EVANGELIZING
1. It is your duty, as a Christian, to witness:
A. Jesus gave “the Great Commission” to all His disciples:
Matthew 4:19 Follow Me, & I will make you fishers of men
Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, & preach the gospel
Acts 1:8 Ye shall be witnesses…unto uttermost part of earth
Matthew 28:19,20 Go ye therefore, & teach all nations
Mark 13:10 The gospel must…be published among all nations
Luke 24:47 Repentance & remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations
John 15:16 Ordained you, that ye should go & bring forth fruit (See also Matthew 24:14)
B. Jesus sends you as His labourer & witness:
Isaiah 6:8 Whom shall I send? Here am I; send me
Matthew 9:37,38 Labourers are few… Pray the Lord…that He will send forth labourers into His harvest
Luke 9:2 (Jesus) sent them to preach…the Kingdom of God
John 20:21 As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you
Romans 10:14,15 How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are ambassadors for Christ
2. Why you need to witness:
A. You talk about what you believe in:
Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed (saved) of the Lord say so
John 3:11 We speak that we do know, & testify that we have seen
Acts 4:20 We…speak the things which we have seen & heard
2 Corinthians 4:13 I believed, therefore have I spoken (See Psalms 116:10a)
B. To save souls from death:
Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, turn from power of Satan unto God
James 5:20 He which converteth sinner…save a soul from death
C. If you don’t, you & they will suffer:
Ezekiel 3:17-19 Nor speakest to warn the wicked…his blood will I require at thine hand (See also Acts 20:26,27)
Mark 8:38 Of him shall Son of man be ashamed when He cometh
Luke 12:8,9 He that denieth Me before men shall be denied
1 Corinthians 9:16 Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel
2 Corinthians 4:3 If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost
(See also Jeremiah 8:20; Jonah 1:1-17)
3. Don’t be shy or ashamed to witness:
Psalms 119:46 I will speak of Thy testimonies…& not be ashamed
Isaiah 40:9 Lift up thy voice with strength; be not afraid
Isaiah 62:6b Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world…cannot be hid…let (it) shine before men (See also Mark 4:21;Luke 8:16)
Mark 8:38 Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me & of My Words…of him shall the Son of man be ashamed
Acts 18:9b Be not afraid, but speak, & hold not thy peace
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
Ephesians 6:18-20 (Pray)…that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak
1 Thessalonians 2:2 We were bold…to speak the gospel of God
2 Timothy 1:8a Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord
(See also Jeremiah 1:6-9)
4. Pointers on how to be a good witness:
Proverbs 18:13 [Ask questions] He that answereth a matter before he
James 1:19 [Listen] Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
Proverbs 20:5 [Get them to speak their heart] Draw it out
Matthew 12:34b Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh
Acts 26:27 [Ask what they believe] Believest thou the prophets?
Acts 17:23-28 [Find points of agreement] Your own poets have said
1 Corinthians 9:19-22 I (became) all things to all men, that I might save
Acts 26:1-20 [Give your own personal testimony. Example of Paul’s]
Mark 4:2 [Illustrate your point with true stories] (Jesus) taught them many things by parables
Luke 13:1-5 [Use current events: Pilate; tower of Siloam falling]
Acts 2:40 [Patiently explain] And with many other words did He
Psalms 126:5,6 [Have a broken heart] Sow in tears…reap in joy
Matthew 9:36 He was moved with compassion on them (lost sheep)
1 Corinthians 13:1 [Speak in love, or it’s just empty words like sound ing brass or a tinkling cymbal]
1 Samuel 16:23 [Music has spiritual power: Example of David playing the harp for King Saul]
Luke 14:23 [Be zealous & determined] Compel them to come in
1 Kings 18:21a [Bring them to a decision] How long halt ye between two opinions? (See Proverbs 24:15;Hebrews 3:7,8a;2 Corinthians 6:2)
5. Use the Word in your witnessing:
A. The Word is powerful & convinces people:
2 Chronicles 17:9 They had the book of the law of the Lord with them… & went about…& taught the people
Luke 8:5,11 Sower sowed seed…the seed is the Word of God
John 4:41,42 Many more believed because of His Own Word…Now we believe, not because of (the woman’s) saying
John 5:39 Search the Scriptures…they testify of Me (Jesus)
John 20:31 These written that ye might believe Jesus is Christ
Acts 17:2,3 Paul…reasoned with them out of the Scriptures
Acts 18:28 He mightily convinced…showing by the Scriptures
Titus 1:9 The Word, sound doctrine…convince the gainsayers
B. Scripture memorisation is important to witnessing:
Psalms 119:42 Wherewith to answer him…for I trust in Thy Word
Proverbs 22:17-21 Answer words of truth to them that send unto thee
Malachai 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth…he did turn many away from iniquity
Matthew 12:34b,35a A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things
Acts 13:32-35 [Quote the Word:] As it is written in the second Psalm
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word…exhort with all…doctrine
1Peter 3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man
6. Keeping your witness simple:
John 12:32 And I, (Jesus) if I be lifted up…will draw all men unto Me
1 Corinthians 1:17 Preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words
1 Corinthians 2:1,2 I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom1 Corinthians 2:4 My preaching not with enticing words of man’s wisdom
