“EVANGELISM, WHERE DISCIPLESHIP BEGINS”
Selected Passages
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Evangelism, a “must” command for all to obey:
1. No exclusion clauses: (II Tim. 1:7-8; 4:5)
- Defining evangelism: “After sharing the bad news,
evangelism is lovingly and urgently communicating the
“Good News” (gospel) with the immediate intent of eliciting
from the listener, a genuine, life changing decision to place
his/her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone as the
Almighty God, for his/her eternal salvation. It includes
both clearly informing and urgently inviting the individual
to repent (surrender) his/her life (will) to the Lord Jesus
Christ. The three stages of development in evangelism as
described in Acts 1:8 begin with ‘Jerusalem’ (local
evangelism), ‘Judea and Samaria’ (regional evangelism)
and lastly ‘the uttermost part of the earth’ (global
evangelism). ” (Jn. 1:29; 3:16; 10:10b; 15:8, 16; 17:18;
18:37; Lk. 19:10)
B. The admonishment to make Christ’s last command my
first concern (my purpose):
1. The Biblical mission of the church-“Reaching our
world for Christ by timeless discipleship: (See Mt.
28:19; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47; Jn. 20:31; Acts 1:8)
(See also Lk. 19:10; Jn. 10:10; I Pet. 2:20)
The three fold objectives that make this purpose
statement timelessly relevant: (See diagram on
back) (Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; II Tim. 2:2)
The faulty yet fruitless premise of isolation:(Jn. 17:15)
II. WITHOUT EVANGELISM, THERE IS NO DISCIPLESHIP:
A. The choice spelled out: Jn. 3:1-14
1. Nicodemus, “religiously good” but lost: (hardest
person to lead to Christ)
2. Being born again, the heart of the Gospel message:
(Rom. 10:9-10, 13) Believe = acknowledge as truth
and then act
B. The urgent reality for the listener to make the right
choice now: (Jn. 10:10; II Cor. 6:2; Deut. 30:19-20)
1. Free to choose, but not free from the consequences
of choice: (Jn. 3:15-18)
- Two opposite destinations determined by the choice:
(Mt. 25:46)
a. Wise choice, now and later – GOD building your
house: (Jn. 14:1-6; Rev. 22:1-5)
(1) Physical body, no limitations like Jesus
except for the scars: (I Jn. 3:2; Lk. 24; Jn.
20:27)
(2) Mind freed from guilt and sorrow forever:
(Rev. 21:4)
(3) Physical mansion in a gated community
built by Jesus: (Jn. 14:2; Rev. 21:14-23;
22:14)
(4) Inability to sin anymore: (Rev. 21:3-4)
(5) Visible, physical communing with Jesus
forever: (Rev. 21:3)
(6) Paradise – perfect weather, perfect
temperature: (Lk. 23:43)
(7) Treasures and crowns: (Lk. 18:22; Rev.
4:10-11)
(8) Heaven for eternity: (I Thes. 4:17)
b. Foolish choice now and later – YOU building
your house: (Mt. 7:24-26)
(1) Jesus, the last thing you will ever see:
(Mt. 7:21-23; Rev. 20:15)
(2) “Outer Darkness” and all alone (Mt. 22:13)
(3) “Eternal Lake of fire and brimstone”
(outside) (Mt. 25:41; Mk. 9:44, 46; Mt.
13:42; Rev. 20:15)
(4) Eternal body where “Worms dieth not”
(inside) (Mk. 9:44, 48)
(5) Wailing and gnashing of teeth (Mt. 8:12;
13:42, 50)
(6) Everlasting hell: (Mt. 25:46)
C. The urgent reality of failing to choose to share (yourself
and your children): (Rom. 10:14-15)
1. The first judgment: (II Cor. 5:8-11)
2. The second judgment: (Rev. 4:4-10; 11:16; 19:4;
20:11-15)
III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. “You will find as you read history, that the Christians
who did the most for this present world, were those who
thought most of the next.” C.S. Lewis
(Where are you having your house built?
B. Evangelism is the vital truth that needs to be taught and
modeled by believing parents to every child, so they will
grow up to embrace God’s life-long occupation for
them, as an experienced fishermen for the rest of their
lives. (It can begin with a daily prayer list of your
neighbors, family members, or work associates that you
are not confident, of their salvation.)
C. Just like your salvation, evangelism is placing two
choices before you with an urgent plea from God
Himself to pick one over the other. (Deut. 30:19; Mt. 7:24-
27; II Cor. 6:2; Rev. 22:17)
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”
Jer. 8:20
Sinners Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my own way,
to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of all my
sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath. Lord
Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this very
moment, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Evangelical
Free Church at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will
promptly get back with you as soon as possible. You can also
connect with us on Facebook. Once again, share this worship
service now with all your loved ones on Facebook to give the good
news of the gospel to those who might have hesitated to visit this
local church or with those who live miles away.