Sunday Morning June 7, 2009
Preached w/Adrian Wallace @ Bel Aire
Series: “Moving With God (Exodus)” [#22]
EVANGELISM 101
Exodus 20:1-21
Introduction:
[Video: “The Fire Fighter Story”]
Do you find it easy to love and worship God- All the things He has done? When we think of how wonderful and how beautiful He is and how he demonstrated His love for us on the Cross; it is easy for Christians to love God, but it is not easy show love by obeying His commands. His commandments to seek and save the lost, the reason Jesus came to this earth.
Acts 1:8
He has called each and every one of us to preach the Good News- Not just the pastor of this church or any other church, but every one of us is a minister of the gospel and is instructed to share the gospel, to share your faith.
Matthew 28:18-20
If this commission was only given to the disciples, then after their passing, this would have gone away too, but Jesus was not only instructing the disciples, but He knew years ahead that this generation as other generations have past, that this Scripture was given to us - the church, the Christians, followers of Christ in which He commission us to go and preach the Good News.
Bill Bright, the Founder of world’s largest Christian ministry; Campus Crusades for Christ, wrote a book called “The Coming Revival”. He states that “only 2% of Christians in America share their faith regularly, only 2%.
That means the other percentage of the body of Christ can result in only two things:
1. We are comfortable in just worshipping God and don’t care of the cries of the ungodly or their fate.
2. We don’t know how to share our faith
It’s like that fire fighter who said “I don’t how to climb a ladder and rescue people” If he is a fire fighter that works for the fire department, he needs to study up on how to rescue people. In essence it is the same for Christians.
Oswald J Smith - was a Canadian pastor and evangelist and founding pastor of The Peoples Church, a large congregation in greater Toronto quotes: “Oh my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected”.
Here is the point: If you are not sharing your faith, if you are not seeking the lost and obeying the Scriptures- to save them with the fear and knowledge of God and pulling them out of the fire (Hell), or don’t have any concern for them- than you are that fire fighter! Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commandments. If we are merely drawing near to Him with our lip service, but our hearts remain far from Him- refusing to do the small things that He asked us to do- than He is not our Lord and He will distanced Himself from us on the Day of Judgment despite our sacrifice of praise. Many will cry out “Lord, Lord”, but He will say “depart from me I never knew you”
What sentenced did you give that fire fighter? 2 yrs, 20 yrs, life sentenced capital punishment?
Are you and I honest enough to judge ourselves in the same standard?
Just think of the fate of that family, think of his dreadful neglect of duty. He wasn’t a fire fighter, he was a Judas, a traitor, and the blood is on his hands. Now think of those that are not saved; a co-worker, your mother, your father, a spouse, your children, a friend. And think about the terrible fate, eternal separation from the Lord, and think about our neglected duty.
Charles H. Spurgeon- was an English Baptist preacher, author, and editor- made this statement: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that.”
Perhaps you and like others are praying for revival, and that is good, but if we don’t share our faith, if we regulate revival to a Sovereign move of God then, in essence we are saying: God we know the scriptures say to go into all the world and preach the gospel, but we will stay here and pray. We know that the gospel of God is powerful unto salvation, but we will stay here and pray. It’s easier to talk to God about men, than men about God.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
If we love people, we must do something. But how
Let’s imagine this- If I was sleeping at my house and wake up in the middle of the night and realize that a few doors down, my neighbors house is on fire. So I get up, put on my clothes and shoes and rush over there and gently knock on the door, because you don’t want to offend them. Saying “Um you don’t know me, but well Hi my name is ______, and I just wanted to let you know I care for you but, you might want to come over to my house, not that anything is wrong with yours, but you might want to follow me to my house. No pressure, it’s up to you.” That wouldn’t be right- NO!
