MCA Anchorage, AK 01-08-12
Why should we evangelize?
Pastor Alejandro Amaya
Main Text: Acts 1:8 (AMP) “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”
A. What is evangelism?
Evangelism comes from the Greek word evangelistes which means one who announces good news.
1. In a general sense, it is anyone who proclaims the mercy and grace of God that is available through Christ Jesus.
2. Evangelism is telling people that they matter to God.
B. Two important reasons why we need to win the souls
Reason # 1. Because Jesus was a soul winner
1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV) “There is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
Luke 19:10 (NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
a. Jesus came to save the lost.
That was his first challenge to the first group He chose:
Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’”
That was his mandate to the last group who followed him to the mount where he ascended to heaven:
Matthew 28:18-21 (AMP) “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, ‘All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).’”
That is Jesus challenge to us all:
Acts 1:8 (NIV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
b. Jesus would go where the people was.
Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for going to visit with sinners.
Luke 15:2 (NIV) “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”
c. Jesus said “Go and force them to enter.”
Luke 14:23 (NIV) “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’”
Reason # 2. Because the Harvest is ready
a. Jesus felt compassion for the lost.
Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV) “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
b. The Harvest is huge and ready and could get lost if nobody picks it up.
Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV) “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’”
c. It’s imperative that we go out and seek for the lost.
Luke 14:23 (NIV) “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’”
C. Three Obstacles to Evangelism
Obstacle # 1: Lack of Confidence
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT “We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant.”
Obstacle #2: Lack of Consistency
Jesus said we are salt… but He went on to say…Matthew 5:13b NLT “What good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
Obstacle #3: Lack of Concern
Luke 19:10 NLT “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
a. The church is asleep and the souls are getting lost.
Proverbs 10:5 (NIV) “He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”
b. Not to share the Gospel is a sin.
James 4:17 (NIV) “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
D. Evangelism starts with Prayer
• Let’s pray for the Lord of the Harvest to instill compassion for the lost in our hearts.
• Let’s pray for your non-Christian friends, family, and associates to come to know Jesus.
• Let’s pray for boldness so we won’t be intimidated to share our faith.
• Let’s pray for open doors to share the Gospel.
• Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us to people who need Jesus.
• Let’s pray for the Lord of the Harvest to put the burden of the Latinos of Alaska in our hearts.
• Let’s pray to be a church of the Great Commission.