INTRODUCTION
1.
The importance of sharing the gospel of Christ with those who are
lost cannot be over-emphasized...
a. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good
news of salvation
b. The gospel is God's power to salvation to
all who believe it
-- BUT WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO
REACH PEOPLE TODAY?
2.
The Millennium Baptist Church Ministries asked over 1000 people this
question:
"What
was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?"
Their
replies were . . .
a. I had a special need - 3%
b. I just walked in - 3%
c. I liked the minister - 6%
d. I visited there - 1%
e. I liked the Bible classes - 5%
f. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%
g. I liked the programs - 3%
h. A FRIEND OR RELATIVE INVITED ME - 79%
3.
What do we learn from a survey like this?
a. IF CHURCHES ARE TO GROW, IT WILL BE
THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
1) Preachers, programs, classes may help,
but in most cases they
will only maintain the size of the
congregation
2) Such congregational efforts are
worthwhile, for they can reach
people with whom we might otherwise
never come in contact
b. THE GREATEST POTENTIAL LIES WITH THOSE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOME
CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL
CONGREGATION
1) Each of us have daily contact with
tens of people who need the
gospel of Christ
2) In addition to efforts designed to
reach people "en masse"
(via television, radio, mail), we need
to utilize the contacts
made through the members (i.e.,
provide a "TWO-PRONGED"
APPROACH TO EVANGELISM)
4.
Two things are needed to utilize the contacts made through
individual members
a. CONCERN for the lost by those members -
cf. Mt 9:36-38;
b. KNOWLEDGE OF HOW we can increase our
opportunities to share the
gospel with those with whom we frequently
come into contact
5.
Assuming that the concern is there, in this lesson I wish to share
suggestions on HOW anyone who is a Christian
can INCREASE THEIR
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL...
I.
DO THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR A CARING CONGREGATION
A. OUR LOVE WILL HELP PROVE THAT WE ARE
WHO WE CLAIM - Jn 13:35
1. I.e., that we are truly the disciples
of Christ
2. Correct doctrine, organization,
worship, etc., is important
3. But it will be our love for one
another that will convince the
world that we are truly the disciples
of Christ!
B. OUR LOVE MAKES US USEFUL TO THE LORD -
Re 3:7-8
1. The Lord knows the true condition of
His churches!
2. If we are a congregation that can be
used by Him...
a. To reach others with the gospel
b. To assimilate them into the Family
of God
c. To nurture them in their spiritual
growth
-- Then He will "open doors"
for us!
3. But suppose that we are not a place
where new Christians can
grow spiritually in an atmosphere of
love...?
C. HERE ARE SOME "ACTION STEPS"
TO TAKE...
1. Make it a point to get to know ALL the
members by name
a. Get a church directory and begin to
place names with faces
b. Try to learn someone new at each
service until you know
them all
2. Practice "hospitality"
towards the members - 1Pe 4:8-9
a. Invite them into your home, or out to
eat (set a goal of
one new family or member per month)
b. Visit other Christians frequently
(esp. the sick, shut-ins,
new members, absent members)
II.
MAKE A LIST OF SOULS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SAVED
A. THIS MAY NOT SEEM IMPORTANT, BUT IT
IS!
1. It utilizes a very helpful technique
used by people successful
in all walks of life (i.e., having a
"things to do" list)
2. For us, it helps to focus our attention
upon those we hope to
reach for the Lord, and not neglect
them
B. IN MAKING UP THIS LIST...
1. Start with those who are close to you
and work outwardly
a. Family
b. Friends
c. Co-workers
d. Neighbors
e. Relatives of fellow church members
f. Regular visitors to the services of
the church
g. Casual acquaintances (mailman,
store clerk, etc.)
2. Limit this list to five or eight souls
(a list with too many
and you will not be able to focus your
efforts effectively)
3. Give priority to those who are the
"unchurched"
a. I.e., who are not active members of
any denomination or
particular religion
b. Active members of a denomination or
religion are often very
satisfied with their human
traditions and are not as
receptive to the pure and simple
gospel of Christ
4. Husbands and wives might best just
have one list (as the
suggestions to follow will require
their joint cooperation)
C. KEEP THIS LIST WHERE YOU WILL SEE IT
DAILY...
1. So you will be constantly reminded of
these people
2. So you will be more likely to do the
things mentioned next...
III.
PRAY FOR THESE SOULS ON YOUR LIST DAILY
A. THAT GOD WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH
YOU...
1. To give you "opportunities"
to do good for them - Col 4:3;
2. To give you the "wisdom" to
make the most of those
opportunities - Ep 6:19-20
B. THAT THOSE ON YOUR LIST WILL...
1. Have the opportunity to hear the truth
2. Have honest hearts to be open and
receptive to the truth
C. REMEMBER, IT IS GOD WHO GIVES THE
INCREASE - 1Co 3:5-7
1. We are but servants whom God can use
in His providential
workings
2. So though we may work as though it all
depends upon us, let us
pray as though it all depends upon
God!
