Evangelism, Jesus Style

Notes: Evangelism, Jesus Style

Pastor Greg Laurie

Harvest July 20, 2014

John 4

Jesus was the greatest speaker.

Public speaking is the greatest fear among Americans. So evangelism scares most people.

Evangelism is not an option for the follower of Christ.

Evangelistic Christians are the happiest Christians that Greg knows.

Nit picky Christians are the most miserable people Greg says he knows.

There is a joy in telling people about Jesus.

We are commanded to preach the Gospel by Jesus Christ.

If I am His disciple, then I am commanded to go and make disciples of others.

The happiest Christians are evangelistic ones.

1 John 1:4 NIV

[4] We write this to make our joy complete.

Greg likes to preach, yet we thank him for it. It fills him when he preaches, it fills him with joy.

“Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

(Proverbs 11:25)

"We are the Bibles the world is reading."

We are to be a stepping stone, not a stumbling block for others coming to Christ.

How do you help an ungodly person become a Godly person if you don't talk to them.

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

1. Evangelism, Jesus style, begins with a burden.

Winners of souls must first be weepers of souls.

A note about the text, Samaritans and Jews did not like each other. Yet Jesus went there because there was a woman in need.

John 3:16 NLT

[16] "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

We need to go wherever, to whosoever, whenever God directs us.

Jesus went into enemy territory to share the gospel.

There is no room for prejudice or bigotry when sharing the gospel, we are to go wherever.

2. If we want to evangelize Jesus style, we need to use tact!

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.

There is a right time and a wrong time to share things. We do not need to be evangelism machines.

It not about winning an argument, it's about winning a soul.

John 4:13-14 NLT

[13] Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

Jesus gave her just a little truth, it's not always the right time to pour on all the info. The Lord of glory shows vulnerability when sharing.

John 4:13 NLT

[13] Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.

3. To share the gospel Jesus style, we must adapt to the situation.

John 4:16-19 NLT

[16] "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her. [17] "I don't have a husband," the woman replied. Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband- [18] for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!" [19] "Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet.

To get her attention, Jesus showed a little bit of His power by telling her about herself.

Acts 3:19 NLT

[19] Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

If you fess up to your mess up, God will clean up.

4. If you want to evangelize the Jesus way, don’t deal with everyone the same way.

In John 3 and John 4 there are two different people and Jesus handles them both differently.

A great way to start the conversation is to start "chumming" a little bit.

How do we chum? You make small statements referencing your faith.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT

[19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

5. Evangelism, Jesus style, means we stay focused.

John 4:20 NLT

[20] So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"

Talk about the person you are talking to, don't let them change the subject. Address what they say and go back to the subject.

Your best subject and tool is your own testimony.

We all don't have an amazing story to our conversion, but your story may relate perfectly to the person you are talking to. How you were before Christ and how you are now, maybe all you need to share.

Paul the Apostle always started with his testimony.

John 4:25-26 NLT

[25] The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming-the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." [26] Then Jesus told her, "I Am the Messiah!"

John 4:28-29 NLT

[28] The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, [29] "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?"

John 4:39 NLT

[39] Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!"

Don’t glorify or exaggerate your past.

Don’t boast about what you gave up for Him, but what He gave up for you.

When you tell your story, it’s not about you, but Him!

6. Telling your story is a powerful bridge for the gospel message.

Romans 3:23 NLT

[23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

1 John 1:8 NLT

[8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

James 2:10 NLT

[10] For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.

Romans 5:6-8 NLT

[6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

John 3:16 NLT

[16] "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 5:41-42 NLT

[41] The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. [42] And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: "Jesus is the Messiah."

Jesus died for me! That is the message.

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?