We Believe In Evangelism

We Believe in Evangelism. 

• I was probably in the 6th grade and I was attending a Haunted House in DT Seattle
• There was an old man, walking the line. I remember “you reading your bibles” We mocked him
• Cold rainy night and this guy was out sharing the Gospel. I became one of them. I share. 
• Our Church believes in Sharing the Gospel- Jesus came to save Sinners. Evangelism
• 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.
• We believe we are ambassadors- What Is the Job of an Ambassador?
• An ambassador is an authorized representative, sent from one kingdom or nation to another to speak on behalf of their leader or government. They don’t speak their own opinion they deliver the message and carry the authority of the one who sent them.
• And that’s what we do. We are sent by one kingdom to another, Speaking on behalf, w authority
• Our Church grows because we share the Gospel. We Grow. The kingdom grows. Obedience

 1.Why do we share the Gospel

• We believe in Evangelism Because God Commanded It

• We are AMBASSADORS- we are sent by him to spread HIS KINGDOM
• Evangelism is not optional it’s a direct command from Jesus. Jesus told us to Matt 28:19–20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…
• Because He commanded it. We do it. This isn’t an option for the Christian. If you’ve never shared the Gospel, you’re in dereliction of duty. You must do this. Continually. 
• To love God is to obey Him and He told us to go and make disciples, so that’s what we do. 
• We believe in Evangelism Because People Are Lost Without Christ
• Without the gospel, people are dead in sin and headed for eternal separation from God.
• How can we know that there are people going to hell and not care? How diabolical?
• Ro 6:23  For the wages of sin is death Jn 3:18 He who does not believe is condemned already…
• Evangelism is rescue we speak life where there’s death. We give hope where there is none, we speak life over death and deliver people from darkness into light. (lives are really changed)

2. We believe in Evangelism Because We Have Good News to Share

• Evangelism isn’t just obligation it’s proclamation. We share the greatest news of the world!
• Who doesn’t like to hear good news? A game won, a war stopped, a life saved! 
• We ought not be ashamed! Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel… it is the power of God to salvation. the gospel is really good news, we can’t keep it to ourselves!
• We believe in Evangelism Because Someone Evangelized You
• You heard because someone told. Now it’s your turn. Why should it stop with you? Selfish
• I hope one day in heaven there’s a spiritual family tree where we see how the Gospel came to us. Somehow my spiritual lineage connects to the 12 disciples!
  That’s magnificent if you think about it- we’re here because of 2000 years of history. 

3. Who Benefits From Evangelism?

• If you talk to any person who sells anything- you have to sell the WIFM. No WIFM no Sale
• The reason why WIFM matters is that it touches the center of every human- selfishness
• There should be no WIFM for us in regards to the Gospel. There IS, but not our motivation
• We believe in Evangelism because The Lost Benefit Evangelism is how people hear the gospel and are saved. They are set free by the word! Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• They must HEAR and we must PREACH. When we share the word they can put faith in it. 
• Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…
• Without evangelism, they don’t hear, believe, or respond. Their eternity is changed through someone else’s obedience. People don’t just ‘get saved’ someone has to preach to them. 
• No longer going to hell. Forgiven. Free from shame, guilt etc.  Set free from addiction.
• We believe in Evangelism because The Church Benefits Evangelism builds the Church, brings in new believers, and fulfills the Great Commission. Churches who share the Gospel grow, ones that don’t die!
• Many churches die and are dying. Not our Church bc we have evangelists! (Mostly Burgans)
• Job of church isn’t to kill SEO. 85% of church growth comes from personal invites. 
• Acts 2:47  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
• People say they want NT Christianity but unwilling to share like the early church did! 
• The Church becomes stronger, more alive, and more vibrant when it’s reaching out, not just looking inward. Every new convert churns the waters of complacency! (keeps us on our toes)
• Do you know why this church feels alive? Because we are ‘adding daily’ people excited
• This is a soul winning church! We do personal, church, group, missions, evangelism

4. We believe in Evangelism because The Evangelist Benefits

• OK- A little bit of WIFM for you. God is gracious enough to give us something from it. 
• Evangelism sharpens your faith, deepens your joy, and aligns your life with God’s mission.
• Many times when I’m evangelizing I feel his presence more, remember more, feel joy
• Philemon 1:6  That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. When you SHARE You UNDERSTAND MORE
• Proverbs 11:25  He who waters will also be watered himself.
• You grow bolder, more grateful, and more focused when you’re on mission. People who share more have more joy in this life. They realize what really matters. It minimizes problems in life. 
• If you feel as though your walk is stagnant and dead- start evangelizing! Share your faith!

5. How do we evangelize 7 step play book

  1. Personal Witnessing (One-on-One Conversations)

• The greatest evangelism is when we personally take the mission to share our faith
• Everyone I meet I have sharing the Gospel in the back of my head. Everyone. Every day. 
• John 1:45  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him…”
• Sidenote- When you think more about sharing Gospel you think less about your problems
• It is very difficult to get outside of your own issues and problems and think of others. 
• But we must! Share faith in daily life at work, in your neighborhood, at the gym.
• Guy who walks dog on my street. I’ll start pushing out w Gospel- No build relationship
• This is the most effective and relational form of evangelism. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Everyone is busy. Give them your TIME
• Crystal and I walk and Jog 3-5 times a week. I know dozens of peoples names
• I WORK at it. Neighborhood. Gym. Why? Our church is fine. BECAUSE HE WANTS IT FROM US
• “That’s just the way you are”. It tiresome after 50 years. Sometimes I want to keep to myself. 

