Applications of the Gospel, Continued

Evangelism - Part 5

The Practice of Evangelism, Cont.
November 17, 1996

Matthew 9:35-38

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.³⁸ "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." NKJV

Review & Introduction

So far, we have considered the depravity of man, the process of salvation, the content of the gospel and the practice of declaring the gospel to our world. Today we will continue our discussion of applying our selves to the work of evangelism in very specific situations. However, while there are differences in these various situations, the same is clear, our Lord is the Lord of the harvest. Salvation comes from Him and His Spirit regenerates those whom He is pleased to save. All of our evangelism should be done faithfully remembering this truth and praying that He would grant repentance to those whom we declare the gospel.

Be Students of the Gospel

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."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;¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. NKJV

It is a shameful thing that the modern church is biblically illiterate. Generally speaking, we don’t know our bibles as well as we should and therefore we don’t proclaim the gospel to others because we don’t know what to say. The things we have studied for the last four weeks we should study rigorously and commit them to memory so that we can be ready at any time to give a defense to every one who asks. This also means we should be apologetically minded knowing how to give a defense for the foundational truths of the faith.

Asking Questions

James 1:19-20

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. NKJV

Last week when we considered the various phases that a person goes through in becoming a Christian, (blindness to opened eyes, darkness to light, power of Satan to God) we presupposed that we knew how to determine where in the process someone was. This obviously begs the question, "How do I determine where someone is in the process?" The answer is to ask questions and listen for answers.

Avoid Rabbit Trails

John 4:13-20

13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,¹⁴ "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."¹⁵ The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."¹⁶ Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."¹⁷ The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, ‘I have no husband,^’18 "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."¹⁹ The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.²⁰ "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." NKJV

One of the most common tactics employed by non-Christians is to divert the discussion to things which are not necessarily of interest to the person but are simply off the point your were trying to make. Remember, all people are born hating the light and stepping into the light is a painful thing. However, you should be wise in keeping the discussion on track and keep before them their sin and their need for the gospel of Christ.

Avoid Disputes/Arguments

2 Timothy 2:22-26

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. NKJV

Frequently, when sharing the gospel, your audience will have a number of questions. Sometimes the questions are asked because there is a genuine desire to know the answer. Other times the questions are used as a diversion. Guard yourselves against thinking that your goal is to win the argument; your goal is to win souls to Christ.

Special Evangelistic Opportunities

Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-2

1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,² when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. NKJV

One of the clearest admonitions in the scriptures is that wives are not to evangelize their husbands by teaching them with words. It is rather interesting that scripture gives commands where instruction is necessary; wives are always trying to get their non believing husbands to have daily devotions or attend prayer meetings or bible studies. The tendency is to evangelize their husbands exactly the way scripture says not to. Rather, they should clothe themselves with mercy, good deeds and submission so that when they see these things they may fear the Lord and be won.

Wives

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. NKJV

The sanctification of a wife can come through her husband but it must be done in such a way as to proclaim the mercy of Christ to the wife by self sacrifice of the husband. Husbands, you must use your authority as head of your household and head of your wife to serve her through leadership, instruction and godly behavior. Do you want your wife to learn submission to Christ? She should learn by seeing it in you.

Children

Ephesians 6:1-3

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.² "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:³ "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." ⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. NKJV

While there is still opportunity to instruct your children, teach them to love and obey the Lord. For the very young children, they should be brought up in an atmosphere where loving Christ is the very air they breathe. They will grow up knowing no other way than to serve their Lord and to understand the gospel because their parents have trained them consistently. If the children are older, but still in your home and you have recently become a Christian, let your children see you submitting yourself to the Word, seek to bring the Word to bear on issues in the family and be wise in the application of the law to your home; your life and the law will open their eyes.