INTRODUCTION 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 V. 17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Anyone means … “anyone” “In Christ” = Paul’s favorite description of a Christian (27x) Trojan horse: Welcomed as Christ would be welcomed So what “old” has gone & “new” has come?

INTRODUCTION 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 V. 18a “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ…” Old standing: Enemies of God (Colossians 1:21) Objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3) New standing: “Reconciled” Debt paid, peace with God, beloved child

INTRODUCTION 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 V. 18b-19a “and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.” A new ministry: “Reconciliation” Seeking for others what we have received ourselves God is on a mission, and we have a role to play

INTRODUCTION 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 V. 21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The “old” way: try to make ourselves righteous The “new” way: The Great Exchange Christ, who is righteous, “made … sin” We, who are sinners, “become the righteousness of God” Not what we do, but what Jesus did

INTRODUCTION 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 V. 19b-20 And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. A new identity: “Ambassadors” Represent one king/kingdom to another Appointed to deliver a message God’s “Plan A” is his people

Ryan Lochte

How well do we rePresent? AMBASSADORS How well do we rePresent? Representing truth or misrepresenting truth Bringing blessing or harm Taking the blame or shifting the blame Instilling security or fear Building trust or distrust “The Big Kahuna”

EVANGELISM The Struggle is Real… Why we struggle with the subject... Awkwardness / feels unnatural / “selling” Jesus Fear (rejection / loss of relationship) Negative experiences / models Unequipped (don’t know what to say/do) “One size fits all” presentations Struggle to “shift” conversation See as “gift” or personality we don’t have

The “Gift” of Evangelism MYTH VS. REALITY The “Gift” of Evangelism Ephesians 4:11 - Jesus gave to the church some to be “evangelists” Why? Not so they alone can do the evangelizing, but “To prepare God’s people for works of service” (v. 12) Here an office, not a “gift” some have and others don’t

The “Gift” of Evangelism MYTH VS. REALITY The “Gift” of Evangelism 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Addressed to whole church Made up of people with different gifts and personalities

The “Gift” of Evangelism MYTH VS. REALITY The “Gift” of Evangelism Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Evangelism about both word (“your conversation…that you may know how to answer”) and deed (“the way you act”)

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Confrontational Example: Acts 2 (Pentecost) Who: Peter Audience: People with many common religious beliefs (all Jewish) What: Said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Intellectual Example: Acts 17 (Thessalonica, Berea, Athens) Who: Paul Audience 1: Jews who believed Scripture (vv. 1-17) What: “Reasoned with them from Scriptures” Audience 2: Athenian pagans (vv. 18-34) What: Reasoned from their own worldview

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Testimonial Example: John 9 Who: Blind man healed by Jesus Audience: Those skeptical of Jesus What: Told them what Jesus had done for him: “I was blind, but now see”

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Interpersonal Example: Luke 5:27-31 Who: Matthew Audience: Tax collectors and “sinners” What: Threw a party for Jesus where all Matthew’s friends could meet him. Created an environment where Jesus could be encountered.

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Invitational Example: John 4 Who: Samaritan Woman at the Well Audience: Everyone she knew What: Said, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Service Example: Acts 2:45-47 Who: The early Christians Audience: All of their city What: “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need … and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS 6 Evangelism “Styles” Putting it all together (“Party Evangelism”) Shares her story & invites a friend to church Another person helps him understand Christianity Jesus’ grace seen in lives of new Christian friends They’re served by deacons, like Christ serves us Someone challenges them to act on what they now know and believe - and they become a Christian!

Mr. Miyagi

OVERVIEW Biblical considerations / basic principles “Listening to Hear” not just respond The “Thresholds” people inevitably cross on their way to faith in Christ – and how to help rather than hinder The role of hospitality and community Gospel Boot Camp