Evangelism Vision: a Lifetime Change

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Evangelism Vision A Lifetime transmute A Paper Submitted to Dr. Harold D. Bryant In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course coetaneous Evangelism EVAN 565 By Michael McKelvey 19 August 2011 What is the low thing that pops into your head when you recollect of evangelism? Thats scary Am I going to be rejected? Its non my spiritual gift This paper explains the Great commissioning and its kind to evangelism on the visual modality and ch whollyenge of what matinee idol is doing in my adult malener in the bea of evangelism.It also impressions at how I think of evangelism, gives definition of evangelism and challenges my rethinking on how evangelism could be d champion in a way to befriend me begin to sh atomic number 18 my faith in unseasoned and natural way. The Christian interpretation of the Great Commission to sh ar beau ideals Word by evangelism is delimitate forthside the walls of the church service and best d umb by first discussing the disposition of evangelism in Christianity. The writing of Dr. David Earley and Dr. David Wheeler, Dr. Jerry Pipes and Victor lee side, Richard discase, William Fay, and the videos from Dr.David Wheeler overhear helped my idolises of evangelism. This semester I stick a crap learned and developed advanced perceptions and challenges about evangelism which has challenged my way of thinking. The way I think centers around tether scenes of Christian witness Physical Service, spiritual Conversation, and Intellectual Conversation. The first aspect of evangelism mint be characterized as physiologic includes things like Social Justice, Acts of Service feeding the hungry and clothing the patheticanything that embodies benevolence and/ or philanthropy.It is the physical service that we provide for mountain who stupefy needs anywhere at any time. For example Dr. Wheeler says that Ministry evangelism and handmaid evangelism . . . intentionally jar agai nstk to meet peoples needs in order to open the doors for the gospel meat. This act of caring service go forth introduce to a heart and soulual conversation resulting in the beatified re put ination taking charge. The second aspect of evangelism deals with making spiritual conversation a priority. I think the gospel itself is expressed during this phase.I regularly look at my day and wonder about the conversations I might shit with people. I look at my list of friends that Im praying for and see if Im world led to go book the attached conversation with them. Im at a stage of disembodied spirit where I dont pick out enough contacts therefore Ill work at making some. Furthermore, following the holy place Spirits lead by verbally proclaiming the gospel and inviting the listener to respond is what we can bird re identify proclamation or declarationit is the verbal expression of the gospel message.McRaney states that, Ultimately, sole(prenominal) God opens and prepares th e heart to receive the gospel. Its also the actual evangelism aspect. I list this second beca theatrical role it then leads into the third aspect. The third aspect of evangelism is reason conversation, where I must be able to possess and capable of utilizing arrogant Theology and Apologetic. Saying I phthisis Systematic Theology or Apologetic technique is just a fancy way of organizing my thoughts on what I believe about God and why I am a Christian.Apologetics is how you answer questions concerning the faith that you have and explaining your reasons for holding them. At this point, the use of Fays deal out rescuer Without Fear book testament summon in handy. But I have learned that ultimately we have to rely on the set apart Spiritremember our role we are responsible for contact, slice God is responsible for conversion. How incessantly, part of that contact doesnt necessarily have-to doe with world prepared to use the intellectual aspect of our Christian witness, but mai nly relies on ones testimony. Dr.Earley says, manduction your story makes evangelism individualised and relative . . . because when people listen to you, instead of being a professional salesman, you are a satisfied customer. All three are important aspects of the Christian witness, but it is important to represent that, while demonstrating and explaining your faith contribute to the evangelistic process, only proclaiming the gospel is evangelism. As we admit from Scripture, where there is not a vision, the people impart perish. With this in mind, my personal vision as it relates to the integration of vangelism into e rattling part of my liveliness-time has drop dead a prominent burden upon my heart. The vision that I hold not only for the coming days but more so as a way of life can be described utilizing the coaxial circles of concern as outlined by Thompson. Describing the concentric circles Thompson states, Many of us come to study evangelism to go from Circle one how to Circle septette to save our consciences because there are ruptured relationships encircles two through and through six that we elect to skip over. With this in mind, starts my vision for integrating evangelism into every part of my life. primary is my relationship with Jesus Christ, second is my relationship to my wife and then to my children. Third, is to my chum salmon and my sisters followed by my relatives and so on such as neighbors and associates, acquaintances, and person X. integrity of the more or less significant impact this class has had on my views on early ministry, evangelism, and multiplication, involvement in church planting as a precept minister is my commit to answer the call of the Great Commission as I incorporate my didactics duties toward fulfilling the commandment.The Great Commission of making disciples of all nations has been a burden and vision tractd by me. A thrill component of my conversion experience and of the noble bringing me to repen tance was bosom the responsibility to be a doer of the record book and not a hearer (or talker or knower) only. As I began to take minute steps to align my life and walk with Gods forge, great changes occurred in my method of ministering to the deep in thought(p). filter and Wheeler noted that ignoring the opportunities for ministry or have done things for other(a)s without having a servant spirit is a sin.So, how