I recently started following a guy on Twitter who wrote in his description of himself, “I pray that when I die, all of Hell will rejoice I’m no longer in the fight.” I thought that was awesome! For those of us who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of the Gospel and the pushing back of the gates of Hell, we are energized by the idea of evangelism and the possibility that someone’s eternity might change forever from Heaven to Hell. However, you’ve got to understand, if you are going to be in the fight, you’re going to have to get your hands dirty. Will McRaney Jr. says, “Dealing with lost people will cause us to get our hands dirty and sweaty just like tending to yard work. Part of evangelism is to clear up misconceptions and misperceptions people have about the gospel. Dealing with people and evangelism is often messy.”[1]
In the eight years since Heather and I planted Southern Hills in Las Vegas, I have seen this to be true.
I. It Takes Time
Though I have occasionally been blessed with an individual who was absolutely ready to be saved, like Lydia of Acts 16:14 whose heart the Lord had opened, the vast majority of the individuals I have had the privilege of leading to Jesus Christ for salvation needed time. In the book Evangelism is, David Earley speaks of this as “a process leading to an event.”[2] Just as marriage is a big commitment so receiving Christ is a big commitment and there are only certain unique individuals who jump into something like that without first putting in a lot of thought. Therefore, be patient. During a recent evangelism effort at Southern Hills I had a church member say to me, “Pastor, a few months ago I invited my co-worker to Easter but they didn’t come. Do you think I should invite them again?” I calmly replied, “No, once is enough. If they didn’t get it the first time then they don’t deserve a second chance.” Of course I didn’t say that! I lovingly encouraged them to try again, and again and again. Evangelism is a process.
II. It Takes Work
The great work of evangelism is already done. The Lord Jesus Christ came to save the world through His vicarious atonement. However, the work continues and you must be willing to do the work of an evangelist (II Timothy 4:5). Faithfully praying for an individual soul takes work. Sacrificing time, energy and finances takes work. Sowing the seed of the gospel is inherently work.[3] If a farmer is unwilling to sow the seed the Lord will never send the harvest.
III. It Takes Vulnerability
It is essential that you are willing to open yourself up! You must be willing to come out as a public Christian. It is true that this may leave you vulnerable to personal attacks, snide remarks and unwelcome criticism, but it is necessary if you are ever going to lead someone to faith in Christ. When sharing your story of your conversion to Christ be certain to share your story. Just as the demon-possessed man of Mark 5, the woman of John 4 and the blind man of John 9 you have a story that needs to be told. In sharing your story be certain to clarify the gospel which is found in I Corinthians 15:3-4, Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose from the grave. You have to open up to lead someone to Him!
________________________________________________________
[1] William McRaney Jr. The Art of Personal Evangelism. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), 46.
[2] Dave Earley and David Wheeler, Evangelism is…: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2010), 77-84.
[3] Dave Earley and David Wheeler, Evangelism is…: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2010), 87.
34 Comments
Bob Raley
February 24, 2013 at 1:25 amEvangelism takes a lot of encouragement. As a teenager I sang “I’ll shout it from the mountain top!” with every ounce of power I could as I wanted the whole world to know about God. When I fell in love with my wife I shouted the news for all to know, and I sing in my office for anyone to hear. One simple action seen or hear can encourage others to open up and others start asking questions.
Alan Ladd
February 24, 2013 at 3:21 pmNot always, that is why we should be well prepared in and with Gods Holy Word, some times God sends us one when we lest expect it, be prepared. Most of the time it takes time, work, and going that exture mile with also patience upon the Lord.
Dawn Froehlich
February 28, 2013 at 9:30 amPastor, your blogs are so encouraging! Thank you!
abractcleatte
April 9, 2013 at 9:57 pmYour place is valueble for me. Thanks!
[url=http://buyschristianlouboutina.web1337.net]christian louboutin outlets[/url]
Suttondoa
August 12, 2013 at 10:02 pmdvwcmrqrf nfl jerseys uhkcnet nike shoes qphqpnmwko ghd mdkbrbua ugg lmmgeliei.
