Embracing Evangelism: A Lifestyle of Sharing Good News

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to evangelism, emphasizing that it is not merely a task for pastors or evangelists but a lifestyle for every follower of Jesus. We began by acknowledging the discomfort many feel when they hear the word "evangelism," often associating it with street preachers or tracts. However, the essence of evangelism is rooted in the good news of Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection—and the mission He has given us to share this transformative message with the world.

We delved into the biblical foundation of evangelism, noting that while the term itself may not appear in Scripture, the concept is deeply embedded in the call to proclaim the good news. Jesus' mission, as He declared in Luke 4, was to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the prisoners, and sight to the blind. This mission extends beyond the Jewish people to all nations, as Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

The sermon highlighted the importance of beginning with prayer in our evangelistic efforts. Prayer is not just a preliminary step but the foundation upon which we build our outreach. It aligns our hearts with God's desires and empowers us to act in His strength rather than our own. We examined the story of Ananias in Acts 9, who, despite his fears, obeyed God's call to minister to Saul (later Paul), demonstrating the power of prayerful obedience.

We also discussed the need to listen to the Lord, be obedient to His guidance, and speak what Jesus speaks over others. This involves stepping outside our comfort zones and engaging with those who may be different from us, trusting that God will work through our obedience. The call to evangelism is not about coercion but about blessing others, as demonstrated by the study of businesses in Thailand that found greater success in leading people to Christ through acts of blessing rather than direct conversion efforts.

As we embark on this journey of making evangelism our lifestyle, we are encouraged to create a FRANC list—friends, relatives, acquaintances, neighbors, and colleagues—to pray for and bless. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's heart for all people to be saved and participate in His mission to transform lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Evangelism as a Lifestyle: Evangelism is not reserved for professionals; it is a lifestyle for every believer. It involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through our words and actions, rooted in the mission to seek and save the lost. [48:02]

- Begin with Prayer: Prayer is the foundation of evangelism. It aligns our hearts with God's desires and empowers us to act in His strength. By beginning with prayer, we acknowledge that evangelism is initiated by God and not by our own efforts. [54:36]

- Listen to the Lord: In evangelism, listening to God's voice is crucial. It helps us discern His truth about others, beyond the reports and reputations we may have heard. God's perspective enables us to engage with people from a place of love and understanding. [01:07:03]

- Obedience in Evangelism: Obedience to God's guidance is essential. It may require stepping outside our comfort zones and engaging with those who are different from us. Our obedience demonstrates our trust in God and allows Him to work through us. [01:13:03]

- Speak What Jesus Speaks: Our words have the power to transform. By speaking what Jesus speaks over others, we align ourselves with His heart and participate in His redemptive work. This involves declaring God's love and purpose for every individual. [01:21:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Evangelism
- [03:15] - The Good News of Jesus
- [06:30] - Jesus' Mission and Our Call
- [10:00] - The Role of Prayer in Evangelism
- [15:20] - Ananias and Saul: A Story of Obedience
- [20:45] - Listening to God's Voice
- [25:10] - Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
- [30:00] - The Power of Blessing Others
- [35:40] - Creating a FRANC List
- [40:15] - Speaking Life and Transformation
- [45:00] - The Urgency of the Gospel
- [50:30] - Responding to God's Call
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 4:18-19
- Acts 9:10-19
- 1 Timothy 2:3-4

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 4:18-19, what specific mission does Jesus declare for Himself, and how does this relate to the concept of evangelism as discussed in the sermon? [48:02]

2. How does the story of Ananias and Saul in Acts 9:10-19 illustrate the importance of obedience in evangelism? What was Ananias' initial reaction to God's command, and how did he ultimately respond? [54:36]

3. According to 1 Timothy 2:3-4, what is God's desire for all people, and how does this align with the sermon's emphasis on evangelism as a lifestyle? [01:07:03]

4. What role does prayer play in the process of evangelism, as highlighted in the sermon and the story of Ananias? [54:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' mission in Luke 4:18-19 challenge the traditional views of evangelism that focus on direct conversion efforts? What does it mean to proclaim good news to the poor and set the oppressed free in today's context? [48:02]

