An Evangelism Special: How Do I Help Others Make the Most Important Decision in Life?

Class Outline:

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Show and Tell for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

 

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…an intimate, local Christian Church with a worldwide impact.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  Thanks for listening to this Bible lesson!

 

OPENING AGENDA

 

You may be wondering some things about Barah Ministries, like…

 

Who is the God we worship?

What is our source of truth?

Who is our enemy?

 

We’re always happy to begin each lesson by answering these questions after a short, thought-provoking introduction.

 

Unity.

 

In Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verses 1 to 6, the apostle Paul describes Christian unity as he writes from a prison cell…

 

EPHESIANS 4:1

Therefore I (Paul)…the prisoner of the Lord…implore you believers in Christ to have a lifestyle walk that is worthy of the calling with which you have been called(by God)…

 

EPHESIANS 4:2

…with all humility and gentleness…with patience…making allowances for each other’s faults in the sphere unconditional love…

 

EPHESIANS 4:3

…and keep on being diligent in unity through the enabling power of God the Holy the Spirit…binding yourselves together in peace.

 

EPHESIANS 4:4

For there is one body of Christ…and one God the Holy Spirit…just as also you were called to the privilege of salvation…in one hope of your calling…

 

EPHESIANS 4:5

…there is one Lord…Jesus…the Christ (the Jewish Messiah)…there is one faith (Christianity)…there is one baptism (the baptism of the Spirit)…

 

EPHESIANS 4:6

…there is one God and Father of all…who is over all…who is living through all…and who is indwelling all.

 

At the moment of our salvation, God the Holy Spirit placed every believer in Christ into a unity called the body of Christ…and at a bible conference in Salem, Oregon nearly two decades ago, little did I know that meeting Monica Miller…and later meeting John Miller at the God’s Men Conference…would turn into lifelong, valued friendships.

 

John and Monica established a bible conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho fourteen years ago, and it’s an annual event that is a highlight in my life.  There is a feeling when we get together with our friends in the Pacific Northwest…UNITY.

 

Isn’t it great that God lets us experience His gifts rather than just letting us hear about it?  Many thanks to all who attended the Coeur d’Alene Bible Conference of Barah Ministries this past weekend, and undying gratitude to John and Monica Miller for being fabulous and generous hosts.  This is the lesson that was taught at the conference, and it is being shared with those of you who were not able to make it.

 

Next year, be there!  Experience unity for yourselves!

 

Who is the God We Worshipat Barah Ministries?

 

Well, speaking of unity, at Barah Ministries we worship a united and Triune Godhead.  We affirm that there is One God who reveals Himself to mankind as three beings who areseparate…distinct…co-equal…co-infinite…and co-eternal Persons…God the Father…God the Son…and God the Holy Spirit.

 

In what is known as the great commission, the Lord Jesus Christ gave a command

 

to eleven of His disciplesjust after He was resurrected from the dead as described in Matthew, Chapter 28, Verses 18 and 19…

 

MATTHEW 28:18

Jesus came up and spoke to the eleven disciples, saying, “All authority has been given to Me by God the Father in heaven and on earth.”

 

MATTHEW 28:19

“Go on your way, therefore,to all the nations…and make them your students…baptizing them into the name of God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit…”

 

The entire Godhead and the Lord Jesus Christ expect believers in Christ to introduce Them to the people of the world.

 

What is Our Source of Truthat Barah Ministries?

 

At Barah Ministries we study the Bible to get to know God because the Bible is a supernatural work that reveals God’s mind.  We study the Bibleverse-by-verse from God’s perspective…not from man’s perspective…because we refuse to teach as truth the precepts of men.  In Second Peter, Chapter 1, Verses 20 and 21 the apostle Peter says…

 

SECOND PETER 1:20

…know this first of all…that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of a human being’s own private interpretation…

 

SECOND PETER 1:21

…for no prophecy of Scripture was ever made by an act of human will…but men directed by God the Holy Spirit wrote the exact thinking of THE God…the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Bible is the mind of Christ.  Too often people adopt the thinking of fallible men which usually ruins their spiritual lives and robs them of mental serenity.  Instead, we study the truth by learning the mind of the God who never lies.

 

Who is Our Enemy at Barah Ministries?

