Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Evangelism: The Church Goes Out Selected Scriptures The many metaphors describing the church give a good understanding of its identity and nature Jesus has commissioned the church to make disciples by going, baptizing and teaching - Matthew 28:18-20

Evangelism: The Church Goes Out Selected Scriptures As part of God’s “royal priesthood,” we mediate between God and man by proclaiming the gospel Communicating New Life in Christ is not hard, but many Christians are scared to talk to others about Jesus

Evangelism: The Church Goes Out Selected Scriptures The first step of making disciples of Jesus is going out to them and proclaiming the gospel

The Nature of Evangelism Evangelism (eujaggelivzw / euangelizo) is to proclaim a “good message” - same root as “gospel”

Examples of those who evangelized Angles (Luke 1:19) John the Baptist (Luke 3:18) Philip (Acts 8) Those from Cyprus & Cyrene (Acts 11:20) evangelism belongs to every believer

The Nature of Evangelism The evangelists of Ephesians 4:11 equip believers to evangelize The time and place of evangelism is any time and any place there is opportunity

The Message of Evangelism Beware of other “gospels” - Galatians 1:6-9 The greatest tragedy - false teachers who think they are serving Jesus but are in reality lawless (Matthew 7)

The Message of Evangelism The second greatest tragedy - those deceived by a false gospel – and they abound even within Christianity The gospel begins with a message of repentance - Luke 3; Matthew 4:17

Jesus’ explanation of the gospel in John 1) It is a message brought directly from heaven (John 3:13) 2) God is loving toward man and has provided a means of eternal life through belief in Jesus (John 3:14-17)

Jesus’ explanation of the gospel in John 3) Those who do not believe are under God’s judgment (John 3:18) 4) The truth of belief will be demonstrated by the manner of life (John 3:19-21)

Jesus’ explanation of the gospel in John John 3:6 - the good news of being born by the Spirit (cf John 14:16f, 14:26; 16:13). John 8: 36 - the good news of being freed from sin’s bondage John 11:25,26 - the good news of the hope of resurrection.

Jesus’ explanation of the gospel in John John 14:1-4 - the good news of the hope of a place in heaven. John 14:6 - the good news of the hope of eternity with the Father

1 Corinthians 15 gospel summary Jesus is the Messiah (vs. 3) Man is sinful (vs. 3) Jesus paid sin’s penalty (vs. 3) Jesus died, was buried and was resurrected on the third day (vs. 4)

1 Corinthians 15 gospel summary Jesus’ resurrection confirms hope of forgiveness Jesus resurrection gives hope of being resurrected in the future

Gospel Summary Bad news: Man is sinful and deserves death and Hell (Romans 3:23) Good News: God loves man & sent Jesus to pay the penalty of man’s sin (John 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18) Good News: Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death & sin (1 Corinthians 15)

Gospel Summary Good News: Salvation’s package deal 1. Jesus’ death is appropriated to your account (Romans 3:21-26) - redemption and forgiveness of sin 2. The bondage of your personal sin broken (Romans 6:17-18)

Gospel Summary 3. The Holy Spirit lives right inside you, changing you from the inside out (John 16:7-13) 4. You will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus (John 14:1-4)

Gospel Summary Bad News: God is just, and will condemn those who do not obey the gospel (John 3:18; 2 Thess. 1:8-9).

The Challenge of Evangelism “Evangelism is to so present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, in order that men may put their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Saviour, and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church” J.I. Packer in Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

The Challenge of Evangelism Evangelism is to be done by the power and moving the Holy Spirit, and not by human scheming Evangelism involves praying for people and opportunities - and taking advantage of them, creating them

The Challenge of Evangelism Evangelism requires accuracy and the whole message - we proclaim Jesus, we do not sell Him Faithfully proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ - and leave the results in God’s hands

The Challenge of Evangelism The desire to obey Jesus in making disciples of all nations fuels evangelism and missions work

If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus – today is the day of salvation If you are a follower of Christ – take up the challenge of evangelism. Go out with the gospel

An Atheist Responds to the Gospel

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