Dictionary: Evangelism: 1) Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work. 2) Militant zeal for a cause.

A preacher asked 253 Christian friends at what ages they were converted. Here's what he discovered:
Under 20 years of age - 138 (54.5%)
Between 20 and 30 - 85 (33.6%)
Between 30 and 40 - 22 (8.7%)
Between 40 and 50 - 4 (1.6%)
Between 50 and 60 - 3 (1.2%)
Between 60 and 70 - 1 (.4%)
Over 70 - 0

FIVE PRINCIPLES OF EVANGELISM

Introduction

JUST LIKE PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY, EVANGELISM IS WHAT WE DO!

Today we are going to look at five principles of evangelism.

1. You're Going

Matthew 10:5-7
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

As You Go! The thing that stuck out to me as I began reading this passage was Jesus decisiveness. First he tells them who to go to: the Jews. Second, he tells them who not to go to: the Gentiles. But most importantly he tells them that they are going!

Notice with me the phrase, "As you are going…" He does not say "if you go," or "when you go," but "as you go!" In other words, "You are going!"

For any Christian evangelism is not an option: It is a command!

Illustration: It is like when you tell your children, "We are going to the store," and they respond, "But I don't want to go," and to that you reply, "I didn't ask you if you wanted to go, you are going!"

To those who say, "But our little church might get too big that way," I would say, "Church is not a country club that we go to be comfortable in, but it is a hospital for those who are dying!"

Our church is big enough for every sinner in the city to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

That is the mission that God has given us, and until it is accomplished our job is not done!

We are here to seek and to save that which is lost!

"The Kingdom is near", Jesus tells them to tell people that the kingdom of heaven is near. The message was also to be like the message of Jesus, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near" (Matt. 4:17). The urgency of the gospel says that Jesus will be coming in the twinkling of an eye, and so repent while there is still time.

2. Meet People's Needs

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

More Than Just Preaching Notice that Jesus tells them to do more than preach, but they are also to meet people's needs. Jesus had given them the authority to do these things in verse 1. He tells them to do it freely. We Must Meet People's Physical As Well As Spiritual Needs. We cannot just tell people to get saved when they don't see you caring for them. It is hard to hear the gospel when you hide Jesus love, instead you should reflect Jesus love. We are meeting people's physical needs.

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

3. God Will Meet Our Needs

Matthew 10:9-10
9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;
10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Don't Take Anything With You Jesus tells the disciples not to take anything extra with them. (Are you surprised to see a visitor in your family group? Instead we should have special chairs kept ready for visitors only) He did this in order for them to realize that He will meet there needs. 2 Cor. 5:7 - "We live by faith and not by sight."(Are you worried that we don't have enough chairs in our church hall?)

Our God Will Supply. There is no situation that God cannot supply the need. We need not worry that there are not enough funds for us to reach out to the lost, because our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. In evangelism as in anything else, we walk by faith and not by sight. Phil. 4:19 - "And this same God that takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus".

There is no need so big God cannot handle it.

4. Results Are Not Our Responsibility

Matthew 10:11-15
11 "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.
12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
15 I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

"If They Don't Receive You", Jesus tells his disciples that if people don't receive them or the message to shake it off. He tells them this because it is not the messenger that they are rejecting it is the message. If they reject the message they reject Jesus and His offer of salvation. He tells them it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for those people.

Rejection 1. One of the main ideas that we must keep in mind is that there will be those who reject us. They rejected Jesus. They rejected Peter and John. They rejected Paul. They will reject you too!

Remember that it is Jesus they are rejecting. Our job is to deliver the message.

We are not responsible for how they accept our warning, but we are responsible to give them the warning.

5.There May Be Dangers

Matthew 10:`6
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Like Sheep Among Wolves Notice the irony here: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sends his flock among the wolves. So Jesus tells them to be as "shrewd as snakes." Snakes in ancient culture were looked on as being sly and cunning. But he also tells them to be as "innocent as doves." The word "innocent" means "unmixed," and indicates that the disciples are to be pure in morals and motive.

Being Vulnerable. Doing evangelism means making yourselves vulnerable. So we must be clever and creative in our efforts. But we must also be people of integrity.

Evangelizing is not always easy, but it is our call.

Conclusion

JUST LIKE PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY, EVANGELISM IS WHAT WE DO!

Principles of Evangelism. 1. You're Going 2. We must meet people's needs 3. God will meet our needs. 4. Results are not our responsibility 5. There may be dangers.

Are you doing what God has called you for? When God opens doors for you, do enter them, or walk the other way? "And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"