"PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL"

Are We Preparing For The Gospel?

INTRODUCTION
  1. Assuming that we are not ashamed of the gospel, let me now ask...
    1. Are we preparing for the gospel?
    2. Are we doing things that increase opportunities for sharing the gospel?
  2. What is the most effective way to reach people today? The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" Their replies were:
    1. I had a special need - 3%
    2. I just walked in - 3%
    3. I liked the minister - 6%
    4. I visited there - 1%
    5. I liked the Bible classes - 5%
    6. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5%
    7. I liked the programs - 3%
    8. A friend or relative invited me - 79%
  3. The obvious point of the survey is this: the best opportunities for evangelism comes through the efforts of individual Christians!

[This lesson suggest three simple steps to increase opportunities for sharing the gospel with relatives, friends, neighbors, and others. The first step is to...]

  1. DO GOOD
    1. JESUS DID GOOD...
      1. He "went about doing good" - Ac 10:38
      2. His primary task was to preach the gospel - Mt 4:17,23
      3. But doing good increased His opportunities to do so - Mt 4:24-25
    2. DOING GOOD DOES GOOD...
      1. It encourages people to glorify God - Mt 5:16
      2. Especially in the day of visitation (e.g., when they hear the gospel) - 1Pe 2:12; cf. Ac 15:14
      3. It makes people more likely to ask, "Why do you do what you do?" - cf. 1Pe 3:15-16
    3. SO LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE...
      1. Be zealous for good works - Tit 2:14; 3:1,8
      2. Especially toward those in need - Tit 3:14
      3. So do good, for your family, in your neighborhood, at work or school - Ga 6:10

      [The next step may seem simple, but it is significant...]

  2. UTILIZE A PRAYER LIST
    1. AN EFFECTIVE TOOL...
      1. It is a technique used by successful people in all walks of life (having a "things to do" list)
      2. It helps focus attention upon those we hope to reach, and not neglect them
    2. MAKING THE LIST...
      1. Start with those who are close to you and work outwardly:
        1. Family, friends
        2. Neighbors, coworkers
        3. Relatives of fellow church members
        4. Regular visitors to the services of the church
        5. Casual acquaintances (mailman, store clerk, etc.)
      2. Other suggestions
        1. Limit the list to five or eight names (otherwise you may be unable to focus your efforts)
        2. Give priority to the "unchurched" (inactive members of any denomination or religion)
        3. Keep this list where you will see it daily
    3. PRAY FOR THOSE ON YOUR LIST DAILY...
      1. The importance of such prayers
        1. It is God who gives the increase when it comes to evangelism - 1Co 3:6-7
        2. We are but servants whom God can use in His providential workings - 1Co 3:5
        3. So though we may work as though it all depends upon us, let us pray as though it all depends upon God!
      2. Pray that God will work together with you:
        1. To give you opportunities to do good for them - Col 4:3
        2. To give you wisdom to make the most of those opportunities - Col 4:4-6
        3. To give you boldness to say what needs to be said - Ep 6:18-20
      3. Pray that those on your list will have:
        1. Opportunity to hear the truth
        2. Honest hearts to be open and receptive to the truth

        [The third step is...]

  3. INVITE THEM TO CHURCH
    1. AN IMPORTANT TASK...
      1. They will (should) have an opportunity to see a congregation in action
        1. Combined with your own demonstration of love as an individual...
        2. ...the demonstration of love by others should make a lasting impression!
      2. They will more likely have an opportunity to be presented with the gospel
      3. If they are attending regularly before conversion to Christ, they will more likely continue to attend after conversion
    2. INVITING PEOPLE TO SERVICES...
      1. First spend time in prayer:
        1. Asking for wisdom to invite them in the best manner
        2. Asking for boldness to offer the invitation to attend
      2. People will more likely accept your invitation:
        1. If they are among the unchurched
        2. If they are dissatisfied with where they are attending and are willing to investigate a different church
        3. If you have already been hospitable to them in various ways
      3. Be persistent:
        1. Invite time and again
        2. Your perseverance will more likely be rewarded
    3. BE HOSPITABLE TO VISITORS...
      1. Why this is important:
        1. By their presence, people are expressing an interest and/or willingness to learn
        2. By your warm welcome, you are preparing their hearts for the seed of the gospel
        3. The Lord has provided "an open door"; dare we not take it?
      2. How to show hospitality toward visitors:
        1. Arrive early for services
          1. Visitors are more likely to arrive early, and leave early
          2. If you come in late, you may not have an opportunity to visit
        2. Be friendly to all visitors
          1. Those invited by you, someone else
          2. Or are simply walk-ins
        3. Give priority to visiting with guests over visiting with brethren
          1. You can always visit with brethren later
          2. This may the only opportunity to make an impact with the visitors
        4. In extending hospitality, do what is within your ability:
          1. Greet them, letting them know they are welcome
          2. Invite them home or out for a dinner or snack
          3. Call, write, or visit them after they have attended the services
CONCLUSION
  1. Three simple steps...
    1. Do good
    2. Utilize a prayer list
    3. Invite to services
  2. Offered with both a conviction and a prayer...
    1. A conviction that opportunities to share the gospel will be greatly increased!
    2. A prayer that we will accept the challenge to implement these steps

Are we doing what we can to prepare ourselves to reach out to the lost with the gospel of Christ...?