The Need for Personal Evangelism

Introduction:

  1. How wonderful it is to be needed! One of the joys of marriage. One of the joys of parenthood. One of the joys of Christianity. There are physical needs, and there are spiritual needs.
  2. Everyone has a need for something or someone. True of kings and true of hermits. True of Christ, the world and us. Our lesson will stress the needs involved in personal evangelism.

Body:

  1. Christ Needs Us.
    1. Christ has revealed His need.
      1. He needs “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
      2. He needs “laborers” (Matthew 9:37).
      3. He needs “teachers” (Matthew 28:20).
    2. His need is perpetual (Matthew 28:20).
      1. In day of Judgment, we can’t laugh this off nor argue it away!
      2. Without God we can’t convert a single soul; without us, God will not (cf., John 15:1-6).
  2. Lost Souls Need the Gospel.
    1. Souls need to be coming to Christ in a steady stream.
      1. The fields are white unto harvest (John 4:35).
      2. The invitation is extended (Matthew 11:28-30).
    2. The power of salvation is the Gospel (Romans 1:16).
      1. Man is powerless to save himself.
      2. The Gospel is man’s only hope (cf., 1 Corinthians 1:21).
    3. Personal evangelism coupled with mass evangelism is the way!
      1. This is the first century method (Acts 2:46; 20:20).
      2. Today’s great need is a first century method with first century power producing a first century result!
  3. We Need Fruit.
    1. It is estimated that 95% of church members never win a soul!
      1. Think of it! If this is true, 5% do 100% of the personal evangelism!
      2. We can become so busy with “churchanity” that we don’t have time for “Christianity!”
      3. This means we may be majoring in the minors and minoring in the majors.
    2. Fruitless Christians will be lost!
      1. No plainer or more emphatic language appears in Scripture regarding any other subject (John 15:1-6; Luke 13:5-9).
      2. “Must I go and empty handed? Thus my dear Redeemer meet? Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet? Oh ye saints, arouse, be earnest, Up and work while yet ‘tis day, Ere the night of death o’ertake thee, strive for souls while still you may!”

Conclusion:

  1. We must put forth a definite effort to persuade a definite person to obey a definite Saviour at a definite time!
  2. How can we remain idle when we know that the longing in Christ’s heart for the lost to be saved remains unsatisfied?

Author