Rich
August 13, 2013 at 2:48 amThere are some interesting deadlines on this article but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as properly Rich
Mandyqaa
August 13, 2013 at 4:06 amygcovutqk GHd uuuiogh louis vuitton bugkailoho nike air max usstqkqd burberry outlet rpdmtvire.
Rueben
August 13, 2013 at 8:19 amI happen to be writing to let you understand what a extraordinary encounter my cousin’s daughter obtained going through your web site. She came to find so many things, not to mention what it’s like to have a marvelous teaching spirit to let others smoothly fully grasp a number of advanced topics. You undoubtedly exceeded people’s desires. I appreciate you for offering those essential, dependable, edifying and unique tips on your topic to Mary. Rueben
lunette moins cher
August 13, 2013 at 9:19 amGetting Your Hands Dirty | Josh Teis | Lead Pastor Southern Hills Baptist Church This topic is a favorite I’ve ever seen lunette moins cher
黑色星期五购物网站
September 1, 2015 at 7:57 am{
{I have|I’ve} been {surfing|browsing} online more than {three|3|2|4} hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
{It’s|It is} pretty worth enough for me. {In my opinion|Personally|In my view}, if
all {webmasters|site owners|website owners|web owners} and bloggers
made good content as you did, the {internet|net|web} will be
{much more|a lot more} useful than ever before.|
I {couldn’t|could not} {resist|refrain from} commenting.
{Very well|Perfectly|Well|Exceptionally well} written!|
{I will|I’ll} {right away|immediately} {take hold of|grab|clutch|grasp|seize|snatch}
your {rss|rss feed} as I {can not|can’t}
{in finding|find|to find} your {email|e-mail} subscription {link|hyperlink} or {newsletter|e-newsletter}
service. Do {you have|you’ve} any? {Please|Kindly} {allow|permit|let} me {realize|recognize|understand|recognise|know} {so that|in order that} I {may just|may|could}
subscribe. Thanks.|
{It is|It’s} {appropriate|perfect|the best} time to make some plans for the future and {it is|it’s} time to be happy.
{I have|I’ve} read this post and if I could I {want to|wish
to|desire to} suggest you {few|some} interesting things
or {advice|suggestions|tips}. {Perhaps|Maybe} you {could|can} write next articles referring to this
article. I {want to|wish to|desire to} read {more|even more} things
about it!|
{It is|It’s} {appropriate|perfect|the best} time to make {a few|some} plans for
{the future|the longer term|the long run} and {it
is|it’s} time to be happy. {I have|I’ve} {read|learn}
this {post|submit|publish|put up} and if I {may just|may|could} I
{want to|wish to|desire to} {suggest|recommend|counsel} you
{few|some} {interesting|fascinating|attention-grabbing} {things|issues} or {advice|suggestions|tips}.
{Perhaps|Maybe} you {could|can} write {next|subsequent} articles {relating to|referring to|regarding} this article.
I {want to|wish to|desire to} {read|learn} {more|even more} {things|issues} {approximately|about} it!|
{I have|I’ve} been {surfing|browsing} {online|on-line} {more than|greater than} {three|3} hours
{these days|nowadays|today|lately|as of late},
{yet|but} I {never|by no means} {found|discovered} any {interesting|fascinating|attention-grabbing} article
like yours. {It’s|It is} {lovely|pretty|beautiful} {worth|value|price} {enough|sufficient} for me.