You will rush over a scream “Get out, your house is on fire” and maybe break down a door or window try to rescue them. So do we do the same in sharing our faith “Repent, Repent, you are going to Hell!” We could, but they would think we are crazy. So how do we share our faith effectively and biblically- to be able to reason with people, to go around their intellect and straight to their conscience- the place of knowledge of what is right and wrong. Share your faith like Jesus did:
Sharing Your Faith
Mark 10:17-22
Jesus said, Why do you call me Good, there is no one good but God. He pointed out 5 of the 10 commandments. The ruler commented that he kept those commandments. Jesus pointed out the 1st and 2nd commandments. Jesus prepares the heart for grace. This method coverts the soul, it shows the person why we are in need of the Savior. Psalm 19:7
You must show them the wrong first, before the good news makes sense to them.
Romans 3:19
This stops the mouth of sinners, stops the justification that there are far more worst people than me, but indeed says that all the world is guilty before God.
1 John 3:4
Romans 7:7
Galatians 3:24
The law doesn’t help us, just leaves us helpless. The law doesn’t justifies us, just leaves us guilty before a Holy and Just God. We are not saved by the law, but saved by God’s grace through faith.
In the turn of the last century, things have changed. We have gotten rid of the law, its ability to covert the soul, which drives people to the Savior; therefore we have to find another reason for people to come to the Savior, different approach. In fact the issue that it is chosen to attract people to come to the Savior is the promise of life enhancement. The gospel has degenerated to “if you accept Jesus you will have love, joy, peace, fulfillment, and lasting happiness”. While those are true, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, while love and joy are fruits of salvation, but it shouldn’t be a drawn card for salvation. There is more than that. Jesus said you will have trials, tribulation, and persecution. And when those times come for them, they probably get mad and say “This is not for me, I was lied to” and turn from God. We come to Jesus not only for the love and joy, but knowing that we are in need of a Savior, because we have sinned against God and need a Savior to save us from the wrath to come. But how will they know. How do we do this?
Think about the woman caught in the act of adultery. She violated the 7th commandment, the law called for her blood and they were about to stone her. The law condemned her.
John 3:18
All the law does is shows a person himself the true light about themselves.
Romans 7:13
If someone doesn’t know God’s Law or God’s Moral Standard (10 Commandments), they will not see their sins as being exceedingly sinful and their heart will not be prepared for the gospel.
4 Principles to Follow – Biblical Evangelism
John 4:7-26
1. Jesus began in the natural realm (John 4:7).
This woman was unregenerate, and the Bible tells us “the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). He therefore spoke of something she could relate to, water. We should be able to start up a conversation with a stranger with a “How are you doing?” and then if the response is warm then move on to ask, “Do you live around here?” or something similar.
2. Jesus swung the conversation to the spiritual realm (John 4:10).
He simply mentioned things of God. This will take courage. We may say something like, “Did you go to church on Sunday?” or “Did you see that Christian TV program last week?” If you receive a positive response you can get an idea of his background by asking “Do you have a Christian background?” He may answer, “I went to church when I was a child, but I drifted away from it.” Another simple way to swing to the spiritual is to offer the person a gospel tract and ask, “Did you get one of these?” When he takes it, simply say, “It’s a gospel tract. Do you come from a Christian background?”
3. Jesus brought conviction using The Law of God (John 4:16-18).
Jesus gently spoke to her conscience by alluding to the fact that she had transgressed the Seventh of the Ten Commandments. He used Law to bring “the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19, 20). We can do the same by asking “Do you think you’ve kept the Ten Commandments?” Most people think they have so quickly follow with, “Have you ever told a lie?” This is confrontational, but if its asked in a spirit of love and gentleness, there won’t be any offense. Remember that the “work of the Law is written in their hearts” and that the conscience will bear “witness” (Romans 2:15). Have confidence that the conscience will do its work and affirm the truth of each Commandment. Don’t be afraid to gently ask, “Have you ever stolen something, even if it’s small?” Show him how God considers lust to be the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28) and hatred the same as murder (1 John 3:15). Make sure you get an admission of guilt. Then you can ask the person “If God judges you by the Ten Commandments on Judgment Day, do you think you’ll be innocent or guilty?” If he says he will be innocent, ask, “Why is that?” If he admits his guilt, ask, “Do you think you will go to heaven or hell?”
4. Jesus revealed Himself to her (John 4:26).
Once the Law has humbled the person, he is ready for grace. Remember, the Bible says that “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The gospel is for the humble (Luke 4:18). Only the sick need a physician; and only those who will admit they have the disease of sin will truly embrace the cure of the gospel.
