever (The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, pg. 57)
• “Joy – Driven by a careful conscience to be clear about what is condemned and forbidden, and driven by a sense of the brevity of time, we could end up with an intense, forceful practice of evangelism. But this wouldn’t seem like good news…The truth of this news of a restored relationship with God brings us great joy. So we should joyfully tell people that if they repent and believe they will be saved. It is all worth it, despite the cost.” - Mark Dever (The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, pg. 59)

• Contemplation – helping the individual see the death, burial, and resurrection as the only legitimate way of dealing with our sin and thereby the only true way to salvation
• Call – asking for a decision about the Lord Jesus Christ

Effectiveness in Evangelism

• Is dependent upon prayer
• Is directly correlated to your relationship with God – spending time with God is a priority – your experiencing God will help others to experience God through you.
• Is helped by sharpening your grasp and presentation of the gospel message.

What is the most attractive thing that true believer has to offer a lost person?

• Jesus has told you to love even your enemies. (Matthew 5:38-48)
• Jesus gave a parable on sacrificial love. (Luke 10:25-37)