Embracing Evangelism: A Journey of Relationship and Purpose

 

Summary

Today, I explored the profound journey of evangelism, emphasizing its relational and missional aspects, and how these intertwine with our personal experiences and the broader mission of the Church. I began by recounting the transformative story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, a narrative that beautifully illustrates the sudden and powerful interventions of God in our lives—what we identify as Kairos moments. Saul's encounter with Christ led him from persecution to proclamation, highlighting the radical change that comes from an authentic encounter with Jesus.

I delved into the concept of relational evangelism, which is about stepping into what the Holy Spirit is already doing in someone's life. It's not about having all the answers or presenting a polished argument but about being present and genuine in our interactions. This form of evangelism connects deeply with people through shared stories and personal engagement, showing the love of Christ through our actions and words.

On the other hand, missional evangelism focuses on the purpose and role we play as part of the Church. It involves presenting the gospel in light of God's kingdom and our call to bring others from darkness into light. This approach underscores the strategic role of the Church in God's plan, emphasizing our collective mission to advance the kingdom.

I also shared personal reflections on my journey of faith, noting that not everyone's story involves dramatic moments of conversion. For many, including myself, faith is a journey of continued presence, showing up and being faithful even when it feels mundane or challenging. This persistence is itself a testimony to the power of God's grace working through us.

Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the importance of being available for God's use, which often means stepping out of our comfort zones and being intentional about engaging with others, especially those who are hurting or in need. I encouraged the congregation to view every interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate the gospel, whether it's through words of comfort, acts of kindness, or simply being a listening ear.

Finally, I highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit in empowering and guiding our efforts in evangelism. It is the Spirit who stirs our hearts and equips us with the gifts necessary for ministry, ensuring that our efforts are not in our strength but in the power of God.

### Key Takeaways:

1. Relational Evangelism is Participatory: Engaging in evangelism means entering into what the Holy Spirit is already doing in someone’s life. It’s less about forcing conversations and more about joining them. This approach requires us to be observant and sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, making our evangelistic efforts more effective and less intrusive. [01:25:00]

2. Missional Evangelism Requires Understanding of Purpose: Understanding our role in the kingdom of God enhances our evangelistic efforts. It’s not just about saving souls but also about inviting them into a transformative journey of kingdom living. This perspective shifts our approach from mere conversion to discipleship. [01:26:22]

3. Consistency in Faith Amidst Mundanity: The power of showing up cannot be underestimated. Regular participation in spiritual disciplines may not always be exhilarating, but their consistent practice forms the bedrock of a resilient and mature faith. [01:55:57]

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism: The Holy Spirit not only empowers us but also prepares the hearts of those we speak to. Relying on the Spirit ensures that our efforts are synchronized with God’s timing and purposes, making our witness both effective and sensitive to the needs of others. [02:16:19]

5. Evangelism as a Lifestyle: Evangelism should be a natural outflow of our Christian life. By living authentically and being ready to share our faith at any moment, we embody the gospel message. This lifestyle evangelism is often more impactful than organized evangelistic events. [02:07:29]

### Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:22:21] - Introduction to Evangelism
- [01:25:00] - Relational Evangelism Explained
- [01:26:22] - Missional Evangelism Discussed
- [01:55:57] - Personal Testimony on Faithfulness
- [02:00:07] - The Importance of Kairos Moments
- [02:16:19] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism
- [02:07:29] - Concluding Thoughts on Evangelism as a Lifestyle

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Acts 9:1-31 (Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus)
- 1 Corinthians 12:11 (The Holy Spirit Distributes Gifts)
- Philippians 2:13 (God Works in Us to Will and to Do)

### Observation Questions
1. What was Saul's initial mission when he was traveling to Damascus? (Acts 9:1-2)
2. Describe the encounter Saul had on the road to Damascus. What were the immediate effects on him? (Acts 9:3-9)
3. How did Ananias respond to God's command to go to Saul, and what was the outcome of his obedience? (Acts 9:10-19)
4. According to the sermon, what are the two types of evangelism discussed, and how do they differ? [01:25:00]

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Saul's conversion story illustrate both relational and missional evangelism? [01:25:00]
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers for evangelism, according to the sermon and 1 Corinthians 12:11? [02:16:19]
3. Reflect on the concept of Kairos moments as discussed in the sermon. How do these divine interventions impact our daily lives and evangelistic efforts? [01:42:29]
4. How does the sermon suggest we should view mundane or challenging periods in our faith journey? [01:55:57]

### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt the Holy Spirit leading you to engage with someone. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading in the future? [01:25:00]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of being available for God's use, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. What are some practical steps you can take to be more available and intentional in your interactions with others? [01:40:53]
3. Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there any "Kairos moments" that stand out to you? How did these moments shape your faith and your approach to evangelism? [01:42:29]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of consistency in faith amidst mundanity. What spiritual disciplines can you commit to regularly, even when they feel mundane or challenging? [01:55:57]
5. How can you incorporate the concept of relational evangelism into your daily life? Think of one person you can engage with this week by being present and genuine in your interactions. [01:25:00]
6. The sermon highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in preparing the hearts of those we speak to. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit in your evangelistic efforts? [02:16:19]
7. Evangelism as a lifestyle was a key takeaway from the sermon. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure that you are living out the gospel message authentically and consistently? [02:07:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging in Spirit-Led Conversations
Relational Evangelism is about joining in on what the Holy Spirit is already orchestrating in someone's life. It's not about crafting the perfect argument or having all the answers, but about being present and genuine. This approach allows for a more natural and less intrusive way to share faith, as it involves observing and responding to the Spirit's movement in real-time. By focusing on being part of ongoing conversations rather than starting new ones, believers can connect more deeply and authentically with others, demonstrating Christ's love through their actions and words. This participatory nature of evangelism is crucial for making spiritual connections that are both meaningful and impactful. [01:25:00]

Acts 8:29-31 (ESV): "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you felt the Holy Spirit could have been guiding you. How might you respond differently next time to be more in tune with His leading?

Day 2: Understanding Our Role in God’s Kingdom
Missional Evangelism emphasizes understanding our purpose within the kingdom of God. It's not merely about converting others but inviting them into a transformative journey of kingdom living. This perspective shifts the focus from individual salvation to a broader discipleship, where the role of each believer is to advance God's kingdom through their lives. By understanding our strategic role in God's plan, our evangelistic efforts become more aligned with the mission of the Church, making our witness both effective and purposeful. [01:26:22]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How does viewing yourself as part of a 'royal priesthood' change the way you approach sharing your faith with others?

Day 3: The Power of Consistent Faithfulness
Consistency in faith, especially amidst the mundane, is a powerful testimony to the grace of God. Regular engagement in spiritual disciplines might not always be thrilling, but their steady practice is the foundation of a resilient and mature faith. This consistent presence—showing up and being faithful even when it feels challenging—demonstrates a deep commitment to God and can be a profound witness to others. The power of simply 'being there' can often speak louder than words. [01:55:57]

Colossians 1:10-12 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can more faithfully engage with this week to deepen your walk with God?

Day 4: Empowered by the Spirit in Evangelism
The Holy Spirit is not only our empowerer but also our guide in evangelism. Relying on the Spirit ensures that our efforts are synchronized with God’s timing and purposes, making our witness both effective and sensitive to the needs of others. The Spirit prepares the hearts of those we speak to and equips us with the necessary gifts for ministry. This divine empowerment allows us to serve beyond our capabilities and ensures that our evangelistic efforts are rooted in God’s strength, not our own. [02:16:19]

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you more actively seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your daily interactions to better serve God’s purposes?

Day 5: Living Out the Gospel Authentically
Evangelism as a lifestyle means embodying the gospel in every aspect of our lives. By living authentically and being ready to share our faith at any moment, we make the gospel message tangible to those around us. This approach to evangelism, rooted in genuine lifestyle and interactions, often proves more impactful than organized events. It challenges us to be consistent in our faith and to be examples of Christ's love and grace in everyday situations. [02:07:29]

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate the gospel through your actions in your community this week?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "In previous times, God has presented himself in different ways. He's presented himself as savior, as Lord. But for this generation, he's really desiring to present himself as healer. Because when you are crippled under the weight of things like grief, you need a healer first. It's hard to care about being saved if you're in so much pain, you need healing." [02:03:10]( | | )

2. "Evangelism is less about conveying facts. It is more about whether our confession matches our conduct. Some people might never read the word of God, but they will read your life. They will read the fruit of your conduct towards them. The fruit of how you speak about others." [02:07:29]( | | )

3. "Evangelism is being available when the Holy Spirit prompts us to meet others in their pain. That's the beauty of it. As Christians, do we run towards pain? Or run from it? You and I have an answer to pain. You might not feel it on the inside all the time because we live in the world, but we have an answer and a solution to pain." [02:10:08]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Relational evangelism is just stepping into what the Holy Spirit is already doing in someone's story. Missional evangelism involves presenting the gospel in the light of the purpose of the church and the role that we play as sons and daughters in the kingdom of God." [01:25:00]( | | )

2. "We might impress people with our strengths, but we connect with people in our weaknesses. If we are willing as Christians to not hide behind our armor, we can step out of that armor that we love to wear on a Sunday morning, and invite someone into a gospel conversation." [02:11:45]( | | )

3. "Two things that happen when the Holy Spirit moves: One, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are stirred. First Corinthians 12:11 says it is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. This means that the Holy Spirit is the one who distributes the spiritual gifts, gifts like healing and prophecy and discernment in a movement of the Holy Spirit." [02:13:19]( | | )

4. "When we're sharing this good gospel, that we have the privilege of having access to, that we have been brought into the kingdom as co-heirs with Christ. When we're sharing this gospel, all you need is one piece. You don't need to present Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. You just need to present him as good, that he's good in the valleys." [02:00:07]( | | )

5. "But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you. And you shall be witnesses, say witnesses, unto me, that's Jesus, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Notice that it was after the Holy Spirit came upon the early church that then they became the witnesses." [02:16:19]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?