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Evangelism

Evangelism

Evangelism has been described as one beggar telling another beggar where to find food. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism

Holy boldness honors the gospel. In the olden times when Oriental despots had things pretty much their own way they expected all ambassadors from the West to lay their mouths in the dust if permitted to appear before his Celestial brightness the Brother of the Sun and Cousin of the Moon. Certain money-loving traders agreed to all this and ate dust as readily as reptiles. But when England sent her ambassadors abroad the daring islanders stood bolt-upright. They were told that they could not be indulged with a vision of the brother of the Sun and Cousin of the Moon without going to their hands and knees. “Very well ” said the Englishmen “we will dispense with the luxury but tell his Celestial Splendor that it is very likely that his Serenity will hear our cannon at his palace gates before long and that their booming is not quite so harmless as the cooing of his Sublimity’s doves.” When it was seen that ambassadors of the English Crown were no cringing petitioners the British Empire rose in respect of Oriental nations.

It must be just so with the cross of Christ. Our cowardice has subjected the gospel to contempt. To preach the gospel boldly is to deliver it as such a message ought to be delivered.— C.H. Spurgeon

Evangelism Clarity in

As the following dialogue illustrates many times well-meaning Christians including evangelists fail to communicate the Good News to non-believers because they use terms that the non-believer doesn’t use or uses in a different way.

Evangelist: Are you a member of the Christian family?

Store clerk: No they live two miles down the road the white house on the left.

Evangelist: Let me try again. Are you lost?

Store clerk: No I’ve lived in this town for over thirty years now. I know right where I am.

Evangelist: Let me put it this way—are you ready for the Judgment Day?

Store clerk: When will it be?

Evangelist: Could be today could be tomorrow!

Store clerk: Well when you know exactly be sure to let me know. My wife will probably want to go on both days. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism Love and

This story is told of Harry Winston who was one of the world’s greatest jewel merchants. One day he watched one of his salesmen show a beautiful diamond to a rich Dutch merchant. The customer listened thoughtfully to the expert description but he eventually turned away saying “It’s a wonderful stone but not exactly what I want.”

Winston stopped the customer on his way out and asked “Do you mind if I show you that diamond once more?” The merchant agreed. Winston took the stone in his hand. He did not repeat anything the salesman had said. He simply talked about the gem as an object of deep beauty. Abruptly the customer changed his mind and bought the diamond. While he was waiting for it to be brought to him he turned to Winston and said :”Why did I buy it willingly from you though I had no difficulty saying no to your salesman?”

Winston answered “That salesman is one of the best men in the business. He knows diamonds—but I love them.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism Muslims and

A Christian man was looking for an opportunity to witness to a devout Muslim whom he knew. One day the chance came when the Muslim was preparing for prayer by carefully washing his arms and face and other parts of his body. When he was through his Christian friend told him that he had forgotten one thing washing his heart. The Muslim replied “Don’t be silly. I can’t wash my heart!” The friend agreed “That’s right that’s why you need Christ.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism Motives for

Imagine that I have ten bags of money here each containing a thousand dollars and that I offer one of these bags to each of the first ten people who by this time tomorrow will share the gospel with a non-believer and invite him to receive Jesus Christ as Savior. The response of the non-believer would have no bearing on whether one gets the money.

What do you think would happen? We all know that there would be a mad rush to get out of here and be one of the first ten to tell somebody about Jesus. Are we more willing to witness out of impure motives than out of love for and obedience to the Lord? ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism Motives for

The story is told of the captain of a Mississippi riverboat who as his ship passed another vessel grabbed the first passenger he saw and said “Look look over there on the other boat. Look at its captain.” The man was somewhat bewildered and asked “Why do you want me to look at that captain? What makes him so special?”

Then the captain told him the story of how he had collided one night with another boat. His own vessel was foundering and in the process he was thrown overboard. The captain of the other vessel saw his desperate plight and maneuvered close enough that he was able to dive into the water and save his life.

After telling the story the once-saved captain then turned to the bystander and said “Ever since that day I want to point out my rescuer to others. “ Likewise as those who have been saved secured and loved by Jesus we should want to tell others of him. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Gospel Content

To preach a social gospel without the redemptive background of the individual salvation from sin of the individual sinner is like launching a glider instead of a high-powered plane. A glider may soar for awhile on the fickle currents of the wind and climb high on some sudden up-draft but it is the four whirl-wind motors that will carry a bomber to the stratosphere and jet-propulsion and rockets that will take a plane beyond the speed of sound.— Donald Grey Barnhouse

Conversion of Jews

Some years ago a clergyman of the Church of England attended an early-morning prayer meeting in behalf of Israel in an East London Jewish mission. Coming out on the street he met another clergyman who had attended a special service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on the anniversary of the conversion of the apostle Paul. After greeting each other the second minister asked the other where he had been. He told him he had attended a Jewish mission meeting upon which the second minister showed some surprise that his friend should believe in the possibility of Jews coming to faith. The minister who had attended the mission service asked the other where he had been and was told that he had attended a special service in honor of St. Paul at the cathedral bearing his name.

The clergyman who had attended the Jewish service asked “Who exactly was Paul?”

The hesitating reply was “I suppose you would consider him a believing Jew.”

“What music did they have at the service?”

