Evangelism: God wants us to influence the people we have relationships with. It’s never as difficult in reality as it seems in our minds.
A witness is someone who by explanation and demonstration gives audible and visible evidence of what he has seen and heard without being deterred by the consequences of his action. S. Briscoe, Getting Into God, p. 76
Why should we evangelize?
1. It is commanded Mathew 28
2. To open the eyes of the blind
3. To be the hands and feet of Jesus
4. To rescue God’s children from the schemes of the enemy
5. To help people understand that they have a saviour
How will it benefit?
1. There’s rejoicing in heaven
2. We have a reward in heaven
3. We are partners and co heirs in God’s Kingdom
Evangelism is a need of the hour. We need to go out into the world and speak the truth. There are many perishing, many who need the Lord, because they just can’t go on. Also, there are those, who are too good to be unknown to Salvation.
Can we recall, the day, and time that we accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It’s a foggy memory I believe, but there was someone who took interest. It is not because we ran after them but they lovingly pursued us. We are grateful for this person who spoke into our life.
What Evangelism is NOT?
1. It is not conversion
2. It is not Charity
3. It is not changing religion for internal benefits
4. Whom to tell the good news?
5. Everyone, All nations
How Paul Witnessed
Source unknown
As a Christian, do you know how to communicate the message of Christ to the different audiences you encounter? Or do you use the same old formula time after time, no matter who is listening? For that matter, do you remain silent when you have the opportunity to speak up for Christ, because you simply don’t know what to say?
Paul had no pre-packaged gospel message. He varied his approach with the situation. He was as aware of the differences between his audiences as he was of the content of his faith. Acts records numerous encounters, among them:
(1) Jews in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:14-43). Paul reviewed the history of the Jewish faith, summarizing it from the Old Testament (vv. 17-22). He told how that history led to Jesus (vv. 23-37).He pointed out his audience’s need to accept Jesus as their Messiah (vv. 38-41). He responded to their resistance by clearly explaining the alternative (vv. 46-48).
Result: Many chose to follow the way of Christ (v. 43). Others reacted negatively and opposed Paul (v. 45).Troublemakers incited city leaders to persecute Paul and his companions (v. 50).
(2) Intellectuals at Athens (17:16-33). Paul prepared by observing and reflecting on their culture (v. 16). He addressed them on their own turf, the Areopagus (vv. 19, 22). He established common ground, beginning with what was familiar and meaningful to them (vv. 22-23a, 28). He bridged to a description of God as the Creator and sustainer of life, distinguishing Him from the pagan idols that the Athenians worshiped (vv. 23b-29). He challenged them to repentance and appealed to the resurrection of Christ as proof that what he was telling them was true (vv. 30-31).
Result: Some mocked (v. 32). Some wanted to hear more (v. 32). Some believed (vv. 34-35).
(3) An angry mob in Jerusalem (21:27-22:21). Paul built a bridge by reminding them of his own Jewish heritage (21:30). He reminded them that he, too, had once detested Jesus’ followers; in fact, he had persecuted them (22:4-5). He explained the process by which he had changed his mind and joined a movement that he once opposed (vv. 6-17).
Result: Already at fever pitch (21:27-30), the crowd erupted violently, demanding Paul’s death (22:22-23).
(4) High officials in a Roman court (26:1-32). Paul described his religious heritage (vv. 4-5). He related his view of his opponents’ charges against him (vv. 6-8). He recalled his previous opposition to Jesus’ followers (vv. 9-11). He recounted his own life-changing encounter with Christ (vv. 12-19). He explained the fundamentals of Jesus’ message and the implications for his non-Jewish listeners (vv. 20-23).
Result: The rulers listened carefully (vv. 24, 31-32). They challenged his application of the gospel to them (vv. 24, 28). They passed him on in the Roman judicial process, thereby foiling a Jewish plot against him (vv. 31-21).
The gospel itself is forever the same, but as Christ’s followers we are called to shape our message to fit our various audiences. How do your co-workers and friends differ from each other? What effect should that have on your life and message for them? What aspects of the good news would they most likely respond to? Do you know how they view faith? Why not ask them; before you speak?
What do we do when they don’t listen?
1. Pray
2. Ask God to intervene
3. We all play different roles in their life, probably, someone else will get to see the fruit. Let’s persevere till the end. We are all responsible, not only the pastor
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3: 6
Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, he pleaded with God to spare the whole city if there are minimum 10 people. He could do that because he had an intimate relationship with God. Evangelism involves my relationship with God before I go out and introduce Jesus to others.
Hold Up the Light
Moody’s Anecdotes, p. 44
I remember hearing of a man at sea who was very sea-sick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work for the Lord it is then; in my opinion. While this man was sick he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He was wondering if he could do anything to help to save him. He laid hold of a light, and held it up on the port-hole.
The drowning man was saved. When this man got over his attack of sickness he was up on deck one day, and was talking to the man who was rescued. The saved man gave this testimony. He said he had gone down the second time, and was just going down again for the last time, when he put out his hand. Just then, he said, someone held a light at the porthole, and the light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him into the lifeboat.
It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man’s life. If you cannot do some great thing you can hold the light for some poor, perishing drunkard, who may be won to Christ and delivered from destruction. Let us take the torch of salvation and go into these dark homes, and hold up Christ to the people as the Savior of the world.
-Sandra wife of Virjil .
The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel.
We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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