Proselytizing the Unprepared (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:19-20) Turn with me to Matthew 9:35-38. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues. Preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion for them. Because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples “The harvest truly is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. And then also turn with me to Matthew 28:19-20. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.

Proselytizing the Unprepared Open Your Heart God’s heart (2 Peter 3:8-10) Early Christians’ hearts (Acts 15:3) Paul’s heart (Romans 9:2-3) God’s desire is that none should perish. What is our desire? And as we read in verse 10, “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” We see the danger in unpreparedness so why would we not proselytize? In Acts 15:3 we see that the early Christians were joyous over the conversion of the Gentiles. Romans 9:2-3 Paul says, “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart For I wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren my countrymen according to the flesh.” We see that Paul was grieved and wished that he was cutoff from Christ for the sake of his countrymen who were not prepared. Where are our hearts for those that are unprepared?

Proselytizing the Unprepared Open Your Bible Part of our daily life (Joshua 1:8) Accurately handled (2 Timothy 2:15) Prepare completely (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Know the Word (Hebrews 5:12-14) Joshua 1:8 and Deuteronomy 11 tells the instruction from Jehovah to the Israelites to bathe themselves in God’s commandments. The Word should be a part of our everyday life also. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Some translations say “accurately dividing the word of truth.” To be accurate we must practice and study. If I was to pick up a long bow and try to hit a target, I would not be able to do it without practice. If we don’t pick up God’s word and read it, how do we proselytize those that are unprepared? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In order to proselytize you have to know what you are talking about with conviction. Hebrews 5:12-14 says “For thought by this time you ought to be teachers you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God and you have come to me milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are full of age that is those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What we get on Sundays and Wednesday is not enough. You’ve got to open this Bible; you’ve got to know what it says.

Proselytizing the Unprepared Open Your Mouth Paul’s mouth (Colossians 4:2-6) Peter’s mouth (Acts 10:34) Jesus’ mouth (Matthew 5:2) Colossians 4:2-6. “Continue earnestly in prayer being vigilant in it with thanksgiving meanwhile praying also for us that God would open to us a door for the word to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in chains that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Are we praying for opportunities for each other and ourselves and the right words to say to those who are unprepared? In Matthew 10:16 Jesus tells His disciples to be wise as snakes and harmless as doves. In Acts 10:34 Peter opened his mouth to the household of Cornelius. And in Matthew 5 Jesus opened His mouth. I’m not saying that we can’t be an example to others in our conduct, but if we also open our mouth we are more likely to proselytize those around us.

Proverbs 28:1 If you fear rejection, from those you are trying to proselytize, Jesus told His disciples, in John 15 that if He was rejected, they would be rejected also. And in Matthew 26 think of how nervous Jesus must have been in the Garden when he knew He was going to pay for your sins with His life. Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked flee when no one pursues. But the righteous are bold as a lion.” The elders here have provided us with tools and opportunities. There are tracts in the back, door knocking before gospel meetings, public Bible readings, sharing lessons and sermons on social media. Let’s reach out to the unprepared.