Sizzling Evangelism Series

Sermon Brief

Date Written: April 26, 2010

Date Preached: April 25, 2010

Where Preached: OPBC (AM)

Sermon Details:

Sermon Series: Evangelism 101 – A Course in Obedience

Sermon Title: Sizzling Evangelism

Sermon Text: Psalm 34:1-8 [NASB]

Introduction:

This morning I want to start out by asking you to close your eyes and imagine with me for just a moment. I want you to imagine ‘going home’… going home to mama’s house!

She knows your coming and she knows what you like and she has been in the kitchen most of the day getting things ready for you… when you get there, you step inside the door and it hits you… the aroma of ‘mama’s cooking!

Depending on what your mama cooks… you may smell fried chicken and all the trimmings,

You may smell fried pork chops smothered in gravy…

It may be thanksgiving and you may smell that wonderful Turkey in the oven, with the aroma of sweet potatoes, fresh baked bread, and that delicious pecan pie that she makes every year…

Are you hungry yet? Now imagine walking into your favorite steakhouse… mine is Texas Roadhouse… I love walking into their restaurant and smelling the roasted peanuts, the fresh baked bread and the sizzle of the steaks on the grill! My mouth begins to water just thinking about it!

Are you hungry yet? Now I use this illustration today to illustrate a point in Evangelism! You see there are many people today who do not know Jesus Christ, and have NEVER experienced the sweet aroma of His grace and mercy in their lives… they have never had the opportunity to TASTE of His goodness and love! And because of that they just don’t know what they are missing…

This year, I visited a Hibachi grill for the first time. I had heard about it, and had seen some TV shows about, but it was Michelle’s witness of her own personal encounter that peaked my interest! She described to me the atmosphere and the ambiance of the Hibachi experience and it made me want to check it out! I went and now I LOVE the Hibachi grill!

For many, Christianity and knowing Jesus Christ is just like that… they have heard about it, they may have even seen something on TV or heard something on the radio about it, but they have never experienced it in its fullness!

It is OUR job as believers to wet their appetite… it is OUR job as believers to make them hunger for what we have! We are called by God to be witnesses and what better witness than one who totally ENJOYS what he is doing!

Today’s passage is from Psalm 34:1-8 [NASB], let’s read it and see how this applies to us in spreading the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ around to those God places in our path! READ SCRIPTURE HERE…

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

God has called us to be a witness for Him, and a good witness is going to paint a good picture of what they believe in. What sort of picture of Christ are you painting with your life? What Jesus do people see when you are around?

When you believe in a product or believe a place of business is worthy of your business, how do you tell others about it? Do you say, Well, I guess its alright, I mean you may not feel that way but I guess it will do?

Now think about that as it pertains to your walk in Christ. How do you portray your walk with Christ to others… is it a Sizzling witness or is your witness sad?

This morning I want us to look at Scripture and discover what Sizzling Evangelism is all about:

1. Evangelism is about Thanksgiving – v. 1-3

1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!