1 Corinthians 14:9 Except ye utter words easy to be understood…how shall it be known what is spoken?
2 Corinthians 1:12 In simplicity & sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom
2 Corinthians 3:12 We use great plainness of speech
7. What you should preach (witness about):
A. Preach the gospel; preach Jesus:
Isaiah 58:1 Show My people their transgression &…sins
Matthew 28:19,20 Teach…all things whatsoever I have commanded you
Mark 16:15 Preach the gospel [good news of salvation in Jesus]
Luke 9:2 (Jesus) sent them to preach the Kingdom of God
John 3:16 [That they can have eternal life by believing in Jesus]
Acts 4:2b They taught…the resurrection from the dead
Acts 5:42 They ceased not to teach & preach Jesus Christ
Acts 13:32-35 [Jesus fulfilled Old Testament Messianic prophecies]
Acts 13:38 Through (Jesus) is preached forgiveness of sins
Acts 20:21 Testifying…repentance toward God, faith toward Jesus
Romans 5:8 God commendeth His love toward us…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
1 Corinthians 1:23 We preach Christ crucified
1 Corinthians 15:3 I delivered unto you, that Christ died for our sins
1 Corinthians 15:4 And that He was buried & rose again (from the dead)
2 Corinthians 4:5 We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord
2 Corinthians 5:20 We pray you…Be ye reconciled to God
1 Timothy 1:15 That Jesus came into the world to save sinners
1 John 4:14 We testify…the Father sent the Son to be the saviour (See also Acts 10:42; 24:25a; Ephesians 3:8)
B. What not to talk about:
1 Corinthians 3:2 Not with meat (strong doctrines)…ye were not able to bear it
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor in guile. Neither at any time used we flattering words
2 Timothy 2:23 Foolish & unlearned questions avoid
Titus 3:9 Avoid foolish questions…& contentions & strivings
Hebrews 5:14 Strong meat (doctrine) belongeth to (the mature)
8. Who to witness to:
A. Jesus commanded us to witness to the whole world:
Mark 16:15 Preach the gospel to every creature (person)
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, & teach all nations
Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house…show how great things
Mark 5:19 Go home to thy friends, & tell them
Matthew 11:5b The poor have the gospel preached to them
Isaiah 61:1 Preach good tidings unto the meek
Acts 26:22a Witnessing both to small & great
Romans 15:20,21 I strived to preach…to they that have not heard
Acts 22:21 Unto the Gentiles [people of faraway nations]
Acts 28:28 Salvation sent unto Gentiles [receptive heathen]
Acts 17:18-21 [To curious philosophers & intellectuals]
Ezekiel 2:7 [Give everyone a chance, even the rebellious]
Ezekiel 3:17,18 Warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way
B. Who not to witness to:
Matthew 9:13b I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise
Acts 13:45,46 [Don’t continue witnessing to unreceptive rejectors]Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto dogs [unreceptive people], neither cast your pearls before swine
Acts 18:6 When they opposed & blasphemed…he said, I will go
Matthew 10:14 Whosoever shall…not hear your words…depart
Titus 3:10,11 Heretic after the first & second admonition reject
Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man
9. A winning personal example:
A. Your personal example is part of your witness:
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine…men may see your works
Philippians 2:15,16a Be blameless & harmless…shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life
1 Timothy 4:12b Be thou an example of the believers
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle (letter)…known and read of all men
Titus 2:7,8 In all things showing a pattern of good works
1Peter 3:1,2 [Unbelieving mates to be won by believer’s sample] (See also 1 Timothy 5:14b)
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another
B. Sample of happiness is appealing:
Psalms 51:12,13 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation. Then sinners shall be converted unto Thee
C. Lovingly win others, not by arguing:
1 Thessalonians 1:7,8 We were gentle…affectionately desirous of you
2 Timothy 2:23,24 The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
(See also 1 Corinthians 13:1,2,8)
D. Personal example must back up your witness:
John 13:15 I (Jesus) have given an example, ye should do as I
Romans 2:21-24 Thou which teachest another, teachest thou not thy self? Thou that sayest man should not…dost thou?
