Spiritual Disciplines: Personal Evangelism (Part 1)
Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: March 1st, 2022
Series: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Lesson 5: PERSONAL EVANGELISM – PART 1
Scripture Text: Acts 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 9:16
“16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” – St. Matthew 28:16-20.
“6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”– Acts 1:6-8.
“Telling the Good News does not give me any reason for bragging. Telling the Good News is my duty— something I must do. And how terrible it will be for me if I do not tell the Good News” - 1 Corinthians 9:16—New Century Version
Personal Evangelism is communicating the Gospel message one-on-one. It is informing the individual that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead with the intent of leading the unsaved to full New Testament salvation, and with the ultimate intent of instructing the convert in the Word of God so that he can become a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The word "Gospel" (euangelion) simply means "good news" or "good announcement" or "good message."
The word euangelion (u-on-gellion) is used in the New Testament to describe:
- Any good
- Good news about the Messiah's arrival and His establishment of the promised Kingdom (Mt. 3:1-2, 4:17, 10:5-7)
- The good news of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)
It is vitally important to know exactly what the Gospel is for three reasons:
- We are commanded to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15).
- A curse is pronounced upon anyone who would twist, add to, or delete from the Gospel (Gal.1:6-9).
- A person's eternity depends on it!
What exactly is the Gospel?
Paul in I Corinthians 15:3-4 describes the specific contents of the Gospel message. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 4And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
The two basic facts of the Gospel are these:
- Jesus died!
- Jesus lives!
Jesus DIED! (Crucifixion) (I Corinthians 15:3)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” – 1 Corinthians 15:3.
Four key words that describe Christ's redemptive death:
-
- SACRIFICE (The Essence of the Gospel) -"Christ died"
- SUBSTITUTE (The Graciousness of the Gospel) “for our sins”. The word "for" is the Greek word huper which means "on behalf of" or "in the place of."
- SINS (The Necessity of the Gospel) "for our sins"
"Our" - This word shows that the sinner is personally responsible and accountable for his own sins.
"Sins" - This word points to the fact that the sinner has missed the mark of God's perfect moral standard (Rom. 3:23)
4. SCRIPTURES (Foundational Basis for the Gospel) "According to the Scriptures”
Our authority as we share the Gospel is solely God's Word, the Bible.
Jesus LIVES! (Resurrection) (I Corinthians 15:4)
“3And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” – 1 Corinthians 15:4.
Christ's resurrection is a vital element of the Gospel because if He did not arise from the dead, His claims of being the Messiah and Savior are invalidated, and He would have no power to save anyone. The Apostle Paul had to deal with this subject in 1 Corinthians 15:12-23, “12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.”
Note: The reference to Christ being "buried" validates the fact that He literally died, and that His resurrection was a literal miracle.
Who is a Witness?
A witness is one who has personally experienced something, who then relays that information to others. As a witness for Christ, we are simply sharing with someone else a reality that we experienced in our own lives. It is showing others what was shown to us!
Jesus said, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8). The word “witness” comes from the Greek word “Martus” which is where we get the English word “Martyr”.
". . . Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:47-48).
Why should I be involved in Personal Evangelism?
“18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him” – Matthew 4:18-20.
1. Because of four calls to evangelism:
a. There is a call from within (John 4:27-30)
b. There is a call from without (Acts 16:6-10)
c. There is a call from above (Mark 16:15; Eze.3:17-18, 33:1-11;)
d. There is a call from below (Luke 16:19-31)
"There is no command in all the New Testament for a sinner to go to church after the gospel, but there are multiplied commands for the church to take the gospel to the sinner . . . the responsibility of every Christian is not to bring the lost to the gospel but to take the gospel to the lost. Expecting the unsaved to come to church is unscriptural and unrealistic." (J.E. Conant)
2. Because we are God's only plan:
a. He is not using angels (Acts 10:1-8)
b. He is not using the dead (Luke 16:19-31)
c. He is not using creation (Rom.1:20)
3. Because all men are spiritually BLIND (2Cor. 4:4)
a. Blind as to their need
b. Blind as to their destiny
c. Blind as to the love of God
d. Blind as to the urgency of salvation
4. Because of the power available to us
a. The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
b. The Word of God (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16)
5. Because it is a sin not to witness
a. Sin of disobedience Mark 16:15
b. Sin of lack of love John 14:15, 23
c. Sin of not following Jesus Matthew 4:19
d. Sin of not abiding in Christ John 15:4,5
e. Sin of dishonesty in a sacred trust I Corinthians 4:1,2
6. Because of its advantages
a. All Christians can do it.