Learn how to present the work of the cross- That God sent His Son to suffer and die in our place. Simply say, “It’s as simple as this: We broke God’s Law, Jesus paid our fine. If you will repent and trust in the Savior, God will forgive your sins and dismiss your case” Ask him if he is willing to pray now to accept Jesus as his Savior. How many know the 10 commandments?
Exodus 20:3-17
1. “You shall have no other gods before me.”
This means that we should love God with all of our heart, mind soul, and strength. The Bible tells us that no one has kept this commandment (Psalms 14:2-3).
2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol.”
Idolatry of the imagination- Saying my God is a loving God and will never send me to hell. That is making an idol before God. God says, “That no idolaters”…shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
3. “You shall not take the name of God in vain.”
God says, “He that blasphemes the name of the Lord, shall surely be put to death…” (Leviticus 24:16) and “Every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
4. “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”
5. “Honor your father and your mother.”
God says, “He that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death…” (Exodus 21:17) and “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23).
6. “You shall not murder.”
Hatred is the same as murder in God’s eyes (1 John 3:15). “…Murderers…shall have their part in the lake of fire” (Revelation 21:8).
7. “You shall not commit adultery.”
Jesus said that lust is “adultery of the heart” (Matthew 5:28). God says that no adulterers “…shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
8. “You shall not steal.”
God says, “No thieves…shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:10).
9. “You shall not lie.”
God says, “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire…” (Revelation 21:8).
10. “You shall not covet.”
God says that he actually hates “the covetous,” (Psalms 10:3) and of those who are covetous (greedy) He says, “They which commit such things are worthy of death” (Romans 1:29-32; 1 Timothy 6:10).
Do you think you have kept the 10 commandments?
Ask: “Would you consider yourself to be a good person?"
They Say Yes or No.
Ask: "Do you think you’ve kept the 10 Commandments?"
They Say Yes or No.
You say: "Let me ask you about 4 of them.” Then you take them through 4 out of the 10 of God’s Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).
1. "Have you ever told a lie?" They’ll Answer “Yes”. "What does that make you–and me too?" They’ll Say "A LIAR".
2. "Have you ever stolen anything? A paper clip, a pencil, have you stolen time from work...anything?" They’ll Eventually Say "YES" YOU SAY - "What does that make you?" They’ll Say “a THIEF”
3. In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus says, “If anyone even looks at a woman with Lust in his eye has already committed Adultery with her in his Heart.” "Have you ever looked at someone with Lust?" They Say - “YES” (Lust = Adultery).
4. "Have you ever Hated anyone, or been really Angry? They say "YES". 1 John 3:15 says, "Anyone who Hates his brother is a Murderer." (Hate & Anger = Murder).
Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that our Ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even Angry with someone, you are subject to Judgment! If you call someone an Idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in Danger of the Fires of Hell.”
"So by your own Admission you are a: Liar, a Thief, an Adulterer (at heart), a Murderer (at heart)"
Hebrews 9:27
“It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes the Judgment.”
So if God were to Judge you by His Commandments, would you be guilty or innocent of breaking any of His Commandments?” They Say – “Guilty!”
James 2:10
"The person who keeps all of the Laws except one is as Guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s Laws."
"So knowing that you are GUILTY (and so am I and so is everyone else), according to the Bible, “Would you go to Heaven or Hell based on your Guilt, and what the Bible Says?”
Three Responses:
1. He may confidently say, “I don’t believe in Hell.” Gently respond, “That doesn’t matter. You still have to face God on Judgment Day whether you ‘believe’ in it or not. If I step onto the freeway when a massive truck is heading for me and I say, “I don’t believe in trucks,” my lack of belief isn’t going to change reality.” Then tenderly tell him he has already admitted to you that he has lied, stolen and committed adultery in his heart, and that God gave him a conscience so that he would know right from wrong. His conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
2. He May Say That He’s Guilty, But That He Will Go To Heaven. This is usually because he thinks that God is “good,” and that He will, therefore, overlook sin in his case. Point out that if a judge in a criminal case has a guilty murderer standing before him, the judge, if he is a good man, can’t just let him go. He must ensure that the guilty man is punished. If God is good, He must (by nature) punish murders, rapist, thieves, liars, adulterers, fornicators and those who’ve lived in rebellion to God.
