South Texas Bible Ministry Training Center MIN 123 Evangelism and Discipleship in the Local Church T Ricky Joseph, Ph.D.
OBJECTIVES Explain what Evangelism is not Discuss the Motive for evangelism, including how it is: Joyfully Intoxicating The Real Business of Life Obedience to the Great Commission The Supreme Challenge of this Generation Discuss What Evangelism Is when driven by proper motive
Evangelism is Introduction: 2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. What Evangelism Is Not A Choice (a command) Just passing on information (living epistles) A spiritual gift (meant for the entire Church)
What is God s will for the lost and was the Lord Jesus Christ under constraint to do His will? John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Is this still His will for today? 2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God has held back both His judgment and wrath because He is still in the saving business. He is not willing that any should perish and He is not interested in losing any of us who are His own.
So what part do we have in seeing that the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be fulfilled in evangelizing the lost and do we have help in doing this? Matthew 28:18 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.
Will it be easy to get the message out? 2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist (euggelistes [yoo-ang-ghel-istace ]a preacher of the gospel), make full proof of thy ministry.
Methods and Intent John 1:35-51 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Methods and Intent And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. What happened here what did they do that we don t often see done among Christians?
Why did they do this? Revelation 2: 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Willingness and Sensitivity to the Holy Ghost Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
Willingness and Sensitivity to the Holy Ghost Acts 8:26-39 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Willingness and Sensitivity to the Holy Ghost In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
In the scriptures we just read how did Phillip show willingness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
How do we go? Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. The Message Luke 24:46-49 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Evangelism Is What Evangelism is Not Just something you do (an involuntary response) In competition with discipleship (dependent on each other) Based on personality (a responsibility for all) The same as missions (purpose and driving force for missions) Acting arrogant or superior (obedient, humble heart) Meant to be silenced by fear A theological dilemma (election? Theology)
Motive Joyfully Intoxicating Luke 15:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Apprehension Scott Hears the Good News Scott Got Saved!
Motive Evangelism Is Telling friends about Jesus Powerful! An intoxicating increaser of the joy for everyone involved. Joyfully addictive Application
Motive The Real Business of Life 1Corinthans 10: 31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. The Hamburger and Ice Cream Business The Salvation of Souls Business
Motive The Real Business of Life Why are We Here? How to Glorify God Ambassadors Evangelism Is The real business of life Refusing to be quickly and easily distracted away from the real business of life Serving God as Christ s ambassadors
Motive Obedience to the Great Commission Acts 1:8 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. The Great Commission has always been the Heart of God The Great Commission Is for All Followers of Jesus
Motive Obedience to the Great Commission The Great Commission is Not the Great Suggestion The Great Commission Must be Obeyed at All Cost No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regret Evangelism is: All out obedience to the Great Commission Sharing the gospel to the ends of the Earth whatever the cost
Motive The Supreme Challenge of this Generation 2Timothy 2:3 The Bad News The Good News The Not Exactly Good News The Problem Beliefs Affect Future Behavior
Motive The Supreme Challenge of this Generation Faulty Beliefs Negatively Impact the Effectiveness of the Church How Does this Impact Evangelism A New Generation The Few, the Proud Spiritual Marines Good Soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ Served His Generation A Few Good Men and Women
Motive The Supreme Challenge of this Generation Evangelism is: Standing up for your faith if everyone else remains seated Going against the grain of culture Becoming a spiritual marine The supreme challenge of this generation