Serious: Personal Evangelism
Subject: It’s My Responsibility – Part One
Dr. Charles Matthews’s made a challenge years ago -- that is still relevant today. He said, and I quote, that it is important -- that pastors and church leaders help their congregations to understand that witnessing to the lost is “Every Christian’s Job.”
Former Seminary Professor -- Dr. L.R. Scarborough once said, “to refuse to witness a saving Gospel to a lost world day by day is nothing short of high treason, spiritual rebellion, and inexcusable disobedience to His holy commands.”
Did you hear that church – very strong words? Yea, but they line up -- with the challenge of Jesus who said, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Just prior to His return to heaven Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “. . . And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Years ago, all America – and the world – was appalled over newspaper reports regarding apathy and indifference toward people in trouble. The story was told -- of a 28 year of female -- years ago – who was stabbed to death in Queens New York.
The victim was attacked three different times before she died. Investigating officials reported that at least thirty-eight people saw the slaying or heard the screams – without notifying the police! One witness was quoted as saying, “I didn’t want to get involved.” Another said, “I was tired: I went back to bed.”
Even more amazing was the situation in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when a young mother was compelled to deliver her baby without any assistance in subfreezing weather on a downtown sidewalk because those who passed by refused her pathetic cry for help. The story was told that a taxi cab driver refused to stop and give her ride to the hospital and hotel refused to give her a blanket.
How shocked we are -- at such pathetic indifference -- to the desperate need of our fellow man, but perhaps it should not be so surprising after all. “When born again believers, can ignore the pitiful Macedonian cries of a Hell-bound world with a nonchalance attitude, when they do not want to get involved – in providing aid and assistance to those who are perishing, when we – who are Christians – are too tired – to make an effort -- for a simple word of witness of warning to poor souls condemned already, it is easy to understand why the unconverted don’t get involved – but, it’s hard for me to grasp – when those who claim to know Jesus Christ – as their personal Savior – don’t get involved in winning souls to Christ souls to Christ.
I have few questions for you this morning – those who are saved, sanctified, fire baptized and Holy Ghost filled.
1. Have you ever won a soul to Christ?
2. Did you follow-up with that person?
3. When was the last time you won someone to Christ?
4. Have you ever tried?
Oh, how pitifully – few of God’s children are guiltless in this matter!
We put more emphasis (and we should be concerned) when a child is lost or abducted, we contact the police, the neighbors, the firemen, the National Guard and we even have amber alerts.
I don’t’ want you misunderstand what I’m saying; we should do everything in our power to find our children, family and friends.
But, how strange it is -- that so great an effort be made – when only a mortal body is involved, and so little effort is made – in seeking immortal souls – who are lost. It is strange indeed, that we, who are God’s people, do not spend sleepless nights – and agony-driven days – in an all-out effort to discharge our responsibility – before God and clear their hands of the blood of souls.
In Ezekiel 33:8-9 we are told, “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die, and thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand”. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he turn not from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul.
There are four points I want to share with you.
Point Number One - Our Knowledge Makes Us Responsible.
In 2nd Timothy 2:15 God gives us a command – 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
My brothers and sister – it is right and proper that we earnestly and systematically study the bible -- which we seek to learn – all we can – about God and His program. However, the knowledge we are given by the Lord – is not primarily to make us smart, but to make us useful, efficient and effective in our service for Jesus the Christ.
The problem we have today, we are to o many “smart” Christians in our churches, who are not “wise” in the sense of Proverbs 11:30 -- 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
The smart Christian -- can name all the dispensations, tell you how to look for the Antichrist, recite in perfect chronological order all the vents of the bible, they can tell every book of the bible, they can even talk about theological terms as justification, sanctification, propitiation and ecclesiology, but, I have one question for the smart Christian – “Have you ever won a single soul to Christ?”
God hasn’t left us here – just to be smart; to sit around quote the bible; see how much we know; how well we can teach; he put purpose in us. In II Corinthians 13:12, I can hear Paul saying; 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[a] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.
That’s why we must “study to shew” [ourselves] approved unto God” in order that this knowledge gained -- while here on earth – can be used – to witness to those who are lost and tell a dying world, “that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal light.”
Someone once said, “Let us evangelize our education, and educationalize our evangelism.”
Let me make it clear, all who are Christians, do not --and will not -- have equal wisdom, but, I can tell you – what all Christians do have – even the newly born again convert – you will have -- the type of knowledge -- about the plan of God in redemption which, in turn demands -- responsibility in soul winning; Three things which makes us responsible before God as soul winners:
First, there is what we know about the lost estate of men. The bible makes it clear, when it comes to mankind’s guilt:
Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NLT) -- There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.
Psalm 51:5 – (AMP) -- Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].
Psalm 58:3 (AMP) -- The ungodly are perverse and estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Isaiah 64:6 (AMP) -- 6 For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favor, hurrying us toward destruction].
Matthew 19:17 (ESV) -- 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
Romans 3:9-23 – (READ)
1 John 1:8-10 -- 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
The Bible is clear – that this sin has separated the soul from God and deserves, yea, demands, just and thorough retribution, you don’t believe me, turn to Psalm 9:17 -- 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.
I can also hear, Paul saying over in -- Romans 5:12-13 (NLT) -- 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. And though there was no law to break, since it had not yet been given,
Romans 6:23 (NLT) -- 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 6:7 (NLT) -- 7 Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!
I’ll cover the other points on next week -- I better bid you good evening – as I began to close – it’s my responsibility -- to tell the world -- about Jesus the Christ.
I can hear Paul saying, “For if you confess -- with your mouth -- that Jesus is Lord -- and believe in your heart -- that God -- raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
It’s my responsibility to tell somebody – because the final judgment will come – and I heard to writer declare:
Rev 20:11-15 -- 11 And I saw a great white throne, and I saw the one who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the grave[a] gave up the dead in them. They were all judged according to their deeds. 14 And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death--the lake of fire. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
I don’t know, how you feel about it, but I want my name – written recorded in the Lamb Book of Life…
That’s why – it’s the responsibility -- of every Christian – to cry – with the Apostle Paul -- For preaching the Good News -- is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me-- if I didn’t do it!
It’s my responsibility – to be a witness – It’s my responsibility – to evangelize – It’s my responsibility – to tell somebody…Thank God, for His grace, and thank God, for His Mercy; “Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
It’s my responsibility – to tell somebody – that Paul said, 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor -- that you have been saved!)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
It’s my responsibility – to tell somebody: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore; Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves. He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your Saviour wants to be -BE SAVED TODAY! Love lifted me! (Even me) Love lifted me! (Even me) When nothing else could help, Love lifted me!
