“Witnessing to Win the Lost”

Acts 4:1-40

SUBJECT: EVANGELISM

THEME: Practice the essentials to win the lost and overcome the distractions, and discouragements involved with evangelism.

INTRODUCTION:

The source that the soul-winners must look to for power and to be equipped is the Word of God.  To get the job of evangelism done and to overcome the attack of Satan, the Bible must be consulted for inspiration, instruction, and reassurance.

·       The Christian servant should never rely on self or mere human strength and effort.  The power of God is available to ensure effectiveness in the Christian experience; there is no need to rely on self.  Working in the energy of the flesh is the formula for discouragement and disappointment.  But, when a believer is filled with the power of God, they can be transformed into a great soul-winner for Christ.

·       Satan can hinder the work of evangelism by applying discouraging pressure to the preacher, teacher, missionary, evangelist, and Christian worker.  Therefore, we must beware of his designs to frustrate the evangelism efforts.

There are three practices Christian witness can adopt to ensure effectiveness.

MESSAGE:

I.           We Must Witness with Courage (Acts 4:16-21; 5:27-33).

A.   Courageous People Are Bold In Representing Christ. (Acts 4:31)

                                             i.     Courage is the strength of purpose that enables us to withstand fear or difficulty; the resolve to meet danger with strength, daring, and confidence.

A.    It is a reliance on the presence and power of God and a commitment to His commandments (Josh. 1:6–7, 9, 18; 23:6; 2 Chr. 19:11).

B.    We must place ourselves in the almighty hands of God and depend on the constant presence of Christ.

C.    We have been called to courage on the basis of Christ’s victory over death and worldly powers (John 16:33; Acts 23:11; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8).

D.    Our courage will show itself in patient endurance, moral steadfastness and spiritual fidelity. We will see an occasion for victory in every opposition (1 Cor. 16:9). 

                                           ii.     Courage is not reckless impulsiveness.

A.    Courage requires boldness to press through our fears and do what we know is right.

B.    How can we be more courageous? 

                                         iii.     Like the disciples, we need to pray with other believers for that courage (Acts 4:23-31). To gain boldness, you can

A.    Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to give you courage,

B.    Look for opportunities in your family and neighborhood to talk about Christ,

C.    Realize that rejection, social discomfort, and embarrassment are not persecution,

D.    Start where you are by being bolder in small ways.

B.   This Is Not A Day For The Faint-Hearted.

                                             i.     This is the day for the three hundred who will go all the way with Gideon. This is no day for the cowardly.

                                           ii.     This is the day for John the Baptist who preached the truth and let the chips fall where they would.

                                         iii.     This is the day when men must be willing to lose their heads, if need be, for the sake of the Gospel.

                                          iv.    Beloved, have the courage to stand like a Daniel, to suffer like a Joseph, and God will stand by you. God help us Christians to have such convictions today that we can say to God and to men until the mountains crumble to dust, “I will never lower the blood-stained flag of the cross.” (From Dr. C. Malone)

II.        We Need to Witness with Compassion (Matt. 9:35-38).

A.   The Lord Jesus Had Compassion On The Lost.

                                             i.     This was because he noticed that they were fainting and scattered everywhere without the care, provisions, and protection of a shepherd. 

A.    The Savior was certainly moved by their great numbers, sin, and weaknesses. 

B.    He was concerned that these precious souls would be gathered like a giant harvest.  This would require laborers, therefore, he instructed his disciples to pray for laborers. 

                                           ii.    Beloved, if you can witness and witness and witness and witness and never shed a tear, never have your heart broken, never know what it means to travail and agonize with an agony akin to that which Jesus had in Gethsemane, if you can witness without tears and compassion, you are going to do a lot of witnessing without the conversion of souls.

                                         iii.     Oh I see Jesus coming yonder on the Mount of Olives and looking down on the city of Jerusalem and from a broken heart He cries, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34). The Bible says He beheld the city and wept over it. And if we are to move people toward God, we have to have some tears.

B.   People Need Someone With Warmth And Compassion. 

                                             i.     Someone with tears and genuine concern is what people need.  Certainly we must emphasize sound Bible teaching, but we should never sacrifice warmth and heartfelt Christianity.  To be over concerned with hairsplitting technicalities would be a mistake if we sacrifice compassion.