“Why Mendelssohn’s St. Paul of course.”

“Who was Mendelssohn?”

“Why a German.”

“No he was not he was a believing Jew ” was the reply.

The clergyman who did not seem to believe in the possibility of Jews coming to faith had been in a church dedicated to the memory of a Jewish believer attending a service in honor of this Jew’s acceptance of the Messiah had been listening to music composed by a Jewish believer and was talking to a fellow clergyman-who was the Rev. Aaron Bernstein a believing Jew. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Conversion of Jews

At a meeting of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America over 90 percent attending said they were aroused to consider the claims of Christ because some Gentile Christian had showed them love. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Conversion of Jews

In discussing the conversion of Jews C. S. Lewis once said “In a world.” He continued “Everyone else is from one point of view a special case dealt with under emergency conditions.”

That is a way of stating the truth about Gentile conversion. God opened a “back door” and let us in as emergency cases. There are a lot of us but we remain “grafted-in braches.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Potential

Anyone can count the seeds in an apple but only God can count the apples in a seed. All he needs is a seed yielded to him.

D.L. Moody uneducated and untrained yet yielded to God led Mordecai Ham to the Lord. Mordecai Ham though not a great evangelist was faithful to his task and won William Graham to the Lord. And Billy Graham has won thousands. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Evangelism

The church ought to be a maternity ward where the cries of newborn babes in Christ are constantly heard. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

Gospel Content

God’s work of salvation according to a hard-line liberal is summed up in the following quote:

“A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.— H. Richard Niebuhr

Gospel Content

The minister of the gospel must not be afraid of conflict with the wisdom of the world. Gregory the Great said “God first gathered the unlearned afterwards philosophers nor has He taught fishermen by orators but has subdued orators by fishermen. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》

PREACHING

Some pastors preach "longhorn sermons " a point here a point there and a lot of bull in between.── Source Unknown.

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One pastor never prepared during the week and on Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while the church was singing the hymns desperately praying "Lord give your message Lord give me your message." One Sunday while desperately praying for God's message he heard the Lord say "Ralph here's my message. You're lazy!"── Source Unknown.

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Paul saw himself as Christ's herald. When he describes himself as an appointed preacher of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:11) the noun he uses means a herald a person who makes public announcements on another's behalf. When he declares "we preach Christ crucified " the verb he uses denotes the herald's appointed activity of blazoning abroad what he has been told to make known. When Paul speaks of "my preaching" and "our preaching" and lays it down that after the world's wisdom had rendered the world ignorant of God "it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe " the noun he uses doesn't mean the activity of announcing but the thing announced the proclamation itself the message declared.

Paul in his own estimation was not a philosopher not a moralist not one of the world's wise men but simply Christ's herald. His royal master had given him a message to proclaim; his whole business was to deliver that message with exact and studious faithfulness adding nothing altering nothing and omitting nothing. And he was to deliver it not as another of people's bright ideas needing to be beautified with the cosmetics and high heels of fashionable learning in order to make people look at it but as a word from God spoken in Christ's name carrying Christ's authority and authenticated in the hearers by the convincing power of Christ's Spirit (1 Cor. 2:1-5).── James Packer Your Father Loves You   Harold Shaw Publishers 1986.

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"You cannot at the same time give the impression that you are a great preacher" -- or theologian or debater or whatever -- "and that Jesus Christ is a great Savior" (James Denney). If you call attention to yourself and your own competence you cannot effectively call attention to Jesus and his glorious sufficiency.── James Packer Your Father Loves You Harold Shaw Publishers 1986.

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Theodore Epp founder of Back to the Bible radio ministry realized something was wrong when he stopped receiving critical mail. Convicted that he was not challenging the flock enough he changed his preaching. "I'm afraid that when I'm pleasing everybody I'm not pleasing the Lord " he later said "and pleasing the Lord is what counts."

This is not to suggest that a pastor is only successful when he is upsetting people! But he must be certain that he is first and foremost faithful to the One he serves. He is fulfilling a divine commission when he preaches. Just as an ambassador is entrusted not with his own message but with his superior's message so the minister is entrusted with the Word of God. Before it is delivered therefore every message should be laid at the foot of His throne with one questions: "Is it faithful to You my Lord?" Or as one German pastor would always pray in the pulpit "Cause my mind to fear whether my heart means what I say." ── Charles W. Colson The Body 1992 Word Publishing p. 121.

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The Rev. Dr. Robert South while preaching one day in 1689 looked up from his notes to observe that his entire congregation was fast asleep--including the King! Appropriately mortified by this discovery he interrupted his sermon to call out "Lord Lauderdale rouse yourself. You snore so loudly that you will wake the King." ── Source Unknown.

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Don Hewitt creator of "60 Minutes " on his special talent as a journalist: My philosophy is simple. It's what little kids say to their parents: "Tell me a story." Even the people who wrote the Bible knew that when you deal with issues you tell stories. The issue was evil; the story was Noah.

I've had producers say "We've got to do something on acid rain." I say "Hold it. Acid rain is not a story. Acid rain is a topic. We don't do topics. Find me someone who has to deal with the problem of acid rain. Now you have a story." ── Terry Ann Knopf in Boston Globe Magazine in Reader's Digest.