IV.
DO THINGS WHICH DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE FOR THEM
A. THE
IMPORTANCE OF THIS SUGGESTION...
1. "People don't care how much we
know until they know how much
we care!"
2. A demonstration of love will make a
person more likely to be
receptive to the gospel of love when
it is shared!
- cf. 1Pe 2:12
B. SOME "ACTION STEPS" TO
TAKE...
1. Invite them into your home for a
dinner or snack
2. Visit them, especially in times of trial
or sickness
3. Do things with them on a social level
V.
INVITE THOSE ON YOUR LIST TO ATTEND SERVICES
A. REASONS TO WANT THEM ATTENDING
SERVICES...
1. They will (or should) have an
opportunity to see a caring
congregation in action
a. Combined with your own
demonstration of love as an
individual
b. ...the demonstration of love by
others should make a
lasting impression
2. They will more likely have an
opportunity to be presented with
the gospel of Christ (more on this,
shortly)
B. AS YOU PREPARE TO INVITE THESE SOULS,
BE SURE TO PRAY...
1. Asking for "wisdom" to
invite them in the best manner
2. Asking for "boldness" to
offer the invitation to attend
VI.
DEMONSTRATE LOVE TOWARDS THOSE VISITORS WHO DO ATTEND
A. WHETHER INVITED BY YOU, SOMEONE ELSE,
OR ARE "WALK-INS"...
1. Greet them, let them know they are
welcome
2. Invite them home or out for a dinner
or snack
3. Call or visit them, after they have
attended - cf. He 13:2;
B. IN DOING SUCH THINGS, YOU ARE PREPARING
THEIR HEARTS FOR THE
GOSPEL...
1. For by demonstrating love as a
congregation of Christians...
2. ...they will be more likely to believe
in the love of God
demonstrated in the life of Christ! - 1Pe 2:11-12
VII.
SEE THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL
A. IDEALLY, THIS WILL COME AFTER
WITNESSING A DEMONSTRATION OF THE
GOSPEL "IN OUR LIVES"...
1. By our love, hospitality, etc.
2.
Both as individuals and as a congregation
B. IF YOU FEEL CONFIDENT IN TEACHING
OTHERS, THEN APPROACH THEM
YOURSELF AND SUGGEST...
1. A home Bible study with them (using
aids like video tapes,
charts, or simply an open Bible)
2.
Or that they study on their own with the aid of a Bible
correspondence course
C. IF YOU DO NOT FEEL YOU ARE YET CAPABLE
TO APPROACH THEM
CONCERNING A STUDY, OR IN CONDUCTING THE
STUDY YOURSELF...
1. Bring it to the attention of members
who are able and willing
to teach
2. Provide opportunities for the teacher
and the prospect to
become better acquainted, and the
teacher can take it from
there
CONCLUSION
1.
These suggestions are offered...
a.
With a FIRM CONVICTION that if they will be carried out,
opportunities to share the gospel and
save souls will be greatly
increased!
b. With the HOPE that you will accept the
challenge to implement
these suggestions
2.
This approach is not only the MOST SUCCESSFUL in saving and keeping
souls, it is also one of the MOST NATURAL
and easiest ways to reach
the lost for Christ!
a. Remember the survey by The Millennium
Baptist Church Ministries Growth?
b. One does not even have to be able to
teach to be effective in
leading others to Christ!
c. One simply has to be a FRIEND to
Christians and to the lost!
3.
And even if we do not convert a single soul...
a. We will have fulfilled our obligation to
share Christ with others
b. We will have done it in such a way as to
become better
CHRISTIANS, a better CONGREGATION, better
FRIENDS, better
NEIGHBORS, better CO-WORKERS, etc.!
SUGGESTIONS
FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY A CONGREGATION OR A FEW INTERESTED
INDIVIDUALS...
1.
Have those interested in being involved meet together on a weekly
basis
2.
Encourage one another to SET GOALS for the coming week
a. Share ideas for goals; for example...
1) Having over or visiting one person or
family from the
congregation
2) Making a list of souls for which to
begin praying
3) What you plan to do to demonstrate
your love and concern for
those on your list
4) Who you will invite to services
5) What visitors you will call, visit,
etc.
6) Who you will offer to have a study, or
put in contact with
someone who will follow-up with a
study
b. Write the goals for the coming week down
c. Pray about them, together and on your own
throughout the week
3.
At each weekly meeting...
a. Share and discuss how the goals are being
met
b. Set new goals for the coming week
c. Write them, pray about them
This
simple program should easily increase opportunities to share the
gospel
and bring many souls to Christ!
For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,
Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi
Millinium Baptist Church
Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P
milliniumbaptistchurchministries@yahoo.com
mbcministries.india@gmail.com
(+91)9848150491, 9908054910
Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi
Millinium Baptist Church
Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P
milliniumbaptistchurchministries@yahoo.com
mbcministries.india@gmail.com
(+91)9848150491, 9908054910
No comments:
Post a Comment