Strategic Evangelism involves skillful planning to reach out to the unsaved souls, so that they will come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Him as their Lord and Saviour.
God desires all men to be saved ITm. 2:3-6. Faith comes by hearing, we therefore need to preach the Gospel, persuading men to give their lives to Christ. Mk. 16, 15& 16. Rm.10:14&17.
Our assignment is to witness not only in our churches but outside where the sinners are. Is not enough to invite them to our beautiful cathedrals but let us meet them where they are schools, factories, parks, streets, clubhouses, Hospitals, Prisons etc. We are the Church, the Body of Christ; "Christ in you" Eph. 5:30, Col. 1 :18, 26&27. He ministers through His Body, which is you and me, if we do not preach the Gospel, angels will not do it and men shall be lost.
God committed the task to us (Matt. 28:18-20) not Angels. Angel was not sent to preach to Cornelius but Peter was asked to preach. Act. 10.
Aggressive Evangelism is what is required today, plundering hell to populate Heaven. Heaven is programmed to be bigger than Hell. Rev. 7:9-11
We are already armed with authority and power, we should do the work fearlessly. Jer. 48: 10, Matt. 10:1,7&8,28. We are to be spiritually violent, strategic and business-like in our approach, Matt. 11"12, Lk. 16:16. We must learn to operate in wisdom, do our research and survey and move in to accomplish our desired goals.
Strategy is better than energy. We are to build people for Heaven and not play church. Enough of lip service; to stay with an unbeliever for 20 mins. and not talk about Jesus or Christ-related issue is a betrayal and such individual is a backslider in heart. Fire is the hallmark of Jesus ministry (Lk. 3: 16). God's fire is unique and selective in its action; consuming the dross and rottenness; and purging, purifying and preserving the essentials. In 16:7 Christ ascension is essential for the release of the Holy Spirit fire. There should be fire in our message to melt the heart of men Acts. 2: 3, 37-41
Fire in the truth we preach, fire in those who preach and fire in the spirit with which we preach. Ikg. 18:24. Armchair Christianity brings no fire except you yield to God (Rm. 6:18&19). Little time, no effort, non-chanllancy, procrastination, excuses will produce nothing. We should not be wasters of grace, doing nothing, following nothing, preaching and achieving nothing. Where there is no sacrifice, God will not send fire' no soul will be saved until we lay our all on the altar Lk. 14:33 I In. 3:16. Be motivated by love to witness Heb. 6: 1 O.
John was a burning light In. 5:33-35. To preach the gospel cooly and casually will produce no result. Attitude is better than title. Let us not forget the task by reason of the title we bear. Jer. 20:7-9. Flies will gather on a cold stove but a hot one they dare not. For the mere fact that we are cool does not make us a 'fool. Ministers should be fired up. Heb.1:7,ICor,9:16.
Several churches appear busy, active and impressive but are they relevant.? Many are building their own kingdom. Many Television evangelists have promoted miracles above Jesus. True relevance is to bring the Gospel to a dying world. The world is sick (Isa .. 1:5-9) , the Gospel is the medicine. The Church is being anointed for the last hour I In. 2: 18-27. Salvation is spiritual surgery. The Spirit of Anti-Christ is causing moral decadence and collapse but God has a ready solution. Isa. 59:19 &20 Joel 2:28&29
FORMS OF EVANGELISM There were only 2 types of evangelism in the book of Acts., Mass & Personal Evangelism. God is a God of principles but changes His methods. No two miracles of Jesus was done the same way. To evangelize is to proclaim the good news of Christ redemption. A witness is someone who has a personal experience or knowledge of something, serving as evidence or proof. One who testifies. Lk. 24:48, Acts. 10:39-41.
Various method can be employed; what is important is to preach the word and lead the people to make a decision for Christ, to pray the sinners prayer for salvation. Then afterwards, the process of disciplining begins.
(1) Mass Evangelism - includes Open air crusades, major church conventions, Village Evangelism, Central Market Crusades, Beach and Park Crusades etc .. Minor Mass Evangelism Techniques are also employed in Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Outreaches, Hotel meetings e.g. full Gospel Businessmen fellowship. Bus Evangelism, Team witnessing.
(2) Personal Evangelism (Soul Winning) - It is the call of .God on every Christian. Lk. 19:10. Christ took time to demonstrate it In.4. It is what turns you from being a spectator Christian to a motivator Believer; becoming a true fisher of men.
We are to personally seek out the sinners and bring then in- Lk, 14:23. Personal soul winning includes Door to door, House to House, Person to Person, Letter evangelism, welfare evangelism. Soul winning is done out where the sinners are, not inside church building. The early apostles were busy daily in the temple for fellowship and in every house for witnessing Acts. 5:42, Acts. 11: 1921,20:19-21.
