We are in the midst of a study of some things that are hurting us right now as a result of worldliness. We have addressed some of the problems of society and noticed how they have affected us personally, spiritually and as the Lord’s church. Tonight, we want to notice something else that is causing us to not grow. We want to talk about a lack of personal work in our lives. While this might not seem like a problem of worldliness, when you consider some of the things we have discussed, we will find that much of what we fail to do as we ought to is a result of its influence in our lives. Usually, when God is not first in our lives, our efforts to reach the lost are greatly diminished and the result will affect both our eternity and the church that we are a part of.
A. One might ask how does worldliness affect personal work/evangelism in our lives?
1. Because of our overcommitment to things, time and fun, we simply do not have enough resources left to adequately do what we ought to be doing
2. Perhaps we fail to tell others about our faith because we are ashamed. We KNOW our lives are not what they ought to be and we don’t want to appear hypocritical – so we remain silent when it comes to showing our faith to others. Of course, our goal is to do better so that we can be more effective – and we are going to start on this tomorrow.
3. Churches don’t evangelize because of diminished resources of its members –
a. both financially and time.
b. Some churches are influenced by the world like the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:16-17 and the church at Sardis which was dead – Revelation 3:1-2 or the church at Ephesus that had simply lost its first love – Revelation 2:4.
c. Some churches become so wrapped up in the material aspects of their buildings and projects that they have little if any left for evangelism. I have known of churches that became so wrapped up in paying off their building debt that they turned down preachers who needed support.
d. Add to this the lack of faith in many churches. I am convinced there are churches who refuse to do things because they have little or no faith that God will be with them in their efforts. Before they act, they make sure that all the worldly elements are in place. Sometimes, we need to “go out on a limb” for that which is good and right.
e. AND there are churches that are not prepared to deal with visitors and new converts. They are satisfied where they are at (materially) and they don’t need anyone “rocking the boat”, especially when they don’t fit our mold.
4.
Add to this, the increasing problems of our worldly
world. It is true that many are not interested in true Christianity because it
conflicts with their worldly lives. There is too much they have to give up.
PLUS, there are enough “churches” out there that will accept them as they are,
without expecting much, if any, change. Sadly, some of our brethren are
adopting this same mentality.
However I am convinced there are always those who are looking for answers.
Especially those whose worldly pursuits have proved inadequate.
B. Honesty would compel MOST congregations and individuals to admit that we are deficient when it comes to personal evangelism in our lives.
1. In some places, the lack of personal work (and the growth that will come) is so critical that local congregations are in danger of dying and withering away.
2.
Understand that in many churches, there may be a
HANDFUL of members who are genuinely motivated and active in reaching the lost.
And as it goes, such is good. BUT, it can make a congregation feel like they
are in better shape than they really are. Because, while that handful is doing
their part, the rest are quick to help take credit for whatever growth might
occur while ignoring their own shortcomings which are HINDERING the church from
growing to the degree of its ability.
(Another side based on the parable of the talents-Matthew 25) It’s like the
five-talent man who uses one of his talents, but hides the other four in the
ground instead of using ALL of them to produce the maximum effect.
C. Satan will use our lack of personal evangelism to hinder the work of the church if he is given the opportunity.
1. Not only will he successfully keep souls from being saved…both ours and those we fail to teach
2. He will also use our lack of diligence in this area to spill over into other areas to the point where we lose our “first love” or even become lukewarm in our service to God.
3. Eventually this can lead to churches dying which gives Satan cause to declare victory in that community. Those who have been in this area for a considerable amount of time know of churches that have died and withered away. As a Christian, I cannot think of many things more sad than to hear of a church that closes its door because it is no longer able to survive.
4. And he may use such to make other problems worse than they would otherwise be, such as criticisms, dissension and neglect.
A. The need in general
1.
Without Christ the world is lost – Ephesians 2:12.
Luke 19:10 – Jesus taught that this was why He came to this earth.
2. This message is presented in the Gospel - Romans 1:16; Acts 4:12
3. How is it presented? By word of mouth -
a. Romans 10:17 tells us "so then faith comes by hearing."
b. John 4:35 - on another occasion, He reminded His disciples that the fields are now ready for harvest"
c. Mark 16:15-16 - the instructions of Jesus to His apostles, "Go into all the world and preach."
d. Acts 8:4 - even when persecutions arose, they went everywhere preaching the word.
