Evangelism
| 2Tim 4:5 (KJS) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Evangelism |
John 3:3 (KJS) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Before we can talk about leading someone to Christ, we need to understand
that Salvation is a work of grace done by the Holy Spirit in the life of
a non believer, and that the Lord has allowed us to be instrument to work
through us.
Is salvation just someone repeating a prayer? Is it giving mental assent
to the doctrines of the Christian faith? For many people in our churches
these days, salvation is all in their minds. This will result in missing
heaven by 18 inches, because God’s salvation has never gotten down from
their heads into their hearts. They know the verses but they do not know
Him.
Salvation is not a plan, not in scripture verses, not in ordinances and
not in a scheme of theology. Salvation is not a decision and not a
pronouncement of an evangelist, a pastor or a teacher.
What then is salvation?
Salvation is a person - Jesus Christ. Christ did not send us salvation,
He died to become our salvation. Salvation is "Christ in you, the hope
of glory." (Colo. 1:27).
Colo 1:27 (KJS) To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Salvation is not from Him, salvation is in Him. It is mush more then
just a ticket to heaven. It is the life of God living in you and through
you.
Understanding the process of salvation
There are four stages that the Holy Spirit takes an individual through in
the process of salvation.
1. Awakening
2. Conviction
3. Repentance
4. Faith
1st Stage The Awakening
Scripture tells us the god of this world has blinded the minds of those
who do not believe.
They are not only blind, but dead! There is no interest in the things of
God, no sensitivity
to the work and word of God. That’s why the sinner has to be awakened.
The Lord says "Awake to righteousness" (1 Cor. 15:34)
1Cor 15:34 (KJS) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.
Also "Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead." (Eph. 5:14)
Ephe 5:14 (KJS) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
If you find sinners who are asleep, it is our duty with the help of the
Holy Sprit to awaken them.
Do you know which scripture will be most effective in awakening them?
Some of you who have been trained in evangelism "techniques" may be
surprised at this:
Please do not use John 3:16 with an unawakened sinner. Because, if you
tell a sinner how to be saved, before he knows he needs to be saved, you
only succeed in hardening him towards the gospel.
Have you ever wondered why sinners are not moved by Calvary? His mind
wanders and he almost yawns as you share how the son of God shed His
blood to pay for our sin’s.
"So what" he thinks. He is not moved to tears like the saint who knows
the depth of his lawlessness and the tremendous pardon that God has
granted him.
Why are they not moved?
Scripture tell us that the preaching of the cross, is foolishness to
those who are perishing
(1Cor. 1:18)
1Cor 1:18 (KJS) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
The message of the cross makes no sense to them. They have
flattered themselves into thinking that they are not bad enough go to
hell.
They have been told that God loves them and they think "God is a good God
and He loves me so He could never send me to hell".
Most Christians paint a picture of Jesus pleading at the heart of a
sinner, almost conveying the message. That they will do a favor to the
son of God if he opens up his heart to Him.
The truth is that the wrath of God abides upon him. That it is appointed
unto man once to die and then the judgment (Heb. 9:27).
Hebr 9:27 (KJS) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
That God commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:30,31)
Acts 17:30 (KJS) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.
"When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels. In a flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished
with everlasting destruction form the presence of the Lord". (2 Thes 1:7-9).
2The 1:7 (KJS) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
The facts are that without the righteousness of Christ on the day of
judgment, you will perish.
Thousands of sinners think of God as having only one attribute - love.
Though that is part of the truth, when it is taken for the whole truth it
becomes a lie. To say to a rebel,
"God loves and has a wonderful plan for your life," is terribly
mis-informing.
The truth is that God is holy. Thus, He is angry with the sinner at this
moment.
His sword of wrath already hangs over the head of the guilty and will
forever torment him unless he repents and trusts Christ.
This plan is not so wonderful. God’s redeeming love for sinners is found
only in Christ, and the sinner is out of Christ.
So the first step in leading someone to Christ is to awaken them.
These scriptures will awaken sinners to begin to see their need of a
Savior.