b. It can be done anywhere.
c. It can be done anytime (Acts 16:25-34).
d. It reaches all classes
• Because all are sinners (Rom.3.23)
• Because Christ died for all (Rom.5:8; I John 2:2)
• Because whosoever may call (Rom.10:13)
7. It helps the Christian. (I Cor.9:16)
• To keep his heart right with God.
• To know the power of God.
• To know the Word of God.
8. It helps the Church.
(Just as the happiest place in a hospital is the maternity ward, a happy, enthusiastic, zealous church will be so because of the joy Newborn Christians bring)
9. It helps the community.
(The best way to “clean up” our communities is to see God “clean up” people's souls)
10. It helps the country. (Prov.14:34)
11. It is an art acquired more than possessed.
The more you witness, the better you become at it
12. Its reward is worth more than anything. (Dan.12:3; Prov.11:30)
13. It glorifies our Heavenly Father (John 15:8)
How can I be an effective witness?
- Be saved yourself. (Luke 6:39 - The blind can't lead the blind)
- Be Spirit-filled (Eph. 5:18)
- Don't grieve the Spirit (by sin - Ephesians 4:30)
- Don't quench the Spirit (by unbelief - I Thes.5:19)
- Be close to Jesus (John 15:1-8, 16)
- How? By living a holy life! To abide in Him is to remain in close fellowship with Him and the result will be fruitfulness.
- Be compassionate
- See people through the perspective of Jesus (Mt. 9:36-38)
- Be burdened
- Have a deep realization that all men without Christ are lost and doomed.
How to overcome fear?
- Remember His presence is with you. (Mt. 28:20; Acts 18:9-10; Hebrews 13:5-6)
- Pray for boldness (Acts 4:29, 31; Ps. 34:4)
- Trust God for results, not yourself (I Thes. 2:2)
- Know the adequacy of the Gospel message. (Rom. 1:14-16)
- Memorize approach questions and a soul-winning plan (I Pet. 3:15)
- Be more concerned about winning souls than winning friends (Gal. 1:10)
Don't be afraid of:
I. Making a mistake (the greatest mistake you can make is to say nothing)
II. Doing more harm than good.
III. Being asked questions (If you don't know the answer, assure them that the Bible has one, and promise to get back with them)
Begin!
("In soul-winning, more than half the battle is won by beginning. Nobody would be walking today if they hadn't made their first attempt as a baby.")
How did Christ Evangelize?
Jesus saw every situation as an encounter with eternity at stake, and so must we. We need to follow our Savior's pattern for evangelism.
A. Christ made CONTACT with the Lost (He touched their lives - Matthew 9:9-13).
Christ's life on earth is characterized by His willingness to "touch" the lives of sinners (literally - Mt. 8:3, 15; 9:20, 29; 14:36; 17:7; 20:34; Mk. 7:33; Luke 22:51; Heb. 4:15)
He came into contact with those who needed Him. Jesus never isolated Himself from rubbing shoulders with hurting people.
How did Christ make contact with the lost?
I. Confrontational Evangelism - "He saw a man" (v. 9)
Example: Woman at the well. Even in this type of evangelism a relationship must be built.
II. Friendship Evangelism - "He sat at meat" (v. 10-13)
Friendship evangelism is commonly called: "Lifestyle evangelism"; "Bridge evangelism." Jesus is called a "Friend of sinners."
Should we be friends with the lost? Yes and No!
Yes - We are friends in the sense that we genuinely love them and seek to build a bridge in their life so that they will listen to our gospel and see it "fleshed out" by our lives.