 

At Barah Ministries we acknowledge that God has an enemy, Satan, whom God

made the ruler of this world for a finite period of time.  Satan exists.  He is a creature as real as you and me.  He is not a concept, and he is not a figment ofthe imagination.  Satan is the source of all deception in the world.  Revelation, Chapter 12, Verse 9 tells us about a future event…

 

REVELATION 12:9

And the great dragon was thrown down from heaven…the serpent of old…who is called the devil and Satan…the one who deceives the whole world…

 

In John, Chapter 8, Verse 44 the Lord Jesus Christ describes Satan…He says…

 

JOHN 8:44c

…Satan is a liar (from his very nature)…and Satan is the one who keeps on fathering lies…

 

When you’re tempted to blame God for all that is wrong in the world, don’t forget that the source of evil in this world is God’s enemy…Satan.

 

We assemblein unity as an intimate family to worship our God and to study His Word.  TheCoeur d’Alene Bible Conference of Barah Ministries is one of the most fun times we have all year because we get to spend time together toedify our spiritual lives as we are directed to do by our God in Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 24 and 25…

 

HEBREWS 10:24

…let us believers in Christ consider how to stimulate one another to unconditional love and good deeds…

 

HEBREWS 10:25

…not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together…as is the habit of some believers in Christ…instead, let us encourage one another…

 

Welcome to a gathering of saints…the title the Lord Jesus Christ gives to His

Believers.  We are people eager to talk with each other about our relationship with God…people courageous enough to give each other spiritual advice based on the Word of God…people smart enough to plan fun times together to discuss spiritual things.

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

An Evangelism Special:

How Do I Help Others Make the Most Important Decision in Life?

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

 

In November of 2023, a woman named Shannon Doherty discovered she had cancer.Shannon was raised going to church, and she described herself as a Southern Baptist.  In a social media post shortly after the diagnosis, Shannon wrote:

 

SHANNON DOHERTY POST

 

“I’m not afraid of death because I’m a good person.”

 

On July 17, 2024, less than a month ago, Shannon Doherty died from breast cancer.  We don’t know where Shannon Doherty is today, but we do know, according to the Bible, that she still exists because the soul once born never dies.  We know this, too…Shannon is either in heaven or in hell.In Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 21the Lord Jesus Christ says…

 

MATTHEW 7:21

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven...but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

 

We know from studying the Bible that the will of God the Father IS NOT

that we become “a good person” to get to heaven.  We get to heaven by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and placing our confidence in Him to justify us based on our faith in Him.

 

Shannon Doherty could be a relative of yours.  There are people like her in your

life whom you love in ways you can’t even put into words.  Where are they going

when they close their eyes in this life?  Do you know for sure?  Do you care?  Do you know for sure where YOU are going when you close your eyes in this life?

 

If you’re a believer in Christ, are you telling those you love the good news about how easy it is to get to heaven or are you ignoring the subject because it seems too complicated for you to master?

In today’s lesson, you’ll get insights about how to evangelize to those you love and those you don’t.  You’ll learn how to do your part in helping others, or even yourself, to get a guaranteed spot in heaven at the end of life on earth…free of charge.

 

OPENING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

Let’s hear some music!  The Lord Jesus Christ tells a religious Pharisee who had been studying Scripture for years how easy it is to get to heaven in John, Chapter 3, Verse 3…

 

JOHN 3:3

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.”

 

June Murphy sings about how to get to heaven in her breathtaking song…BORN AGAIN.

 

MUSIC

OPENING SONG

Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises

 

BORN AGAIN

June Murphy

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re gratefulHeavenly Fatherfor the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Father, thank you for making it easy for ANYONE to get to heaven…thank you for sending Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross to pay our way to heaven…thank you that we don't have to depend on ourselves for salvation…You make it easy to get to heaven by letting us count on what You and Your Son did for us…thank you for God the Holy Spirit whose ministry to us when we are unbelievers paves the path that leads to heaven…

 

…as we listen to Your Word tonight, open our hearts to Your truth, and not to our

beliefs…help us to know how easy it is to share the good news of the gospel message with others…and give us the courage to share You with others without fearing their rejection…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

An Evangelism Special:

How Do I Help Others Make the Most Important Decision in Life?

 

LESSON PART ONE

 

That’s a question you would do well to ask yourself ALL THE TIME.  Today you’ll have answers.

