Four R's for a Great New Year
R-2 Reach Out to Others
Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the
salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are
the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do
men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven.
Presence Evangelism
Being Present in Our Society and Culture.
Disciples, Peter, James and John were fishermen. Matthew a tax collector. They didn't leave their social network of
family, friends, and associates. They continued in these but now as witnesses
of Jesus Christ.
Example of Matthew.
Luke 5:27-29 And after these things he went forth, and saw a
publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him,
Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a
great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of
others that sat down with them.
Present in times of need. Acts 11:27-30
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that
there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in
the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and
Saul.
There are needs all around us.
Widows, Single Parents, Divorce Recovery, Alcohol and Drug
Abuse, Hospital Visitation, Nursing Home. Meet these needs as Christians should and it will open the doors for being a witness.
Present in the Spiritual Battles for the Soul
Jesus gave us the Great Commission and the church at Antioch
sent Paul, Barnabus, Silas and John Mark to be missionaries. We must understand
and be read for the battles of the soul between truth and lies, salvation and
damnation, God and Satan.
Example of Christ
Mark 2:13-17 And he went forth again by the sea side; and
all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by,
he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto
him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as
Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together
with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And
when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they
said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans
and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have
no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The Process of Evangelism
The stages of evangelism are like a funnel.
1st. Presence Evangelism: An Onlooker
2nd Proclamation Evangelism: A Hearer
3rd. Persuasion Evangelism: A Believer
4th. Progression Evangelism: A Learner
5th. Production Evangelism: A Discipler
Each step is more difficult for the
person involved. It calls for more
sacrifice, more time, more effort. There will be fewer and few people at each
step.
Matthew 5:12-14 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his
life for my sake shall find it.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with
his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
We must break down the barriers to people getting into the
first step of the process of evangelism or there will be no one at the last
step. If no one is a looker, then no one will become a discipler and ultimately
our church will die.
Things for our church to remember about starting the process of evangelism.
The unchurched don't understand the things in the church
How do you sing songs written in verses? How do you find
Habbakkuk? What is a Habbakkuk? What is
Sunday School? How do you pray? Is it something you memorize? How do you find
things in the Bible?
The churched don't always accept the unchurched.
They don't dress properly. They wear earrings, nose rings,
have tattoos or worse. They use
profanity, don't know how to act in church. They watch immoral movies, video. They
listen to the wrong music. They make us uncomfortable in our own church.
Considerations for an evangelistic church.
If you came to this church for the first time in your life
how would you feel? Did anyone say hello, or make your feel welcome?
Would you know where to park? Where to go to class? How to find anything in your Bible? Would you
feel comfortable? Would you come back?
Was the church interested in you as a new visitor or were
they too wrapped up in their own relationships, events and traditions to notice
you?
What do we do about this problem?
We go, we overcome the social barriers, the cultural
barriers the age barriers and we bring them to Christ. Just like we've always done, its just gotten
a little harder.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
What actions will I take?
We must break down the barriers by becoming involved in the
lives of those around us.
What opportunities can I plan or create? What talents do I have that could be put to
use just to meet people?
Am I willing to volunteer in your community? Am I willing to
coach a youth sports team? Am I willing to help at the school, hospital or city
library? Am I willing to take a class at a junior college in order to meet
people?
I must be willing to look at everything I do as an
opportunity to tell others about Jesus Christ and His Church. I must commit to
break down the barriers by the way I live my life.
Sharing the Gospel in Word and Deed
The Law of Seven Touches & Three Hearings
According to research, to get someone in church we must
reach out and touch them seven times.
This same research shows that most people accept Christ as their savior
after hearing the gospel three times. If
we can reach out and touch or friends, relatives and associates through an
invitation, act of kindness, or simply telling the gospel when we have the opportunity,
we will build a bond between us that will also make it easier for them to
accept us, our other friends, our church and most importantly our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Four things you should know about Salvation.
1. On your own you are lost and going to Hell.
Read Romans 3:23,
Romans 6:23, Isaiah 53:6a,
2. You can't save yourself.
Read Romans 3:20,
Proverbs 14:12, Ephesians
3:8-9
3. Jesus came to save you.
Read Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 19:10
4. Now you must act, repent, you must believe.
Read John 3:16,
John 5:24, Luke 13:3,
Romans 10:9-13
Find Heaven on Romans Road.
1st Stop, Sinners Station: Romans 3:23
2nd Stop, Payday Stop: Romans 6:23
3rd Stop, Offering a new destination, Romans 5:8
4th Stop, Saints Station: Romans 10:13
How to be Born Again.
Read John 3:1-16
What did Jesus say was necessary before entering heaven?
What is the first birth?
What is the second birth?
What does the serpent in the wilderness have to do with
Jesus?
What is the action that must take place in order to be born
again?
Seeding God's Love
Friend’s Name: ________________ Spouse: __________________
Birthday__________________ Anniversary __________________
Address ______________________________
City: ______________________________ Zip __________
Phone: ____________________
Children: ________________________________________
Hobby: ____________________
Job: ____________________
Notes: ___________________________________________________
Seven Touches (Seven is only an average it may take many
more.)
I invited my friend to:
Lunch or Dinner
|
Teen Outing
|
Class Fellowship
|
Recreation
|
Bible Club
|
Outreach Sunday
|
Sporting Event
|
5th Sunday Meal
|
Church Singing
|
Birthday / Anniversary
|
Ladies Meeting
|
Special Service
|
Go for a walk or ride
|
Men's Breakfast
|
Potluck Supper
|
A talk over coffee cocoa
|
Church Event
|
Other
|
I offered to:
give a ride until car is fixed.
|
take some food over while they were sick.
|
babysit the kids, pets or house.
|
clean up the house for a sick mother.
|
mow the law for a sick dad.
|
help meet a financial need.
|
other
|
I sent a card or note:
On Birthday
|
As a Thank-you
|
On Anniversary
|
At a death in the family
|
At Christmas
|
At birth of baby.
|
When person was emotional low.
|
Congratulations
|
When person was sick
|
Other
|
Three Hearings
My Testimony
|
Discipleship Class
|
Sermon
|
Roman's Road
|
Tract
|
John 3 "Born Again"
|
Audio or Video Tape
|
Four Things You Must Know
|
Home Bible Study
|
Other
|
One Confession
My friend accepted Christ on this date: ____________________
My friend was baptized into the church.
____________________
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