Embracing Evangelism: Reaching the Whosoever
Summary
### Summary
Today, we conclude our series on "Whosoever," focusing on the transformative power of evangelism and the importance of reaching out to the unbeliever. The central theme is derived from John 3:16, emphasizing that Jesus came for everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or past. We are called to be roadways to Jesus, not isolated islands. The church must embrace evangelism and outreach, ensuring that we are not just inwardly focused but actively engaging with the community.
We discussed the story of the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4. Jesus intentionally went through Samaria, a place despised by Jews, to meet this woman. Despite her shame and societal rejection, Jesus engaged her in a transformative conversation. Her encounter with Jesus led her to share her testimony with her entire town, resulting in many coming to believe in Him. This story illustrates the power of personal testimony and the ripple effect it can have on others.
We also heard modern-day testimonies, including Joel Burton's story, highlighting how one encounter with Jesus can change not just an individual but their entire community. Joel's transformation led him to become an active leader in our church, demonstrating the importance of discipleship and community support.
Pastor Sam from Operation I Dream in Zambia shared about their mission to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of children. By providing food, clothing, and education, they open doors for sharing the gospel. This aligns with our call to go to the ends of the earth, fulfilling the Great Commission.
Our mission is clear: we are called to the whosoever. We must be intentional in our relationships and conversations, sharing the love of Christ through our actions and testimonies. Every life touched by God's grace can lead to a ripple effect of faith in action. Let's not just talk about going; let's actually go and bring hope to the hopeless.
### Key Takeaways
1. Evangelism Beyond the Church Walls: We must shift our focus from being inwardly centered to actively engaging with our community. The church should not be an isolated island but a pathway to Jesus. This means embracing evangelism and outreach, ensuring that we are not just celebrating our faith within the church but sharing it with those outside. [40:37]
2. The Power of Personal Testimony: The story of the Samaritan woman at the well shows how a single encounter with Jesus can transform a life and lead to a ripple effect of faith. Her testimony brought many in her town to believe in Jesus. This underscores the importance of sharing our personal experiences with Christ, as they can inspire and lead others to faith. [50:15]
3. Inclusivity in Evangelism: Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria, a place despised by Jews, to meet the Samaritan woman, teaches us that the gospel is for everyone. We are called to reach out to the marginalized, the overlooked, and those who feel unworthy. Our mission is to bring hope and light to every whosoever we encounter. [59:33]
4. Community and Discipleship: Joel Burton's story highlights the importance of community and discipleship in one's faith journey. His transformation was supported by continuous guidance and fellowship, which not only changed his life but also impacted his family and our church community. This demonstrates the power of walking alongside new believers and nurturing their faith. [01:08:54]
5. Meeting Physical and Spiritual Needs: Pastor Sam's work in Zambia illustrates how meeting physical needs can open doors for spiritual transformation. By providing food, clothing, and education, they create opportunities to share the gospel. This holistic approach to ministry aligns with our call to fulfill the Great Commission, reaching out to the whosoever with both practical help and the message of Jesus. [01:26:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:00] - Vision of a World with Love and Peace
[39:20] - Introduction and Series Overview
[40:37] - The Church as a Pathway, Not an Island
[42:15] - Announcement: Women's Conference
[44:10] - Prayer and Introduction to the Sermon
[45:17] - Rethinking Evangelism and the Whosoever
[50:15] - The Samaritan Woman's Testimony
[59:33] - Jesus' Intentional Journey Through Samaria
[01:07:13] - Joel Burton's Testimony
[01:13:57] - Pastor Sam's Mission in Zambia
[01:33:52] - Call to Outreach and Evangelism
[01:40:47] - Offering and Giving
[01:45:49] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:49:26] - Recommitment and Prayer
[01:52:00] - Closing Remarks and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. John 4:1-42 - The story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
3. Revelation 12:11 - "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus going through Samaria to meet the Samaritan woman? ([51:52])
2. How did the Samaritan woman's testimony impact her town? ([55:07])
3. What role did personal testimony play in the transformation of Joel Burton's life and his community? ([01:08:14])
4. How does Pastor Sam's work in Zambia illustrate the connection between meeting physical needs and sharing the gospel? ([01:26:10])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to go through Samaria, a place despised by Jews, to meet the Samaritan woman? What does this tell us about the inclusivity of the gospel? ([59:33])
2. How can personal testimonies, like those of the Samaritan woman and Joel Burton, serve as powerful tools for evangelism in today's context? ([50:15])
3. What does the story of the Samaritan woman teach us about overcoming shame and societal rejection through an encounter with Jesus? ([55:38])
4. How does meeting physical needs, as demonstrated by Pastor Sam's mission in Zambia, create opportunities for spiritual transformation? ([01:26:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Have you ever felt like an "island" in your faith, isolated from the community? How can you become a "pathway to Jesus" instead? ([40:37])
2. Think about a time when you shared your personal testimony. How did it impact those who heard it? If you haven't shared your testimony, what holds you back? ([50:15])
3. Jesus intentionally reached out to the marginalized and overlooked. Who in your life might feel unworthy or overlooked, and how can you reach out to them with the love of Christ? ([59:33])
4. Joel Burton's transformation was supported by continuous guidance and fellowship. Who can you walk alongside in their faith journey, offering support and discipleship? ([01:08:54])
5. Pastor Sam's work in Zambia shows the importance of meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Is there a local or global mission you can support that aligns with this holistic approach to ministry? ([01:26:10])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of going out and actively engaging with the community. What specific steps can you take this week to share the love of Christ with someone outside your church? ([49:33])
7. Reflect on the Great Commission. How can you be more intentional in fulfilling this call in your daily life? What practical actions can you take to reach the "whosoever" in your community? ([01:12:38])
Devotional
Day 1: Evangelism Beyond the Church Walls
The church is called to be a pathway to Jesus, not an isolated island. This means that believers must actively engage with their community, sharing the love of Christ beyond the confines of the church building. Evangelism is not just about inviting people to church but about meeting them where they are, building relationships, and demonstrating the gospel through actions and words. The church should be a beacon of hope and a place where people can encounter Jesus through the lives of its members. [40:37]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of one person in your community who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally build a relationship with them this week and share the love of Christ through your actions?