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The officer in charge of the royal pew in the chapel at Windsor England noted that King George frequently commented on the sermon as he left the church. If he had been blessed by it he would say in a cheerful voice "That will do very well. That will feed souls!" When the preacher's delivery was cold and his words were lifeless and barren of Gospel teaching he would shake his head sorrowfully as he left the pew and mutter under his breath "That won't do. That just won't feed souls!" The king's criterion for determining the value of a sermon is scripturally sound. Ministry of all kinds whether oral or written may well be judged by the same standard -- does it feed souls? ── Our Daily Bread.

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W.G. Blaikie says in his Life of Livingstone that when David Livingstone was sent as a student to preach at Sanford Rivers he stood up in the pulpit and completely forgot what he was going to say. Although this incident would have signaled the end of public speaking for many Livingstone knew he must notgive up. When God called him to be a missionary he was ready to go. Later he wrote "I am still a very poor preacher and have a bad delivery; and some say that if they knew I was to preach they would not enter the chapel."  ── Our Daily Bread.

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Some preachers are like the Chinese jugglers. One stood against a wall and the others threw knives at him. They'd hit above his head close by his ear under his armpit and between his fingers. They could throw within a hair's breadth and never strike. ── J.R.W. Stott Between Two Worlds pp. 135-6.

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"That is my text. I am now going to preach. Maybe we'll meet again my text and I maybe not." ── Source Unknown.

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In Ralph Emery's autobiography Memories the country-music D.J. and host of TV's "Nashville Now" relates one of his early experiences in radio. An exuberant man of the cloth came into the studio one day with his wife another woman and a guitar with an electrical short in its amplifier. I could tell it was defective by the loud hum in his speaker.

I walked from the control room into the studio to exchange pleasantries and then assumed my position on my side of the glass separating the rooms. I raised the sound as they played their opening theme song and then said "Here again is Brother So-and-So."

These fundamentalist preachers many self-proclaimed and well-meaning were however loud and demonstrative. To escape the screaming I would simply turn off the monitor in my control room. I couldn't hear any of his yelling although I could see through the glass his jumping and straining. Every so often I would raise my eyes from a newspaper and watch the Gospel pantomime. Suddenly I heard him yelling through his sheer lung power "Oh-oh-oh-oh!" -- his face contorting.

My God he's having a seizure I thought and jumped to my feet. Then I noticed his thumb. The instant he had touched the steel string of his guitar and simultaneously reached for the steel microphone in front of him he grounded himself because of the short in his amplifier. He was jumping and shaking at 110 volts shot through his torso. His moist palm was rigidly clamped to the microphone.

The guy couldn't let go. He was a captive of voltage. Suddenly his wife raised her arm and in karate fashion hit his arm with all her force. The blow broke his grip from the charged microphone but his painful yells had gone over the air. As calmly as I could I said "one moment please." ── With Tom Carter Memories (Macmillan) Reader's Digest June 1992 p. 66.

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For nothing reaches the heart but what is from the heart or pierces the conscience but what comes from a living conscience. ── William Penn.

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The world does not need sermons; it needs a message. You can go to seminary and learn how to preach sermons but you will have to go to God to get messages. ── Oswald J. Smith.

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Samuel Clement (Mark Twain) attended a Sunday a.m. sermon. He met the pastor at the door afterward and told him that he had a book at home with every word he had preached that morning. The minister assured him that the sermon was an original. Clement still held his position. The pastor wanted to see this book so Clement said he would sent it over in the morning. When the preacher unwrapped it he found a dictionary and in the flyleaf was written this: "Words just words just words." ── Source Unknown.

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The great preacher Alexander White when he was too old to mount the pulpit would rise every morning to prepare a sermon even though he never preached them. He did so until the day he died. He was convinced that study of the Word was essential to saving himself (1 Tim. 4:16).── Source Unknown.

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Long-winded speakers exhaust their listeners long before the exhaust their subjects. Recognizing this danger one speaker began his talk this way: "I understand that it's my job to talk to you. Your job is to listen. If you quit before I do I hope you'll let me know."  ── Bits & Pieces May 28 1992 p. 13.

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O sirs how plainly how closely how earnestly should we deliver a message of such moment as ours when the everlasting life or everlasting death of our fellow-men is involved in it! ...There [is] nothing more unsuitable to such a business than to be slight and dull. What! speak coldly for God and for men's salvation? Can we believe that our people must be converted or condemned and yet speak in a drowsy tone? In the name of God brethren labour to awaken your own hearts before you go to the pulpit that you may be fit to awaken the hearts of sinners...Oh speak not one cold or careless word about so great a business as heaven or hell. Whatever you do let the people see that you are in good earnest...A sermon full of mere words how neatly so ever it be composed while it want the light of evidence and the life of zeal is but an image or a well-dress carcass. ── Richard Baxter in The Reformed Pastor (1656); abridged edition (1829) in Christianity Today February 10 1992 p. 38.

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John Wesley used to ask his young men whom he had sent out to preach on probation two questions: "Has any one been converted?" and "Did any one get mad?" If the answer was "No " he told them he did not think the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel and sent them about their business. When the Holy Ghost convicts of sin people are either converted or they don't like it and get mad. ── Moody's Anecdotes P. 123.