                                           ii.     We should have compassion in our hearts this will bring tears to our eyes when we consider that men and women are lost around the world.  Perhaps we all should pray that the Lord will open our eyes to see the pain, agony, the remorse, the affliction, and troubled souls of men.  Clearly the remedy is the pure dynamic Gospel preached from a broken heart for sinners.

                                         iii.     I wish God would give us what Mr. George Whitefield had. It is said that he preached two hours on the morning of his death. As he climbed the stairs one night with a little candle in his hand and started into his bedroom, out of the window he saw the multitudes and heard them cry, “Come out, Mr. Whitefield, and preach to us some more.” It is said that he walked out on the little balcony, held the candle for two hours, poured out his soul and preached with tears the Gospel to the multitudes.  With the candle burning low, he closed the door, walked off the balcony back into his bedroom. That night the candle of his life burned out to shine no more on this earth.

O God, help us to burn for Jesus with a broken heart! God, give us tears and help us see men and women lost around the world. God, help us to see today the agony, the sin, the remorse, the affliction, the trouble that can be remedied by a warm and stirring message of the dynamic Gospel of the Son of God. We need to witness with some tears. God, give us a broken heart! God, give us tears!

                                          iv.     I heard one preacher say that he used to be ashamed to weep as he preached, so he prayed, “O God, help me not to embarrass myself and others by weeping over sinners; help me to preach without tears.” He said for a long time his eyes were dry. Then one day he went back on his knees to God and prayed, “Give me back my tears.” God did and he never again wanted to preach without them. (From Dr. C. Malone)

 

                                            v.     If we can see the horrors of Hell, the miseries of sin, the awful depths of God's infinite wrath and judgment and not have a broken heart, then we are following Jesus afar off. God gives us tears. My friend, if God gives us the vision that we ought to have, if God helps us to see things as they are, and we do not weep, God have mercy on us!

 

                                          vi.     J. Wilbur Chapman told of visiting Sam Hadley in his great work in the slums of New York. He said one day, “Sam, I want you to show me tonight the slums of this city and these human derelicts without God. I want to see these sinners in the rough.” It is said that that night J. Wilbur Chapman and Sam Hadley walked together down in the slums. Mr. Chapman wrote that he had never seen such awful conditions. He saw men lying prostrate on the sidewalks and in gutters. He heard curses of lost men and women; he heard shrieks and groans and all that goes with drunkenness, debauchery, lust and sin. He heard it all.

As they walked along, Mr. Chapman said they came under a streetlight and suddenly, he heard Sam Hadley cry, “Oh! Oh! Oh!”

He asked, “Sam, have you had a seizure? Have you had an attack?” He said in that streetlight he saw Sam Hadley's face lifted toward Heaven and heard him cry, “O God, give me these souls!”

                                  J. Wilbur Chapman said, “My heart broke.”

 

                                        vii.     May God give us a taste of what John Knox had when he cried, “O God, give me Scotland or I die!” Certainly, these words revealed his great heart for the lost of Scotland.

 

                                      viii.     God's Holy Book says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Ps.126:6)

 

Let me tell you, you take your intellect, give me the tears; you take your theology, give me the tears; you take your hair-splitting, give me the tears; you take your technicalities, give me the tears. O God, give us church members who can weep over souls lost and without God. (From Dr. C. Malone)

III.    We Must Witness in the Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8, 13, 29-33).

A.   Christ Made the Difference in Them (Acts 4:13).

                                             i.     Knowing that Peter and John were unschooled, the Council was amazed at what being with Jesus had done for them. Only weeks before, they had been timid, wishy-washy bumblers.

                                           ii.     Now they were fearless, confident, articulate, and passionate spokesmen. A changed life convinces people of Christ's power. One of your greatest testimonies is the difference others see in your life and attitudes since you have believed in Christ.

                                         iii.     What are the most obvious changes Christ has brought about in your witnessing life?

B.   The Spirit Gave Them Great Power (Acts 4:31-33).

                                             i.     The apostles’ boldness was possible only because they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8; 4:29,31; 9:27-28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26; 28:31).

                                           ii.     This gave them the boldness that they needed to continue to serve God in spite of official opposition. This was a new filling of the Spirit to equip the believers to serve the Lord and witness to the people.

C.   The Spirit’s Power Can Be Ours Through Yielded-ness and Prayer (Acts 4:31).

                                             i.     God’s answer was to shake the place where they were meeting and to fill the people once again with the Spirit of God (Acts 4:31).

