Share the Good News
John 20:30-31
Today I want to address the topic of evangelism. This is one of the areas that the church in America is lacking in. We have the tendency in our business thinking to count bodies in the pew and if that number is higher this year than last we think that things are going well. Church growth has become the focus in many churches in America rather than Kingdom growth. Evangelism is the only way to have kingdom growth because it brings people and their souls into the kingdom of God not just their bodies into the church
The word Evangelism means the taking of the Good News, the gospel to the world. The word evangelist is used three times in the New Testament
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Act 21:8 And the next [day] we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the seven; and abode with him.
The principle of taking the good news to the lost world is found throughout the New Testament. We are actually commanded to do it by our Lord Jesus Christ
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Now let's look at this passage from John this morning.
In this verse John tells the whole reason that he wrote this book. In verse 31, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
There is always a motivation behind the things that we do. Some books are written for profit. I heard about about a TV preacher who required a $500,000 advance from a publisher before he would write another book its clear that his motivation was profit
some people are motivated by a political agenda which is why they write books to try to convince you to follow their political party.
But look at John's motivation in writing- He wrote down the evidence about Jesus so that we might believe and have life in his name. He wasn't seeking fame or fortune, his interest was for us to know Jesus Christ and have eternal life
John was doing the work of an evangelist. We are all called to do the work of an evangelist. Its not just the job of the elders or pastor its something that we all need to know how to do because we have been commanded by our Lord to tell the world that Jesus saves.
Let's break this down this morning.
The first thing that John did was point the people to the signs of Jesus
John selected some key things to write about.]; But these are recorded [That’s a big “these.” The miracles, the signs, the resurrection, the changed lives. John told us about how Jesus changed water into wine (2:1-11); how He healed a royal official’s son (4:46-54); how He healed a lame man (5:1-18); how He fed the five-thousand (6:1-15); how He walked on the water (6:16-21); how He healed the man born blind (9:1-41); and how He raised Lazarus from the dead (11:1-57). What purpose did he have for doing so?] so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name [The gift comes from Him.].
He wanted us to see that Jesus was not just any ordinary man, that he was God in Flesh. That the fullness of the godhead dwelt in the body of Jesus
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Jhn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
This is hard for some people to grasp that Jesus was 100% God, he was not a lesser God he was literally God in Flesh
and this is the starting point of evangelism, the world must know that there is no other God and that Jesus was who he claimed to be
So John says look at the evidence. Can a man change water into wine? Can a man make the lame walk? Can a man raise the dead? Can a man feed five thousand with one boys lunch? The evidence points to the truth that Jesus was God in Flesh
evangelism cannot take place in a world where people refuse to accept the deity of Jesus Christ. If he is just one god among many than he is not he way the truth the life
so the first thing that John wants to get across to the world and to us is the starting point of evangelism has to do with the deity of Jesus. Its not about bringing God to our level but its about acknowledging that God is supreme, powerful, almighty, worthy of worship and respect which is why Thomas fell down when Christ entered into the room and said My Lord and My God
The Gospel of John also records the seven “I AM” statements of Christ
John 6:35, 6:48.....I AM the bread of life.
John 8:12, 9:5.....I AM the light of the world.
John 10:7.....I AM the door.
John 10:11-14.....I AM the good shepherd.
John 11:25.....I AM the resurrection and the life.
John 14:6.....I AM the way, the truth and the life.
John 15:1,5.....I AM the true vine.
He even said Jhn 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
These statements upset the Jews because the knew that “I AM” was the name of God. The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. When Moses asked God what his name was who he should tell Pahraoh sent him God said you say “I AM” hath sent you
it declares Gods eternal existence. He cannot say “I am like the sun” because he created the sun. He cannot say I am like the earth because he created the earth. He cannot say I am like man because man was created in his image
so he declares simply tell them I am hath sent you
Then notice that John makes it clear in this passage that its not only about the deity of Jesus but it also about individual people.
