http://www.firstcovenantcadillac.org/#!this-weeks-sermon/c20mw
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 28:18-20
As we learn to work together and
fully participate in this work that God is calling us all to do together, this
church will be enabled more and more to reach the lost and see new souls saved.
The Navigate process is designed to assist us in discerning and fulfilling
God’s will for us. And no matter how old you are or how much you may have
already done for the kingdom, if you are still breathing, God still has work
for you to do, whatever you can do, as much as you can do, the best you can do.
But Navigate is not a magic formula that will save the church without any
effort on our part. It takes work. It takes effort. It takes sacrifice and the
cost can include much pain as we bear the cross for the world in which we live.
But it is worth it all. You have to believe that. As for me, I refuse to be
discouraged. I am committed to this work. I am committed to you. And I believe
in the God who can do miracles, who has done miracles and who will do miracles
for the faithful ones who look to him.
The most important thing to learn today about evangelism is that today we are all missionaries. Our own homeland has changed so much and moved so far away from Biblical values and culture that we have to admit the fact that we are in a situation much like missionaries on foreign soil. But unlike missionaries who go to war torn nations or impoverished areas where there is much need for food, shelter and medical attention, we live in a culture that is so wealthy and independent that there is not much need in their minds for any help or anything, and certainly no need of a god. We live in a culture that is so liberally generous with all kinds of material needs that even the poor among us have cell phones and TVs, plus money to spend on drugs and alcohol. Many of them use the system to support these bad habits and are not interested in any help that comes hitched to moral instruction or religious teaching. They just want our stuff.
That is certainly too broad of a brush. There is genuine need and there are genuinely suffering people who are grateful for whatever help they do get. But for them the help they get often leaves them still humiliatingly poor and continuously dependent on the system. They usually don’t get the kind of help that could actually give them a new lease on life. Our good intentions do not really give them any hope for anything better. We ask them to believe in Jesus, but their lives don’t change. No miracles. No solutions. Just a hope in God that seems empty because God isn’t really doing anything for them.
But far from being discouraged, all this means is that we have some work to do to understand the people we are trying to reach and identify the strategies and tasks that are most likely to succeed. So that we get to share the gospel with them in a way that connects with them and lets them know that we serve a God who offers a real hope that actually can change their lives, even if their circumstances don’t change.
And don’t let the idea of work discourage you either. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He laid out the task, but even better, he let us know that he would be with us. That kind of with us is not just to look over our shoulder and shake his head when we mess up. Jesus is with us to lead and guide. In the book of Acts, 1:8, He said to them: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Have you ever been a witness in a court of law? Do you know how the process works? You can’t just walk into court and take the witness stand. You have to be called to the stand. And you will only be called to the stand if the lawyers think you know something or have seen something. (Cue for John.)
The Faithful Witness
John = Policeman; Michelle = Witness
Johns cue: Have you ever been a witness in a court of law? Do you know how the process works? You can’t just walk into court and take the witness stand. You have to be called to the stand. And you will only be called to the stand if the lawyers think you know something or have seen something.
Policeman: (Blows whistle, meets Michelle at the front.) Okay, I understand you were a witness to the accident.
Witness: Well I’m not good at describing things, but I was standing here looking in the general direction when it happened, but that’s about all.
Policeman: Well, for the police record, you wanna tell me what happened?
Witness: I don’t really think I should.
Policeman: I’m sorry? Why not?
Witness: It’s just that there’s a lot I don’t know.
Policeman: What do you mean?
Witness: Like…their names. I don’t have any idea of the names of anyone driving. I don’t know where they came from or where they were going or what they were thinking, or what they were looking at. Don’t ask me, I don’t know!
Narrator: Often we forget that a witness only needs to say what he knows.
Policeman: Can you just tell me what you saw when the accident happened?
Witness: Okay, well the white car ran the red light and rammed into the blue car. And that’s all I know! I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I got!
Policeman: That will do fine, sir.
Narrator: The bible tells Christians, “If anybody asks you why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him! If people ask, say what you know. That’s all that is required of a good witness.
(This is a skit from an old radio program called Life Line productions.)
