EVANGELISM: IT'S NOT JUST FOR PREACHERS ANYMORE


A slogan for what has traditionally been known as a children's breakfast cereal is "It's not just for kids anymore." It's target audience is adults who at some time in their childhood, ate that cereal. This is an attempt to make people realize that the cereal enjoyed as a child is still enjoyable as an adult, notwithstanding the fact that many adults were enjoying it all along.

In the early church, every member took part in teaching the gospel of Christ to others. Since then, we have digressed and delegated the God-given, evangelistic duty of all members to those who occupy the pulpit and/or teach publicly. Brethren, it's way past time for us to realize that evangelism, in the past done by preachers and a select few, was and is intended for every member of the Lord's body. "Evangelism- it's not just for preachers anymore."

  1. Why Evangelize?
    1. Commanded by God: Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47
    2. Duty: Luke 17:7-10
    3. Love for God: John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
    4. Love for fellow man: Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule


  2. The Beginning of Evangelism
    1. Eldership: leadership descends from the top. Impressed with attitude of the eldership here.
      1. apt to teach- I Timothy 3:2
      2. not like the scribes and Pharisees- Matthew 23:2-3 "they say, and do not"
      3. but by example- I Peter 5:1-4
    2. Pulpit: Preachers- not administrators or psychologists: II Timothy 3:13-4:5
    3. Pew: Acts 8:4 they went everywhere preaching the word
      1. Colossians 1:5-6,23; Romans 10:17-18
      2. No TV, Radio, Corresp. courses, Satellite, etc. "How'd they do it?" ACTS 8:4 "But how can we...? ACTS 8:4. We go everywhere on vacation, but...
      3. Question: Who has the inside track in reaching the lost in Marion County? Who grew up and went to school with these people? Who works with them every day? YOU DO! I'll do whatever I can to help, but you are the first line of contact.


  3. Evangelism Tools: methods of encouragement- Hebrews 3:13
    1. Ma Bell- i.e. the telephone: Christianity is a "reach out and touch someone" religion.
    2. Mr. Postman- just a card or a note
    3. Henry Ford- a ride to the grocery store, to worship, a personal visit


  4. Success breeds success- it is contagious, but so is failure.
    1. Support groups: e.g. A.A.; TOPS- They delight in one another's success, share ideas to promote success, and encourage one another.
    2. 2 Reasons the Burleson congregation can grow:
      1. Not everyone in Marion Co/Sugar Bend is saved-Disappointed with attitudes of others in the area: "We've preached on every corner; there's not much potential for growth." Isaiah 55:8-11
      2. God's word is alive and powerful: Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12
    3. Articles- "The Greatest Evangelist"; "The people had a mind to work"


  5. Growth begins in the heart of each of us- we must first be converted before we can teach others.
    1. Have you been converted by the gospel of Jesus Christ? (Plan of Salvation)
    2. Do you need to renew your commitment? "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." II Corinthians 13:5