Doctrine 13. Personal evangelism.

TODAY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE SHALL BE STUDYING IN DETAILS.  BIBLE DOCTRINE 13: PERSONAL EVANGELISM

BIBLE DOCTRINE 13: PERSONAL EVANGELISM

God’s Word teaches:

That Personal Evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer, Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soulwinner, bringing others to Christ – Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; 1-4; Psalm 126:5,6; Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; Ezekiel 3:17-21.

Matthew  28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Luke  24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.  24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

John  17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Listen to what He came to do.

Luke  19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Matthew  1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

So you are empowered to replicate His mission on earth.

Acts  1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Psalms  126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Proverbs  11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Daniel  12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Ezekiel  3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.  3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Psalms  68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Personal evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer.

 The Greek word “euangelion” (Gospel) actually means Good News.

 It is good news from a loving God to a lost world that through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, there is salvation. 

(John 3:16,17

John  3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

. Personal evangelism is the person-to-person sharing of this good news of salvation with the aim of soul-winning – leading the sinner to repent and turn wholly to God through Jesus Christ, the Saviour (John 1:40-42; Acts 8: 26-37). 

John  1:40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Acts  8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,  8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:  8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul winner (Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1;8). 

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Acts  1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Although mass evangelism is good and necessary, it will never take the place of personal evangelism.

 Illustrating the efficacy and superiority of personal evangelism, one godly man said, “If you had one hundred empty bottles before you, and threw a pail of water over them some would get a little in them, but most would fall outside.

 If you wish to fill the bottles, the best way is to take each bottle separately and put a vessel full of water to each bottle’s mouth “.

 Another man of God said, “The world is never going to be brought to Christ whole-sale but one by one.

 Men are not born collectively, they do not die collectively, and they do not accept or reject Christ collectively”.

Personal evangelism is essential and mandatory because (a) Jesus commanded it (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19,20); 

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

(b) God is happy at its result (Luke 15:10); 

Luke  15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

(c) Jesus did it (John 4:21-30; Matthew 4:19);

Matthew  4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

 (d) God the Father started it (Genesis 3:9); 

Genesis  3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

(e) Jesus prayed for the believers’ sanctification to make personal evangelism effective (John 17:17,18);

John  17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

 (f) The Holy Spirit is given because of it (Acts 1:8); 

Acts  1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

(g) Jesus Christ willed it (Matthew 4:19); 

Matthew  4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

(h) It is the heart desire of God (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9); 

Ezekiel  33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

2 Peter  3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(i) Jesus’ earthly ministry illustrates it (Luke 19:10);

Luke  19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 (j) The early apostolic church practised it (Acts 8:30-37; Mark 16:20; Acts 8:4; 

Mark  16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Acts  8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

(k) It is a mark of true wisdom (Proverbs 11:30);

Proverbs  11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

 (l) Every genuine believer is equipped for it (John 1:37-45; 4:28,290; 

John  4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,  4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

This Samaritan woman was a fresh convert of our Lord. 

(m) It is the primary purpose for our salvation (John 15:16; 20:21);

John  15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John  20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 (n) There is great reward for those who carry it out (Daniel 12:3); 

Daniel  12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

(o) The harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few (Matthew 9:36,37; John 4:35-38); (

Matthew  9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

p) Life is short while eternity is endless (John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31);

John  9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

1 Corinthians  7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;  7:30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;  7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

 (q) Souls are precious to God (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36,37; Psalm 49:6-90;

Matthew  16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark  8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 (r) Hell is the end of all who die in sin (Mark 9:43-48; Psalm 9:17; Revelation 20:10-15); 

Psalms  9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

(s) Powers of darkness and cults are growing (2 Timothy 3:13; 1 Timothy 4:1); 

2 Timothy  3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

(t) Neglect hinders prayer and progress (Proverbs 21:13; 24:11,120; 

Proverbs  21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

(u) It can be done without any expense. No loud speakers and microphones needed

. No permission from the government, church, or school is needed for the use of their compound (Acts 8:4) 

Acts  8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Finally, (v) there are tremendous possibilities in personal evangelism when pursued vigorously and scripturally.

 It produces abundant results through the law of spiritual multiplication. 

For instance, if a church of 100 dedicated and witnessing members will share the gospel, with the unsaved, each member with effective follow-up will within a period of four months disciple a new convert till he becomes a soul winner. 