So when Jesus says “you will be my witnesses,” he is saying that he will personally assign you to take a stand for the Truth that you know about salvation. This requires that you have personally experienced salvation and have a story to tell about how Jesus has done his work in your life. You might also be expected to share what you know about the message of the Bible but you can never share what you don’t know. You can only talk about what you know. He won’t expect you to say anything that is not a part of your own personal experience.
There is also teaching involved. It is good for every Christian to study the Bible and have something meaningful and helpful to say about what is in it. I would like to read an extensive quote from a recent study, produced by the Center for Bible Engagement. It says that though nine out of ten Americans own a Bible, and a clear majority of Americans believe it is the inspired Word of God, a clear majority in every age group reads it sporadically at best. Only between a fifth and a quarter read it one to three days a week; just 15% read the Bible four days a week or more that’s about one out of every six people.
Among self-identified Born Again Christians the numbers are better, but not so much as one might hope. Roughly a third told the researchers that they virtually never read the Bible, while 45% of teens and 32% of adults read it one to three days per week. On the good side, almost 40% of Born Again teens and adults read the Bible four days per week or more. But that’s still only four out of ten.
For that group, Christianity clearly changed lives. It turns out that listening to God makes an enormous, measurable difference in how one lives. In other words, regular Bible reading can do more to change your life than anything but regeneration itself, but if you’re doing it haphazardly (as most Christians do), you’re kidding yourself. You might as well just be a pagan.1 That’s what the study said.
People who read the Word most days of the week behave better morally as a result. In addition, they memorize Scripture four times better than people who don’t read it regularly. But now here comes the connection with evangelism; daily Bible reading will make you twice as likely to share your faith or disciple another person. Please be encouraged. Read the Bible more and you will become a more effective intentional evangelist. You focus on being with God in his word and he will change and equip you!
Now in real life evangelistic conversation, you’re not just going to be quoting the Bible when you meet people. What you want to do first and foremost is love people. Care about them. See people as having worth and value. God values them and they are worth your time to know. Look for an opportunity to let them know much God loves them. Engage people in conversation. Spend time with people to get to know them.
On Saturday I was walking by a house that’s all covered in that Tyvec wrap stuff that goes on under the siding. The shingles were mostly stripped off the roof, the door was open and I could see the place was gutted. There was a man there standing on the curb, looking over the work. So as I went by I said, “Big project!”
He said something like, “It sure is and these people are putting a lot of money into this place. If they want to fix it up to sell it I don’t think they’re going to make any money on it.”
I said, “Oh, so you don’t live here? You’re just the contractor?”
He said that I was right and he started to explain the whole situation. So I stopped to listen. Along the way I learned that he goes to the First Christian church just past Home Depot. And so do the people that bought this house. They are trying to get it ready for a relative of theirs, a man who has had some strokes so there is a ramp up to the front door. During this conversation since I found out he was going to church I asked him about his faith background. He was raised Baptist but this was his wife’s church and then he told me his conversion story. So now he was witnessing to me! So I asked him if since then he was doing anything that he would consider serving the Lord. And he said, “This house.” He’s just doing the roof, but he is doing it at the cost of material plus a little bit for labor. And to help him he hires guys that are down on their luck and really need a job.
But they really wanted to get this house and here’s the really interesting reason why. The lady who bought the house says it used to belong to her great grandfather, who built the house right after he moved to Cadillac. At that time, he had just retired from the cavalry, right before his regiment left to go out west with General Custer!
Maybe that doesn’t sound like evangelism to you. But it is a spiritual conversation that happened because I was willing to meet and engage with a stranger who is no longer a stranger to me. Steve is a brother in the Lord. It also opens the door to who knows who else we might meet if we volunteer to work on that house with people that happen to need to hear the gospel.
You can follow the example of Jesus. He didn’t mind talking to strangers. Just think again of his encounter with the woman at the well in John, chapter four. Don’t let social barriers keep you from caring about anyone. Use what is going on in the moment to start up a conversation. There he was sitting by a well. What could be more natural or obvious than him saying to her, “Would you give me a drink of water, please?” Now if she had just done it, with no comment, I wonder what Jesus would have said next. But in fact she started up a much more interesting conversation. She was surprised that he even talked to her and she began to express the cultural reasons why she thought he was actually behaving inappropriately. Go ahead and surprise people with an unexpected degree of welcome and hospitality!