4. And with this evangelism is a sense of urgency.
a. 2 Corinthians 5:10,11 finds Paul and others painfully aware of the judgment, not just for themselves, but for others also. That is why they "persuade men".
b. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, Paul notes that "Now is the day of salvation"
5.
Truly, there is a great need for evangelism. We
recognize this in many of the songs we sing such as, "Into Our Hands the
Gospel is Given"; "Rescue the Perishing" and "You Never Mentioned Him to
Me."
As we look at the world, are we moved as Jesus and Paul were for the lost?
B. As the church
1. The primary goal of the church is reaching the lost and keeping the saved saved. And while there are limitations as to HOW this is to be done, we must be careful to never lose sight of this fact.
2. Primarily, the church SUPPORTS the preaching of the gospel.
a. By supporting those who preach the gospel, both locally and if they are able, beyond.
b. Be broadcasting the word as they have opportunity within their community. Churches send out tracts, publish articles, bulletins, correspondence courses, web-sites, television & radio programs, etc. These things INTRODUCE the gospel to a lost and dying world.
c. The church must NEVER forget its spiritual mission.
3. But how does the church accomplish these things? By its members doing their part, and THAT is personal evangelism.
C. PERSONAL evangelism
1. What is personal evangelism?
a. The words mean taking the gospel to others on a personal level.
b. It is personal - as distinct from supporting someone else doing the work. In other words, it involves you bearing your own load.
c. It is individual - meaning that an individual (in contrast to a group) takes the gospel to another individual.
2. It is a responsibility of EVERY Christian
a.
1 Peter 3:15 tells us to “always be ready to
give a defense” to everyone who asks us about why we believe what we
believe. This is an individual command that applies to EVERY Christian.
And while it may not mean an extensive knowledge of God’s word in everything as
teachers, it DOES demand that we be able to show WHY (book, chapter and verse)
we believe we are saved.
We need to understand that this is where teaching others BEGINS. If we can show
that our beliefs are not blindly following some man, perhaps it will spark an
interest that will eventually lead to the salvation of their soul
b. Each of us will give account to God for our own lives - Romans 14:10-12.
a. Matthew 25:15 – judged according to our ability.
b. Colossians 4:6 - "…that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
3. No one can do the work for you!
1. Matthew 5:13 calls us the salt of the earth. NOTICE what it says happens if "the salt loses it flavor". You cannot give your salt to someone else.
2. How did the church of the first century grow? By Christians engaging others personally.
a. Acts 5:42 - "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."
b. Acts 8:4 - as they were persecuted, "those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word."
c. Acts 20:20 - as Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders, he reminded them of how he taught, "publicly and from house to house."
d. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 - Paul commended the church there.
e. Colossians 1:23 - in the course of a few decades, the gospel was preached, "to every creature under heaven."
f. Do we have the fervor for personal evangelism like the church of the first century? Are we sowing the seed of the kingdom as they did? Or are storing it up neatly in the building?
A. As individuals we need to be concerned about how worldliness is hindering us.
1. As we have seen in this lesson, our worldliness affects not only our own lives but also those around us. That adds a whole new dimension to what we are as Christians.
2. It all starts with putting God first – Matthew 6:33
3. Realize that as you show the world that it does not rule you, it could lead to opportunities to teach them – Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:14-16. NEVER underestimate the power of an example.
4. As you give God more of everything you will grow so that you can be more effective at reaching the lost.
B. Churches need to realize our calling – we are the ONLY hope this world has
1. We need to resist worldliness in our churches and make it our first goal to become closer to God.
2. We need to overcome worldly attitudes – such as elitism, arrogance, strife, impatience, etc. We need to be the type of church where brethren are not afraid to bring their friends and relatives. No one should EVER have to apologize for bringing someone with them to worship God.
3. IF we will take the straight and narrow course, we can win souls to Him. Because of the many churches that are becoming more and more worldly, the godly are beginning to look for churches that have a spiritual, godly focus. We have great potential to reach them – IF we are willing!
4. Finally, as churches we need to learn to trust in God, rather than this world to accomplish His will.
Let
us understand that Satan will use every weapon he has at his disposal to hinder
the cause of Christ. But he can only succeed if we allow him to distract us
from putting Christ first in our lives. We continually stress and we totally
understand that God is more powerful than Satan at every turn, BUT I am afraid
that too many of us have let down our guard and let too much of the world into
our lives. As proof of this simply ask yourself this question, "How involved am
I in personal evangelism?"
Understanding the problem and the need we have for personal evangelism, tonight
we want to notice some things we need to do about it.