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During the time of slavery a slave was preaching with great power. His master heard of it and sent for him and said:

"I understand you are preaching?"

"Yes " said the slave.

"Well now " said the master "I will give you all the time you need and I want you to prepare a sermon on the Ten Commandments and to bear down especially on stealing because there is a great deal of stealing on the plantation."

The slave's countenance fell at once. He said he wouldn't like to do that; there wasn't the warmth in that subject there was in others.

"I have noticed that people are satisfied when you preach about the sins of the patriarchs but they don't like it when you touch upon the sins of today. " ── Moody's Anecdotes p. 91.

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon known as "the prince of preachers " felt he delivered his sermon so poorly one Sunday that he was ashamed of himself. As he walked away from his church the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London he wondered how any good could come from that message. When he arrived home he dropped to his knees and prayed "Lord God You can do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon."

In the months that followed 41 people said that they had decided to trust Christ as Saviour because of that "weak" message. The following Sunday to make up for his previous "failure " Spurgeon had prepared a "great" sermon -- but no one responded.

Spurgeon's experience underscores two important lessons for all who serve the Lord. First we need the blessing of God on our efforts. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it." And second our weakness is an occasion for the working of God's power. The apostle Paul said "I take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in needs in persecutions in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). ── Our Daily Bread May 18 1992.

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When Charles Spurgeon sent his ministerial students out to pastor churches he gave this charge: "Cling tightly with both your hands: When they fail catch hold with your teeth; and if they give way hang on by your eyelashes!" ── W. Wiersbe Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers p. 220.

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The story has been told about several famous preachers but it actually happened to Joseph Parker minister of the City Temple in London. An old lady waited on Parker in his vestry after a service to thank him for the help she received from his sermons.

"You do throw such wonderful light on the Bible doctor " she said. "Do you know that until this morning I had always thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were man and wife?" ── W. Wiersby Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers Moody 1984 p. 213.

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A Presbyterian deacon once asked one of Campbell Morgan's grandsons if he intended to become a preacher like his grandfather his father and his uncles. (All of Morgan's four sons went into the ministry.) "No sir!" said the lad. "I'm going to work!" ── W. Wiersby Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers Moody 1984 p. 213.

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Early in his ministry when he was pastor of the Congregational Church at Rugeley Campbell Morgan studied hard and preached often. He was discovering and developing the gift of Bible exposition that later made him the prince of expositors. His preaching made him popular. One evening as he sat in his study he felt God saying to him "What are you going to be a preacher or My messenger?" As Morgan pondered the question he realized that his desire to become a "great preacher" was hindering his work. For several hours Morgan sat there struggling with God's call and human ambition. 

Finally he said "Thy messenger my Master--Thine!" He took the precious outlines of his sermons messages that he was proud of and laid them in the fireplace where they burned to ashes. That was when the victory was won. As the outlines were burning Morgan prayed: "If Thou wilt give me Thy words to speak I will utter them from this day forward adding nothing to them taking naught away. Thine whole counsel I will declare so help me God!"── W. Wiersby Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers Moody 1984 p. 212.

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Whatever you do let the people see that you are in good earnest...You cannot break men's hearts by jesting with them or telling them a smooth tale or patching up a gaudy oration. Men will not cast away their dearest pleasures upon a drowsy request of one that seemeth not to mean as he speaks or to care much whether his request be granted. ── Richard Baxter The Reformed Pastor.

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Hugh Lattimer once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Lattimer to preach again on the following Sunday and apologize for the offence he had given. The next Sunday after reading his text he thus began his sermon: "Hugh Lattimer dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch the king's most excellent majesty who can take away thy life if thou offendest. Therefore take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well Hugh dost thou not know from whence thou comest--upon Whose message thou are sent? Even by the great and mighty God Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully." 

He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday--and with considerably more energy. ── M. Cocoris Evangelism A Biblical Approach Moody 1984 p. 126.

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An English preacher of the last generation used to say that he cared very little what he said the first half hour but he cared a very great deal what he said the last fifteen minutes. I remember reading many years ago an address published to students by Henry Ward Beecher in which he gave a very striking account of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards. Beecher says that in the elaborated doctrinal part of Jonathan Edwards' sermon the great preacher was only getting his guns into position but that in his applications he opened fire on the enemy. There are too many of us I am afraid who take so much time getting our guns into position that we have to finish without firing a shot. We say that we leave the truth to do its own work. We trust to the heats and consciences of our hearers to apply it. Depend upon it gentlemen this is a great and fatal mistake. ── Dr. Dale quoted in Preaching G. Campbell Morgan p. 89.

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There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something." "Well what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher." "What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth and I am not getting any crowd at all." Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction." ── G. Campbell Morgan Preaching p. 36.

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A lot of preaching is motivated by love for preaching not love of people. ── Vance Havner.

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For your people's sakes ...look to your heart. ── Richard Baxter.

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A prepared messenger is more important than a prepared message.── Robert Munger.

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Don't unsay with your life what you say with your tongue. ── Richard Baxter.

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Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this. ── E.M. Bounds.

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Never rely on the cleverness of the exposition but on the Holy Spirit.── E.M. Bounds.

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All God's giants have been weak men and women who did great things for God because they reckoned on God's power and presence being with them. ── Hudson Taylor.