But make sure you talk to them too. The gospel comes in words. Loving actions are fine as a way of making friends. This is even more important when it comes to family members and friends or neighbors. We are so afraid to annoy or push someone away by trying to share the gospel. We are so sensitive we become timid. We are so careful to not say anything offensive that we end up not saying anything! But if they never hear the words about how important it is to believe in Jesus in order to get to heaven, they will think they just have to be nicer, like you.
And the words we have to say are not just, “God loves you and so do I.” Sometimes, the importance of our message must be made very clear. Somewhere along the way we have to talk about the sin problem and repentance and God’s forgiveness. I am now going to share an example that was given after a debate with an atheist. Granted, this was on Facebook and so not as personal but I think the person who wrote it would have said it face to face too. Listen to what he said to the atheist.
“After death...of your (physical body) there exists no unbelievers. Everyone who has ever lived, comes to one full knowledge of truth and revelation. If what we believe to be true...is indeed the way, the truth, and the life; then the only mention of us again, that you may hear....is when you stand before the Great White Throne and give your defense. At that time...if you were still maintaining the stance you are taking now; then legally and with respect...the Lord of Lords & King of Kings would make mention of me...and every other person who tried to save you from a death sentence by offering you a life sentence.
Therefore...you may want to take note of everyone you speak to on this subject from this day forward. Today's date has been recorded in both heaven and in earth. You can mock and scoff all you want. A lot of others have too. Unfortunately for them ...and possibly for you, their records were also brought to light. By their own words...they condemned themselves to Eternal Darkness and separation from God. For as it is written: If you confess me (Jesus) before men...I will confess you before my Father. If you deny me before men...then likewise...I will deny you before my Father. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.”
That is a rather extreme example of something that you might have occasion to say to some unconvinced unbeliever down the road. Keep in mind the teaching you have already received. Does anyone here remember the bookmark from our sermon series early last spring? PRAY, CARE, LISTEN, SHARE, OFFER, BRING, WITH REJOICING. That still works too! But again, you may not have the nerve to do it if you are not constantly in touch with God’s word yourself and letting the Holy Spirit shape you. We all want to be effective intentional evangelists. Bottom line, stay close to God and let him lead you. Stay in his word every day and let him equip you.
1http://rodmartin.org/study-bible-reading-dramatically-changes-behavior-but/
The most important thing to learn today about evangelism is that today we are all missionaries. Our own homeland has changed so much and moved so far away from Biblical values and culture that we have to admit the fact that we are in a situation much like missionaries on foreign soil. But unlike missionaries who go to war torn nations or impoverished areas where there is much need for food, shelter and medical attention, we live in a culture that is so wealthy and independent that there is not much need in their minds for any help or anything, and certainly no need of a god. We live in a culture that is so liberally generous with all kinds of material needs that even the poor among us have cell phones and TVs, plus money to spend on drugs and alcohol. Many of them use the system to support these bad habits and are not interested in any help that comes hitched to moral instruction or religious teaching. They just want our stuff.
That is certainly too broad of a brush. There is genuine need and there are genuinely suffering people who are grateful for whatever help they do get. But for them the help they get often leaves them still humiliatingly poor and continuously dependent on the system. They usually don’t get the kind of help that could actually give them a new lease on life. Our good intentions do not really give them any hope for anything better. We ask them to believe in Jesus, but their lives don’t change. No miracles. No solutions. Just a hope in God that seems empty because God isn’t really doing anything for them.
But far from being discouraged, all this means is that we have some work to do to understand the people we are trying to reach and identify the strategies and tasks that are most likely to succeed. So that we get to share the gospel with them in a way that connects with them and lets them know that we serve a God who offers a real hope that actually can change their lives, even if their circumstances don’t change.