 

There are five spiritual questionsall of us need to answer about our own lives, and the Bible provides answers.  The questions are…

 

FIVE SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS

 

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Where am I going?

How will I get there?

What is my purpose in life?

 

The world may not have the right answers to these questions, but through the Bible, God provides answers.  You may ask, “Who am I?”  The Bible gives insight into who you are.  You are created by God…you are one of His creatures…John, Chapter 1, Verse 3…

 

JOHN 1:3

All things (including you) came into being through the Lord (God the Son)…and apart fromHim, nothing came into being that has come into being.

 

King David reflects on himself in Psalm 139, Verses 13 and 14…

 

PSALM 139:13

For You Lord formed my inward parts…You wove me into my mother’s womb.

 

PSALM 139:14

I (King David) will give thanks to You, Lord…for through You I am fearfully and wonderfully made…wonderful are Your works…and my soul knows it very well.

 

You may ask, “Where did I come from?”  If you are a believer in Christ,Philippians, Chapter 3, Verse 20 tells you where you came from…

 

PHILIPPIANS 3:20 (Wuest Translation)

For the commonwealth of which we believers in Christ are citizens has a fixed location…heaven…from which heaven also we eagerly wait to welcome a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (upon His return)…

 

You may ask, “Where am I going?”  John, Chapter 3, Verse 36 invites you to heaven…

 

JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life (eternal life in heaven reserved) right at that moment…but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life (eternal life in heaven)…instead, the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”

 

You are going to heaven or to hell.

 

You may ask, “How will I get there?”  To get to heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ says in John, Chapter 14, Verse 6…

 

JOHN 14:6

“I am the way (to salvation)…and Iam the truth (through the Word of God)…and

I am the resurrection life (eternal life)…and no one comes to God the Father in heaven but through believing in Me.”

 

The Lord provides His believers with a personal escort to heaven.Psalm 23, Verse 4 says…

 

PSALM 23:4

Even though I walk through my very own death shadowed valley, I CANNOT fear…You (Lord) are with me!

 

If you want to go to hell, all you have to do is to reject a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew, Chapter 25, Verse 41…

 

MATTHEW 25:41

“Then the Lord Jesus Christ will say to those on His left (unbelievers who reject a relationship with Christ)…‘Depart from Me… accursed ones…into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…’”

 

Believe me…you never want to hear those words.

 

You may ask, “What is my purpose in life?”  The most important purposefor your life is highlighted in Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved by God, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

If you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ you are saved once and for all time.

 

But what about those like Shannon Doherty who are part of your life and your concern?  How do you help them get to heaven instead of hell?  Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 20 is God’s great commission for Church Age believers…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:20

Therefore, we Church Age believers in Christ are ambassadors for Christ…as though God the Father were making an appeal to unbelievers through us believers…because He is…and we beg you unbelievers on behalf of the Christ…be reconciled to God.

 

So today, we’ll learn what ambassadors do to represent their Sovereign God in

Satan’s kingdom.  Let’s begin with this question for reflection…

 

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION

 

Who are three people in your periphery, whom you suspect of being unbelievers, that you would feel immeasurable loss if they were not in heaven?

 

Please write three names on your notes.

 

The lesson began with a question…how do you help others make the most important decision in life, especially those most important to you?

 

It’s called EVANGELISM.  What is evangelism?

 

EVANGELISM

The sharing of the Christian gospel message, either by public preaching or by personal witnessing.

 

We will learn about personal witnessing in this lesson.

 

Evangelism is the function of the Christian ambassador.  However, let’s take some pressure off of you.  Who, among the Godhead members, is the Chief Executive Officer of Evangelism?In John, Chapter 16, Verses 8 to 11, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us…

 

JOHN 16:8

And God the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…

 

When God the Holy Spirit is “convicting” unbelievers, He provides them with convincing evidence concerning how to get to heaven.  It’s God the Holy Spirit’s job to convince unbelievers.  It is NOT your job to convince anyone to believe in Christ.  Your job is to present the gospel message information.  John, Chapter 16, Verse 9…

 

JOHN 16:9

…God the Holy Spiritconvicts the world concerning sin…because unbelievers do not believe in Me…

 

All human beings are born in a state of sin and do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  John, Chapter 16, Verse 10…

 

JOHN 16:10

…God the Holy Spiritconvicts the world concerning sin righteousness…because I (the Lord Jesus Christ) go to God the Father and no longer will you see Me…