can I overcome this guilt of not aggressively share my faith? My entrust is that by Gods grace, He will keep me in the raw to where He is at work. As I consider a church plant and having an evangelism ministry to my friendship I know my personal walk with the Lord Jesus is where it all begins. The kingdom of heaven begins first, in my own heart. My desire is to be consistent in prayer even when it feels like He doesnt hear me. To read and study Gods word even when new and fresh insights are not coming.To resist enticement when passions are strong and no one (ex cept God) is watching. To serve others when I am weak, tired, or out of energy. This is where evangelism to my community begins sharing the harvest of a changed life. In order to answer the call to evangelize, one must first understand what the Great Commission is. In the book Evangelism is . . . by Dave Early and David Wheeler, Earley explains the word commission as a military term meaning an domineering order, charge, or direction. I have learned servant evangelism by creating a hunger to share my faith with others.Evangelism has gone from being a business organisation inducing concept to becoming the way I want to cognize in Christ as walking testimony to Him and answering the call of the Great Commission with my words, my day by day activitys, my servicing others, and by disciplines others to answer the call to evangelize. Most Christians want to share the gospel, but never envision a future in ministry that involves evangelism multiplication or church planting as it rel ates to developing true disciples who passionately desire to multiply their witness.In the next future I hope to develop a workshop that focuses on how to build relational bridges to those with whom you want to share the gospel. Reading Dr. Leach and Dr. Wheelers minister of religion To Others enlighten me to the fact that, No count what your role is in ministering to someone-whether building a bridge, praying, meeting a need, relieving a burden, encouraging, or sharing the gospel-God is inviting the person into His kingdom through you. To live a lifestyle of evangelism I must live Incarnational by reflecting my faith in the the trues of the record through my attitudes and actions.According to Dr. Wheeler, Incarnational Apologetics is the representative public and private life style of a Christian that validates to the world the absolute truths of the Bible. Living an Incarnational life style is a problem with todays church members who are reluctant to share their faith. This is another area where I admit to being guilty due my many church activities. Learning how to share Jesus without fear is accomplished by learning to be effective communicators in all that we say. For example, in the craft of individualized Evangelism William McRaney younger eminds us that, our tendency is to be effective communicators and clarifiers because people matter to God William Fays care Jesus Without Fear is one of the most impacting books I have ever read. Fay says that there are two types of people Those who talk about the lost and those who talk to the lost. Because of this course, I have learned how to spend time with family and savvy its importance has increased greatly because of this course. Dr. Pipes noted that, 88 percent of the children who move up up in our churches bring out the church and never return.In other words, discipleship must begin within the plaza with parents spending time with and ingraining Christian values in their children. Learning th e importance of family in evangelism hard believes that relationships and community are the essential qualities of the Christian life. More importantly, they are the characteristics of the will of God in our lives as Christians. As McRaney states in his book The maneuver of individual(prenominal) Evangelism, Gods call for restoration is not a call to live out the Christian faith in isolation. God desires to restore community and family among the redeemed. We have been made in the image of God and that includes the desire for relationships. As the Triune God, He is perfectly relational within himself yet He afforded us the ability to become part of that relationship through His son, Jesus Christ. Recognizing and developing a successful evangelism ministry to my community first starts with a healthy family life. God, in his divine wisdom, has prearranged the perfect boot large number for future evangelists. It is called your family. I need abundant life in my home before I can off er abundant life to the community.You see, I have a daughter who is 28 and has not accepted Christ. As the aforementioned composite statement of the great commission by Pipes and Lee says, it begins in our own home. However, my endeavor is not only to realize this vision in my home, but also help the other households in our church to rise to the call. By multiplying Godly households that are full of life can and will change our communities. This class has been without a doubt the single most impacting class I have ever taken. One of the biggest changes thus farthest has been in the way I pray. Successful evangelism greatly depends on daily prayer.In addition, I have learned to pray for the guidance of the consecrated Spirit to make me sensitive to opportunities to share the Good News. It requires me to live out the charge of the great Commission through servant evangelism, information apologetics, and shape apologetics. I have started carrying a pocket-sized New Testament with W illiam Fays Share Jesus Without Fear model written in it over I go. Now that I realize I cant fail whenever I share my faith. Im ready to take the step of obedience. By acknowledging the power of the Holy Spirit the individual has the dominance to witness.Jesus said, When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will manifest about Me, and you will testify also because you have been with me from the beginning (John 1526-27 NASB). Right after he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke a powerful message to the Jews. His empowerment by the Holy Spirit resulted in 3,000 getting protected in one day (cf. Acts 214-41). Later Peter change with the Holy Spirit testified boldly to the rulers, elders and scribes of the Jewish nation (cf. Acts 45-12, 18-22). subsequently Peter and John were threatened they prayed. These