(See also 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Timothy 6:1;Titus 2:4,5)
10. When to witness:
A. We are to constantly witness:
Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, & in the evening
John 4:35 Look on the fields; they are white already to harvest
Acts 5:42 Daily in the temple, & in every house, they ceased not
2 Timothy 4:2 In season, out of season [even when “not convenient”]
1Peter 3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man
(See also Acts 20:31)
B. Pray for God to “open up” witnessing opportunities:
Colossians 4:3 Praying…that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ
C. Wait until it’s God’s time to witness to certain people:
Matthew 10:5-7 Go not into the way of the Gentiles…but go rather… [But later said,] Go into all the world”–Mark 16:15
Acts 16:6,7 (Paul) forbidden…to preach…in Asia [but did with great success a couple years later–Acts 19:1,10]
11. Where to witness:
In your own house (Acts 28:30,31); In every house (Acts 5:42); From house to house (Acts 20:20); In schools & lecture halls (Acts 19:9,10); In church (Hebrews 2:12); In marketplaces (Acts 17:17 ); In different racial neighbourhoods (John 4:1-42); In the streets, lanes, highways, hedges (Luke 14:21b,23 ); All over the city (Luke 8:39b); In cars [chariots] (Acts 8:29-35); On boats (Acts 27:22-25); In prison (Philippians 1:12,13); In court (Matthew 10:18-20); In the wilderness (Matthew 3:1,2); Everywhere (Acts 8:4).
12. The “fruit” Christians should bear is other Christians, new saved souls:
Luke 8:5-15 [“The Parable of the Sower”] (See also Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23;Mark 4:2-8,14-20)
Luke 8:11 The seed is the Word of God [which we sow in hearts]
Mark 4:14 The sower (witnesser) soweth the Word
Proverbs 11:30 He that winneth souls is wise
John 12:24 But if it die (to self), it bringeth forth much fruit
John 15:5 He that abideth in Me…bringeth forth much fruit
John 15:8 Herein is (God) glorified, that ye bear much fruit
Romans 7:4 Married to (Jesus)…bring forth fruit unto God
13. The Holy Spirit & witnessing:
A. The Holy Spirit anoints you to witness about Jesus:
Isaiah 61:1 Spirit of the Lord upon me…anointed me to preach
Acts 1:8 Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: & ye shall be witnesses
Acts 4:29-31 They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake the Word of God with boldness
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Our gospel came…in power, & in the Holy Ghost
(See also Colossians 1:27-29)
B. Only God & His Holy Spirit can really win people:
John 6:44 No man can come to Me, except the Father…draw him
Zechariah 4:6b Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit
Matthew 10:20 It is not ye, but the Spirit…which speaketh in you
John 15:5 Without Me ye can do nothing
1 Corinthians 3:6,7 I have planted…but God gave the increase
14. Witnessing, the greatest work on earth:
A. Witnessing is aJob worth giving all for:
Matthew 4:19-22 Follow Me, & I will make you fishers of men…they left their nets (See also Luke 5:9-11)
Mark 8:35 Lose his life for My sake & the gospel’s
Mark 10:29 [Leave house, family, wife, lands for gospel’s sake]
Luke 9:59,60 Let the dead bury the dead: but go thou & preach
B. Heavenly reward for witnessing:
Proverbs 11:30 He that winneth souls is wise
Daniel 12:3 They that be wise shall shine…and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars (SeeMatthew 13:43)
Luke 12:8 Him shall the Son of man confess before the angels
1 Corinthians 3:8b Every man receive…reward according to his labours
1 Corinthians 9:16,17a If I (preach the gospel) willingly, I have a reward
15. Reactions to the gospel:
A. The receptive believe the Word:
Jonah 3:1-9 [Jonah preached in Ninevah, & entire city repented]
John 4:39-42 [Samaritans at Sychar received Jesus & believed]
Acts 8:5,6,8,14 [Philip preached in Samaria]…people with one accord gave heed…Samaria received the Word of God
Acts 16:14 Lydia…whose heart the Lord opened…she (listened)