 

Righteousness is required as the admission ticket to heaven, and no human being is able towork for righteousness.  Why?  Because in God’s eyes, you were born a sinner who needs a Savior.  You were not born as “a good person.”  Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 23 says…

 

ROMANS 3:23

…for all human beings have sinned in the past when Adam sinned (his sin was credited to all of us)…and all humanbeings keep on sinning (after birth)…and all human beings keep on falling short of the glory of God…

 

Do you see Shannon Doherty’s dilemma?  “Good people” aren’t the ones who make it to heaven.  John, Chapter 16, Verse 11…

 

JOHN 16:11

…and God the Holy Spiritconvicts the world concerning sin judgment…because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged.

 

At the judgment, will those you love meet the righteousness requirement of a just God?  You can be an instrument of God the Holy Spirit to make sure it happens.

Here’s the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION of this passage…perhaps easier to ingest…in John, Chapter 16, Verses 8 to 11 the Lord Jesus Christ says…

 

JOHN 16:8

“And when God the Holy Spirit comes…He will convict the world…of its sin (Adam’s sin imputed…sin as a master…our own sins…and the flesh inside of us which sins)…and of the need for God’s righteousness…andof the coming judgment.”

 

We need a remedy for all three of these things and God the Holy Spirit presents the convincing proof of what it takes to have the remedy.

 

JOHN 16:9

“The world’s sin is that unbelievers refuse to believe in Me (the Lord Jesus Christ).”

 

JOHN 16:10

“Righteousness is available because I go to God the Father, and you disciples will see Me no more (so you have to carry forth the gospel message).”

 

JOHN 16:11

“And judgment is coming…because the ruler of this world (Satan) has already

been judged…and everyone under the rulership of Satan and his world system of thought is headed for the same judgment (the Lake of Fire).”

 

How does God the Holy Spirit work when He is convicting unbelievers of their problem?  Through people like you and me.  First Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 5 to 7 say…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:5

Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul?We are servants through whom you came tobelieve, just as the Lord Jesus Christ gave the opportunity to believe to everyone (through the gospel message and His servants).

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:6

I (Paul) planted…Apollos watered…but God the Holy Spirit wasthe One causing the spiritualgrowth in the mission field.

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:7

So then…neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything…but God

the Holy Spirit who causes the spiritual growth is everything.

 

Once again…Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verses 18 to 20…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:18

Now all these things are from God the Father…who reconciled us to Himself through Christ…and gave us believers in Christ the ministry of reconciliation…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:19

…namely, that God the Father was through our union with Christ reconciling the

worldto Himself…not counting their trespasses against them…and God the Father has committed to us believers in Christ the word of reconciliation.

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:20

Therefore, we Church Age believers in Christ are ambassadors for Christ…as though God the Father were making an appeal to unbelievers through us believers…because He is…and we beg you unbelievers on behalf of the Christ…be reconciled to God.

 

One way for you to start learning to evangelize is by firstlearningwhat is NOT effective evangelism.  Several things come to mind.

 

WHAT IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELISM?

 

1

Don’t say…

“If you don't believe in Christ you’re going to hell.”  That’s a terrible thing to say.

 

2

Don’t count on audio evangelism only…people only remember 10% of what they hear only.

 

3

Don’t rush evangelism.  Thinking you can communicate the gospel message in a few minutes…with no training…and have a good outcome is highly unlikely.

 

WHAT IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELISM?

 

4

Don’t let your personality get in the way as you evangelize, by being self-righteousness, legalistic, overbearing, or overly passionate with the message.

 

5

Don’t shy away from evangelism because you don’t want to be uncomfortable

 

6

Don’t embellish the gospel message by adding to it or by taking away from it…either to dumb it down or spice it up.

 

WHAT IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELISM?

 

7

Don’t debate…engaging challengesfrom unbelievers like, “Are you saying my religion isn't good enough?... or … “Is my religion wrong?”

 

8

Don’t give your opinions which breeds, “Everyone has an opinion.  You have yours and I have mine.”

 

9

Don’t fail to listen to their viewpoint about God and salvation.

 

WHAT IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELISM?

 

10

After you listen to them, don’t fail to ask them for equal time…ask them to be in receive only as you share the gospel message.

