Practices For Effective Evangelism Series

Personal Evangelism II

“Practices for Effective Evangelism”

By: Pastor Donny Granberry

Good Morning. If you are our guest, allow me to welcome you to Central.

Let’s make our profession; This is my bible, God’s holy word…

This past Sunday we began challenging the church to refocus its efforts on the purpose of Christ.

The Bible informs us that Christ came, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be what Christians called “saved” but others identify this term as becoming a follower of Christ.

The bottom line is that we become followers of Christ by asking Jesus to be the Lord of their lives.

When we become followers of Christ we have a mandate to share what God has done for us and to lead others to the same life-changing power of Christ.

Last Sunday, I began to challenge our church concerning “Personal Evangelism,” and came to the conclusion that this is a mandate from God to every believer.

I shared how my family was affected and came to Christ as a direct result of personal evangelism.

May I remind you this morning, it has been said that a church that does not evangelize will fossilize.

I shared that most Christians want to be effective witnesses, but they feel inadequate, intimidated, or even fearful about sharing their faith, especially to someone who does not have a Christian background.

This week, we will visit another segment on personal Evangelism and open pathways on “How To Be Effective Witnesses.”

Colossians 4:2-6 The Message

2Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. 3Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. 4Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

5Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. 6Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

How can I be an effective witness for Christ?

VIDEO CLIP

I. Pray for Open Doors

Verse 3 - … that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ.

Is is essential to realize that we must pray that God will open up opportunities to share our faith.

Unless God works in peoples hearts and lives, our works will not produce lasting results.

In the book of Acts we find a wonderful example of this.

(Acts 16:14)

Paul and his companions went to a riverbank to pray and sat down and began speaking to a group of women.

A woman named Lydia, a seller of fabrics and a worshiper of God was listening, and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the words spoken by Paul.

Paul spoke the message, but God opened Lydia’s heart.

We have the responsibility, and may I add privilege, to share the gospel, but only God can open a person’s heart.

We need to realize “God given opportunities.”

You cannot go through a closed door, only an open door.

At times people will decide, “If the door is not open, I will kick it in.”

ILLUSTRATION

I remember when our children were small, and Marlys and I would set them in a high chair and feed them. OK, Marlys more than me.

If they did not want to eat, you could put all the food in their mouth you wanted, but they would spit it out.

Also, if we tried to feed them something they did not want, they would spit it out.

Now, was there any nutritional value to them for what they spit out?

Some things that they would not eat then, they will eat and enjoy today.

At times, we attempt to force feed the lost with the gospel and we do not understand why they spit it out.

You will never get anywhere with someone by attempting to shove the gospel down their throat.

Why? The door is not open, and only God can open the door.

The world has more winnable people than ever before, but it is possible to come out of a ripe field empty handed.

Instead, it is much more effective to pray for our family and friends, to live a Godly example before them, and to love them into a relationship with Christ.

How can I be an effective witness for Christ? Pray for open doors, and then when the door is open, …

II. Make the Message Clear

Verse 4 – Every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

ILLUSTRATION

Gary Farmer was not open to the gospel. I would share little things with him, but most of all, Rick and I would just shower him with kindness and try to live Jesus to him