{In my opinion|Personally|In my view}, if all {webmasters|site owners|website owners|web owners}
and bloggers made {just right|good|excellent} {content|content material} as
{you did|you probably did}, the {internet|net|web} {will be|shall be|might be|will probably be|can be|will likely be} {much more|a lot more} {useful|helpful} than ever before.|
Ahaa, its {nice|pleasant|good|fastidious}
{discussion|conversation|dialogue} {regarding|concerning|about|on the topic of} this {article|post|piece of writing|paragraph}
{here|at this place} at this {blog|weblog|webpage|website|web site}, I have read
all that, so {now|at this time} me also commenting {here|at this place}.|
I am sure this {article|post|piece of writing|paragraph} has touched all the
internet {users|people|viewers|visitors}, its really really {nice|pleasant|good|fastidious} {article|post|piece of writing|paragraph} on building up
new {blog|weblog|webpage|website|web site}.|
Wow, this {article|post|piece of writing|paragraph} is
{nice|pleasant|good|fastidious}, my {sister|younger sister} is
analyzing {such|these|these kinds of} things, {so|thus|therefore} I
am going to {tell|inform|let know|convey} her.|
{Saved as a favorite|bookmarked!!}, {I really like|I like|I love} {your blog|your
site|your web site|your website}!|
Way cool! Some {very|extremely} valid points!
I appreciate you {writing this|penning this} {article|post|write-up} {and the|and also the|plus the} rest of
the {site is|website is} {also very|extremely|very|also really|really} good.|
Hi, {I do believe|I do think} {this is an excellent|this is a great}
{blog|website|web site|site}. I stumbledupon it 😉 {I will|I am going to|I’m going to|I may} {come back|return|revisit} {once again|yet again} {since I|since i have} {bookmarked|book marked|book-marked|saved as a favorite} it.
Money and freedom {is the best|is the greatest} way to change, may
you be rich and continue to {help|guide} {other people|others}.|
Woah! I’m really {loving|enjoying|digging} the template/theme of this {site|website|blog}.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s {very hard|very difficult|challenging|tough|difficult|hard} to get that “perfect balance” between {superb usability|user friendliness|usability} and {visual appearance|visual appeal|appearance}.
I must say {that you’ve|you have|you’ve} done a {awesome|amazing|very
good|superb|fantastic|excellent|great} job with this.
{In addition|Additionally|Also}, the blog loads {very|extremely|super} {fast|quick} for me on {Safari|Internet explorer|Chrome|Opera|Firefox}.
{Superb|Exceptional|Outstanding|Excellent} Blog!|
These are {really|actually|in fact|truly|genuinely} {great|enormous|impressive|wonderful|fantastic} ideas in {regarding|concerning|about|on the topic of} blogging.
You have touched some {nice|pleasant|good|fastidious} {points|factors|things} here.
Any way keep up wrinting.|
{I love|I really like|I enjoy|I like|Everyone loves} what you
guys {are|are usually|tend to be} up too. {This
sort of|This type of|Such|This kind of} clever work and {exposure|coverage|reporting}!
Keep up the {superb|terrific|very good|great|good|awesome|fantastic|excellent|amazing|wonderful} works
guys I’ve {incorporated||added|included} you guys to {|my|our||my
personal|my own} blogroll.|
{Howdy|Hi there|Hey there|Hi|Hello|Hey}! Someone in my {Myspace|Facebook} group shared this
{site|website} with us so I came to {give it a look|look it over|take a look|check it out}.
I’m definitely {enjoying|loving} the information. I’m
{book-marking|bookmarking} and will be tweeting this to my
followers! {Terrific|Wonderful|Great|Fantastic|Outstanding|Exceptional|Superb|Excellent} blog and {wonderful|terrific|brilliant|amazing|great|excellent|fantastic|outstanding|superb} {style and
design|design and style|design}.|
{I love|I really like|I enjoy|I like|Everyone loves} what you guys {are|are usually|tend to be} up too.
{This sort of|This type of|Such|This kind of}
clever work and {exposure|coverage|reporting}! Keep up the {superb|terrific|very good|great|good|awesome|fantastic|excellent|amazing|wonderful} works guys I’ve {incorporated|added|included} you guys to {|my|our|my personal|my own} blogroll.|
{Howdy|Hi there|Hey there|Hi|Hello|Hey} would you mind {stating|sharing} which blog platform you’re {working with|using}?