And don’t let the idea of work discourage you either. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He laid out the task, but even better, he let us know that he would be with us. That kind of with us is not just to look over our shoulder and shake his head when we mess up. Jesus is with us to lead and guide. In the book of Acts, 1:8, He said to them: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Have you ever been a witness in a court of law? Do you know how the process works? You can’t just walk into court and take the witness stand. You have to be called to the stand. And you will only be called to the stand if the lawyers think you know something or have seen something. (Cue for John.)
The Faithful Witness
John = Policeman; Michelle = Witness
Johns cue: Have you ever been a witness in a court of law? Do you know how the process works? You can’t just walk into court and take the witness stand. You have to be called to the stand. And you will only be called to the stand if the lawyers think you know something or have seen something.
Policeman: (Blows whistle, meets Michelle at the front.) Okay, I understand you were a witness to the accident.
Witness: Well I’m not good at describing things, but I was standing here looking in the general direction when it happened, but that’s about all.
Policeman: Well, for the police record, you wanna tell me what happened?
Witness: I don’t really think I should.
Policeman: I’m sorry? Why not?
Witness: It’s just that there’s a lot I don’t know.
Policeman: What do you mean?
Witness: Like…their names. I don’t have any idea of the names of anyone driving. I don’t know where they came from or where they were going or what they were thinking, or what they were looking at. Don’t ask me, I don’t know!
Narrator: Often we forget that a witness only needs to say what he knows.
Policeman: Can you just tell me what you saw when the accident happened?
Witness: Okay, well the white car ran the red light and rammed into the blue car. And that’s all I know! I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I got!
Policeman: That will do fine, sir.
Narrator: The bible tells Christians, “If anybody asks you why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him! If people ask, say what you know. That’s all that is required of a good witness.
(This is a skit from an old radio program called Life Line productions.)
So when Jesus says “you will be my witnesses,” he is saying that he will personally assign you to take a stand for the Truth that you know about salvation. This requires that you have personally experienced salvation and have a story to tell about how Jesus has done his work in your life. You might also be expected to share what you know about the message of the Bible but you can never share what you don’t know. You can only talk about what you know. He won’t expect you to say anything that is not a part of your own personal experience.
There is also teaching involved. It is good for every Christian to study the Bible and have something meaningful and helpful to say about what is in it. I would like to read an extensive quote from a recent study, produced by the Center for Bible Engagement. It says that though nine out of ten Americans own a Bible, and a clear majority of Americans believe it is the inspired Word of God, a clear majority in every age group reads it sporadically at best. Only between a fifth and a quarter read it one to three days a week; just 15% read the Bible four days a week or more that’s about one out of every six people.
Among self-identified Born Again Christians the numbers are better, but not so much as one might hope. Roughly a third told the researchers that they virtually never read the Bible, while 45% of teens and 32% of adults read it one to three days per week. On the good side, almost 40% of Born Again teens and adults read the Bible four days per week or more. But that’s still only four out of ten.
For that group, Christianity clearly changed lives. It turns out that listening to God makes an enormous, measurable difference in how one lives. In other words, regular Bible reading can do more to change your life than anything but regeneration itself, but if you’re doing it haphazardly (as most Christians do), you’re kidding yourself. You might as well just be a pagan.1 That’s what the study said.
People who read the Word most days of the week behave better morally as a result. In addition, they memorize Scripture four times better than people who don’t read it regularly. But now here comes the connection with evangelism; daily Bible reading will make you twice as likely to share your faith or disciple another person. Please be encouraged. Read the Bible more and you will become a more effective intentional evangelist. You focus on being with God in his word and he will change and equip you!
Now in real life evangelistic conversation, you’re not just going to be quoting the Bible when you meet people. What you want to do first and foremost is love people. Care about them. See people as having worth and value. God values them and they are worth your time to know. Look for an opportunity to let them know much God loves them. Engage people in conversation. Spend time with people to get to know them.
On Saturday I was walking by a house that’s all covered in that Tyvec wrap stuff that goes on under the siding. The shingles were mostly stripped off the roof, the door was open and I could see the place was gutted. There was a man there standing on the curb, looking over the work. So as I went by I said, “Big project!”
He said something like, “It sure is and these people are putting a lot of money into this place. If they want to fix it up to sell it I don’t think they’re going to make any money on it.”
I said, “Oh, so you don’t live here? You’re just the contractor?”