Day 2: The Power of Personal Testimony
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well illustrates the transformative power of a personal encounter with Jesus. Her testimony brought many in her town to believe in Him. Sharing personal experiences with Christ can inspire and lead others to faith. Each believer's story is unique and powerful, capable of creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond their immediate circle. [50:15]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Reflect on your own testimony. How has Jesus transformed your life? Think of a way to share your story with someone this week, whether through a conversation, social media, or another medium.
Day 3: Inclusivity in Evangelism
Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria to meet the Samaritan woman teaches that the gospel is for everyone, including the marginalized and overlooked. Believers are called to reach out to those who feel unworthy or rejected by society. The mission is to bring hope and light to every "whosoever" encountered, demonstrating that God's love knows no boundaries. [59:33]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Identify a group or individual in your community who may feel marginalized or overlooked. How can you extend Christ's love and inclusivity to them this week?
Day 4: Community and Discipleship
Joel Burton's story highlights the importance of community and discipleship in one's faith journey. Transformation is often supported by continuous guidance and fellowship. Walking alongside new believers and nurturing their faith can lead to profound changes in their lives and the broader community. Discipleship is about investing time and effort into helping others grow in their relationship with Christ. [01:08:54]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think of a new believer or someone struggling in their faith. How can you support and encourage them this week? Consider reaching out to offer prayer, mentorship, or simply a listening ear.
Day 5: Meeting Physical and Spiritual Needs
Pastor Sam's work in Zambia illustrates how meeting physical needs can open doors for spiritual transformation. Providing food, clothing, and education creates opportunities to share the gospel. This holistic approach to ministry aligns with the call to fulfill the Great Commission, reaching out to the "whosoever" with both practical help and the message of Jesus. [01:26:10]
James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Consider a practical way you can meet the physical needs of someone in your community this week. How can this act of service open a door for sharing the gospel with them?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If God be for us, we can overcome all obstacles. They say love covers a multitude of sins. So I'm here to put some love in. Tell a friend." [04:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We were created to be roadways and pathways to Jesus, not islands. That if you're good enough, you get to make it onto the island. That's not what it is. And so I pray that we would be a church that would embrace evangelism. That would embrace outreach and would embrace the unbeliever." [41:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can't expect to have this wonderful experience with Jesus and yell and scream about how good God is and then go out and never tell anyone about him. This is not planned, but that just makes me think of when you get in a relationship, and this has happened to me just once, but you're talking to somebody and then they don't want to tell nobody that you're talking to them." [46:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The world needs to know Jesus. We are called to the whosoever. That's anybody. We said that God has a hope for the whosoever and that hope is Jesus. We said that he has a desire for the whosoever. We talked about how he said he is willing to lead the 99 for you." [48:07] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are called to outreach and evangelism that is our core values we have core values here at Limitless and for those of you who have been here thank you for those of you who have been here any amount of time you know that our acronym is POWER practical understanding of the word of God and right next is outreach worship excellence and rest but it's number two for a reason because I believe that we will be a church that is not an island we will be a church that will reach out to this community that we are called to the whosoever locally here and globally." [01:33:52] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It is my prayer and my desire that as a result of this series, we change the way that we see evangelism. We change the way that we see the unbeliever. Change the way that we see the whosoever. I really want us to be a church that is not only inwardly focused." [39:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The thing that I see most often is that churches have become an island in the community. They're islands. They're people who are in their own little habitat that they've created. And they stay in that habitat. They've created what we call little Christian ghettos that they've come together. And they're only there, right? And that's it. They don't go out. They stay in. They never look to the people who are out." [40:37] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We said that he has equipped us with a gift. There's something that he put in each and every one of us and each and every one of them. Whether you know it or not or whether you see it or not, there is something that God has placed in them and he desires to use it for his glory. He desires to use it for his glory. He has a need for the whosoever." [49:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It is important that we share our testimonies because you never know what God is doing in the life of the person that's sitting right next to you you never know their story you never know what He has done how did they overcome the enemy they overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony so I continue to encourage you when you have the opportunity when the Lord puts it on your heart share what He's done it's not about where you've been or what your past is but it's how He brought you from that past and brought you from the darkness into His marvelous light." [01:07:46] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are called to the whosoever. That's anybody. We said that God has a hope for the whosoever and that hope is Jesus. We said that he has a desire for the whosoever. We talked about how he said he is willing to lead the 99 for you. How he would search through the houses and all day and all night and then when he found the one he would rejoice for you. The whosoever." [48:39] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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