Revival Week Sunday – Pastor Matt Krachunis

Luke 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

We all need to be mindful on our calling to be sharing the Gospel with everyone. 

There is a famous quote from the Atheist Penn Jillette ““I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me along and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? “I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”

Jesus spoke to his followers and said you say 4 more months, but the harvest is now!

There are many excuses as to why we don’t share the Gospel. 

1. I think we’re nervous to talk about it. Whether social anxiety, or fear of rejection, its an emotional endeavor to ‘put yourself out there’ like nothing else. Its frightening
2. we talk ourselves out of it- we say they’ll reject it, think of reasons why it wont work
3. we are afraid of repercussions- what will they do to me and how will it change the rel?
4. we’re discouraged. There’s usually a season where you do it- and not much fruit
5. we’re selfish and lazy. So consumed with our own issues and life we forget about others. 

1. The Motivation

• If you don’t have the proper motivation for sharing the Gospel, you’ll never do it. 
• Me telling you, or us having a ‘campaign’ to be inviters or a Sunday invite day doesn’t do it. 
• You need to internalize that God saved you to bring him glory, and you want other people to get saved to give God more glory. The person cant be the motivation. God has to be the motivation
• People aren’t likable enough. They are mean, hurtful, angry people. Some people can go to hell
• But when you have the proper motivation, you don’t lose it, because HE is worthy enough
• Here’s the truth-LIFT UP YOUR EYES you were Purchased by God, and your life is not your own. 
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 you are not your own? For you were bought at a price
• If you realize what he’s done for you, you become a bondservant- willingly serving him
• My flesh doesn’t want to evangelize. Its emotionally painful, but I will endure for him
• LIFT UP YOUR EYES- You have to Die to Self. Kill the parts of you that need to die. No excuses. 
• There are no scriptural provisions to exclude anyone based on any criteria. All of us must do it
• Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
• Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 
• When you internalize who your life belongs to, you no longer have a struggle for what to do
• When at work- boss owns your time. And when you’re not, God owns it. Do what they say
• This needs to be understood- your life is no longer your own. (found guy on ctas no tie)
• LIFT UP YOUR EYES- We are supposed to be Living for God’s Glory
• Romans 14:7-8 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
• Evangelism is about giving God glory! The more we bring to him, the more glory he gets
• And there can never be enough! He’s worthy of all glory and worthy of all praise!
• You only get one life- and you need to steward it well.  
• Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
• Career, spouse, activities, where you live, how you spend your money and time, what you value
• All of those need to be on the altar- have your way Lord. Have your way. More glory for you!
• John 15:13-14 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
• Many people love being forgiven, saved. Love godly marriage, friendships, feelings of worship and service, but they haven’t laid down their life. There is a cross-over in your heart. 
• Who’s running your life? What’s going to be your legacy?
• My dad v Paul A. dad- worldy accomplishments. Paul A- bus shelters. World standard, meh
• Difference? Faithful to God, Church, spouse, kids and grandkids who love the Lord. Legacy. 
• And its not even that one is remembered differently by the humans- it changes eternity for HIM
• Offer Yourself as a Living Sacrifice
• Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
• REASONABLE SERVICE- what does that actually mean? W it hats reasonable?
• Is it reasonable to be thinking about God and his glory when talking to others?
• It is reasonable to live a life of evangelism where every checker, server, neighbor, friend, family, and person you interact with could be changed by the Gospel?
• Is it reasonable to change your schedule, adjust your life, your job, your location for Him?
• It is reasonable to ask God to keep you in a region that desperately needs the Gospel?
• Is it reasonable to allow your life to be interrupted and often be engaged with others?
• Our little church could change the world if we just did what was reasonable