If each convert were in turn to win one person to Christ, for example, spending four months helping him to grow in faith, and then each of them in turn were to win another soul, there would be in one year four hundred Christians. 

If they spend four months with the new converts and if each of the four hundred believers wins another, they would be eight hundred. Continuing in that schedule, the membership of the church would be over three million in five years.

 Precisely, if there were only one Christian in the world and he worked a year, and won a friend to Christ, and if these two continued each year to win another, and if every man they led into the kingdom of God continued to win another, then, in thirty years every person in the world would be won for Christ.

To be involved in personal evangelism, personal experience of conversion is indispensable (2 Timothy 2:6,7,19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17). 

2 Timothy  2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Also, the soul winner must live a holy life (2 Timothy 2:4; Isaiah 52:11)

2 Timothy  2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

. Secondly, the true soul winner must have a strong, unshakable conviction (John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Acts 26:22-24; 21:8-14). 

1 Corinthians  9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

He must, therefore, see himself as an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19,20)

2 Corinthians  5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

 and must thus devote his time, talents, strength, and money to the furtherance of the Gospel.

 The world will never see Christ again until He comes back in judgment, except as it sees Him in us. 

There should therefore be a strong conviction about God, the Bible, Salvation, Christ’s death, resurrection, and His second coming.

 Thirdly, the soul winner must accept that the responsibility of preaching the gospel is not optional but a debt (Romans 1:14; Proverbs 24:11, 12; Ezekiel 33:6; 1 Corinthian 9:16).

1 Corinthians  9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Romans  1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

 Furthermore, there is the need for a deep, burning Christ-like compassion (Matthew 9:36; Romans 9:1-3; 10:1). 

Romans  10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

This should be the basis for the sacrifices we make, effectual fervent prayers offered, tears shed and hardship endured for the souls of men to be won to the Lord (Jeremiah 9:11).

2 Timothy  2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Specifically, there must be quite a lot of secret praying because there is no substitute for expectant, secret waiting upon God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for wisdom, for strength and power, courage, hope, faith and for a glowing burning and appropriate message from God (2 Timothy 1:7). 

2 Timothy  1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This prayer must be importunate to open the hearts of men to God (Psalm 2:8). 

Psalms  2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

The soul winner must be skilful in the use of the Word, which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 2:15). 

2 Timothy  2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

He must also have a definite message, and recognize first that the Gospel is a fact that must be told cheerfully;

 and it is an entrusted fact, therefore, it should be told faithfully. 

The soul winner must preach the gospel with earnestness, love, simplicity, tact, and wisdom (1 Corinthians 9:20-23; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

1 Corinthians  9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;  9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  9:23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

 He must not give in to discouragement.

Opportunities for personal evangelism abound daily on the streets, hospitals, motor parks, bus stops, inside the bus or taxi, prisons, homes of neighbours, schools, markets etc. 

The soul winner does not wait for a perfect opportunity as every situation is an opportunity (Ecclesiastics 11:4,6; 2 Timothy 4:2). 

2 Timothy  4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

An effective way of conducting personal evangelism is through friendship. 

Friendship evangelism is the art of leading a soul to Christ by cultivating his friendship. 

Deed of kindness, love, service, and friendliness can be the bait that will get a sinner interested in the gospel message. 

The soul winner must do things that will demonstrate that he cares for the person’s earthly welfare as well as his eternal soul. 

Friendship evangelism reflects genuine and true Christ love in action.

 Jesus Christ our Lord did not count it ungodly to dine with sinners (Luke 15:12).

 Tracts, good books, magazines, and even letter writing could be employed for personal evangelism. 

When do we start personal evangelism? Now (John 4:35). 

John  4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

This is because we cannot be guiltless before God if we neglect it (Ezekiel 3:18,19). 

Ezekiel  3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Millions of souls are rushing towards a lost eternity.. 

Believers must, therefore, throw aside all flimsy excuses as there is no trouble too great, no humiliation too deep, no suffering too severe, no labour too hard, no expenses too much in saving souls. 

We must arise therefore, pray and do the work.

John  9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Beloved brethren, this is one of the twenty two doctrines Jesus Christ said you in particular should hold unto till He comes.  You believe it and you commit yourself to doing it as an act of wholehearted obedience to God .

The good Lord shall help you in particular to be obedient to His doctrines and be blessed abundantly in Jesus name .

LET US PRAY.