2. In what ways does Ananias' obedience to God's command in Acts 9:10-19 serve as a model for overcoming fear and stepping out of one's comfort zone in evangelism? [01:13:03]

3. How can the concept of creating a FRANC list, as mentioned in the sermon, help believers align with God's desire for all people to be saved, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:3-4? [01:26:51]

4. What are some potential barriers that might prevent believers from listening to God's voice in evangelism, and how can these be overcome? [01:07:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your initial feelings about evangelism. What specific fears or misconceptions do you have, and how can you begin to address them through prayer and study? [48:02]

2. Identify a person in your life who might be considered "different" or outside your comfort zone. What practical steps can you take this week to engage with them in a meaningful way, following Ananias' example? [01:13:03]

3. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate intentional prayer for those on your FRANC list, and what specific prayers can you offer for their salvation? [54:36]

4. Think about a time when you felt God prompting you to speak to someone about your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to be more obedient in the future? [01:17:34]

5. How can you practice speaking what Jesus speaks over others, especially those who may have a negative reputation or who you find difficult to love? What specific words or actions can you take to bless them this week? [01:21:28]

6. Reflect on the concept of being a "blesser" rather than a "converter." What are some practical ways you can bless those around you, and how might this approach change your perspective on evangelism? [01:17:34]

7. How can you actively participate in the mission of seeking and saving the lost, as Jesus did, in your daily life? What specific actions or changes can you make to align more closely with this mission? [01:26:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Evangelism as a Lifestyle
Evangelism is not a task reserved for pastors or evangelists; it is a lifestyle for every believer. It involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through our words and actions, rooted in the mission to seek and save the lost. This means that every follower of Jesus is called to live in a way that reflects His love and truth, making the message of the gospel evident in their daily interactions. Evangelism is about embodying the transformative power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and inviting others to experience this transformation for themselves. [48:02]

"For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your daily life can you intentionally share the love and message of Jesus with today, not just through words but through your actions and lifestyle?


Day 2: Begin with Prayer
Prayer is the foundation of evangelism. It aligns our hearts with God's desires and empowers us to act in His strength. By beginning with prayer, we acknowledge that evangelism is initiated by God and not by our own efforts. Prayer prepares us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and opens our eyes to opportunities to share the gospel. It is through prayer that we gain the courage and wisdom to step out in faith and engage with others in meaningful ways. [54:36]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Before you start your day, take a moment to pray for God to open doors for you to share His love and truth. Who can you specifically pray for today?


Day 3: Listen to the Lord
In evangelism, listening to God's voice is crucial. It helps us discern His truth about others, beyond the reports and reputations we may have heard. God's perspective enables us to engage with people from a place of love and understanding. By listening to the Lord, we can speak words of life and hope that resonate with the hearts of those we encounter. This requires us to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's promptings and to trust that God is already at work in the lives of those around us. [01:07:03]

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21, ESV)

Reflection: Spend time in silence today, asking God to speak to you about someone you know. What is He saying about how you can love and serve them?


Day 4: Obedience in Evangelism
Obedience to God's guidance is essential in evangelism. It may require stepping outside our comfort zones and engaging with those who are different from us. Our obedience demonstrates our trust in God and allows Him to work through us. When we follow God's leading, we become instruments of His grace and truth, bringing hope and healing to those who are lost. Obedience in evangelism is not about coercion but about being a vessel through which God's love flows to others. [01:13:03]

"And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific step of obedience God is calling you to take in sharing your faith? How can you act on it today?


Day 5: Speak What Jesus Speaks
Our words have the power to transform. By speaking what Jesus speaks over others, we align ourselves with His heart and participate in His redemptive work. This involves declaring God's love and purpose for every individual, speaking life and hope into their circumstances. When we speak words that reflect Jesus' truth and compassion, we become conduits of His grace, inviting others to experience His transformative power. [01:21:28]

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who needs encouragement today. What words of life and hope can you speak to them that reflect Jesus' love and truth?

