August 21, 2005 Summit PM

Taking Evangelism Seriously

Introduction

A. Song – “Must I go & empty handed?”

            1. Written in 1877 by C.C. Luther - Was a New England preacher

            2. Attended meeting on importance of witnessing (Illustration)

                        a. Young man was converted

                        b. 1 month later fatally injured in an accident

                        c. Friend asked – “Are you afraid to die?”

                        d. Answer

1) No – Jesus has saved me

2) But I’ve not been able to lead even 1 soul to Jesus

3)) I’m not afraid to die, but must I go empty handed?

            3. Luther so moved he penned this poem – later put to music

B. Why do we have to stress the importance of evangelism?

            1. Ought be something we naturally do – desire to do

            2. Truth is – easily ignored – often neglected by most

C. Discuss – Taking evangelism seriously – why should we?

D. Pray

 

I. To Demonstrate My Love For Jesus

            A. James 2:14-18

                        1. Discussing evidences of faith

                        2. Without deeds its just words

                        3. Only way to really demonstrate faith is activity

            B. Same is true about love?

                        1. How can I know if I really love the Lord?

                        2. Jn.14:15 – love me = keep my commandments

                        3. I Jn.3:16ff – John speaks that love must be active to be real

            C. Obedience is not just an option – its expected

                        1. Lk.6:46 – why call me Lord if not do as I say?

                        2. Mt.7:21-23 – Not all who say Lord enter kingdom = do His will

                                    (religious activity isn’t enough)

                        3. Mt.28:18-20 – go make disciples

 

II. That We Might Be Profitable Servants

            A. God has a purpose for us

                        1. Eph.2:8-10 – are His workmanship = created for good works

2. Jn.15:5-8,16

                                    a. Wants us to be fruitful

                                    b. Vs.8 – way we show we are His disciples

            B. Question – What is the fruit He is looking for?

                        1. James 3:18 – raise a harvest of righteousness

                                    a. Titus 2:11,12 – grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness

                                    b. 1 Tim.1:5 – love out of pure heart

                                    c. 1 Pet.1:13-16 – be holy as He is holy

                        2. Heb.13:15 – fruitful lips – a sacrifice of praise = confessing His name

                        3. Phil.1:19-26 – fruitful labor among Christians

                                    a. Saw the sharing of the gospel as bring fruit to the Lord

                                    b. Knew God was expecting this of him

            C. What if we choose to ignore this?

                        1. Not able to mature in Christ

                                    a. Mt.13:22 – weeds (cares of world) choke plant = no fruit

                                    b. Lk.8:14 – word choked off = never mature

                        2. Loose opportunity set before us

                                    a. Are blessed in Christ – Eph.1:3ff

                                    b. Mt.25 – unprofitable servant

                                                1) Cast into the lake of fire

                                                2) Also what given was taken & given to another

                        3. See what God has placed before us

                                    a. Great facilities – loving congregation

                                    b. Freedoms to grow – materially blessed

                                    c. Will God take these from us & give them to others?

 

III. So That We Might Be Pleasing To God

            A. Know this is our goal

                        1. Not be here if wasn’t

                        2. Our desire – do right & glorify God

            B. What is it that pleases God?

                        1. Heb.13:15 – lips that praise His name

                        2. 1 Tim.2:3,4 – the salvation of all men

                        3. 1 Tim.5:4 – caring for our families

                        4. Rom.12:1 – giving ourselves as living sacrifices

 

IV. So Not Be Plagued With Guilt

            A. To change us – God’s Spirit makes us feel guilty

                        1. Jn.16:7-11

                                    a. Spirit’s task – convict man of guilt

                                    b. In us = prompt us to do God’s will

                                                (told not to resist or quench)

                        2. 1 Jn.3:16-24

                                    a. Right activity put the heart at rest

                                    b. No condemnation = confidence before God & prayers answered

            B. Ignore guilt = hardened

                        1. Mt.13:10-17 – hardened heart = unable understand spiritual things

                        2. 2 Tim.3:1-7 – form of godliness but no power (useless to them)

 

V. So People Will Be Saved

            A. Ezek.22:30,31

                        1. Context – Jerusalem’s sin

                        2. God not want to destroy, but had no choice

                        3. Had no one to stand in the gap

            B. Reality – some people can only be reached by you

                        1. You are here for the purpose of bringing them to Jesus

                        2. Take advantage of the opportunity while you can

            C. All need Jesus

                        1. Jn.14:6 – no one comes to Father but by Him

                        2. Jn.8:24 – unless believe that I am He – will die in your sin

 

Conclusion

A. Will we go empty handed?

            1. One thing for than man – lived 1 month

            2. What about us? So much opportunity

            3. Meeting coming up – let’s fill the building

B. Pray