Lesson 6: Personal Evangelism Our New Lifestyle What purpose does God have for keeping His believers here on this earth? Nothing in our life is more important than glorifying God. Christ said in John 15:8: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.. One of the ways we can bear fruit is to bring others to the feet of Christ. Throughout this lesson we will see how, without exception, that God s children have the noble purpose and the great responsibility of showing the road of salvation to all those who do not know it. The words of Jesus in John 3:18 should resound in our hearts, warning us that anyone who does not believe in Him is condemned already. God desires that we be conscious that at this very instant all unconverted men, without regard to their religiosity, morality or good conduct, are on the road that leads directly to Hell. The will of God is that all be saved. We are the ones whom He will use to warn them of the danger in which they are found, and to beg them to reconcile themselves with God. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Let us diligently seek to speak of Christ each day as a part of our life style, so that we may have an impact on the eternity of those who surround us. I. Let us be Conscious of the Spiritual Condition of Those Who do not Know Christ. A. A person without Christ is spiritually blind. 1. Satan has blinded him. a. Spiritual blindness is caused in unbelievers by the god of this age, the devil, in order to prevent them from understanding the gospel. 2Corinthians 4:3-4 b. 1 Corinthians 2:14 teaches us that the unconverted man, called in the Bible the natural man, is incapable of understanding spiritual things and considers them foolishness. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. c. The spiritual condition of the one who is lost is caused by the hardness of his own heart, which is ignorant of the life found in God. Ephesians 4:17-19 2. Jesus Christ is the only one able to return his sight.
a. After returning his physical sight to a blind man, Jesus proclaimed His purpose of returning spiritual sight to those who are willing to acknowledge their spiritual blindness. John 9:39 says: And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. b. Just as Jesus Christ is able to remove the veil that covers the heart of the Israelites who do not believe, He desires the conversion of the natural man so that the veil which covers his spiritual eyes may be removed. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. B. A person without Christ is an enemy of God. 1. Just as we were before receiving Christ, every man in his natural state is an enemy of God and will only stop being one when he is reconciled to God by means of his conversion to Christ. Colossians 1:21 says, And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 2. Notwithstanding the good deeds or the good intentions of those around us, if they have not been born again it is totally impossible for them to submit themselves and to be pleasing to God. Romans 8:5-8. C. A person without Christ is on the road to Hell. 1. Jesus Christ has allowed us to see that every man upon the face of the earth is found on one of two roads. 2. There is a wide road that, although seen by men as leading to life, takes them to perdition. Matthew 7:13. 3. There is a narrow road which leads to life. Matthew 7:14. In John 14:6, Jesus Christ declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. a. Contrary to the abundant popular belief, the Word of God never speaks of an alternate road which leads to a purgatory. b. The Bible presents only two destinations: heaven or hell. 4. The Word of God has many ways of describing the place of eternal punishment: a. It is called hell. Matthew 10:28 says: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. b. It is called the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15. c. It is called hades. Luke 16:19-31. 5. Therefore, it is extremely urgent that natural man open his eyes, that he make note of his destination, and that he be reconciled to God. We cannot silence the message that makes the difference between the salvation and the condemnation of men. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. II. Let us be Conscious of our Responsibility in the Conversion of Those Who Do Not Know Christ. A. Jesus Christ uses us, the believers, to open the spiritual eyes of those who do not believe. 1. The commission that Jesus gave to Paul the day of his conversion applies to each one of us and should serve as an example to mold our life style. Acts 26:16-18. a. Note that God saved you in order that you may be his minister and witness. v. 16. b. He desires for you to go and open the spiritual eyes of others. v.18. c. God s fervent longing is that you use the ministry He has given you To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God v. 18. d. You are responsible for carrying the message which He permits them to receive: forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. v. 18. 2. It is our responsibility to open the eyes of the unconverted to: a. The Word of God. Psalm 119:18 says, Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. No one will be born anew unless he is taught the truth from the Bible. b. The existence of a spiritual world which is imperceptible to our senses. Numbers 22:31. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: c. His condition of spiritual need. Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. d. The provision of God, the Bread of Life, for his necessity. Proverbs 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 3. Don t make the mistake of being in rebellion to the vision that God has for your life. Acts 26-19-20. B. Jesus Christ uses us, the believers, to reconcile mankind to Himself. 1. When Jesus Christ died on the cross He provided the opportunity for us to take the steps to reconcile every person who is still His enemy. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. 2. God has placed in our hands the most important task in the universe! If we maintain silence, it is impossible for all those who do not know Him to hear the gospel and to have the opportunity to become reconciled to God by believing in Christ. Romans 10:12-17.