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Dr. Clarence Bass professor emeritus at Bethel Theological Seminary early in his ministry preached in a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the sanctuary. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. That is until a little old man commented "You preached too long." Dr. Bass wasn't fazed by the remark especially in light of the many positive comments. "You didn't preach loud enough " came another negative comment; it was from the same little old man. Dr. Bass thought it strange that the man had come through the line twice but when the same man came through the line a third time and exclaimed "You used too many big words" --this called for some explanation. 

Dr. Bass sought out a deacon who stood nearby and asked him "Do you see that little old man over there? Who is he?" "Don't pay any attention to him " the deacon replied. "All he does is go around and repeat everything he hears." ── Pulpit and Bible Study Helps Vol 16 #5 p. 1.

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In a recent issue of Glass Window a contributor recalls that several years ago The British Weekly published this provocative letter: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard 3 000 of them. To my consternation I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitable spent on something else?

For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued. . . finally ended by this letter: I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32 850 meals--mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet . . . I have the distinct impression that without them I would have starved to death long ago. ── John Schletewitz.

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It was King James I I believe who became annoyed with the irrelevant ramblings of his court preacher and shouted up to the pulpit: "Either make sense or come down out of that pulpit!" The preacher replied "I will do neither." ── Steve Brown in Tabletalk August 1990.

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Mr. Wesley at the age of 87 in a letter to Alexander Mather uttered these thrilling words: "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen: such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the Kingdom on Heaven upon earth." ── Resource July/August 1990.

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John Wesley used to ask two questions of the young men whom he sent out to preach. The first was "Has any one been converted?"

If the answer was "No " he told them he did not think the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel and he sent them back to their business. When the Holy Ghost convicts of sin people are either converted or--they don't like it and get mad.──  D.L. Moody in Resource July/August 1990.

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The longest sermon on record was preached by Clinton Lacy of West Richland Washington in February of 1955. It took 48 hours and 18 minutes to deliver it. Small wonder someone proposed the adoption of a new Beatitude: "Blessed is the preacher whose train of thought has a caboose." ── E. Eugene Williams.

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When Roy DeLamotte was chaplain at Paine College in Georgia he preached the shortest sermon in the college's history. However he had a rather long topic--"What does Christ Answer When We Ask "Lord What's in Religion for Me?" The complete content of his sermon was in one word: "Nothing." He later explained that the one-word sermon was meant for people brought up on the 'gimme-gimme' gospel. When asked how long it took him to prepare the message he said "Twenty years." ── Resources 1990.

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Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a brilliant theologian whose sermons had an overwhelming impact on those who heard him. One in particular his famous "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God " moved hundreds to repentance and salvation. That single message helped to spark the revival known as "The Great Awakening" (1734-1744). From a human standpoint it seems incredible that such far-reaching results could come from one message. Edwards did not have a commanding voice or impressive pulpit manner. He used very few gestures and he read from a manuscript. Yet God's Spirit moved upon his hearers with conviction and power. Few know the spiritual preparation involved in that sermon. John Chapman gives us the story: "For 3 days Edwards had not eaten a mouthful of food; for 3 nights he had not closed his eyes in sleep. Over and over again he was heard to pray "O Lord give me New England! Give me New England!' When he arose from his knees and made his way into the pulpit that Sunday he looked as if he had been gazing straight into the face of God. Even before he began to speak tremendous conviction fell upon his audience."── Source Unknown.

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After a long dry sermon the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church board following the close of the service. The first man to arrive was a stranger. "You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board " said the minister. "I know " said the man "but if there is anyone here more bored than I am I'd like to meet him."── Source Unknown.

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My young son asked what was the highest number I had ever counted to. I didn't know but asked about his highest number. It was "5372." "Oh " I said. "Why did you stop there?" "Church was over." ── Joanne Weil in August 1986 Reader's Digest.

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It was important for Peter to bring known truths to remembrance. Believers are apt to forget them and then they do not exert the influence that they ought. Amid the cares the business the amusements and the temptations of the world the ministers of the gospel render us an essential service even if they do nothing more than remind us of truths which are well understood and which we have known before. A pastor need not always aim at originality; he renders an essential service to mankind when he reminds them of what they know but are prone to forget. He endeavors to impress plain and familiar truths on the heart and conscience for these truths are most important for mankind. Though we may be very firm in our belief of the truth yet it is appropriate that the grounds of our faith should be stated to us frequently that they may be always in our remembrance. ── Albert Barnes.

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A man went to see his doctor for advice about being cured of snoring. The doctor asked "Does your snoring disturb your wife?" 

The patient replied "Does it disturb my wife? Why it disturbs the entire congregation." ── Source Unknown.

"CONGREGATIONAL EVANGELISM"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Evangelism is to be a central feature of the Lord's church...
 a. To make disciples of all the nations - cf. Mt 28:19-20
 b. To preach the gospel to every person - cf. Mk 16:15-16
 
2. There are many good ways to evangelize...
 a. Public preaching and teaching
private studies and conversations

 TV
radio
the Internet
 b. What works well often depends on the circumstances
the culture

 etc.
 
3. What works well in many places can be described as "Congregational
 Evangelism"...
 a. Assuming there is a congregation that already exists in a
 community
 b. Assuming its members are willing to do their part to make it work
 
[The term "Congregational Evangelism" could be used to describe many
different efforts by local churches. In this study
I will use it to
describe one particular approach...]
 
