Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Chapter 6 - Cameron Jungels - Wed, October 8, 2014

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

by Donald Whitney

 

Evangelism…for the purpose of godliness: Chapter 6

 

The Discipline of Evangelism

Ø  “Disciplined faith is a faith that is likely to survive and lead to faith in others.” – Alister E. McGrath

Ø  “Talking to a person about Jesus can be an intensely rewarding experience for any believer.”

Ø  “And yet nothing causes anxiety more quickly among a group of Christians than talking about our responsibility to evangelize.”

 

What Is Evangelism?

Ø  “Presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to sinful people, in order that they may come to put their trust in God through Him, to receive Him as their savior, and to serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church.”

 

Evangelism is Expected

Ø  Commanded by Christ

Ø  Not Just for the original 12 apostles

Ø  Not just for those with a “gift” of evangelism

Ø  Expected of all believers

Ø  Disciples make other disciples.

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18–20, NIV)

 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pet. 2:9, NIV)

 

Questions:

Ø  Will every Christian be equally gifted at evangelizing others?

Ø  What are some different methods or strategies for personally sharing the gospel with others?

 

Evangelism is Empowered

Ø  The power of Evangelism is the Holy Spirit (not our eloquence).

ü  Power for witnessing (Acts 1:8)

ü  Gospel itself is embedded with power (Rom. 1:16)

ü  Illuminating/Regenerating power (Eph 2:8-9/Titus 3:5)

ü  A holy life adorns the gospel.

Questions:

Ø  Why are we often afraid to evangelize?

Ø  Will the Holy Spirit’s empowerment always manifest itself the same way?

 

Evangelism is a Discipline

Ø  Should be a natural outflow of a regenerated life, but also requires discipline.

ü  Discipline of Godly Living

ü  Discipline of Study

ü  Discipline of Time

ü  Discipline of Relationships

ü  Discipline of Telling

 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  (Col. 4:5–6, NIV)

 

Final Applications:

Ø  Because evangelism is expected, will you obey the Lord and witness?

Ø  Because evangelism is empowered, will you believe God can use your words in the salvation of others?

Ø  Will you plan for evangelism?

 

Evangelism and Godliness

“The more we pursue Christ, the more we want to proclaim Christ.”