THE GOSPEL AND PERSONAL
EVANGELISM
INTRODUCTION

The end of God’s story:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any
sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now
the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They
will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their
God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has
passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am
making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these
words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
INTRODUCTION

Our part in that story:
 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. I am with
you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:1920)
INTRODUCTION

What is evangelism?

Evangelism, in other words, is not about doing everything we can
to get a person to make a decision for Jesus, much less about
imposing our views…Furthermore, evangelism is not the same as
sharing a personal testimony. It’s not the same thing as
presenting a rational defense of the faith. It’s not even doing
works of charity, though all three of these things may accompany
evangelism. Nor should evangelism be confused with the results
of evangelism as if to say that we’ve only successfully evangelized
when a conversion follows. No, evangelism is speaking words. It’s
sharing news. It’s being faithful to God by presenting the good
news [of the Gospel]---that Christ, by his death and resurrection,
has secured a way for a holy God and sinful people to be
reconciled. ~Mark Dever, What is a Healthy Church?, p. 91.
WHY DON’T WE EVANGELIZE?
Basic Excuse #1: “I don’t know their language.”
 Basic Excuse #2: Evangelism is illegal.
 Basic Excuse #3: Evangelism could cause
problems at work.
 Basic Excuse #4: Other things seem more
urgent.
 Basic Excuse #5: I don’t know non-Christians.

WHY DON’T WE EVANGELIZE?

Excuses concerning them:
 “People
don’t want to hear.”
 “They won’t be interested.”
 “They probably already know the Gospel.”
 “It probably won’t work. I doubt they’ll believe.”
WHY DON’T WE EVANGELIZE?
The heart of the matter: Plan to stop not
evangelizing.
 How do we do this?

(1) Pray
(7) Prepare
(2) Plan
(8) Look
(3) Accept
(9) Love
(4) Understand
(10) Fear
(5) Be faithful
(11) Stop
(6) Risk
(12) Consider