3. He May Admit That He Is Guilty And Therefore Going To Hell. Ask him if that concerns him. Speak to him about how much he values his eyes and how much more therefore he should value the salvation of his soul. If possible read Luke 16:19-31 with him.
"Does that concern you that you would go to Hell?"
You want them to be concerned, as we all should be concerned.
C - Cross
“Jesus did something really special for you so that we don’t have to go to Hell. We did a Crime (sin), and Jesus paid our Fine. Example: He (Jesus) walked into our Courtroom on this earth and told the Judge “I am an Attorney, and I sold everything I own to come up with this $100,000 fine….so I would like to pay the fine for (Name of Person) so that she/he can go free. She/He did a Crime, I want to pay their fine.”
Luke 13:3 Jesus says, “You will also Perish (Hell) unless you Repent of your Sins and Turn to God.” Once we Repent & Trust in Jesus, he gives us that “Robe of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10) and we become Born-Again (John 3:3). Jesus took the Punishment that we deserve so that we could go free. This Free Gift (Eph.2:8-9) only applies to you personally if you ‘Repent & Trust in Jesus’. (Mark 1:15, Matt 4:17, Matt 18:3-4, Acts 17:30-31).
R - Repentance
Confess & Forsake All Sin. Start obeying God’s Word & His Commandments Daily (1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 3:9-10, James 4:4-10, Matthew 3:8).
A - And
F – Faith
It’s more than Belief...it’s to TRUST IN JESUS for Salvation.
T – Truth
Point to the Truth of the Bible & Encourage them to get right with God Today.
Conclusion:
As we have heard this morning, the bottom line is without Christ there is no hope. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us about a Farmer (Jesus) who went out plant some seeds (God’s Word) in His field. The seeds fall on 4 different soils (conditions of people’s hearts): Hard, rocky, thorny, and good soil. There are 4 responses to hearing God’s Word this morning- Which one are you?
1. Hard ground. This is the heart of someone who rejects Jesus. God’s Word falls on deaf ears and Satan steals God Word.
Hard ground people…
> Don’t resist Satan. They are spiritually blind and just keep doing what they have always done. If it feels good, it must be o.k.
> May think that they are saved, but they are not. The things of the Word don’t seem to apply to them.
> Believe religious traditions over God’s Word.
> Trust in their emotions, religious groups, and particular men regardless of the fact that it doesn’t match up with Scripture.
2. Rocky ground. This is the heart of someone who receives the Word and accepts Jesus with joy, but there is no repentance. This person seems fine at first, but as soon as problems and persecution come their way, they fall away. They are shallow and superficial.
Rocky ground people…
> Are not rooted in God’s Word. When a problem hits, they run away.
> Wilt under problems, persecutions, sufferings, trials, and temptations.
> Listen to whoever claims to be of God and will follow.
3. Thorny ground. This is the heart of someone who accepts the Word, but allows things of this world to choke it out.
Thorny ground people…
> Are overtaken by the cares, worries, and busyness of life.
> Are overtaken by money, pride, and possessions.
> Are overtaken by comfort, success, and fame.
> Love the things of this world more than God.
4. Good soil. This is the heart of someone who repents and trusts in Jesus.
Good soil people...
> Are born again. They are a new person.
> Forsake sin and obey God’s Word.
> Have a servant’s heart.
> Do not compromise with the world.
> Are “over-comers”.
> Can endure tough situations through Jesus.
> Pursue holiness in all that they do.
> Deny themselves daily and follow Christ.
> Are productive for Jesus.
Of all of the soils I talked about, only one is that of a Christian- The Good soil. A sermon like today’s can cause us to leave here saying, “That was a sermon about how we are all bad and are no good” or “Lord, here am I send me”.
{Much of the material from this sermon comes from "The Way of the Master" by Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron}.
