How To Be More Evangelistic

Rob Espinosa
01/02/22 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: How To Become More Evangelistic - R Espinosa

How To Be More Evangelistic | 4 Practical Ways

By Kevin Cauley

PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study four ways we can answer the question, how to be more evangelistic.

OBJECTIVES: Each hearer should be able to take these four points and go out and use them to evangelize this community.

AIM: I want to encourage each member to get out and be evangelistic.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Matthew 4:19 “And he saith unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

2. About the Text:

1) The expression “fishers of men” is indelibly etched upon our minds to refer to personal evangelism.

2) Jesus called those men who would become personal evangelists, preachers, apostles, teachers.

3) There was nothing special about them when they were called.

a. Peter and John were fishermen.

b. Matthew was a tax collector.

c. At least one was active in politics of the day.

d. The group of men Jesus called was a representative sampling of the people of the day.

4) Yet, Jesus took their humble occupation and transformed it into something special.

5) There was no magic formula to take regular “joes” off the street and make them evangelistic.

6) Jesus used some very basic principles and then encouraged these men to be doers.

7) We can use these same basic principles today.

8) How can we follow after Jesus so that we can be evangelistic?

3. In this evangelism sermon outline we can see the importance of the matter of evangelism. So we point out four ways to see how to be more evangelistic and fulfill the great commission.

GROWTH – Personal (Spiritual) & The Church

1. Personal (Spiritual) habits for growth.
   1. Bible reading & study – 1 Pet. 2:2
   2. Praying – Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:6-7
   3. Singing – praising God in song – Col. 3:16
   4. Assembling together – Heb. 10:24-25
      1. Helps us to stimulate one another to love and good works.
      2. We exhort one another in our service to Christ.
2. The Church – Functional habits for growth.
   1. Assembling together with the church to reach our functional goals as a church. It will be done in the framework of the local church.
      1. We become familiar with identities and needs of other members.
      2. Learn what functions are needed in the body of Christ – Rom. 12:3-8
   2. Participation in the work of the church.
      1. Teaching classes, leading singing, serving the Lord’s supper, greet visitors, minister to the sick, encourage the weak, teach the gospel to the lost (personal work) and taking care of the building.
   3. Congregational habits.
      1. Defining roles for service.
      2. Providing opportunities to learn and serve – 2 Tim. 2:2
      3. Participation in activities of service (preaching, teaching)

DISCUSSION: How to be more evangelistic?

I.   WE CAN BE EVANGELISTIC BY LETTING PEOPLE SEE OUR LIFE

1. Jesus lived an open public life and was available to anyone who wanted to come see Him.

1) Relatively few times in the scriptures do we find Jesus withdrawing from people.

2) His life was open both to his friends and enemies.

3) Mark 12:37 “And the common people heard him gladly.”

4) Sixteen times Matthew refers to the multitudes following him.

5) Paul said to King Agrippa, “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26).

2. Jesus preached that we should have an open life for all to see.

1) Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

2) Matthew 10:32 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

3) Matthew 25:34-45 — the people who Jesus blessed and said to inherit the kingdom were people who lived their lives before others.

3. How do we let people see our lives?

1) Get into the public.

2) Join the community center.

3) Talk to your neighbors.

4) Volunteer at the schools or in the community somewhere.

5) Visit the nursing homes.

6) Visit the hospitals.

7) Visit the prisons.

8) Someone once said, “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” In order for this to happen, someone MUST SEE YOU!

4. There is something here that everyone can do! We must resolve to do it!

II.  WE CAN BE EVANGELISTIC BY TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE CHURCH

1. Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God–talking about the church!

1) Matthew 3:2 John preached “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2) Matthew 4:17 Jesus preached “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3) Jesus told His disciples to preach, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:7).

4) The kingdom is the church.

5) Do we talk about the church to others?

2. We see the early disciples preaching about the church.

1) Matthew speaks of the kingdom 50 times in his gospel account.

2) Mark 22 times.

3) Luke 40 times.

4) Phillip preached the kingdom of God to those at Samaria–Acts 8:12

5) Paul said that to the Ephesian elders that he made it his business to preach the kingdom of God–Acts 20:25.

3. But what do I say?

1) Talk about the activities of the church.

a. Gospel meetings.

b. Special Sundays like Friends and Family day, Back to School Sunday

c. Our potlucks.

d. Men’s breakfasts.

e. Special Saturday outings.

f. Tell others about our missionary efforts for the congregation.

g. These are things that we can talk about to our friends.

2) Tell them about the pattern for the church.

a. Her worship

b. Her organization

c. Her mission.

4. Here is something that everyone can do. We must be doers in this regard.

III. WE CAN BE EVANGELISTIC BY INVITING PEOPLE TO COME HEAR THE GOSPEL

1. Jesus extended invitations to everyone to come hear Him teach and preach.

1) Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

2) John 7:37 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

2. We don’t have to preach a full sermon, but we can invite!!!

1) John 1:46 “And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”

2) Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

3. How do we do this?

1) We have regularly scheduled services every week. Give someone a schedule.

2) Hand out a bulletin to someone and ask him or her to come visit.

3) Hand out a flyer for one of our special events.

4) When you are visiting with your neighbor say, “Would you come worship with me Sunday?”

4. Everyone can do this.

IV.  WE ARE EVANGELISTIC WHEN WE PRAY

1. Jesus prayed.

1) He told us to pray for more laborers. “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.

2) He told us to pray for our enemies. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

3) He prayed for those who would believe on His word. John 17:20 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”

2. We find the early church praying as well.

1) Acts 2:42–continued in prayers.

2) Philippians 4:6 “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

3) 2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”

4) 1 Tim.2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

3. How can we do this?

1) Ask God to open doors for you and us to teach the gospel.

2) Pray that each of us will have the courage to tell others about the gospel.

3) Pray for the individuals that each of us meet in the community.

4. This is something that everyone can do.

CONCLUSION: How to be more evangelistic…

1. Are we really seeking God’s kingdom first in our lives? (Matthew 6:33).

2. These are things that each and everyone of us can do. Will we do it?

3. Jesus was able to take a ragtag bunch of fishermen and social cast outs and change them into apostles.

4. Do you doubt he can do the same with you today? If you do, then you have already lost the battle.

5. Resolve in your mind now that you are going to do each of these things at least once a week.

1) Let someone see your life by getting into the public and participating in social activities.

2) Talk to someone about some of the church’s activities.

3) Invite someone to attend services or give them a bulletin or something with our schedule in it.

4) Say a prayer each day for the growth of the church and for someone in your life who needs Jesus.