Review: Six words
1. Purpose: God has a plan for us.
2. Worship: bring pleasure to God.
3. Fellowship: living with others.
4. Discipleship: becoming like Jesus.
5. Ministry: serving others.
6. Evangelism: sharing the good news.
MEMORY VERSE
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity”(Col. 4:5, NIV).
EVANGELISM – YOU WERE MADE FOR A MISSION
“In the same way that you gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (John 17:18, Msg).
“One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and religion teachers were sitting around. They had come from nearly every village in Galilee and Judea, even as far away as Jerusalem, to be there. The healing power of God was on him. Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, ‘Friend, I forgive your sins.’ That set the religion scholars and Pharisees buzzing. ‘Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemous talk! God and only God can forgive sins.’ Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and said, ‘Why all this gossipy whispering? Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .’ He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: ‘Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.’ Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it--got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous--and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, ‘We’ve never seen anything like that!’” (Luke 5:17-26, Msg).
FOUR KEYS TO FULFILLING GOD’S MISSION IN THE WORLD
1. They became concerned for their hurting friend.
- Why love is important? It opens doors.
- If you are aware, you must care.
- “We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith” (Rom. 15:2, GW).
HOW TO PRAY FOR THE UNSAVED
1. Ask God to soften your heart and give you a real love for those you touch.
2. Ask God to give opportunities to share the good news.
3. Ask God to soften their hearts. God usually does this by pain. So look for hurting people to help.
2. They believed Jesus would save their friend.
- You need a ministry to believers.
- You need a mission to unbelievers.
- If you want God’s blessing in your life, you must care about what God cares about.
- Evangelism is a matter of obedience.
- Don’t let your life be just about you, it’s about God and others.
- “Jesus is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through Him . . .” (Heb. 7:25, TEV).
3. They didn’t just pray for their friend; they brought him to Jesus.
- The man was paralyzed; he could not come to Jesus.
WHAT PARALYZES PEOPLE
1. Loneliness, they are afraid to reach out.
2. Guilt, they are constrained from reaching out.
3. Crowd, they are pressured from reaching out.
4. Sin/blinded, they are blinded to reaching out.
5. Circumstance, they are kept from reaching out.
6. Problems, they are too traumatized to reach out.
- They had a plan and put it into action.
- “Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that my house will be full” (Luke 14:23, NLT).
- Excuse. My life is my witness; I don’t need to do anything.
- Foolish. Let’s get married, but let’s not tell anyone.
4. They didn’t let difficulties discourage them.
- The door was blocked, so they tried another way.
- Question? Are you willing to go through the roof for a friend?
- “God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost” (II Peter 3:9, CEV).
- There are a lot of good things you do that won’t matter ten years from now? But touching a life will matter.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
