HEALTH WATCH #5 EMPHASIZING EVANGELISM 5 TH SIGN OF HEALTHY CHURCH MEMBERS FEBRUARY 7, 2016 AM THANKS TO IX MARKS MINISTRIES

ARE YOU A HEALTHY CHURCH MEMBER? #1 That means you are a “Ready Listener!” An EXPOSitional Listener – Exposing the main thought. #2 That means you are a “Doctrine Digger!” Looking for major themes and developments as you read and study. #3 That means you are a “Gospel Gobbler.” Gripping, grasping, gobbling, overwhelmed by God’s good news #4 That means you are “Completely (genuinely) Converted.” #5 That means you are “Eager to Evangelize.” Enthusiastic about evangelism Or willing to share the Good News

WHAT ABOUT THE WORD “EVANGELIZE” It is a combination of the word “good” and “angel” or “messenger.” Luke 2:10 10 … I bring you good tidings of great joy, … to all people. Romans 10:15 15 …How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Acts 21:8 8 … and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 2 Timothy 4:5 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Ephesians 4:11 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

THE GREATEST NEED OF THE CHURCH TODAY IS THE GOSPEL – THE GOOD NEWS. We know it is the greatest need of the world! But it is the GREATEST need of “the Church.” It forms us, sustains us, enlivens us, distinguishes us, defines us. Apart from it we have nothing to say and nothing to do. It makes us what we are – vibrant, joyous, persevering, hopeful, and healthy.

Know the Gospel - I Cor.15:1-4 Desire to hear the Gospel and preach it to ourselves - Rom.10:17 Order our lives around the Gospel. Share the Gospel with others - II Cor 5:17-21 Guard the Gospel - Gal. 1:8,9; Jude 3 WE NEED TO…

THE GOSPEL – BEGINNING TO END Council Creation Corruption Catastrophe Confusion Covenant Christ Cross Church Consummation

Romans 1:14,15 Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 8:1-4 Acts 11:19-21 I Peter 3:15 John 13:34,35 (a missing ingredient) So we are to be bearers of the good news! 1. WHO SHOULD SHARE?

2. HOW SHOULD WE SHARE? MARK DEVER Tell people with honesty that if they repent and believe they will be saved – but it will be costly. No softer message Tell people with urgency that if they repent and believe they will be saved – but they must decide now. No better deal Tell people with joy that if they repent and believe they will be saved – difficult, but worth it. Matthew 7:13,14; Hebrews 11 and 12 Tell people directly from the Bible – Romans 10:17 Tell people by your life as an individual Christians and as a church that you really are believers. Matthew 5:16; I Peter 2:12; John 13:34,35 Tell people and PRAY. I Timothy 2:1-4

3. WHAT SHOULD WE SHARE? Not simply my opinion – but the truth of God Not simply my personal testimony – but the power of God Not social or political issues (horizontal) – but a vertical issue. Not “Apologetics” or defending the faith – but delivering the Faith. Not conversion results – but faithfully telling the story – II Cor. 2:15,16 “… to evangelize is to declare on the authority of God what He has done to save sinners, to warn men of their lost condition, to direct them to repent, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Dever p.137

4. WHY SHOULD WE SHARE? Obedience - Matthew 28:18-20; I Cor. 9:16,17 A love for the lost - Matthew 9:36-38 A love for the Lord - I John 2:5; 4:19, 21 Acts 8:26-40 – Phillip sharing the Gospel