Acts 16:32-34 They spake unto him the Word…he rejoiced, believing
B. The unreceptive reject the Word:
Luke 8:5,12 Devil taketh away Word, lest they believe
1 Corinthians 1:18 Preaching…is to them that perish foolishness
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this world blinded minds of (unbelieving)
(See also Jeremiah 36:all)
C. Unpopularity & persecution because of witnessing:
Luke 6:22 Men shall cast out your name as evil, for (Jesus’) sake
John 7:7 The world…hateth (Me), because I testify it (is) evil
Acts 16:20,21 These men do exceedingly trouble our city, & teach customs which are not lawful
D. Our witness a testimony against the unrepentant:
Matthew 10:18 Brought before kings…for a testimony against them
Mark 6:11 Shake off dust…for a testimony against them
John 12:48 The Word that I have spoken…shall judge him
16. Witnessing boldly despite opposition:
A. Neither threats, persecution nor martyrdom should stop us:
Luke 21:12-15 They shall persecute you…I will give you wisdom
Acts 4:29,31,33 Behold their threatenings…spake Word with boldness Acts 14:1-3a Long time abode they speaking boldly in the Lord
Acts 20:24 None of these things move me, neither count life dear
1 Thessalonians 2:2 Even after we suffered…we were bold to speak
Revelation 6:9 Them that were slain for Word of God & testimony
Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the Word…loved not their lives
Revelation 20:4 Them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus
B. Witness even if man’s laws forbid it:
Amos 7:12-15 [Evil priest said:] Prophesy not at Bethel…The Lord said unto me (Amos), Go, prophesy
Matthew 10:16 Be ye wise as serpents, harmless as doves
Luke 10:3 I send you forth as lambs among wolves: be wise
Acts 4:17-20 We cannot but speak the things we have seen & heard
Acts 5:27-29 We ought to obey God rather than men
Acts 5:40-42 Commanded they should not speak. They ceased not
17. More verses about witnessing & testifying:
A. From the Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 32:3 (I will publish the name of the Lord); 1 Chronicles 16:8 (Make known His deeds among the people); Psalms 9:11 (Declare among the people His doings); Psalms 18:49 (I give thanks unto Thee among the heathen); Psalms 26:7 (Publish…tell of all Thy wondrous works); Psalms 66:16 (I will declare what He hath done for my soul); Psalms 71:15 (My mouth shall show forth…Thy salvation all the day); Psalms 89:1 (With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all); Psalms 96:3 (Declare His…wonders among all people); Psalms 96:10 (Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth); Psalms 119:13 (With my lips have I declared judgments of Thy mouth); Psalms 119:27 (So shall I talk of Thy wondrous works); Psalms 145:4-7 (I will speak of glorious honour of Thy majesty); Psalms 145:11,12 (Make known to the sons of men His mighty acts);Isaiah 43:10a (Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord);Isaiah 52:7 (How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace).
B. From the New Testament:
Mark 16:20 (They went forth, & preached everywhere);Luke 8:1 (Preaching & showing glad tidings of the Kingdom);John 4:39 (Many believed on Him for the saying of the woman);John 21:17 (Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep); Acts 5:20 (Go, speak to the people…all the words of this life); Acts 5:32 (And we are His witnesses of these things); Acts 10:42 (He commanded us to preach unto the people, & to testify); Acts 13:49 (Word of the Lord published throughout all the region); Acts 18:25 (Being fervent in spirit, he spake & taught diligently); Acts 22:15 (Thou shalt be His witness unto all men);Romans 10:15b (How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel); 2 Timothy 2:2 (The things which thou hast heard…commit to faithful men, who shall…teach others); 2 Timothy 4:2 (Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season).
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