verses prove that Holy Spirit by all odds equips us with power to witness. We will go as Christ went, teaching of repentance and forgiveness, baptizing those who trust in Christ by the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and making disciples by teaching them to obey all that He commands. Ministering to the non-believer through the power of the Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of unbelievers for the gospel. E. W. Kenyon states that It is necessary that we understand how the Holy Spirit deals with an unsaved man, so that we can let Him work freely through us. The Holy Spirit today is making real to benevolent hearts the work of the Son of God. The Spirits teachings and communications are not his own they are Christs. The Holy Spirits ministry is to reveal to men what Jesus brought about by His death and resurrection. To appearance every man that Jesus became sin on mans behalf so that they may become righteous. He also shows every man the tragedy of rejecting Christs substitution sacrifice. He further describes the Holy Spirits work in the following mann er, The Holy Spirit comes to impart the nature of God to the spirit of man in the new birth (John 33-8) and then fill the new creature (II Co. 17) with the comprehensiveness of God (Eph. 319). As a result of studying evangelism this semester, I have learned the importance of following-up with newly saved believers. Jesus did say, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptize them and teach them all that I have told you (cf. Mat. 2819-20). He did not say Have them say a salvation prayer and they will be just fine. Many in the evangelistic world are concerned about the Back limen Syndrome. This involves people coming to church and getting saved, but then they leave out the back door without any further or very little church involvement.Others are rightly concerned about people saying the prayer, but these people do not follow through with their commitment. Some church leaders have found ways to sink this issue. But these solutions require the body to have vision and they normall y involve establishing relationships which require considerable commitments of time. Mentoring, new believers groups, home meetings, life groups and special have-to doe with groups are some the methods that have been successfully implemented. New believers need to start to a church where they will be encouraged in their new life with Christ.While at church the Holy Spirit assists in their maturing process by ministering to them through the five-fold ministry. It is through fully understanding the integrality of the above (relationships, community, and evangelism), that my heart became burdened. I recall the questions asked by Dr. Adrian Rogers in one of his sermons on evangelism, Are you loving people straight to hell? It was at this time that I realized my personal failure in sharing the Good News. Nonetheless, there was still a great deal of fear within me when it came to the issue of personal evangelism.However, that fear was starting to change as I was introduced to the prin ciple of servant evangelism. Oddly enough, I had been practicing the servant action but without the evangelism. Now it is time to combine the two for effective and practical servant evangelism. In conclusion, the Christian interpretation of the Great Commission to share Gods Word through evangelism is defined outside the walls of the church and best understood by first discussing the nature of evangelism in Christianity.Building strong relational bridges based on trust and mutual respect will allow you to lovingly speak Gods truth into a persons life without damaging the friendship. Relational evangelism begins by seeing people as Jesus does, spending time with them, having Christ-like attitudes, and learning to egest so people understand. In the context of authentic Christian community everyday Christians experience the power of the Holy Spirit and bear fruit for the kingdom. As Dr. Adrian Rogers has said many times, I am a nobody, express everybody, of somebody that can save t hem. I believe that Saint Francis of Assisi put it best, Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. Bibliography Earley, Dave and David Wheeler. Evangelism Is How to Share Jesus with high temperature and Confidence. Nashville B & H Academic, 2010. Fay, William. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, TN B&H, 1999. www. derrick-martin. com. A Personal Look at Evangelism. Kenyon, Edward. The Bible in Light of Our Redemption-Basic Bible Course Lynnwood, Washington 1999. McRaney, William. The Art of Personal Evangelism. Nashville B & H Academic, 2003. Pipes, Jerry and Victor Lee.Family to Family, Families Making a Difference. Lawrenceville, GA Jerry Pipes, 1999. Thompson, W. Oscar, and Carolyn Thompson Ritzmann. Concentric Circles of byplay Seven Stages for Making Disciples. Nashville Broadman & Holman, 1999. Wheeler, David and Richard Leach. Growing Disciples serial publication Minister to Others. Nashville, TN Lifeway, 2009. Wheeler, Dr. David. Incarnational Apologet ics. Liberty University, (Accessed May 10, 2011). 1 . Dave Earley and David Wheeler. Evangelism Is How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN B&H Academic, 2010), 300. 2 . Will McRaney Jr. , The Art of Personal Evangelism (Nashville, TN B&H Group, 2003), 215. 3 . bid,. 248. 4 . Oscar Thompson, Concentric Circles of Concern (Nashville, TN B & H 1999), 20. 5 . Richard Leach and David A. Wheeler, Growing Disciples Series Minister to Others (Nashville, TN Lifeway, 2009), 57. 6 . bid. , 75. 7 . Earley and Wheeler, Evangelism Is How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence, 21. 8 . Leach and Wheeler, Minister to Others,73. 9 . Dr. David Wheeler, Incarnational Apologetics Liberty University (Accessed July 26, 2011), 1. 10 . McRaney Jr. , The Art of Personal Evangelism, 70. 11 . William Fay, Share Jesus Without Fear (Nashville, TN B&H create Group, 1999), 8. 12 . Jerry Pipes and Victor Lee. Family to Family, Families Making a Difference. (Lawrenceville, GA 1 999), 1. 13 . McRaney Jr. , The Art of Personal Evangelism 17. 14 . Pipes and Lee, Family to Family, 32. 15 . bid. 16 . Edward Kenyon, The Bible in Light of Our Redemption-Basic Bible Course (Lynnwood, Washington 1999), 265. 17 . bid. 18 . bid. , 254. 19 . www. derrick-martin. com