 

What IS effective in evangelism?

 

When we return from the break, we’ll continue our study of evangelism.  As you enjoy your break, you’ll hear in the background an evangelism song from June Murphy…WHOSOEVER.

 

FIVE MINUTE BREAK

WHOSOEVER

June Murphy

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

An Evangelism Special:

How Do I Help Others Make the Most Important Decision in Life?

 

OFFERING INTRODUCTION

 

King David asks an interesting question in Psalm 116, Verse 12…

 

PSALM 116:12

What shall I give to the Lord in repayment for all His goodness toward me?

 

What can we, mere humans, give to the Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Sufficient God?  The Lord wants us to give the things He gifts to us…our time…our talent…and our treasure…for the benefit of others.  The offering is the treasure part.  It’s your chance to redirect the funds God has given to you to help others.  Give with an abundance mentality!  Whatever you give the Lord will multiply it to others AND back to your account.

 

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with one of his always inspiring offering messages.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

LUKE 21:19

By your endurance you will gain your lives.

 

OFFERING SONG

THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU

Instrumental Version

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

An Evangelism Special:

How Do I Help Others Make the Most Important Decision in Life?

 

LESSON PART TWO

 

What IS effective in evangelism?

 

First, begin by affirming that they are important to God.  He created them, He knows them by name, He loves them unconditionally.

 

He created them…John, Chapter 1, Verse 3…

 

JOHN 1:3

All things (including you) came into being through the Lord (God the Son)…and apart fromHim, nothing came into being that has come into being.

 

He knows them by name…Matthew, Chapter 10, Verse 30…

 

MATTHEW 10:30

…the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

 

He loves them unconditionally.  First John, Chapter 4, Verse 8…

 

FIRST JOHN 4:8

The one who does not love unconditionally does not know God…for God is unconditional love.

 

God loves all of His creatures no matter what.

 

 

 

Second, let them know the bad news…they have a problem from the moment of physical birth.  The problem is sin…Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 12…

 

ROMANS 5:12

Therefore…just as through one man…Adam…sin entered into the world…and spiritual death entered the world through Adam’s sin…so spiritual death spread to all men…because all men were considered by God to have sinned when Adam sinned.

 

Adam’s sin credited to your friends, plus their own personal sins, create an insurmountable barrier between them and God.

 

Third, let them know the good news, that God has a solution to their problem that they don’t have to work for…First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 3 and 4…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is what is good and acceptable in the sight of the God who is our Savior…the Lord Jesus Christ…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4

…who desires all men to be saved and who desires for all men to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9 says…

 

SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvationas some accuse Him of…instead, He is patient toward unbelievers…not wishing for any of you to perish in the Lake of Fire…but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).

 

Anyone who ends up in the Lake of Fire is there because they want to be.  God does not want them there.  There will be a lot of “good people” in hell who thought that “being good people” gets them to heaven.  It does not.

 

Fourth, God has a plan to save EVERYONE.  He offers His righteousness as the admission ticket to heaven.  Genesis, Chapter 15, Verse 6…

 

 

GENESIS 15:6

Then Abraham believed in the Lord…and the Lord credited Abraham’s faith to his account as righteousness.

 

It is by expressing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, just as Abraham did, that is the ticket to eternal life in heaven.  It’s so simple.  For a thief on a cross being crucified next to Jesus it was a nine-word salvation…Luke, Chapter 23, Verses 42 and 43…

 

LUKE 23:42

And a thief being crucified next to Jesus was saying, “Jesus…remember me when

You come into Your kingdom!”

 

LUKE 23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you…today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

 

Nine words.  Saved!  Pretty simple.

 

Fifth, once they know the issues of salvation, ask them to decide by providing this Scripture…Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved by God, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

No pressure here.  The decision is all theirs.  To believe is simply to take God’s word for it concerning what it takes to be saved.

 

Sixth, let them know WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS about the consequences of unbelief…that is, rejecting a relationship with Jesus Christ…Matthew, Chapter 13, Verses 49 and 50…

 

MATTHEW 13:49

So it will be at the end of the age…the elect angels will come forth and take out the wicked (a description of unbelievers) from among the righteous (believers in Christ)...

