On Sunday, May 10 we completed our five week consideration of evangelism, a topic of great importance for every

Understanding the Nature of the Gospel will assist us in how it is to be presented:

1. The Gospel is like a seed (1 Peter 1:23)…it must be planted.
2. The Gospel is an accomplished reality, there is no need to improve upon it or manipulate it.
3. The Gospel is like a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19)
4. The Gospel is like a treasure to be acquired.

Several possibilities to avoid:

1. It is possible to give the impression that you are communicating the Gospel for your own purposes.
2. It is possible to come across as an arrogant know-it-all when communicating the Gospel.
3. It is possible to “dump information” on someone and walk away feeling like you have communicated the Gospel to them, when, in fact, they are still quite confused.
4. It is possible to be sincere and well-intentioned, and still lead someone in the wrong direction.

The method of communication of the Gospel:

1. Is based on our view of God.
2. Is based on the nature of the Gospel
3. Is based on the understanding of it that the one telling it has.
4. Is based on the work that the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished in my life.
5. must take into consideration the needs of the person with whom you are dialoging.
   1. Rational (Lydia) Acts 16:11-15
   2. Shock (slave girl)  Acts 16:16-24
   3. Changed life (Philippian jailer) Acts 16:25-34

Biblically (1 Thessalonians 2:3-9)

1. The Gospel message is to be presented truthfully (we must know the facts and how they fit together!)
2. The Gospel message is to be presented with pure motives (for the glory of God, the good of the hearer and the blessing of the believer).
3. The Gospel message is to be presented with integrity (not trying to trick anyone).
4. The Gospel message is to be presented without flattery.
5. The Gospel message is to be presented without selfish-ambition.
6. The Gospel message is to be presented gently (like a mother caring for her little children).
7. The Gospel message is to be presented lovingly.

Practically

1. Industriously live your life with integrity.
2. Identify people in your life who need to hear the story of Jesus
3. Intervene for these dear people in prayer
4. Initiate contact (don’t give up if the first “touch” doesn’t go well)  a) Be patient; b) Keep your objective in mind; c) Don’t be project oriented.
5. Intentionally interact with the people the Lord brings into your life
6. Investigate interest
7. Issue the message of the gospel graciously
8. Irrigate (as the opportunity arises) regularly
9. Invite a response appropriately

Thanks you for the privilege of coming to speak with you over these past weeks about evangelism.  I want to encourage you to:

• Continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.              (2 Peter 3:18)
• Continue to pray for one another as you seek to speak to others about Jesus.
• Continue to encourage one another as you humbly tell about the doors of opportunity to “…proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  (1 Peter 2:9)

by His grace and for His glory!