Sunday, July 26, 2015 pm
EVANGELISM 2015
What Can I Do?
Tonight we begin making some practical applications.
In this lesson I want to address what can each of us do?
a.
Not everyone can do
everything.
The Bible is clear that some have “one talent.” Matt. 25:14-18.
Some simply don’t have the ability to conduct a class, but there are
still things you can do.
Some do more damage than good, in spite of their good intentions.
But they are trying.
And they can still do something.
Matthew 14:8, the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus – “She has done
what she could.”
Mark 12:42-44, a woman that only gave to mites (pennies).
She had given more than all.
God looks at what you do according to your ability!
b.
Not everyone can preach the gospel – the bible has placed limitations upon what women can do
publicly (even though this is politically incorrect in our society it is
still the word of God – 1 Cor. 14:34-35, 1 Tim. 2:11-15, etc.).
Not every many can preach or publicly teach a Bible class
Many men cannot serve as elders because they fail to meet the
qualifications – 1 Tim. 3:1-7.
In the body you cannot complain because you are not another part – 1
Cor. 12:15-19, “If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I
am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear
should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it
therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be
the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But
now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He
pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?”
c.
There are limitations as
to what a church can do!
d.
Many can do more that they think – they choose to limit themselves.
They are content to stay where they are rather than moving
forward into the unknown.
They seek to do just enough to get by.
We have to try.
a.
I can let my light shine
– the importance of example is never over emphasized.
Matt. 5:13-16, Phi. 2:14-16.
As we sometimes sing, we are the world’s Bile.
A continual reminder in addressing evangelism is how we need to be
living the life of a Christian so that they can see God working in us.
We need to present the Lord’s church in a positive light –
hypocrisy will quickly turn people away.
b.
I can pray –
pray for courage and boldness, wisdom (James 1:5-6), opportunities,
others who are doing the work, proper conditions to teach (1 Tim. 2:1-4,
2 Thess. 3:1-2, etc.).
c.
I can study God’s word
– the more I know, the more I will be able to “give a defense for the
hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)
As previously stated, many can do more than they do right now or
even than what they realize they are capable of.
More study means more confidence.
2 Timothy 2:15 speaks of our ability to “rightly divide the word of
truth.”
d.
I can be a good neighbor – the command to love your neighbor as yourself is emphasized
throughout the New Testament – Matt. 22:39-40; Rom. 13:9, Gal. 5:14,
James 2:8. Soul winners love
people!
We have discussed how the overwhelming majority of those converted to
the gospel do so at the invitation of a friend or acquaintance.
We need to look for opportunities to be good neighbors –
appearance, doing “favors”, smiling and waving, talking to them
pleasantly, etc. You never
know when this can lead a conversation from “physical waters” to “living
waters.” (cf. John 4)
e.
I can invite others
- even if you can’t teach, you can invite others to opportunities.
i.
To services – Gospel
meetings and regular services, bible classes
ii.
To take a correspondence
course
iii.
To view our website –
take business cards and leave them with your tip at restaurants, etc.
iv.
To a Bible study
conducted by others or in your home.
f.
I can be friendly at
services –
welcome visitors, show hospitality, etc.
We need to love one another and our neighbors.
That is something that genuinely shows.
g.
I can bring someone to
services –
even brethren. Sometimes a
“ride” keeps people away.
h.
I can follow up on prospects – when someone expresses interest we need to realize that we
only have a limited amount of time.
When the Bible speaks of “open doors” we need to walk through it
– 1 Cor. 16:9, Colossians 4:3.
Contact visitors from the community with a card or more (a visit
or call) if you can. NOTE: I
have experienced the tragedy of delay with opportunities.
I have seen hesitation result in people who quit attending
(visiting), and walk away from Bible studies, and go elsewhere.
I have even seen death before an opportunity was taken advantage
of.
i.
I can stand behind and
encourage those who are able to do more and different things than I do.
Those engaged in the actual teaching of prospects know that they
are going to face rejection.
Sometimes they may even encounter a dry spell that can be very
discouraging.
Add to that criticism from their own brethren one can become frustrated.
They need encouraging.
Even Jesus, when he was disappointed was lifted up by Peter, and I
suppose the other apostles as well (John 6:68).
Jesus prayed for His disciples knowing what they were about to face – 1
John 17:9-19.
j.
Offer to assist those
teaching –
watch children, help prepare literature, etc.
Attend studies as a support to
the teacher. Incidentally
that is the best way to learn how to study with others.
2 Tim. 2:2 – Timothy was to teach
others who would teach others.
Jesus sent out both His apostles and His disciples two-by-two – (Mark
6:7, Luke 10:1)
k.
I can devote some extra
time to furthering the Lord’s cause
– Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5 – redeeming the time.
Rom. 12:1-2 speaks of our bodies being a living sacrifice!
Are we really willing to give up some of our “free time” to
further His cause?
l.
Do whatever you can do.
i.
Personal work is much
more than simply reaching the lost.
ii.
It involves whatever we
need to do to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).
Keeping the saved is just as important as finding the lost (James
5:19-20)
1 Thess. 5:14 speaks of warning the unruly, comforting the fainthearted,
upholding the weak and being patient with all
iii.
Visiting the sick and
helping them – James 1:27.
Remember - you can do much more than the church in these matters.
Consider this also in light of
James 2:15-18,
“If a brother
or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to
them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them
the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also
faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will
say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
iv.
Follow up on those
unable to attend. Heb.
10:24-25 – we consider one another.
If a brother is not here, does he know we care?
v.
Smile and be friendly –
love is kind – 1 Cor. 13:4, does not behave rudely – 1 Cor. 13:5.
vi.
Maintaining the building
and material things – first impressions matter.
There are some who all they can do is work on the building,
maintain the lawn, etc. That
matters!
vii.
Help prepare materials
in whatever way you can.
Some congregations have webmasters and “technicians” recording and
preparing audio cds, etc.
viii.
Take a visitor to lunch
– if you have the resources and time.
BTW, plan on making time when you can.
ix.
Pass out fliers for
gospel meetings
x.
Do things to let people
know you are a Christian – don’t hide your Bible.
Post scriptures where you can (note: Beware of work restrictions
and respect them).
xi.
Listen for opportunities
to discuss religious and moral matters biblically.
(Note: With this remember – Matt. 10:16 – wise as serpents and
harmless as doves; Colossians 4:6 – speech seasoned with salt, etc.).
m.
Do something – anything,
even efforts with minimal results (such as door knocking) is better than
nothing. Don’t leave the
seed in the barn! You never
know!
The purpose of a lesson like this is to encourage us to be alert and
looking for opportunities.
As Paul said of his work, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of
the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also
trust are well known in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:11)
- It is also a reminder that
everything we do ought to be for the glory of God - “Therefore,
whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter
4:11, NKJV)
Remember that in all of this, our goal is not just to increase our
numbers; it is to bring souls to Christ and to glorify God.
Remember the admonition of our Lord, “Do you not say, ‘There
are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you,
lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for
harvest!” (John 4:35, NKJV)
John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk
in truth.” (3 John 4) This
is such a true statement.
I
am convinced that if we genuinely want the Lord’s body to grow, we will
do what we can and it WILL happen.
Are you willing to commit to Him?
Think about it!