 

 

 

 

MATTHEW 13:50

…and the elect angels will throw the wicked(unbelievers) into the furnace of fire (The Lake of Fire) … and in that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Finally, let them know they can be the star in their own life movieonce they let the Lord save them.  By placing their faith in Christ alone for salvation…no matter how hard theytry, they cannot lose their salvation…John, Chapter 10, Verse 28 says…

 

JOHN 10:28

“…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ, and they will

never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

 

Since these are the components of the gospel message, I hope you realize that evangelism takes time and tools.My suggestion?  Show and tell!

 

THE “SHOW AND TELL” OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

 

Give them a Bible.

 

Give them the gospel message in writing.

 

Show them a gospel message video (from the text ministry or from the newsletter).

 

Let them hear the gospel message in audio form.

 

Give them time to process the gospel message

 

Remember this?  First Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 5 to 7 say…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:5

Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul?We are servants through whom you came tobelieve, just as the Lord Jesus Christ gave the opportunity to believe to everyone (through the gospel message and its servants).

 

 

 

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:6

I (Paul) planted…Apollos watered…but God the Holy Spirit wasthe One causing the spiritualgrowth in the mission field.

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 3:7

So then…neither the one who plants nor the one who waters are anything… but God the Holy Spirit who causes the growth is everything.

 

Let’s close with a gospel message so you can get the look and feel of a completed message that incorporates the seven elements.

 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race

 

The closing moments of this lesson could be the ten most important minutes of your life.  You’ll be introduced to the good news concerning how you can spend all eternity in heaven when you close your eyes in this life.  We want you to know that…

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

He Wants You Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

Even if you don’t believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you still matter to God.  He

created you…you’re one of His creatures…and He wants the highest and best for you.  Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9 says…

 

SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of...instead, He is patient toward unbelievers…not wishing for any to perishin the Lake of Fire, but for all to come to repentance (a voluntary change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).

 

The bad news is that everyone is born in a state of unrighteousness, including you.  You were born physically alive and spiritually dead as an ungodly, unrighteous unbeliever.  You were born on Satan’s team.  In God’s eyes, you were born a sinner and you need a Savior.

 

It’s not your fault, but it is your circumstance.

 

In First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 22the Bible says…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:22a

For all in union with Adam at physical birth (and that is every human being who comes to earth) are set to die the second death in the Lake of Fire…

 

To God’s enemy, Satan…the ruler of this world…you don’t matter at all.  First Peter, Chapter 5, Verse 8 says…

 

FIRST PETER 5:8

Be of sober spirit…be on the alert! Your adversary…the devil…prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

You are the “someone” on Satan’s list.

 

Satan despises you so much he doesn't want you to be saved.  He doesn't want you to be with God in heaven when you close your eyes in this life.  Instead, he wants you to be with him in the Lake of Fire, and he wants you so badly that he sends false teachers with false teachings to deceive you.  In Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 15…the Lord Himself warns about this…

 

MATTHEW 7:15

“Beware of the false teachers…who come to you in sheep’s clothing…but

inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

 

When an animal is ravenous it has an insatiable desire to tear you apart.  So it is with false teachers who pretend to be for you, yet truly they want you to be twice the sons of hell that they are.

 

This gospel message offers GOOD NEWS to rescue you from the kingdom of death and darkness you were born into, inviting you to be born again to the spiritual life available in God’s kingdom of light.  You can choose to be on God’s team.  John, Chapter 3, Verses 16 and 17 highlight Jesus’ mission concerning you…

 

JOHN 3:16

“For God the Father loved the world unconditionally…and He loved the world so much…that He gave His uniquely born Son (the God-man…the Lord Jesus Christ…to be crucified on a Cross) … so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but haseternal life.”

 

JOHN 3:17

For God the Father did not send God the Son (the Lord) into the world to judge the world…but God the Father sent His Son into the world that the world might be saved through believing in Him.

 

God wants you to respond positively to the good news of this gospel message so He can save you!Who is this God who saves you?  The apostle Paul describes the Lord Jesus Christin First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 3 and 4…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:3

For I (the apostle Paul) delivered to you as of primary importance the gospel message I also received from God…that it was Jesus Christ who died for our sins according to the Old Testament Scriptures…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:4

…and that He was buried…and that He was raised from the dead on the third day…according to the Old Testament Scriptures…

 

If a gospel message makes it sound like you have to work to get to heaven, it’s a false gospel message from a false teacher.  Romans, Chapter 11, Verse 6 says you don’t have to work to be saved…

 

ROMANS 11:6

…if salvation is by grace…a free gift from God…and of course it is…it is no longer

on the basis ofyour works…otherwise, grace as a free gift is no longer grace (it is not free).