I. WHAT IS CONGREGATIONAL EVANGELISM?
 
 A. UTILIZING A CONGREGATION'S MEMBERS...
 1. Making use of the members' contacts
 a. Each member has a network of potential contacts
 b. These contacts may be family
friends
neighbors
coworkers
 2. Making use of the members' abilities
 a. Each member has some ability to offer
 b. These abilities may vary; i.e.
hospitality
teaching
 -- With any congregation of Christians
there is the potential for
 evangelism
 
 B. UTILIZING A CONGREGATION'S ASSEMBLIES...
 1. Making use of the congregation's assemblies
 a. Christians assemble regularly for worship and Bible study
 b. These assemblies involve praise to God and interaction with
 those present
 2. What happens can have an impact on those who visit
 a. Consider Paul's comments in 1 Co 14:23-25
 b. Note that the impact can be either negative or positive
 -- When assemblies are utilized positively
you have
 "Congregational Evangelism"!
 
["Congregational Evangelism" occurs when the members' utilize their
contacts and abilities in conjunction with their assemblies to produce a
positive effect among those who visit. Now consider...]
 
II. HOW CONGREGATIONAL EVANGELISM WORKS
 
 A. BY ACTIVATING THE CONGREGATION'S MEMBERS...
 1. The members must commit themselves to evangelism - cf. 1 Pe
  2:9
10
 2. The members must invite people to services (via cards
phone

 letters) - cf. Jn 1:46
 3. The members must extend kindness to those who visit - cf. He
 13:2
 4. The members must display a positive picture for visitors - cf.
 1 Co 14:23-25
 5. The members must create opportunities for teaching - e.g.
Ac
 10:24
 a. One does not even need to know what to teach
 b. They can connect the visitor or prospect with a teacher
 -- Everyone must be committed and do that which provides
 opportunities for those willing and able to teach
 
 B. BY ACTIVATING THE CONGREGATION'S SERVICES...
 1. The members must arrive early
 a. Visitors usually arrive early and leave early
 b. The best opportunity to visit is before services
 2. The members must greet the visitors
 a. Greet them in the parking lot
 b. Greet them before services begin
 c. Members sitting on the back rows are the "welcoming
 committee"
 3. The members must offer worship that edifies - cf. 1 Co 14:
 23-25
26b
 a. By those who lead
 setting the example (e.g.
enthusiastic)
 1) Starting with those who make the announcements
 2) Continuing with those who lead in song and prayer
 3) And of course
the preacher!
 b. By every member also setting an example
 1) By how they sing (or do not sing) - cf. 1 Co 14:15
 2) By how they pray (do I hear an "Amen"?) - cf. 1 Co 14:
 15-16
 3) By how they listen (with readiness
or apparent boredom?)
 - cf. Ac 17:11
 4. The members must visit with the visitors
 a. After services
if not before
 b. Visitors must be given priority over other members
 1) You can always visit with the members
 2) This may be your only opportunity with the visitors
 -- When a visitor leaves our services
what will they think? Will
 they want to return?
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Hopefully
their experience will encourage them to return again and
 again...
 a. Where there will be opportunity to learn more
 b. Where opportunities for personal study will be more likely
 c. Where eventually the gospel is shared and gratefully received!
 
2. "Congregational Evangelism" as defined in this study
is nothing more
 than...
 a. The members of a congregation utilizing their individual contacts

 inviting people to services
 b. Making sure that those who visit are encouraged by what they see
 to return
 
When this happens
the opportunity to sow the seed will be greatly
enhanced...!

－－《Executable Outlines》

"EVANGELISM MADE SIMPLE"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The importance of sharing the gospel with others cannot be
 over-emphasized...
 a. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation - Mk 16:
 15-16
 b. He has provided the gospel as God's power to save all who believe
 - Ro 1:16-17
 
2. But what is the most effective way to reach people today? The
 Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10
000 people this
 question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this
 church?" Their replies were:
 a. I had a special need - 3%
 b. I just walked in - 3%
 c. I liked the minister - 6%
 d. I visited there - 1%
 e. I liked the Bible classes - 5%
 f. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%
 g. I liked the programs - 3%
 h. A friend or relative invited me - 79%
 
3. What can we learn from a survey like this?
 a. It confirms that gospel meetings as traditionally held have lost
 much of their effectiveness
 b. It justifies churches' concern to pick their preachers carefully
 and to give special regard to the quality of their Bible classes
 
4. The obvious point of the survey is this: If churches are to grow

 it will be through the efforts of individual members!
 a. Preachers
programs
classes may help
but in most cases they
 will only maintain the size of the congregation
 b. Such congregational efforts are worthwhile
however
for they can
 reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact
 -- But the fact remains: The greatest potential lies with people who
 have some contact with members of the local congregation
 
5. Two things are needed to utilize contacts made through members of
 the congregation...
 a. Concern for the lost by those members - cf. Mt 9:36-38; Ro 9:1-3;
 10:1
 b. Knowledge of how to increase opportunities to share the gospel
 
[Assuming the concern is there
this lesson contains seven simple steps
to increase opportunities for sharing the gospel with relatives

friends
neighbors
and others.
 