I’m {looking|planning|going} to start my own blog {in the near future|soon} but I’m having a {tough|difficult|hard} time {making a decision|selecting|choosing|deciding} between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your {design and style|design|layout} seems different then most blogs
and I’m looking for something {completely unique|unique}.
P.S {My apologies|Apologies|Sorry} for {getting|being} off-topic but I had to ask!|
{Howdy|Hi there|Hi|Hey there|Hello|Hey} would you mind letting
me know which {webhost|hosting company|web host} you’re {utilizing|working with|using}?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 {completely different|different} {internet browsers|web browsers|browsers} and I must say this blog loads a
lot {quicker|faster} then most. Can you {suggest|recommend} a good {internet hosting|web hosting|hosting} provider at
a {honest|reasonable|fair} price? {Thanks a lot|Kudos|Cheers|Thank you|Many thanks|Thanks}, I appreciate it!|
{I love|I really like|I like|Everyone loves} it {when people|when individuals|when folks|whenever people} {come
together|get together} and share {opinions|thoughts|views|ideas}.
Great {blog|website|site}, {keep it up|continue the good work|stick with it}!|
Thank you for the {auspicious|good} writeup. It in fact
was a amusement account it. Look advanced to {far|more} added agreeable from you!
{By the way|However}, how {can|could} we communicate?|
{Howdy|Hi there|Hey there|Hello|Hey} just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The {text|words} in your {content|post|article} seem to be running off the
screen in {Ie|Internet explorer|Chrome|Firefox|Safari|Opera}.
I’m not sure if this is a {format|formatting} issue
or something to do with {web browser|internet browser|browser} compatibility but I {thought|figured} I’d post
to let you know. The {style and design|design and style|layout|design} look great though!
Hope you get the {problem|issue} {solved|resolved|fixed} soon. {Kudos|Cheers|Many
thanks|Thanks}|
This is a topic {that is|that’s|which is} {close to|near to} my heart…
{Cheers|Many thanks|Best wishes|Take care|Thank you}!
{Where|Exactly where} are your contact details though?|
It’s very {easy|simple|trouble-free|straightforward|effortless} to
find out any {topic|matter} on {net|web} as compared to
{books|textbooks}, as I found this {article|post|piece of writing|paragraph} at this {website|web site|site|web page}.|
Does your {site|website|blog} have a contact page? I’m having
{a tough time|problems|trouble} locating it but, I’d like to {send|shoot}
you an {e-mail|email}. I’ve got some {creative ideas|recommendations|suggestions|ideas} for
your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way,
great {site|website|blog} and I look forward to seeing it {develop|improve|expand|grow} over time.|
{Hola|Hey there|Hi|Hello|Greetings}! I’ve been {following|reading} your {site|web site|website|weblog|blog} for {a long
time|a while|some time} now and finally got the
{bravery|courage} to go ahead and give you a shout out from {New Caney|Kingwood|Huffman|Porter|Houston|Dallas|Austin|Lubbock|Humble|Atascocita} {Tx|Texas}!
Just wanted to {tell you|mention|say} keep up the {fantastic|excellent|great|good} {job|work}!|
Greetings from {Idaho|Carolina|Ohio|Colorado|Florida|Los angeles|California}!
I’m {bored to tears|bored to death|bored} at work
so I decided to {check out|browse} your {site|website|blog}
on my iphone during lunch break. I {enjoy|really like|love} the {knowledge|info|information} you
{present|provide} here and can’t wait to take a look when I
get home. I’m {shocked|amazed|surprised} at how {quick|fast} your blog
loaded on my {mobile|cell phone|phone} ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. {Anyhow|Anyways}, {awesome|amazing|very good|superb|good|wonderful|fantastic|excellent|great} {site|blog}!|
Its {like you|such as you} {read|learn} my {mind|thoughts}!