Quotes

"Interestingly though, when we look to God's word, we see the call for evangelism, not simply for professionals or pastors or evangelists. And it's not just simply the idea of passing out a track or standing on a street corner holding a sign. The call for evangelism is actually given to every single follower of Jesus." [00:44:05] (20 seconds)


"And that call is rooted in the good news of Jesus in his mission and the mission that he gives to every single one of us. Now, interestingly enough, when we look to the Bible, evangelism doesn't actually appear the word in the scriptures. It's one of those ideas that's found in the contents of the scriptures." [00:45:03] (19 seconds)


"Now, good news is a reference scripturally to a message that's brought forth on behalf of a kingdom. And for us, we recognize it's the message of the kingdom of God. Because when we refer to the good news, we are using that term to summarize the entirety of Jesus's life and death and resurrection, his teachings, his miracles, all that he is." [00:45:32] (22 seconds)


"This was the mission, actually, that Jesus gave to his disciples. At the end of Gospel of Luke, at the beginning of the book of Acts, he said this, Jesus told them, this is what is written, the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." [00:48:49] (19 seconds)


"In other words, friends, the calling to evangelize or share the good news is for all of those who call themselves followers of Jesus. It's the mission of Jesus to seek and save the lost, and he invites those who graciously receive his salvation offer to be filled with his Spirit, to go and be witnesses of the things that he has done and said and has promised and offered to all of humanity." [00:50:29] (26 seconds)


"Now, we're going to use an acronym that comes from a church group known as Exponential. And that acronym is BLESS. And that stands for the following. Begin with prayer, listen with care, eat together, serve and love, share your story, and share Jesus's story. And we're going to unpack each of these things each week as we learn as a community what it means to bless other people as we look to seeing evangelism become more and more of our lifestyle." [00:54:27] (28 seconds)


"When we acknowledge that evangelism doesn't begin with us, but it actually is initiated by God and our communication with God and our praying for those who don't yet know Jesus, we're acknowledging that all of our striving, all of our performing, all of our working is secondary to what God has done. We don't initiate evangelism in and of ourselves. If we did, it would epically fail every single time." [00:57:51] (24 seconds)


"Now, as we begin with prayer and we listen to God, this must become our foundation because any other foundation is a bad foundation. I'm going to say that again. When we start with prayer, when we listen to the Lord as our first step in evangelism, that must be our foundation because any other foundation is a bad and faulty foundation." [01:01:30] (21 seconds)


"Listen, ananias had facts, he had reports about saul, but he didn't have the truth. When we listen to the lord when we begin in prayer god's word will direct us to the truth about somebody you might have facts about a person you might have reports about a person you might have heard what your second cousin's sister's hair cutters dog has said about them behind their backs but beloved in listening to the lord we hear what god speaks over that person and what we know of what god speaks over another person is this that his blood speaks a better word." [01:03:43] (38 seconds)


"Our call is to listen to what the Lord is saying and then be obedient with what the Lord is calling us to do. Now, this is the scary thing for a lot of us in this room. Wait, you actually want me to go and say something to them? Or you want me to go and bring a plate of cookies to my neighbor? You want me to skip out on Love is Blind to go to this place over here? Are you sure?" [01:09:59] (25 seconds)


"Interestingly, when we see God spoke a bunch of stuff to Ananias saying, I've chosen Saul. He'll proclaim my name. You must go tell him how much he'll suffer. But never explicitly does it say that Ananias is given the context of what happened to him. Never explicitly does it say that you should pray for him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But can we just get a little nerdy this morning? Everybody with me?" [01:19:42] (21 seconds)


"Because here's the reality, for every single one of us, no matter what the person has done or said or enacted, no matter what their history is or what their present circumstance points to, no matter what, our call is to preach the good news. Our call is to be witnesses of Christ, and as we are invited to pray for other people and listen to God and be obedient, we are invited to speak what Jesus speaks about other people." [01:24:18] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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