These steps are based upon observations of what has consistently proven
fruitful in other places and are confirmed by the results of the afore
mentioned survey. The first step is to...]
 
I. DO THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR A CARING
EDIFYING CONGREGATION
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. It will help confirm our claim to be disciples of Christ
 a. Correct doctrine
organization
worship
etc.
are
 certainly important
 b. Yet it is our love for one another that the Lord intended
 to convince the world that we are truly His disciples!
 - cf. Jn 13:35
 2. Our love makes us useful to the Lord
 a. From Re 3:7-8 we learn that the Lord knows the true
 condition of His churches
and that He will "open doors"
 for those that can be useful to Him.
 b. I am persuaded that if we are a church that can be used by
 Him to...
 1) Reach others with the gospel
 2) Assimilate them into the family of God
 3) Nurture them in their spiritual growth
 ...then He will "open doors" for us as well!
 c. Suppose we are not a place where new Christians can grow
 spiritually in an atmosphere of love?
 1) Do we seriously think that the Lord will use His
 providence to lead us to souls who are seeking for the
 truth?
 2) Even if we did reach souls for Christ
would they
 receive the spiritual nourishment necessary to remain
 faithful and strong in the Lord's service?
 3. Hospitality towards Christians prepares us for the kind of
 personal work that is the most effective in leading others to
 Christ
 a. I am referring to "friendship" evangelism (also known as
 "relationship" or "lifestyle" evangelism)
 b. Which requires a willingness to be hospitable toward those
 we are trying to reach
 c. If we are unable (or unwilling) to practice hospitality
 towards our brethren
what makes us think we will practice
 it towards the lost?
 -- If we are going to be fruitful in the long run
we must make
 sure that we provide the right kind of loving and caring
 spiritual environment in the local church
 
 B. SOME "ACTION STEPS" TO TAKE...
 1. Make it a point to get to know ALL the members and regular
 visitors by name
 a. Get a church directory and begin to place names with faces
 b. Try to learn someone new at each service until you know
 them all
 2. Practice "hospitality" towards the members and regular
 visitors - 1 Pe 4:8-9
 a. Invite them into your home
or out to eat (set a goal of
 one new family or member per month)
 b. Visit other Christians each week (esp. the sick
shut-ins

 new members
absent members)
 3. Contribute your time
service
and resources to the local
 congregation
 a. Offer to help in whatever way you can (teach
give
serve)
 b. Do not make others beg for help in providing a caring

 spiritual environment
 
[When a congregation is filled with loving members who care for and
edify its own
then I believe it is ready to be used by the Lord to
reach out and care for others! Where does one begin in trying to reach
the lost? May I suggest that you...]
 
II. MAKE A LIST OF THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAUGHT THE GOSPEL
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. It utilizes a technique used by people successful in all walks
 of life (i.e.
having a "things to do" list)
 2. For us
it helps to focus our attention upon those we hope to
 reach for the Lord
and not neglect them
 
 B. IN MAKING THE LIST...
 1. Start with those who are close to you and work outwardly:
 a. Family
 b. Friends
 c. Co-workers
 d. Neighbors
 e. Relatives of fellow church members
 f. Regular visitors to the services of the church
 g. Casual acquaintances (mailman
store clerk
etc.)
 2. Limit this list to five or eight souls (a list with too many
 and you will not be able to focus your efforts effectively)
 3. Give priority to those who are the "unchurched"
 a. I.e.
who are not active members of any denomination or
 particular religion
 b. Active members of a denomination or religion are often very
 satisfied with their human traditions and are not as
 receptive to the pure and simple gospel of Christ
 4. Husbands and wives should probably have one list (as the
 suggestions to follow will require their joint cooperation)
 5. Keep this list where you will see it daily
 
[With such a list
you will be constantly reminded of these people
and
thereby more likely to do the things suggested next...]
 
III. PRAY FOR THOSE ON YOUR LIST DAILY
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. It is God who gives the increase when it comes to evangelism
 - 1 Co 3:6-7
 2. We are but servants whom God can use in His providential
 workings - 1 Co 3:5
 -- So though we may work as though it all depends upon us
let us
 pray as though it all depends upon God!
 
 B. WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR...
 1. That God will work together with you:
 a. To give you "opportunities" to do good for them - Co 4:3
 b. To give you the "wisdom" to make the most of those
 opportunities - Co 4:4-6
 c. To give you "boldness" to say what needs to be said - Ep 6:
 18-20
 2. That those on your list will have:
 a. Have the opportunity to hear the truth
 b. Have honest hearts to be open and receptive to the truth
 
[The next step will take the most time in effective evangelism...]
 
IV. DO THINGS WHICH DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE FOR THEM
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. It has been said: "People don't care how much we know until
 they know how much we care!"
 2. A demonstration of love will make a person more likely to be
 receptive to the gospel of love when it is shared - 1 Pe 2:12
 a. By observing our "good works" they will more likely
 "glorify God" by obeying the gospel when they hear it
 b. I.e.
love and good works will help prepare the "soil" to
 be as receptive as possible when the "seed" is finally sown
 
 B. SOME "ACTION STEPS" TO TAKE...
 1. Invite them into your home for a dinner or snack
 2. Visit them
especially in times of trial or sickness
 3. Do things with them on a social level
 
["Hospitality" and "neighborliness" will go a long way to increase
opportunities to share the gospel. When people see "the incarnation of
the gospel" (the principles of the gospel lived out in the flesh)
they
will be more likely to believe in "the verbalization of the gospel"
(the truth of the gospel in spoken or written word).
 