You {seem|appear} {to understand|to know|to grasp}
{so much|a lot} {approximately|about} this, {like you|such as
you} wrote the {book|e-book|guide|ebook|e book} in it or something.
{I think|I feel|I believe} {that you|that you simply|that you just} {could|can} do with {some|a few} {%|p.c.|percent} to {force|pressure|drive|power} the message {house|home} {a bit|a little bit}, {however|but} {other than|instead of} that, {this is|that is} {great|wonderful|fantastic|magnificent|excellent} blog.
{A great|An excellent|A fantastic} read. {I’ll|I will} {definitely|certainly} be
back.|
I visited {multiple|many|several|various} {websites|sites|web sites|web pages|blogs} {but|except|however} the audio {quality|feature} for audio songs {current|present|existing} at this {website|web site|site|web page} is {really|actually|in fact|truly|genuinely} {marvelous|wonderful|excellent|fabulous|superb}.|
{Howdy|Hi there|Hi|Hello}, i read your blog {occasionally|from time to time}
and i own a similar one and i was just {wondering|curious} if you
get a lot of spam {comments|responses|feedback|remarks}?
If so how do you {prevent|reduce|stop|protect against} it, any
plugin or anything you can {advise|suggest|recommend}? I get so much lately it’s driving me {mad|insane|crazy} so any {assistance|help|support} is very much appreciated.|
Greetings! {Very helpful|Very useful} advice {within this|in this particular} {article|post}!
{It is the|It’s the} little changes {that make|which will make|that produce|that will make} {the biggest|the largest|the greatest|the most important|the most significant} changes.
{Thanks a lot|Thanks|Many thanks} for sharing!|
{I really|I truly|I seriously|I absolutely} love {your blog|your
site|your website}.. {Very nice|Excellent|Pleasant|Great} colors & theme.
Did you {create|develop|make|build} {this website|this site|this web site|this amazing site} yourself?
Please reply back as I’m {looking to|trying to|planning to|wanting to|hoping
to|attempting to} create {my own|my very own|my own personal} {blog|website|site} and {would
like to|want to|would love to} {know|learn|find out} where you got this
from or {what the|exactly what the|just what the} theme {is called|is named}.
{Thanks|Many thanks|Thank you|Cheers|Appreciate it|Kudos}!|
{Hi there|Hello there|Howdy}! This {post|article|blog post}
{couldn’t|could not} be written {any better|much better}!
{Reading through|Looking at|Going through|Looking through} this {post|article} reminds me of my previous roommate!
He {always|constantly|continually} kept {talking about|preaching
about} this. {I will|I’ll|I am going to|I most certainly will}
{forward|send} {this article|this information|this post} to him.
{Pretty sure|Fairly certain} {he will|he’ll|he’s going to} {have a good|have
a very good|have a great} read. {Thank you for|Thanks for|Many thanks for|I appreciate you for} sharing!|
{Wow|Whoa|Incredible|Amazing}! This blog looks {exactly|just} like my old one!
It’s on a {completely|entirely|totally} different {topic|subject} but it has pretty much the same {layout|page layout} and design. {Excellent|Wonderful|Great|Outstanding|Superb} choice of colors!|
{There is|There’s} {definately|certainly} {a lot to|a great
deal to} {know about|learn about|find out about} this {subject|topic|issue}.
{I like|I love|I really like} {all the|all of the} points {you made|you’ve made|you have made}.|
{You made|You’ve made|You have made} some {decent|good|really good} points there.
I {looked|checked} {on the internet|on the web|on the net} {for more info|for more information|to find
out more|to learn more|for additional information} about the issue and found {most individuals|most people} will go along with your views on {this website|this site|this web site}.|
{Hi|Hello|Hi there|What’s up}, I {log on to|check|read} your {new
stuff|blogs|blog} {regularly|like every week|daily|on a regular basis}.
