History Makers With Jesus Series

• The more seasoned and mature we are, the more effective we are in helping others to come to know Jesus

I learned the humble lesson in Chicago that I could be full of the Spirit, but yet still be ill prepared to witness and use my Bible effectively.

(no reason to NOT do it, but every reason to GROW DEEPER)

Are you taking time to let Jesus mold and hone and prepare you for his service? I hope and pray so, because we need it to

Carry out His

3. Purpose: To be Jesus’ witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Penetrate the whole world with the Gospel

Debate between evangelism and maturity: which should have a priority in the church?

BOTH.

Jesus said he came to seek and save the lost.

People are LOST until we, with the help of Jesus, find them and save them by grace through faith in Jesus!

LOST! Not “can’t find Wal Mart, I am lost,” or, “where am I, I am lost,” or “you must be a freshman, you look lost.” NO,

“I am going to hell, and have no hope in the afterlife without your message of Jesus taking root in my soul: LOST!”

Who are WE to tell Jesus evangelism, being his witnesses, is to take a backseat to ANYTHING?? And yet, many churches find themselves struggling to be churches that reach out!

South Dade was a church like that—evangelism was one of our greatest weaknesses!

• People are afraid! Feel dumb! Ill prepared!

• It’s uncomfortable and inconvenient:

o I’ll have to go out of my way to tell someone

o I will have to back up what I say with something, which means I will have to study and miss my

 favorite TV program,

 or softball game,

 or golf tournament

 or final chapter in my riveting novel, or

 sale at Target,

o or just plain get off my derriere and tell someone.

 etc etc etc

• It is easier to hang around people who already share you joy and hope than to go out and tell others so that THEY can HAVE IT TOO!

We have seen some growth here, new people coming to be a part of our family.

And that is exciting!

• And at the same time most of them

o Were already Christian

o Found our church on their own efforts

o Or were raised in faith by their family

I don’t know anybody—and I could be wrong—who has come to faith and identified with our body, as a result of our witnessing to them.

It was Jesus expressed intent, that we go to the ENDS OF THE EARTH. We are beneficiaries of those who have been true to Jesus’ desire.

Will we be the ambassadors for him that HE desires? Statistics have told us that quite often about 10% of any church body is GIFTED in evangelism. They have a real knack, focus, and giftedness for it.

But the Bible declares that ALL of us are to be his witnesses. Not door to door knockers. But witnesses: “This is Jesus, this is what I know and am excited about, this is my hope!” or “I am sorry at the pain you are feeling right now. Would you like me to pray about this matter to Jesus? I have seen him work in my life, he can in yours, too!” etc.