A.    When they had prayed, the place was shaken—a physical expression of the spiritual power that was present.

B.    They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, indicating

a.      Their obedience to the Lord, their walking in the light, their yielded-ness to Him.

b.     They continued to speak the word of God with boldness, a clear answer to their prayer in verse 29. 

                                           ii.     We can obtain the power of the Holy Spirit by asking in prayer. 

A.    The soul-winners should stay before the Lord in prayer until he or she is saturated and empowered with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power.

B.    Again the key is prayer, but one should remain before the Lord in utter humility and silence until every fiber of one’s being vibrates with the power of God.

CONCLUSION:

After John Knox had preached in the power of God, someone came down the aisle to meet him and said, “Mr. Knox, you preached today as if you came right out of the throne room.

Mr. Knox bowed his head in humility and said, “Perhaps I did.”

God help us to live as if we have come right out of the throne room of the very presence of God.  If we are to change the discords of sin into heavenly melodies of love, if we are to touch the souls of men, our own souls must be in tune with the Infinite. God help us to witness with reality, with courage, with compassion, and with the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

Effectively Winning the Lost

 

“Effectively Win the Lost”

2 Tim. 4:5; Acts 4:1-40

 

SUBJECT: EVANGELISM

THEME: Practice the essentials to win the lost and overcome the distractions, and discouragements involved with evangelism.

INTRODUCTION:

1. You might say that I have it on my heart to speak especially to all who are interested in propagating the Gospel to the ends of the earth. That is carrying out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus and winning the lost of the world for whom He died.  Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

• Do the work of an evangelist. That work is always proclaiming the gospel to all people, calling on them to repent and be saved. Whatever the obstacles, opposition of false teachers, problems of church administration, distractions, or discouragements, Timothy was not to allow any of them to keep him from his appointed task. The phrase means, “do the work of preaching the gospel,” or of one appointed to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation. This is the proper business of all ministers, whatever other position or function we may maintain. This is a major part of our ministry.

• Make full proof of thy ministry. We are to push all our primary duties to their utmost energy and activity! That is carrying out each duty toward all their consequences and trusting God to work with us and through us.  We are not to neglect any part of our sacred functions; perform faithfully all the duties of our ministry; and do God's work in his own way and in his own Spirit.

• Nothing should deter us from carrying out our duties until the day when our ministry would be completed (that is, at our death). How can we know when we have fully carried out our ministry? By defining ministry in terms of lifelong goals instead of temporary jobs, positions, and opportunities.

·       Then, when life ends, we will be able to say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim. 4:7). Paul also tells us to “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Tim. 4:15).

2. These are challenging days however. I need not remind you of that. One thing that amazes me about the Bible is how minutely and accurately it describes the last days in which we currently live.  It characterizes the last days before the Lord Jesus returns as “evil days.”  Currently there are many enemies to fundamental, Bible-believing, soul-winning churches, workers and preachers.

·       Men in the last days will have a form of “godliness, but denying the power thereof.”  This generation is seeing this statement fulfilled like no other has.  There is worldliness and modernism on every hand.  Wickedness occupies high and low places nationally and around the world.  Thus, this presents the modern preacher and Christian worker with some extremely challenging days in which to minister.

·       Consider the prophet Elijah as an example of a man of God discouraged while attempting the work of Evangelism.  In spite of the fact that he reached great heights in the Lord’s work, enjoyed tremendous power in executing his ministry, and experienced great victories over the enemies of the Lord, he still encountered periods of discouragement.

MESSAGE:

I.           We Need to Witness with Reality (Acts 4:13, 20).

Christ had originally chosen the Twelve to be with him and to send them out to preach the Gospel in power and authority (Mark 3:14-15). Here we find Peter and John, fishermen by trade, who had never received formal theological or special training. Yet their testimony before the members of the council was astonishing. Peter and John were bold, composed, confident, and undaunted in their defense. Christ and the Gospel message was a reality to them. As the apostles stood there with the healed cripple man, speaking with authority, the members of the Council recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Though the Council still rejected Christ, they were certain the apostles totally believed what they were declaring.

A.   To Witness with Reality Means to Really Believe What We Are Declaring (Acts 4:19-20). 

                                             i.     They Were Convinced of the Truth of the Gospel.

Commanded by Christ to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and utterly convinced of the truth of the gospel, Peter and John announced their rejection of any such ban on speaking in the name of Jesus. 

                                           ii.     They Were Compelled by Their Personal Experiences With Christ.