Once someone has become awakened, it is not wise to rush in with a "plan
of salvation"
If you rush in at this point you will only lead them to a pre-mature
assumption that he is a Christian. Instead pray that God will bring the
individual into conviction.
The 2nd phase of the divine operation is conviction.
If it is not clear what sin is, how will it be possible for there to be
sincere conviction.
Conviction is a legal term. In a court of law the offender is convicted
when he has been found guilty of his crimes. Spiritually, conviction is
the process of the Holy Spirit uses in dealing with the awakened soul.
Conviction, then is God’s unique way of revealing to the awakened sinner
all that lies deep within. The sinner, knowing he stands guilty before
God, does not like what he sees.
At this point, God convicts of sin. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to
convict of sin.
Jesus said "And when He is come (the Holy Spirit), He will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
This is the essence of sin:
Mere man has determined he is going to defy the only one in the
universe who is wise enough, big enough, and good enough to govern and rule men’s
lives.
Man has climbed onto the thrown of his own heart - a place only
God can be.
And there he sits as a sinner, determined to do only what he wants to do.
But all the while, he is utterly dependent upon God for his very
life and breath.
Sin not only is a crime, it is insanity - moral insanity.
Sin is treason, open rebellion against a righteous government, and leads
to anarchy, where the only rule is : "I’m going to do what pleases me!".
Because the law of God stands between man and his selfish appetites, the
result of anarchic self-government is transgression of God’s law. God’s
law is overthrown but because it cannot be erased or destroyed, we stand
guilty.
To understand this is to come the true conviction.
What is conviction of sin?
It is the state of the mind and heart when the individual takes side with
God against himself. Scripture is clear "all have sinned and come short
of the glory of God".
Therefore, conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart
that causes the individual to realize the enormity of the crime that he
has committed against God.
So the second step in leading someone to Christ is for them to be
convicted.
Now, let’s examine some verses for those who have been awakened, but who
are not yet under conviction. If John 3:16 does not bring conviction,
what will?
One place to start is with the Law of God, the ten commandments.
Rom. 3:20 tells us that the law of God brings the knowledge of sin.
Roma 3:20 (KJS) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
Gal. 3:24 says "that the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ
that we might be justified by faith".
The law of God causes us to see the true nature of sin - that sin is
exceedingly sinful.(Rom. 7:13)
Roma 7:13 (KJS) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Since it is a transgression against a Holy God, it is imperative for us,
to understand that God has not changed - nor has His law.
It is still His millstone, which He uses to cause the human ego to under
go this work of being shredded, ripped, crushed and pulverized.
Some of the effects, when the law is applied to human conscience are:
unrest, distress, concern, unhappiness.
A good example of conviction is the publican in Luke 18:9-14. He was
under conviction because of had broken God’s law and knew he was a
sinner.
Luke 18:9 (KJS) And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
John Wesley said "before I can preach love, mercy, and grace. I must
preach sin, law and judgment."
Instead of preaching a man centered gospel that Jesus will make you
happy, we must warn men that it is appointed unto man once to die and
after that the judgment.
When a sinner sees the awful consequences of breaking God’s law, he’s
going to flee to Jesus solely to escape the wrath to come.
But doesn't Christianity offer an abundant life? Yes, peace and joy
are legitimate fruits of salvation but it is not legitimate to use these
fruits as a draw cart for salvation.
If we do, sinners will respond with an un-pure motive lacking repentance.
Jesus teach the Law of God
What did Jesus do when He was asked the question "what shall I do to
inherit eternal life".
Did He give him John 3:16?
No, He pointed him to the holiness of God and to the law of God. Jesus
showed him that
he hadn’t kept the law because he loved his money more than God. He had
covetousness in his heart. The man left convicted of his sin. Notice
Jesus didn’t run after him saying, "I’m sorry I was so rough with you, I
really didn’t mean to make such a demanding immense sacrifice of you."
If you preach a crazy gospel, you will reap crazy converts.
If you preach a weak, watered down, shallow commitment gospel. What kind
of converts will you reap? Jesus said, if you want to be my disciples,
then forsake all, take up your cross and follow me.