These are written so that YOU may believe and that by believing YOU may have life in his name
See Jesus wasn't just performing miracles as signs but he was also reaching out to people on an individual basis. He met with Nicodemus at night, he went to Samaria and met the woman at the well He approached the lame man in chapter 5 and asked him if he wanted to be healed He forgave the woman caught in adultery in chapter 8, he was good friends with Mary and Martha and Lazarus
so the signs weren';t just that Jesus was God but also that God became man and cared about each and every person as an individual which makes evangelism not just about saving the world but put names and faces to the people that you know need to be saved
so there are really two points I think that we can take away from this today concerning evangelism
A passion for Christ
If we are not passionate about who Jesus is we will never convince the world that Christianity is true. It could be that maybe you don't believe it yourself? (I have seen some people in the church get more passionate about things of this world than they do the gospel of Jesus Christ.) Let's just get real honest about it if you are spending your time and energy spreading gossip and stirring up trouble instead of being passionate about Jesus you need to examine your own salvation first
The reporter asked him, “If you could encourage pastors to do one thing to reach out to their community, what would it be?” Strobel replied: “Simple: Each and every church leader needs to build at least one strong, deep authentic and caring relationship with an unchurched person in his community.” Strobel explains: “Hang out together. Golf together. Go to dinner and the movies together. Come out for his son’s soccer game; invite him to your daughter’s piano recital. Build a vibrant, no-strings-attached-friendship. Talk with him about matters of the heart late into the night
John was passionate about who Jesus was. He was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that this man Christ Jesus was God in Flesh. He knew that his written word would out live him so he wrote everything down that we needed to know about Jesus so that we might be convinced like he was,
There is a question in the song “Climbing Jacobs ladder” that we need to examine. It says, “If you love Him, why not serve Him?” The person who has passion for Christ will serve Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Jesus said
Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
We speak about those things that we are passionate about because they are in our heart, if something has our heart it has us
Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Whenever I use to work at Best Buy selling computers they wanted us to sell their extended warranties with every computer because it was 100% profit. They also wanted us to sign people up for the Best Buy Card so they would buy it on credit. Those were two things I couldn't do because I never buy extended warranties and I don't believe in buying on credit. So it was impossible for me to get passionate about those two things because I they weren't in my own heart right
so in order to evangelize we have to first be convinced in our own heart that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life
that people need to be saved from their sins, that Hell is a reality to those that are lost
we have to be convinced that the world will not find joy in drugs, illicit sex, alcohol, money or fame
that the only Joy that is unspeakable and full of glory is when the burden and guilt of sin is lifted off a person because they come to faith in Christ
Compassion for people
John wrote this gospel because of his compassion he had for others. He wanted them to believe and have everlasting life.
The Apostle Paul had such a compassion for the people of Israel to be saved that he said if it were possible he would be willing to cut off from Christ if it would save them
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, [fn] my kinsmen according to the flesh.
The only effective means of evangelism is one one one when Gods people have compassion about others
Lifeway research and the North American mission board did a survey of 15,000 people and they found that the majority of them said they would be willing to receive information about about church and God from a friend or family member
its about building those relationships with people and then caring enough about them to tell them about Jesus
That's why throughout the gospel we see Jesus eating with sinners
A French television show was doing a documentary about the church in America when they interview Lee Stobel who at the time was preaching at willow creek
The reporter asked him, “If you could encourage pastors to do one thing to reach out to their community, what would it be?” Strobel replied: “Simple: Each and every church leader needs to build at least one strong, deep authentic and caring relationship with an unchurched person in his community.” Strobel explains: “Hang out together. Golf together. Go to dinner and the movies together. Come out for his son’s soccer game; invite him to your daughter’s piano recital. Build a vibrant, no-strings-attached-friendship. Talk with him about matters of the heart late into the night
do you care enough about people to take a sinner to dinner? The Pharisees couldn't understand why Jesus ate with sinners and publicans but he was showing compassion for people. That people have worth because they have a soul and they were made in the image of God
evanglism is going to take a passion for the person of Jesus and compassion on the lost world
That's the message I see John convey in this passage and throughout the gospel of John these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by beliving you may have life in his name
Do you know someone today that doesn't believe in the name of Jesus?
Do you know someone today who is walking in their sin and guilt that needs to be set free?
Do the work of an Evangelist and show them your passion for Christ and compassion for people
I know that we pray all the time for people we know that are sick but this week I want to challenge you to write down the names of six people that you want to see saved and start by praying for them