C. Jesus uses us, the believers, to show His love and to prevent others from ending up in hell. 1. It was by love that God sent Christ and placed salvation within our grasp. Romans 5:8 says, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 2. It is because of the love that God has given us that we must strive for the salvation of others around us. Read what 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 3. You can get to know the love of God by speaking about Christ to others. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. III. Now that you are conscious of your responsibility, let us see what you can do with it. A. You can prepare yourself 1. Begin by confessing your sins so that you may be useful to Him. 2. Pray for the conversion of the person to whom you are going to bear witness in order that God may prepare the heart and mind of that person to listen and to believe that which you will tell him. 3. Don t let fear keep you silent. Take hold of the power of God which is in you. 2 Timothy 1:8 says, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 4. When you go out to testify, carry your Bible. A tract or booklet can be very helpful in the orderly presentation of the plan of salvation. The Big Question or New Life in Christ tracts are very good options. B. You Can Steer the Conversation Toward Christ. 1. Begin by starting a friendly conversation with the person. a. Talk about things of interest to that person, but determine within yourself, to speak naturally about Christ at some moment within the conversation. b. Therefore, remain attentive to detect that best moment for starting to talk about the plan of salvation. 2. After having introduced the spiritual theme in your conversation, guide the person into consideration of the big question, If you were to die at this moment, where would you go? 3. Explain that a person is able to know the destiny of his soul. 1 John 5:11-13 C. You Can Present the Gospel 1. Speak with love, being careful not to project an attitude of arrogance. Plan to share the grace that you yourself have received.
2. Establish the fact that we are all sinners and evil before God in accordance with Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 3. Show him that the penalty for our sins is death in hell for all eternity. Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 4. Eliminate the false concept which establishes that good works are able to save oneself. Recall what is said in Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 5. Explain to him that God loves him to the extent that He sent His Son to die on the cross for his sins John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 6. Present the gospel with clarity. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 D. You Can Persuade Him to Make the Decision to Receive Christ 1. Make him see, either he has Christ in his heart or he doesn t. 1 John 5:11-12 2. Invite him to repent of his sins and to receive Jesus Christ. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 3. If he makes the decision to receive Christ, lead him in a prayer of repentance invoking Christ to enter into his heart. Romans 10:9-10, 13. 4. In all cases, invite him to come to church with you. Some Popular Beliefs 1. Only pastors and evangelists have the responsibility of winning others for Christ. 2. You must have the gift of evangelism in order for you to decide to evangelize. 3. It is not necessary to speak of Jesus, it is sufficient only to give testimony with your life. 4. We must not bother those who are sincere in their own religion by trying to evangelize them, because all roads lead to heaven. From the Biblical principles taught in this lesson, you should understand why these teachings are completely false.
In your own words, write the spiritual principle from this lesson which has had the greatest impact on you. What did we learn? Circle either T (True) or F (False) 1. Nothing in our life is more important than to glorify God. 2. You must have a profound theological preparation in order to be able to share your faith with others. 3. Since Christ opens the eyes of the unconverted, it is not necessary for the believers to evangelize. 4. The ministry of reconciliation consists of helping the fallen believer to return to Christ. 5. Every person without Christ, notwithstanding his religion, morality or good conduct, is on his way to hell. 6. You are responsible before God to strive for the salvation of those who are around you. Put Into Practice What You Have Learned 1. Evangelism is like swimming, the only way to learn to do it is by doing it. 2. Go together with your discipler to witness to one of the people for whom you have been praying since the first lesson. 3. Participate in the next evangelistic activity of your church. Before starting Lesson 7 memorize: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.