After you have spent time being "hospitable" and becoming better
acquainted
the next step is to...]
 
V. INVITE THEM TO SERVICES
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. In the past
I might not have thought this to be very
 important
but I have come to think differently
 2. There are several reasons for wanting people to attend church
 services:
 a. They will (should) have an opportunity to see a caring
 congregation in action
 1) Combined with your own demonstration of love as an
 individual...
  2) ...the demonstration of love by others should make a
 lasting impression!
 b. They will more likely have an opportunity to be presented
 with the gospel of Christ (more on this
shortly)
 c. If they are attending regularly before conversion to
 Christ
they will more likely continue to attend after
 their conversion
 
 B. IN INVITING PEOPLE TO SERVICES...
 1. First spend time in prayer:
 a. Asking for "wisdom" to invite them in the best manner
 b. Asking for "boldness" to offer the invitation to attend
 2. People will more likely accept your invitations:
 a. If they are among the "unchurched"
 b. If they are dissatisfied with where they are attending and
 are willing to investigate a different church
 3. Be persistent:
 a. Invite time and again
 b. Your perseverance will more likely be rewarded
 
[The final two steps are essential
the first is to... ]
 
VI. BE HOSPITABLE TO VISITORS
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. By their presence
people are expressing an interest and/or
 willingness to learn
 2. By your love and acceptance
you are preparing the soil of
 their hearts for the seed of the gospel
 3. The Lord has provided "an open door"; dare we not take it?
 
 B. IN SHOWING HOSPITALITY TOWARD VISITORS...
 1. Be friendly to all
whether they were invited by you
someone
 else
or are simply "walk-ins"
 2. Arrive early for services
 1) Visitors are more likely to arrive early
and leave early
 2) If you come in late
you may not have an opportunity to
 visit
 3. Give priority to visiting with guests over visiting with
 brethren
  1) You can always visit with brethren later
 2) This may the only opportunity to make an impact with the
 visitors
 4. In extending hospitality
do what is within your ability:
 a. Greet them
letting them know they are welcome
 b. Invite them home or out for a dinner or snack
 c. Call or visit them after they have attended the services
 
[Finally
we are ready for the most important step in all our
efforts...]
 
VII. PROVIDE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL
 
 A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
 1. Only the Gospel is God's power to save - Ro 1:16
 2. While love and hospitality may help prepare the "soil"
the
 "seed" must still be sown
 
 B. IN PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...
 1. Ideally
this will come AFTER witnessing a demonstration of
 the gospel in our lives
 a. By our love
hospitality
etc.
 b. Both as individuals and as a congregation
 2. If you feel confident in discussing it with them
then
  approach them yourself and suggest some sort of Bible study.
 I have found either of the two suggestions effective:
 a. A Bible study with them in their home (using aids like
 video tapes
charts
or simply an open Bible)
 b. That they study on their own:
 1) With the aid of a Bible correspondence course
 2) By viewing a video Bible study series
 3. If you do not feel you are yet confident in approaching them
 concerning a study
or in conducting it your self
there is
 still much good that you can do:
 a. Bring it to the attention of members who are able and
 willing to teach
 b. Provide opportunities for the teacher and the prospect to
  become better acquainted
and the teacher can take it from
 there
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. These suggestions are offered...
 a. With a firm conviction that if they will be carried out

 opportunities to share the gospel and save souls will be greatly
 increased!
 b. Also
with the hope that you will accept the challenge to
 implement these suggestions
 
2
This approach is not only the most successful in saving and keeping
 souls
it is also one of the most natural and easiest ways to reach
 the lost for Christ...
 a. Remember the survey by The Institute For American Church Growth?
 b. One does not even have to be able to teach to be effective in
 leading others to Christ!
 c. One simply has to be a FRIEND to Christians and to the lost!
 
3. And even if we do not convert a single soul...
 a. We will have fulfilled our obligation to share Christ with others
 b. We will have done it in such a way as to become:
 1) Better Christians
a better congregation
 2) Better friends
better neighbors
better co-workers!
 
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY A CONGREGATION OR A FEW INTERESTED
INDIVIDUALS...
 
1. Have those interested in being involved meet together weekly
 a. Encourage one another to SET GOALS for the coming week
 b. Share ideas for goals; for example...
 1) Having over or visiting one person or family from the
 congregation
 2) Making a list of souls for which to begin praying
 3) What you plan to do to demonstrate your love and concern for
 those on your list
 4) Who you will invite to services
 5) What visitors you will call
visit
etc.
 6) Who you will offer to have a study
or put in contact with
 someone who will follow-up with a study
 c. Write the goals for the coming week down
 d. Pray about them
together and on your own throughout the week
 
2. At each successive meeting...
 a. Share and discuss how the goals are being met
 b. Set new goals for the coming week
 c. Write them down
pray about them
 
This simple program should easily increase opportunities to share the
gospel and bring many souls to Christ!

－－《Executable Outlines》