EVANGELISM: What can we do? 10-15-23

EVANGELISM: What can we do? 10-15-23

 

INTRODUCTION

 

More to this life

               Identity

               Integrity

       Intentionality

Evangelism to Seniors

Make disciples

 

“Our problem in evangelism is not that we don’t have enough information—it is that we don’t know how to be ourselves. We forget we are called to be witnesses to what we have seen and know, not to what we don’t know. The key on our part is authenticity and obedience, not a doctorate in theology. We haven’t grasped that it really is OK for us to be who we are when we are with seekers, even if we don’t have all the answers to their questions or if our knowledge of Scripture is limited.” 

               Rebecca Manley Pippert, Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life

 

Elaborating on Mike Frost’s writings

 

I.  GOD’S STORY

 

               A.  God

                            

“In the beginning God . . . ”

Genesis 1:1a NIV

              

               B.  God’s love

 

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

              Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV

 

               C.  God’s son

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

               John 3:16 NIV

 

               D.  God’s children

 

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

               1 John 3:1 NIV

 

II.  MY STORY

 

              A.  Before Jesus

                          1.  Growing up with God.

                          2.  Growing up with a godly mom.

           B.  Meeting Jesus

                              1.  Real sin

                              2.  Real problem

                              3.  Real solution

               C.  After meeting Jesus

               1.  Understanding my name

                              2.  Using my gifts

 

“I find these three C’s helpful in shaping what I am sharing - current, concise, Christ-centered”

               Cyndee Ownbey, Sweet to the Soul Ministries, “Sharing your Faith Story”, May 4, 2022.

 

III.  THE OTHER’S STORY

 

          A.  Listening to others’ stories

 

“There is a reason you are born with two ears and one mouth.” Growing up, I would give my mother frequent inspiration to remind me of this anatomy lesson. When we talk about evangelism, we often emphasize what we should or shouldn’t say. While this is extremely important, our words might be ignored if we do not listen well. By showing others that their words have worth, you can show them they have value as an Image Bearer of our Creator.”

               Ryan Dunleavy, Fruitful Listening in Evangelism, Evantell.org, January 19, 2022.

 

                              1.  Active listening

                     2.  Empathetic listening

      B.  Connecting their story to yours

                            1.  Sharing your story

                            2.  Making connections

 

 “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”

               1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

               2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV

 

      C.  Connecting their story to God’s

                            1.  Finding footprints

                          2.  Showing them the Way

 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

               1 Peter 3:15 NIV

 

“Evangelism is intrinsically relational, the outcome of love of neighbor, for to love our neighbor is to share the love of God holistically.”

               Elaine Heath

 

The Holy Spirit is the “secret sauce.”

 

““When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.””

               Luke 12:11-12 NIV

 

INVITATION

 

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.