Personal Evangelism

TEXT:  Rom. 10:13-15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      Matt. 25:14-30. TALENTS REPRESENT RESPONSIBILITY.

          1.       Given in keeping with each man's ability.

          2.       Those who do well are rewarded - those who don't are punished.

B.      Rom. 1:14.  PAUL'S DEBT - PREACH THE GOSPEL( 2 Cor. 5:14-15 ).

C.      IF WE ARE SAVED LIKE PAUL, DON'T WE ALSO OWE?

I.      HOW CAN I FULFILL MY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

A.      TEACHING THE GOSPEL TO OTHERS, PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY.

          1.       The example of the Jerusalem church( Acts 5:42 ).

          2.       Those driven from Jerusalem( Acts 8:1, 4 ).

          3.       Paul's example( Acts 20:20, 24, 26-27, 31 ).

B.      SENDING OTHERS AND HOLDING UP THEIR HANDS.

          1.       Aaron and Hur( Ex. 17 ).  Sometimes our hands grow heavy.

          2.       We talked about support from churches( Phil. 1:3-5;  4:15-16 ).

          3.       Involves more than financial support( Eph. 6:18-20;  3 John 2-4 ).

C.      WE TEACH OTHERS BY INFLUENCE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS & SERVICE.

          1.       Our lives are letters read by others( 2 Cor. 3:2-3 ).

          2.       Salt of the earth - Light of the world( Matt. 5:13-16 ).

II.     NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES.

A.      ANDREW IMMEDIATELY TOLD PETER( John 1:40-42 ).

B.      PHILIP TOLD NATHANIEL( John 1:43-51 ).

C.      PAUL KNEW THAT HE MUST SACRIFICE MUCH

          ( 1 Cor. 9:19-23;  2 Cor. 4:7;  12:15 ).

III.    CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY FOR SUCCESS.

A.      ALL HAVE SINNED AND ARE IN NEED( Rom. 3:23 ).

B.      THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE WHO WILL BELIEVE( Rom. 1:16 ).

C.      WE ARE TO TAKE THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE( Mark 16:15-16 ).

D.      MANY ARE WAITING FOR US( Matt. 9:36-38 ).

IV.   NOW WHAT?

A.      2 Tim. 2:15.  PREPARATION ESSENTIAL FOR THE WORK.

B.      IDENTIFY YOUR PROSPECT - SOMEBODY SPECIFIC.

C.      PRAY FOR WISDOM( James 1:5;  Col. 4:6 ) AND COURAGE( Eph. 6:18-20 ).

D.      MANIFEST GOD'S LOVE( Heb. 13:1-2;  Phil. 2:14-16 ).

E.      TAKE POSITIVE STEPS IN KEEPING WITH YOUR ABILITIES.

          1.       Discuss the Scriptures( Col. 4:6;  1 Pet. 3:15 ).

          2.       Invite them to services( Acts 11:26 ).

          3.       Try to arrange a home Bible study( Acts 5:42 ).

          4.       Offer to bring their children to service.

          5.       Use tracts, bulletins, Bible Correspondence Courses.

          6.       Point them to Internet Websites.

          7.       Present a clear target - STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE!

                   ( Eph. 6:10-13;  Phil. 1:27 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL YOURSELF?

B.      ARE YOU WILLING TO SHARE IT?