PREPARATION
Adequate preparations are required for success in evangelism both physical and Spiritual. Physical-especially mass evangelism, there is the need for good money to provide good lightings, good stage, public address system, rentals of chairs, bush clearing, food for workers, securing security personnel provision of literatures, decision slips, posters, flyers, hand bills, banners, Radio and Television Announcements, bill boards, Lodging, first-aid equipments and Transportations. It is required to set up various committees to handle each aspect of the planning Spiritual - Chain prayers, fasting, training of counselors, ushers, Deliverance Team, On the spot Intercessors, Warfare Task Force God's Enforcement Agents (G.E.A). Isa. 62:1, 6&7. Archbishop Idahosa said "Prayerful preparation prevents poor performance". Our success on the mission field is based 90% on our preparation before we embark on the assignment. Appropriate consultations should be made to secure permission if such is required by Govt.
FACTS ON EVANGELISM
Salvation is personal, Christ must live in us personally. In. 14:23. You cannot be an effective witness for Christ except you have experience His salvation, be truly born- again with a testimony and filled with the Holy Spirit. II Tm. 1 :12-14. there must be a meeting place with Christ even as Saul met Him on the way to Damascus . Acts. 26:12-19. Be sure your are born-again or else you are a false witness.
1. There must be an assurance of Salvation.
2. Freedom from unconfused sin you must stand blameless.
3. Your must have a passion for souls, a love for sinners. I Cor. 9,16,22&23
4. A life of witness the beauty of Christ must shine in us, Act. 4:13
5. A readiness to speak out the message of salvation Rm. 10:14,lpt.3:15
6. Learn to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, leaving the result to God. Acts. 8:3539.
7. Study the Scriptures and know the appropriate words/quotations that are suitable or relevant to the subject matter. II Tm. 2:15, In. 5:39
TITBITS ON EVANGELISM
It is the Great commission God's heartbeat for now- Matt. 24:14, Mk. 16:15
The responsibility of every believer Lk. 9:1 &2,10: 1, Matt. 28:18-20
1. We are to preach to all creatures and make disciples of all the Nations
2. The urgency of the matter Eph. 5:15&16, II Tm.4:2, II Cor. 6:2
3. The importance of the matter Rm.1:16
4. The compulsion of the assignment I cor. 9:16
5. The power of the Gospel in Transformation. In. 1 :12
6. The joy of the gospel is Hope.
Col. 1 :27, In. 14:1-3
7. The message of the Gospel is Christ crucified and resurrected. In. 3:16, Acts. 4:10-12
8. The method of Evangelism is Simplicity and Clarity. I Cor. 2:15
9. The Strategy of Evangelism is Versatility and Adjustability I Cor. 9:22-27
10. The Ingredients of evangelism is Love, Grace and Faith Eph. 2:4-9.
11. The Price of evangelism is Praying and Fasting 1Tm. 2:16
12. The Strength and dynamics of evangelism is the Holy Spirit Acts. 1:8
13. The Goal of evangelism is Salvation and Discipleship. Acts. 10:42&43, In 8:31
14. The Reward of evangelism is crown of Righteousness II Tm. 4:8, Rev. 3:11
15. The Mark of True Discipleship is commitment Lk.14:33.
Commitment is what separate doers from dreamers and professions from professors. Be genuinely committed to the Task.
DO'S AND DON”T”S OF EVANGELISM
1. Never aim at just one sin, preach Christ forgiveness and New life.
2. Don't be involved in an argument II Tm. 2:16 Titus. 3:9-11
3. Don't give a tract you haven't read
4. Don't neglect follow-up, conversion of a soul does not end in a day.
5. Strive lawfully 2 Tm. 2:5. Don't color the facts or express half-truths in order to make an impression. Give true testimonies.
6. Refuse to be provoked or embarrassed. Maintain your cool.
7. Don't make yourself a nuisance by frequent visits, insisting on decision. We are to inform and not to enforce. Rather persuade and encourage.
8. As you close the discussion remember to take their prayer points and with politeness ask if you can pray. Don't appear super-spiritual.
9. Use few scriptures and work on the curiosity of the unbeliever.
10. Remember to first bring the people to Christ on your knees before you take the message of the Gospel to them.
11. Dress well, maintain a good personal hygiene, reflect the glory and beauty of the Lord
12. Be bold and confident, make your boast in the Lord expressing unshaken faith in the power of Christ. PS.44:4&8, Pro. 3:26. |