A.    These men had indeed “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), and he had completely transformed their lives. They had lived with him; they had witnessed his resurrection; they had experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

B.    And so they said, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” To have obeyed the Council's command would have been to disobey God.

                                         iii.     They Were Careful to Sustain a Credible Witness of the Gospel. 

A.    What if, when threatened by the Sanhedrin, the disciples had abruptly changed their story and curtailed their witness? How credible would the gospel have been after that?

B.    The fact that they stood strong in the face of severe persecution gave their message a lot more credibility.

C.    Likewise, when we make the daily decision to do what is right, when we stand up boldly for Christ against a hostile crowd, people take notice. They look closer at our lives and listen more carefully to our message. (From Dr. C. Malone)

                                          iv.     Our Conviction for the Truth Can Be Used of God in Witnessing.

A.    We must possess a belief to such a degree that the listener will be compelled to note the authenticity of our faith. 

B.    Even if they reject or disagree with our message, they will still be convinced that we truly believe it.  The message must be real to the messengers of the Lord.

B.   To Witness With Reality Requires a Belief in Heaven and Hell.

                                             i.     I had a lengthy witness with a young man on visitation. While working the front gate and intersection between Katterbach and Bismark Kaserns, a tall young man came along in uniform. So, I introduced myself and extended to him an invitation to the church. Then I asked him if he had a religious background as I customarily do during witnessing encounters and episodes.  He stated that he was Catholic and once studied to prepare to become a priest.  He said he left the movement because his father was a strong ‘Christian’ all his life until he lost his faith on his deathbed.  He tried to find peace with this experience as he wrestled with whether his father went to heaven or did his failure of faith cause him to finally go to Hell instead. His priest could not assure him of his father’s salvation, therefore he dropped out of school. As the conversation continued, I assured him that salvation is strictly through faith in Christ and his finished work at Calvary. I proceeded to share with him the gospel. During the presentation, I pressed home the truth that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way, Truth and Life. But this very thing he could not accept.  He believed that there were other good religions and that many ways lead to heaven. He rejected the idea that Jesus is the only way, and he said with all the seriousness in his soul. “If you really believed that the rest of the world was dying and going to hell, and the only way they could be saved is through Jesus, then why aren’t Christians telling people all over the world?”

I told him, “I believe this so much that I am a missionary here in Germany to servicemen and their families; I generously support missions around the world; and I am standing here on this corner telling you about Jesus.”  He stood there in disbelief and said, “I have difficulty with accepting one way as the only way to heaven.”  I assured him that I really believe what God said directly about this matter without a single doubt!

Yes, I believe it with all my heart. With all my soul I believe as Jesus taught, that every lost man and woman, buy or girl who has not been born by God's Holy Spirit is forever lost and will spend eternity in Hell.

That young man looked deep into my face and said, “If that is true, it is mighty serious business.”

I prayed, “O God, give to my heart and the heart of every Christian the seriousness of this unbelieving young man.”

 

                                           ii.     My friends, it is true, and it is serious business. Multitudes are lost. They are lost in our city; they are lost all over Germany and America; they are lost on every mission field. We need to enter the holy presence of God in travail of soul and in earnest supplication and prayer until we can go out with a message and the people can say, “Those people actually believe what they are saying.” We need to witness with tremendous reality.

 

                                         iii.     It is said that some years ago in England there was a great actor giving a reading in a room filled with people. Someone suggested that he give the 23rd Psalm.

                                           He asked, “Do you really want me to?”

                                           An old clergyman stood up and said, “Yes, Sir. Give the 23rd Psalm.”

It is said that the great actor, with the most precise intonations and the finest of elocution, began to recite. When he finished, the people smiled, nodded their heads and applauded.

 

                                           Then the actor said, “I want that elderly preacher to give it.”

That gray-haired preacher rose like a giant for God and began, “The Lord is my shepherd.” He walked with God in the green meadows; he walked with God beside the still waters; he walked with God down in the dark valley that came out on the bright side. Finally, with his face turned toward Heaven, he closed, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

                                              He sat down. Nobody applauded but heads were down and people weeping.

The great actor arose and said, “The difference between me and this preacher is that I knew the Psalm, but he knew the Shepherd.” (From Dr. C. Malone)

                                          iv.     Beloved, our witnessing must be done with a reality that will grip hearts. It must not be vague. It must not be filled with doubt. We must witness so that the lost shall take knowledge that “we have been with Jesus.” Listen, the world today has enough doubt without getting anymore from you and from me. We must witness with the tone of reality.