Your {story-telling|writing|humoristic} style is {awesome|witty}, keep {doing what you’re doing|up the good work|it up}!|
I {simply|just} {could not|couldn’t} {leave|depart|go away} your {site|web site|website} {prior
to|before} suggesting that I {really|extremely|actually} {enjoyed|loved} {the
standard|the usual} {information|info} {a person|an individual} {supply|provide}
{for your|on your|in your|to your} {visitors|guests}? Is {going to|gonna} be {back|again} {frequently|regularly|incessantly|steadily|ceaselessly|often|continuously}
{in order to|to} {check up on|check out|inspect|investigate
cross-check} new posts|
{I wanted|I needed|I want to|I need to} to thank you for this {great|excellent|fantastic|wonderful|good|very
good} read!! I {definitely|certainly|absolutely} {enjoyed|loved} every {little bit
of|bit of} it. {I have|I’ve got|I have got} you {bookmarked|book
marked|book-marked|saved as a favorite} {to check out|to look at} new {stuff you|things you}
post厊
bastcilkdoptb
March 2, 2016 at 6:44 amJust a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design.
motor club of america 2017
March 15, 2017 at 11:51 pm“I truly appreciate this blog post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.”
thajsko dovolena
April 1, 2017 at 10:50 pm“Hey! I simply want to give a huge thumbs up for the nice data you will have right here on this post. I can be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.”
yenibosna evden eve nakliyat
April 8, 2017 at 11:53 am“Thank you ever so for you blog.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on”
natural hair shirts
April 21, 2017 at 4:30 pm“Enjoyed every bit of your post. Cool.”
fire box pizza oven
April 21, 2017 at 4:37 pm“Admiring the time and energy you put into your site and in depth information you offer.”
Utah Surgeon
April 24, 2017 at 10:30 am“I really enjoy the blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged.”
Ш§ЩЃЩ„Ш§Щ… Ш§Ш¬Щ†ШЁЩЉШ©
April 24, 2017 at 10:49 am“Perfect just what I was searching for!.”
xbox one modded controllers
April 25, 2017 at 11:29 am“Very informative post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.”
Local Deals
April 26, 2017 at 10:53 pm“Major thankies for the blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.”
World Cup 2018
May 4, 2017 at 8:35 am“I like this site so much, saved to fav. To hold a pen is to be at war. by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.”
inversion
May 6, 2017 at 12:44 am“Great, thanks for sharing this article.Much thanks again.”
Bester Gaming Fernseher
May 7, 2017 at 10:18 pm“Good day”i am doing research right now and your blog really helped me.В В В “
Bester ReisefГјhrer
May 7, 2017 at 10:27 pm“Thanks for another fantastic post. Where else could anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.”
business waste collection sheffield
May 7, 2017 at 11:38 pm“Fantastic post.Really thank you! Keep writing.”
digital marketing books
May 10, 2017 at 2:30 pm“Hello. fantastic job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story. Thanks!”
African elephants
May 16, 2017 at 9:13 am“I appreciate you sharing this blog post.Much thanks again. Awesome.”
Bangladeshi trade directory
May 16, 2017 at 9:24 am“Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is just great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.”
Mozambique
May 16, 2017 at 9:30 am“Im grateful for the blog.Much thanks again. Much obliged.”
sensormatic
May 18, 2017 at 1:34 pm“Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Really thank you! Really Great.”
atomizers
May 18, 2017 at 1:50 pm“Major thanks for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…”
Tessa
February 26, 2020 at 8:48 pmValuable info. Lucky me I discovered your website accidentally, and I’m surprised why this
accident didn’t took place earlier! I bookmarked it.
Sheena
March 4, 2020 at 4:28 amhi!,I love your writing very a lot! proportion we communicate extra approximately your article
on AOL? I need an expert on this area to unravel my problem.
May be that is you! Having a look ahead to see you.
Madeline
March 12, 2020 at 11:33 pmHello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t
loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I
think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.