2. Public Preaching and Teaching

• Acts 2:14 Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them…
• Bold, public proclamation of the gospel in gatherings, services, open-air settings, or online.
• If you’ve never done public air preaching, missing out. Do it online (always surprised never)
• I do my part here in the pulpit, but every week isn’t evangelistic. Not the main point of pulpit
• YOU can preach within the confines of YOUR sphere of influence. You can be YOU preaching

  3. Lifestyle Evangelism (Living the Gospel Out Loud)

• This isn’t the ONLY way, its ONE of the ways. Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men…
• Living in a visibly Christlike way that provokes questions and opens doors to share Jesus.
• Be weird. Give away money. Time. Items. Buy coffee and meals. Pray for people. Live different
• Actions alone aren’t the gospel but they validate the message. 
• This is part of why and how you live matters. Acting the fool in public. Wearing gear stupidly
• How you LOOK, ACT in INTERACT MATTERS. (bad customer service call- tore them up- ended with my faithandvictory email. NOOOO I’m nice to everyone. I know its coming)
• TO BE EVANGELISTIC IS TO BE AWARE IN HOW YOU LIVE, what you wear, your attitude
• How you treat your spouse, kids, yourself, others. I LIVE WITH THIS CONSTANTLY 

4. Acts of Service and Compassion

• We serve those inside the Church and outside the church. We are just servants. 
• Matt 25:40  Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these…
• Serving people’s needs in Jesus’ name food, clothing, hospital visits, moving etc. 
• It time consuming. It hurts your body. You need help yourself. Do what others don’t. 
• God keeps meticulous specific records of what you do and there are rewards coming. 
• Opens hearts and breaks down resistance to the message. (You may just be planting)

5. Through Media and Technology

• Psalm 96:3  Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
• Social media, podcasts, livestreams, blogs, websites, YouTube. BUT GLORIFYING GOD
• I say caustic things because I want to nick peoples consciousness. Wife writes a daily. 
• Why not? Its seed. Over the years we’ve met and talked to many encouraged by us. 
• We can reach nations instantly but must remain gospel-centered, not self-centered. FOR HIM

6. Through Giving and Sending

• Romans 10:15 How shall they preach unless they are sent?
• I don’t have the physical wherewithal to build. I am not called to missions. We give above
• Supporting missionaries, church planters, outreach ministries financially or prayerfully.
• Not everyone is called to go but everyone is called to participate. Give prolly 5% more.

7. Through Hospitality and Invitation

• You eat every day, why don’t you invite others? Why don’t you use your house?
• People say- I don’t want people to know where or how I live. We have opened our house to everyone for the past 22 years. Currently not dead. A few squirrely- Shower and show ups. 
• Its ok! Luke 14:23  Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
• God knows We can be trusted with a house bc we use it for ministry. Its not ours. 
• Invite people to church, a meal, a Bible study. Often the first step to the gospel.

7 Fuels to stay motivated

1. Remember What Jesus Did for You

• How often do you think about your salvation experience? How often reflect on the cross
• You have been redeemed and set free. Jesus saved you. It’s a beautiful thing!
• 2 Corinthians 5:14  For the love of Christ compels us… IT COMPELS US WHEN WE KNOW IT
• You were once lost. Someone reached you. REMIND YOURSELF OF THIS
• Gratitude fuels boldness. When you remember your own rescue, you want others to be rescued too. You’re THANKFUL and you then you are COMPELLED

  2. Remember who gets the glory We evangelize because God is glorified.

• Every soul saved magnifies His grace, mercy, and power. It shows WHO HE IS

• It proves to the world that God is real and still saves. LIVE STILL BEING CHANGED

• Luke 15:7 There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

• Lives transformed by Christ bring Him eternal glory. When a soul is saved lives are changed

• John 15:8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.

• Evangelism puts His love and pursuit on full display. Shows the world God is alive

• I love being saved it multiplies my worship daily. I love living the God life- so will others. 

• He deserves the glory. We exist to give it.

  3. Meditate on Eternity

• When you meditate on eternity, you realize that we don’t have much time. 
• Romans 10:14 How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
• Heaven and hell are real. People are eternal. People’s souls are eternally valuable. Time is short
• Let the weight of eternal destiny stir urgency in your soul. Think about how little time we have

  4. Abide in the Holy Spirit

• If you’re abiding in the spirit every day you ask him and he shows you. He empowers you Acts 1:8 You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses…
• You can’t evangelize in the flesh. But when you’re Spirit-filled, you become bold and burdened.
• Stay in prayer. Stay in the Word. Stay on fire. Look for opportunities at every turn! 

5. Pray for the Lost by Name

• Put them on a list and pray for them! Keep them in the top of your mind! 
• Romans 10:1 – My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
• When you pray, your heart stays soft.
• Make a list. Pray daily. Ask God to break your heart for their salvation.

6. Surround Yourself With Evangelistic People

• People I go out to eat with that are bolder than me. Uncomfortable- but why not me?
• Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron…
• If you’re around people who are reaching others, you’ll be stirred to do the same.
• Evangelism is contagious when you run with the right crew.

7. Celebrate Salvation Stories 

• Luke 15:10 There is joy in the presence of the angels… over one sinner who repents.
• Hearing about lives changed reminds you why it matters.
• Share testimonies. Watch them. Read them. Let joy motivate you.
• We Believe in Evangelism!
• So go share the gospel. We live it out. We believe in evangelism here. 
• Not out of guilt, but out of love for the God who saved you.
• Let your life and lips give Him the glory He deserves.