Prayer is Relational

 

“Talking with God”

DAN. 9:1-23

  THEME: Regularly Engage in Two-Way Communication With the Lord in order to Build an Ever Deepening Fellowship With Him.

RELEVANCE:

The Christian life is NOT a set of religious rituals, nor merely a list of beliefs.  God is a Divine Person and we must never forget he offers us a personal relationship to enjoy and maintain.  Intimate associations grow, prosper, and are strengthened through wholesome self-disclosing communication—prayer.  Victory or defeat is decided in your Christian life on the battleground of your daily walk with the Lord. 

INTRODUCTION:

True Communication with God Is Not Talking to God, but Talking with God. We do not communicate if we voice a petition to God, but do not wait for His answer. We do not communicate if we express our desires to God, but do not hear what His desires are for us. We do not communicate if we vent our anger, frustration, doubts, fears, or joys to God, but do not listen intently for His response.  Prayer is speaking to and listening to God. It is an active process involving two communicators: God and you.

Daniel’s prayers illustrate and model two-way communication with God.   

MESSAGE:  

I.               PRAYER IS TO BE RELATIONAL (The Key to Relationship) (Dan. 9:7, 14, 16-19)

Having prayed for the removal of God’s wrath (vv. 15-16), Daniel now prayed for God’s favor, mercy, and forgiveness (vv. 17-19).  Because God is merciful and forgiving, he prayed, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive.” Concerned for God’s reputation, Daniel wanted the Lord to act quickly (defer not) on behalf of the city and people that bore His name. All this would bring glory to God for it was for His sake (v. 17).

Like Moses (Ex 32:10-14; Ezk 14:14, 20), Daniel as intercessor carried on arguments with the Almighty, on several grounds: (1) God’s people were a reproach among the heathen (Dan 9:16). (2) God was known to be merciful (v. 18). (3) God’s reputation was at stake (v. 19).  Daniel’s concern for God’s name reflects the care of relationship and unselfish love toward another.

1. INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION WITH GOD ULTIMATELY STRENGTHENS AND DEEPENS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. 

1.     By relationship I am simply referring to our fellowship and harmony with the Almighty.  I am emphasizing the daily Christian walk.  One purpose of prayer is that we might know God better, experience more of His love, and have an abiding awareness of His work in our lives. Talking to God doesn’t build relationship. Communicating with God does.

2.     Prayer can restore relationship with God. And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. (Judg 16:28).  In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson’s prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. One of the effects of sin in our life is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don’t let guilty feelings over sin keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to him. If God could still work in Samson’s situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours. 

2. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS VERY PERSONAL.

1.     In fact, it is the most intimate relationship you can ever know. Nobody knows you as God knows you. Nobody loves you as God loves you. Nobody desires good for your life more than God does.

2.     In prayer—in genuine communication with God—you will soon discover not only more about God, but more about yourself as God’s beloved child. There is no more exciting or enriching experience!

3.     Biblical prayer is personal. The phrase “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matt 6:9-13) indicates that God is not only majestic and holy, but also personal and loving. The first line of this model prayer is a statement of praise and a commitment to honor God’s holy name. We can honor God’s name by being careful to use it respectfully. If we use God’s name lightly, we aren’t remembering God’s holiness.

3. YOUR INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS UNIQUE.

1.     This is true for every relationship you have with another person, and it is no less true in your relationship with God.

2.     Your prayers must be your prayers. Your communication with God is your communication. While written or formalized prayers have their place in certain group settings, your times of communication with God should be marked by your own original speech.

3.     Prayer is talking with God as you would talk to your dearest friend, your most eager supporter, your most loving mentor.

CONCLUSION:

In our study, we will give you some general principles that are basic to any believer’s prayer life. The specifics of your prayer relationship with God are as distinctive as any other aspect of your life and your ability to communicate.

As we approach this study in prayer, I encourage you to open yourself to the grand possibility that God has something to say to you that you will delight in hearing. He is eager to spend time with you and to develop a deep, intimate relationship with you that is marked by great joy and well-being.

Ultimately, prayer is to be experienced, not studied. In study we simply learn how to better communicate with God—and to that end, how to have a better relationship with our Creator. It is an experience to be pursued and a relationship to be valued beyond all others.

ILLUSTRATION: “A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: ‘Rising early one morning,’ he said, ‘I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.’ So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God.” — A. C. DIXON.