2. The Great Commission

• We have instructions and commandments from our Lord and savior to share the Gospel
• Christians are to share their faith. Its part of what we do. We weren’t saved to sit. 
• 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 that I have commanded you. Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
• These are very clear marching orders! There’s not a lot of room for interpretation
• Do you enjoy reading the Bible? Has it encouraged you and helped you in life?
• If the disciples hadn’t answered- no Gospel spread. Paul didn’t just write to the churches that he started- he didn’t start the Church in Rome or Colosse. No one knows for sure who started the roman church- AND IT DOESN’T MATTER- but evangelism changed the world and gave us BIBLE
• Here’s some truths- God has Desire for All to Hear the Gospel- don’t discount others souls
• Bible says- 1 Ti 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• This is the heart of God- that all men would come to the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel
• Jesus went to preach to as many as possible that as many as possible would come to the truth
• You have to internalize this– if not, you’ll talk yourself out of it- God wants as many as possible
• All- everyone. You don’t look at someone and think ‘should I’ no- that all men would come
• Should just some be saved from hell? Rescued from addictions? Some lives changed?
• 2 Peter 3:9 not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
• God isn’t a needy girlfriend that needs our adoration to be complete- his essence and nature is Love and the fullest expression of his love is to have those to love. We can bring more
• And he wants to love those who choose to love him, not those who are forced to love him
• How can force be considered love? If people have no role to play- let them burn in hell. 
• Friends- we have a Role as Witnesses- God has commanded us to lift up your eyes
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
• All of us have had times that we said “I wish someone would do ____” natural response
• But in most instances- that someone is us. We’d love to see everyone else doing it. But its us
• You, we, all of us are ambassadors for Christ. When I preach- HS comes through me- Witnessing, the HS comes through you- its quite cosmic. If you have done it- things come out of mouth. 
• It aint you- it’s the HS that is doing it- and its beautiful that God uses people like us
• Life loses meaning without fully engaged living. No item, trip, experience, food, day is enough
• You want to feel alive? Start witnessing! See lives changed and watch how YOUR life changes
• Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?
• Who’s gonna do it? You sure are thankful for the one who shared it with you, aren’t you?
• The Example of Jesus
• Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• Proclaiming the Gospel is a Command Matthew 5:14-16 READ
• Let your light shine! God has met you and changed you and you have everlasting life 
• ‘hide it under a bushel’. No way. 
• There are Warnings for Not Sharing the Gospel
• Now there are scriptures that talk about Ezekiel that don’t directly apply to us. 
• Ezekiel 3:18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.
• Not directly for you or me- but it shows- if God asks to do something, and you don’t? not good
• Why do we watch those whom we interact with just go to Hell?
• AND LET ME SAY THIS– here’s a layup- some of you don’t have large circles, and maybe you’re so unbelievably busy or unable to evangelize. People come to this church every week!
• I get it- we love our people, but LIFT UP YOUR EYES- people come in here every week and most people don’t do anything to welcome them. You get here, make sure you get YOUR seat and wont even walk across the aisle to extend a hearty welcome or an inquiry into their lives. 
• Have you ever got a phone number or took someone out to lunch after church?
• Did you give them your phone number and say ‘call me if you have any questions’ discipled?
• We get so many visitors that come in and out every week and NEVER connect with ANYONE
• James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
• At the minimum, can you at least maximize what God brings on your spiritual doorstep?
• Can you believe that God can use you both inside and outside the church?
• Let me add this- Church isn’t even for the unbeliever. Its for the believer, but many come
• If you would evangelize, disciple and then bring, the church could do her work easier. 

3. How do you do it?

• First, and we covered it- you need to have a mindset to honor God
• Matthew 25:24-26 read
• I don’t want to be a lazy servant. God has given me this life, and I want to honor him 
• Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
• Secondly- Lift up your eyes. Start to live on mission and watch the world around you
• Every where you go- you can meet and see people whom God loves that need Jesus
• Lift up your eyes- get off your phone! In stores, at the gym, at work on break, at office
• Everyone else is on their phone, get off of yours. Life is passing you by
• See every opportunity as an opportunity to share the Gospel and get people saved
• 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
• Thirdly- learn to talk to people
• I understand I’m a master at this- I do it everywhere I go, its what I do
• Standing in line- ‘what are ya’ll up to today’ ‘what are you buying’ ‘hey I like your this’
• Sitting somewhere ‘what do you think about this’ you’d be surprised about people. 
• Meeting someone new ‘tell me something about yourself’ 
• Then- I turn the conversation- ‘where do you go to church’ ‘you’re a Christian, right’?
• And here’s where it’s important- you have to determine what role this person is
• Never another chance- share gospel right now- invite to church right now. No other chance
• Maybe another chance- plant a seed. Checker, store, gym, etc. play longer game
• Solid relationship- co-worker, family member, neighbor. Much more strategic. You have time
• And then you listen to the HS and say what he tells you to say and what he says to do. 
• ITS NOT ON YOUR POWER- when you LIFT UP YOUR EYES you see God move every day
• You don’t see God move? Start evangelizing. You’ll see him do miraculous things! 
• And I get it- ‘what will I say’  Matthew 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
• You have the Holy Spirit inside. He is with you. Don’t be afraid. 
• Don’t get discouraged. It may happen right now, but it may take time. 
• That’s ok. Live a lifestyle of evangelism. Make it a discipline no goal, just lifestyle
• Last two scriptures
• 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.
• Don’t be ashamed. He’s worth it
• Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.