1 Tim. 1:8 Amplified Bible tells us what the law is for.
"For we recognize and know that the law is good, if anyone uses it
lawfully; for the purpose for which it was designed."
What then was it designed for? Vs 9 tells us.
"Knowing this, that the law is not for a righteous man, but for the
lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners."
When you teach the law of God, you show the awaken sinner their true
state before a holy God, that all our righteousness are as filthy rags.
That, their is non righteous, no not one. That we deserve hell and God
would be just in sending us to hell because of our treason. This lost
condition leads into a state we call repentance.
Once an individual has been convicted by the Holy Spirit the next step is
repentance.
The Greek word for repentance means: "to change one’s mind". That is to
change one’s mind from one type of thinking to another.
Scripture is full of those who preached repentance both old and new
testament.
John the Baptist preached repentance. Jesus preached repentance.
Jesus said, "unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish." (Luke
13:3-5)
Repentance has always been the foundation of biblical call to salvation.
When Peter gave the gospel invitation at Pentecost, repentance was at the
heart of it.
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins". (Acts 2:38)
No evangelism that omits the message of repentance can properly be called
the gospel, for sinners cannot come to Jesus apart from a radical change of heart, mind and will. It is the only kind of conversion scripture recognizes.
What does it mean to repent?
Repentance means to make a 180 degree turn. A change of purpose, a
change of practice.
Repentance, it must be stated, doesn’t earn us anything. A man is not
doing any works,
all he is doing when he repents is to realize the enormity of his crime
in living to please himself and to gratify his appetites.
He’s not striking a deal with God. He’s not trying to make any kind of
bargain.
He is simply saying "from today on, I will change my purpose of life. I
will live to please God".
At this point John 3:16 should be used. He now knows that he is in
desperate need of a savior and that God wants to give him eternal life.
"For God demonstrated His love towards us that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for the ungodly."
The gospel makes sense to him now. He can now appreciate what the Lord
has done for him and his repentance of sin will come from the heart, not
from the head.
The Law has done it’s job in bringing him to Christ, so that he can be
justified by
faith in His blood. He is now ready for the grace of God to save him.
Repentance, to be real has to be from the heart and not reluctant. If a
person had a thousand sins and repented of only 999, there is no real
repentance.
You are merely trying to strike a bargain with God. So repentance has to
be complete and not partial.
Repentance is a committal of the will to the principle and practice of
pleasing God in everything. That means from today on the Lord is going
to be King, the Boss and Sovereign Lord.
All this is done out of love because He deserves to be obeyed and served.
This is the nature of repentance. It is a change of mind, a change of
intention, a change of purpose. It is not merely "accepting Christ".
The whole "accept Christ" attitude is likely to be wrong. It makes
Christ stand hat-in-hand awaiting our verdict on Him, instead of our kneeling with
trouble hearts awaiting His verdict on us.
True repentance always implies a hatred of sin. It is feeling towards
sin exactly as God feels towards it. It always implies forsaking ones
sins. Once repentance takes place in the heart of a individual, that then leads
to faith.
Once the tears of repentance have watered the seeds of faith, a miracle
takes place.
The heart believes that God is and that he is a rewarder of those how
seek Him.
Faith is believing God.
Everyone born into the family of God through faith in Christ receives the
promise of salvation. They receive the seal of the Spirit and His Spirit
bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if
children then heirs, join heirs with Christ.
Faith as defined by God, means that we obey the wooing of His Spirit.
That we willing and obediently give ourselves to Him, through Jesus
Christ. That is saving Faith and it is the only kind of faith acceptable
in God’s sight.
"For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourself, it
is the gift of God".
The new birth is that great change which God works in the spirit and
soul, when He brings it into life and raises it from the death of sin to
the life of righteousness.
The new birth is the change worked in the spirit and soul by the Almighty
Spirit of God, when the spirit is created anew in Christ Jesus. The Holy
Spirit renews the spirit of man and adds to it righteousness and true
holiness. Those truly born from above will continue to grow in grace and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It is God alone who reveals His work of love and grace to the individual
who is born into His kingdom.
Rev. Felix Bautista
