WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT EVANGELISM?

April 25, 2017
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WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT EVANGELISM?
by Pastor Richard Tow
November 20, 2016
Text: John 4:35

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Description:

This message is designed to stir Christians toward evangelism using the words of Jesus. The message addresses how we should view unbelievers and how we are to respond to the opportunities that are before us.

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OUTLINE
What Did Jesus Say About Evangelism?
Tow: 11/20/16

Intro:

> Subject: Instruction Jesus gave his followers concerning the Harvest
> First text: John 4:35“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for
they  are already white for harvest.”
I.  LOOK! at the Harvest.

  1. The harvest is ripe. > In the context, Jesus has demonstrated the readiness of the harvest. > Disciples were overlooking the harvest that was right in front of them.
  2. The Devil whispers suggestions to get Christians to put off the harvest. (1) You’re not yet spiritual enough to tell others about Jesus. (2) They’re not interested in this right now. (3) Wait until you get your own problems solved first.
  3. The harvest is plenteous.
    > Luke 10:1-4 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent    them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was    about to go. 2 Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are    few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  3   Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.’”
    > 200 million on earth in Jesus’ day; 7 ½ Billion today

II.  PRAY!  “the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

1. This is a specific point of prayer, for laborers. > Pray laborers be sent. > Rom. 10:14-15

2. This might be considered the beginning point of evangelism. > Prayer leads to hearing: “Whom shall we send. And who will go for us?” Isa. 6:8 > Hearing
leads to volunteering: “Here am I! Send me.” > Volunteering leads to being sent: “And He said, “Go, and tell this people….” Isa. 6:9

3. Matthew 9:35-36 provides insight on how Jesus viewed the harvest. “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because
they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

III. GO! “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

  1. You have to leave your place of comfort and step into the harvest. > Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples….” Matt. 28:18-20 > Comforts in Great Commission: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”    “lo, I am with you always….” 
  2. Laborers in the harvest are assigned differing roles. > Having gifts that differ > But all labor, in contrast to American Church entertainment. > Will you Look at the harvest through Jesus’ eyes, Pray for laborers, Go as He directs?

 

QUESTIONS

  1. Do Jesus words about the harvest being ripe seem true with the people you interact with? How receptive have you found unbelievers to be to the gospel? In John 4 do you think the disciples would have found the Samaritans receptive if Jesus had not been there?
  2. How has the Devil tried to get you to put off witnessing to others? Has he told you that your not spiritual enough? How have you processed this in your own life?
  3. In Luke 10:2 Jesus identified the problem as being a shortage of laborers. My tendency is to see the problem as the lack of receptivity in unbelievers. What are your thoughts on Jesus’ identification of the problem?
  4. Using the Isaiah 6 model, how does praying for laborers tend to produce laborers? How has God dealt with you concerning the lost and your personal assignment?
  5. Matt. 9:36 talks about how Jesus saw lost sinners: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” How do you view people who do not know the Lord? Are you looking at them the     same way Jesus does?
  6. Are you willing to go into the harvest field as God gives you assignment? Do you know what your assignment is? Please elaborate.
  7. How can we pray with you today?
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