Hebrews 6:1, Let us go on to maturity. The Stats in America
Only 11% of church members have shared the Gospel even once in the last year.
33% of church members have never shared the Gospel with anyone.
The average evangelical church wins 1.67 (less than 2) persons to Christ each year for every 100 persons who attend that church.
In this message, we move to the outer circle of spiritual maturity. Spiritually mature believers are outward focused. This includes three characteristics: evangelistically bold, intentionally serving, and socially responsible. Today we will look at the first of these three.
To follow Jesus’ model we must first adopt his values. John 4:34, The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. (Mess)
Three Parables on Lost-ness (Luke 15) The Lost Sheep The Lost Coin The Lost Son PRINCIPLE: Lost people matter to God.
2 Peter 3:9, God doesn’t want anyone lost. (Mess) Jesus and the Tax-Collector (Luke 19:1-9) PRINCIPLE: God doesn’t wait for the lost to come to him; he seeks them. Luke 19:10, The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
PRINCIPLE: People are drawn to a relationship not to ideology or theology.
79% of people who come to Christ and to the church do so through the influence of family and friends.
Jesus and a Woman of Poor Reputation (John 4:4-38)
PRINCIPLE: It’s worth crossing social barriers to share the Gospel.
John 4:27, The disciples were shocked. They couldn’t believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were thinking but their faces showed it.
To be Real
Philippians 2:14, Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry this life-giving Message into the night. (Mess)
To be Ready
1 Peter 3:15, Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. (Mess)
To be Radical
Mark 1:16, Jesus and his disciples were having supper with a collection of disreputable guests…More than a few of them had become his followers. The religious scholars and Pharisees…lit into his disciples, “What kind of example is this, acting cozy with all this riff-raft?” (Mess)
To be Resourceful
John 4:35, Open your eyes and take a good look of what is in front of you.
Evangelism is helping one person move one step closer to Christ.