No - We are never to be like the world to win them. We are not to compromise conviction, participate in worldly practices; or go to certain of their places of entertainment to win them.
We are to surrender personal differences but never doctrinal convictions – Example: Paul - I Corinthians 9:19-23.
Two extremes are prevalent today in the name of "evangelism":
- Spiritual Isolation - to have no contact with the lost.
- Spiritual Immersion - to have no distinction with the lost (to blend into their worldliness).
Four Requirements for "Friendship Evangelism":
A neutral setting - "in the house" (v. 10)
• It was not church, nor was it the night club where Jesus sat with sinners.
What is a neutral setting? It is a location and atmosphere not noted for either "religion" (on the one hand) or "sin" (on the other hand).
The Bible Examples of evangelizing in neutral settings:
I. Samaritan woman - by a well (John 4)
II. Zacchaeus - in his home (Luke 19:5-10)
III. Ethiopian Eunuch - on the Gaza Road (Acts 8:26-40)
IV. Cornelius and family - in his house (Acts 10:27-28)
V. Lydia - by a river (Acts 16:13)
VI. Philippian jailor - outside a jail cell (Ac.16:23, 29-30)
VII. Jailor's family - in a home (Acts 16:32, 34)
VIII. The Athenians - at a marketplace (Acts 17:17b)
IX. Justus - in his house (Acts 18:7)
Paul did frequently go into Jewish synagogues and preach, but not to the neglect of sharing his faith in "neutral" locations. It is improper to have the mentality that evangelism should primarily take place in the local church. The primary function of the assembled congregation is the edification of the saints (Eph. 4:12; Heb. 10:24-25) not the evangelism of sinners.
Even though reaching the lost will and should take place during church gatherings (I Corinthians 14:23-25), the primary purpose of believers "coming together" (v. 26) is not evangelism but edification. Evangelism takes place, primarily, when the Church is dissembled, as believers go out to the homes, jobs, and school, etc. (Acts 5:42, 8:4).
The benefits of evangelizing in neutral settings:
It shows the lost person that salvation does not come via a church, or a "religion."
The atmosphere does not restrain the lost person (less apprehension or fear) - in a church building he may not feel comfortable (tendency is to erect barriers). The atmosphere does not distract the lost person. In a nightclub, bar, etc., the surroundings are sensual, noisy, and worldly, thus distracting to both the one witnessing and the one listening.
Neutral settings provide uninterrupted contact with the lost person. Example: Through building relationships with those at work, school, recreational areas etc. you establish relationship, trust, and come in contact with lost people on a consistent basis. They get a chance to see a "real live" Christian in day-to-day life.
A distinct lifestyle - "physician... sick" (v.11-12) Jesus remained a physician when among the sick, He did not become sick with them!" See Matthew 5:13-16
We must maintain our spiritual savor (v. 13)
• We need to be distinct morally. The world needs something to hinder corruption - what makes us distinct? Note previous context (v. 3-12).
We must maintain our spiritual light (v. 14-16)
• Don't hide your light (v. 15)
• Let people see your light (v.16)
• We should be known for our "light" (our distinguishable brilliance against the backdrop of the world's darkness).
A spiritual purpose - "call...sinners to repentance” (v.11-12; 13b)
Our major goal in building relationships with the lost is to lead them to repentance (to bring them to our Savior).
Our purpose is not to:
- Merely gain friends - A true friend will tell the most important news he has ever heard - the gospel.
- Become a social worker
We must be careful not to get side-tracked from our main goal. United Apostolic Church is not a social club, while we must help to meet the temporal needs (feeding the poor, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, etc.), we must always remember that our focus is to minister to the eternal needs of others.
A merciful attitude - "I will have mercy" (v. 13a)
"Mercy" - is to extend to others the same treatment God showed to you. Showing mercy requires humility and love.
Humility - "I am no better than you." You will never lead anyone to Christ if you preach down to them with a "holier than thou" attitude.
Love - "I will love you as Christ loved me when I was in sin." "People need to know how much you care before they will care about how much you know."