He said that I was right and he started to explain the whole situation. So I stopped to listen. Along the way I learned that he goes to the First Christian church just past Home Depot. And so do the people that bought this house. They are trying to get it ready for a relative of theirs, a man who has had some strokes so there is a ramp up to the front door. During this conversation since I found out he was going to church I asked him about his faith background. He was raised Baptist but this was his wife’s church and then he told me his conversion story. So now he was witnessing to me! So I asked him if since then he was doing anything that he would consider serving the Lord. And he said, “This house.” He’s just doing the roof, but he is doing it at the cost of material plus a little bit for labor. And to help him he hires guys that are down on their luck and really need a job.
But they really wanted to get this house and here’s the really interesting reason why. The lady who bought the house says it used to belong to her great grandfather, who built the house right after he moved to Cadillac. At that time, he had just retired from the cavalry, right before his regiment left to go out west with General Custer!
Maybe that doesn’t sound like evangelism to you. But it is a spiritual conversation that happened because I was willing to meet and engage with a stranger who is no longer a stranger to me. Steve is a brother in the Lord. It also opens the door to who knows who else we might meet if we volunteer to work on that house with people that happen to need to hear the gospel.
You can follow the example of Jesus. He didn’t mind talking to strangers. Just think again of his encounter with the woman at the well in John, chapter four. Don’t let social barriers keep you from caring about anyone. Use what is going on in the moment to start up a conversation. There he was sitting by a well. What could be more natural or obvious than him saying to her, “Would you give me a drink of water, please?” Now if she had just done it, with no comment, I wonder what Jesus would have said next. But in fact she started up a much more interesting conversation. She was surprised that he even talked to her and she began to express the cultural reasons why she thought he was actually behaving inappropriately. Go ahead and surprise people with an unexpected degree of welcome and hospitality!
But make sure you talk to them too. The gospel comes in words. Loving actions are fine as a way of making friends. This is even more important when it comes to family members and friends or neighbors. We are so afraid to annoy or push someone away by trying to share the gospel. We are so sensitive we become timid. We are so careful to not say anything offensive that we end up not saying anything! But if they never hear the words about how important it is to believe in Jesus in order to get to heaven, they will think they just have to be nicer, like you.
And the words we have to say are not just, “God loves you and so do I.” Sometimes, the importance of our message must be made very clear. Somewhere along the way we have to talk about the sin problem and repentance and God’s forgiveness. I am now going to share an example that was given after a debate with an atheist. Granted, this was on Facebook and so not as personal but I think the person who wrote it would have said it face to face too. Listen to what he said to the atheist.
“After death...of your (physical body) there exists no unbelievers. Everyone who has ever lived, comes to one full knowledge of truth and revelation. If what we believe to be true...is indeed the way, the truth, and the life; then the only mention of us again, that you may hear....is when you stand before the Great White Throne and give your defense. At that time...if you were still maintaining the stance you are taking now; then legally and with respect...the Lord of Lords & King of Kings would make mention of me...and every other person who tried to save you from a death sentence by offering you a life sentence.
Therefore...you may want to take note of everyone you speak to on this subject from this day forward. Today's date has been recorded in both heaven and in earth. You can mock and scoff all you want. A lot of others have too. Unfortunately for them ...and possibly for you, their records were also brought to light. By their own words...they condemned themselves to Eternal Darkness and separation from God. For as it is written: If you confess me (Jesus) before men...I will confess you before my Father. If you deny me before men...then likewise...I will deny you before my Father. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.”
That is a rather extreme example of something that you might have occasion to say to some unconvinced unbeliever down the road. Keep in mind the teaching you have already received. Does anyone here remember the bookmark from our sermon series early last spring? PRAY, CARE, LISTEN, SHARE, OFFER, BRING, WITH REJOICING. That still works too! But again, you may not have the nerve to do it if you are not constantly in touch with God’s word yourself and letting the Holy Spirit shape you. We all want to be effective intentional evangelists. Bottom line, stay close to God and let him lead you. Stay in his word every day and let him equip you.
1http://rodmartin.org/study-bible-reading-dramatically-changes-behavior-but/
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