 

Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 4 is more emphatic…it says you CAN'T work your way to heaven…

 

ROMANS 4:4

Now to the one who works for salvation, his wage for his workis not credited to his accountas a favor from the grace of God, but his wage is creditedas what is due for the work.

 

Your hardest work is not perfect enough to earn you a spot in heaven.  Being what you call “a good person” will not get you to heaven.  So,RELAX!  You can get to

heaven when you close your eyes in this life easily and free of charge.  Acts,

Chapter 16, Verse 31 says…

 

ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved by God, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

John, Chapter 3, Verse 36 warns you and invites you…

 

JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life (eternal life) right at that moment…but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”

 

You have another option.  You can spend eternity with God's enemy, Satan, in the Lake of Fire if you want.  Better, you can have the free gift of eternal life right this minute!  RIGHT WHERE YOU SIT, RIGHT NOW God can save you if you let Him.  You can tell God the Father that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  Romans, Chapter 10, Verses 9 and 10 exhort you…

 

ROMANS 10:9

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (that He is God)…and if you

believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead… you will be saved…

 

ROMANS 10:10

…for with the heart a person believes…resulting in the imputation of absolute righteousness by God (your admission ticket to heaven)…and with the mouth a person confesses (admitting faith in Christ alone)resulting in salvation.

 

There is a consequence for rejecting a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ…in Matthew, Chapter 8, Verse 12, the Lord says…

 

MATTHEW 8:12

“…the sons of Satan’skingdom (unbelievers) will be cast out into the outer darkness…in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

Many parents are false teachers leading their children to an eternity in the Lake of Fire.  Do you want to know if you’re a good parent?  Just ask yourself a simple question…are you influencing your children to have a relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Sovereign God of the Universe?

 

He is the ONLY WAY to get to heaven according to John, Chapter 14, Verse 6…

 

JOHN 14:6

Jesus said to the doubting apostle, Thomas, “I am the way (to salvation)…and I am the truth (through the gospel message…the Word of God)…and I am the resurrection life…and no one comes to God the Father in heavenbut through believing in Me.”

 

There’s no time to waste!  God wants you.  If you want to go to heaven when you close your eyes in this life, simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!  Believe means to take God’s word for it concerning what it takes to be saved.  When you do, the resurrection life is yours free of charge!

 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race

 

My sincere hope is that this lesson is the first step for you in learning how to evangelize.  Later this year, on the weekend of September 13-14-15, we will spend a whole weekend on the subject of evangelism.  I hope you'll join us online or

inperson to learn more.

 

CLOSING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

Let’s close with music!  The Lord Jesus Christ says in John, Chapter 6, Verse 37…

 

JOHN 6:37b

…the ones who come to Me…to believe inMe…I will certainly not cast out into the outer darkness…the Lake of Fire.

 

That’s a promise from a Person who ALWAYS keeps His promises.  Who is such a Person?  In her song COME SEE A MANJune Murphy says, “His name is Jesus.”

 

MUSIC

CLOSING SONG

Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises

 

COME SEE A MAN

June Murphy

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

Almighty God and Father…

 

Thank you for making the issues of salvation clear to us…thank you for letting us see the gospel message in parts so we have time to digest it…thank you for inspiring in us a concern for our friends and family, because none of us want to see ANYONE go to the Lake of Fire, certainly not those we love, especially when salvation is simple and free, requiring no work on our part…

 

…give us the courage to share Your Word with those important to us so that they have the opportunity to be saved…take all the pressure off of us for the salvation of others…put all the pressure where it belongs…on God the Holy Spirit…and help us to present information God the Holy Spirit can use to make it possible for our friends and family to be saved…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.

 

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Please make it a habit to listen to the announcements.  They are posted separately.  Keep current on the things going on and coming up in Barah Ministries.

 

GOT BIBLICAL QUESTIONS?

 

Ask the Pastor

pastor@barahministries.com

 

WANT US TO PRAY FOR SOMEONE?

 

Send your request to pastor@barahministries.com

 

KEEP ON STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD DAILY!

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!