PRACTICAL PERSONAL EVANGELISM

 PRACTICAL PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Introduction

1. Spring time is a time of growth and new life; trees are budding, flowers are blooming, new lambs can be heard

bleating, and a man's thoughts turn to the grass that needs mowing already.

2. It is also about this time of year that this congregation turns its thoughts to numerical growth, through preaching

of the gospel of life.

3. Each of us is a member of the Church of God, and, as such, we have an individual responsibility to participate in

the spreading of the gospel. We need to involve ourselves in the corporate efforts of the church, but we also have

an individual responsibility to evangelize to the lost.

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: For necessity is laid upon

me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

I. THE NEED TO EVANGELIZE (Read Romans 3:10-12)

A. All has sinned.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is

none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become

unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10- 12)

B. Majority of people will be lost, only a few will be saved (Matthew 7:13-14 <> Matthew 20:16; 22:14; Luke 13:23).

C. The fate of the sinner is eternal torment and punishment (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:28).

D. The following illustrations show the number of souls that are being lost, and the desperate need for more

laborers in the vineyard.

1. Man on cliff edge saving lemmings.

2. Man at foot of dam stopping leak, which gets worse.

II. NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

A. The Philippian Church was holding forth the word of life (Philippians 2:15-16).

B. Paul praised the Thessalonian Church for their evangelistic effort (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

C. Aquila and Priscilla preached Jesus to Apollos (Acts 18:24-26).

D. Cornelius gathered his friends and family to hear the gospel (Acts 10:24-27).

E. Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus (John 1:40-42a).

F. Philip brought Nathanael to the Lord (John 1:43-46).

G. Many were bringing their children to Jesus (Matthew 19:13-14).

H. Persecution did not prevent Christians preaching the word (Acts 8:4).

III. PREREQUISITES TO EVANGELISM

A. You must have a desire to save the lost.

1. If we have any natural affection (2 Timothy 3:3), if we have any love for our neighbor (Galatians 5:14), we will

surely desire their salvation (Romans 10:1).

2. If we understand the terror of the Lord, we will feel compelled to warn others (2 Corinthians 5:11). 

 “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the

flesh” (Jude 1:23)

3. Then, like Paul, we will view our responsibility to evangelize, as a necessity laid upon us (1 Corinthians 9:16).

B. Remember where the real power to save lies.

1. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16 > Hebrews 4:12; Romans 10:17 <> 2 Corinthians 5:19b).

2. We are only laborers, sowers, sowing the seed, the word of God (Luke 8:11).

3. But it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 <> Acts16:14).

C. Pray!

1. Pray for the Lord to raise up more laborers.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye

therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).

2. Pray that the word may have free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

3. Pray for boldness to speak (Acts 4:29-31).

IV. PRACTICAL EVANGELISM

A. Corporate involvement (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

1. Join in the door knocking effort.

2. 'Table in the market'.

3. Help to distribute Bible course cards.

4. Help distribute leaflet advertisements when we have a gospel meeting.

B. Personal involvement - face to face.

1. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to services.

2. Make the effort to share the gospel with that workmate that you have put off doing for so long.

3. When the gas man, electric man, insurance agent, etc. calls at your home, give them a tract as he leaves.

4. Set up a weekly Bible study in your home, and send invitations to your neighbors.

C. Personal involvement - indirect.

1. Put a 5” x 3” postcard in a newsagent window, advertising the free Bible course (From 20p - 90p per week).

2. Leave tracts etc. in public places - restaurants, cinemas, restrooms.

3. When you write letters, whether to friends, family, pop a tract in with it.

4. If you travel by public transport, leave a Bible course card on the seat.

5. If you know someone with a problem, find a tract or tape on that subject that might help them.

6. Support an evangelist! 

 

Conclusion

1. The world is full of people who are dead in trespasses and sins, and unless they hear the gospel, they cannot be

saved; as the scripture says, “taking vengeance on those who do not know God”. But how shall they hear unless

you speak? How shall they be saved except you show them the way?

2. Final thought: Read Ezekiel 3:18-19.