Spreading the Good News

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Evangelist – one who spreads the good news

B.        What is the good news?

1.         The gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation made possible

C.        Who needs the good news?

1.         The lost of the world.

D.        Who is to spread the good news?

1.         YOU! (Matthew 28:18-20)

I.         HOW DO YOU SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS?

            A.        Take Action!

                        1.         Offer to personally study with someone. (ex. Acts 18:24-26)

                        2.         Offer to arrange a Bible study.

                        3.         Engage in Bible discussion.

                        4.         We can offer various methods of study. (ex. Blueprint correspondence course, literature)

                        5.         We can invite someone to worship services.

            B.        It's great to TALK about teaching. However, TALK is cheap when we do not ACT!

II.       HOW DO YOU HINDER EVANGELISM?

            A.        Sometimes you can work against yourself by . . .

                        1.         Talking bad or negatively about the church.

                        2.         Not having a genuine concern from the lost. (ex. Jesus's concern – Luke 19:10)

                        3.         Not possessing credibility with those around you. (Proverbs 10:9; 11:9; 13:5)

                        4.         Sympathizing with error.

                        5.         Conforming to the world in sinful ways and attitudes. (Romans 12:1-2)

III.      HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE EVANGLISM?

            A.        You can strengthen your evangelistic efforts by . . .

                        1.         Being zealous.

                        2.         Being determined.

                        3.         Being patient.

                        4.         Being respectable in life and behavior by living Godly and righteously.

            B.        We can also further evangelistic efforts by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

                        1.         Love – for the lost

                        2.         Joy – for our own salvation

                        3.         Peace – with others will lay the ground work

                        4.         Longsuffering – with the one you are teaching

                        5.         Goodness – towards the one you are teaching

                        6.         Faithfulness – to God

                        7.         Gentleness – in our approach

                        8.         Self-control – in our lives

IV.      WHAT CAN YOU DO?

            A.        Live a Faithful Life, letting your light shine. (Matthew 5:16)

            B.        Invite others to services. (ex. of visitors 1 Corinthians 14:23; James 2:1-4)

            C.        Offer a personal Bible study.

            D.        Offer enrollment to the Bible Blueprint study.

                        1.         In person

                        2.         By mail

                        3.         Online - www.lawtonchurchofchrist.com

V.        BIBLE BLUEPRINT: WHO’S TAKING IT?

            A.        Consider the following locations

                        1.         AL – 2, AR – 3, CO – 1,

                        2.         FL – 1, GA – 11, IL – 1

                        3.         LA – 2, MD – 1, MI – 4, MN – 1, MO – 3

                        4.         NC – 3, NJ – 1, OK – 5

                        5.         SC – 1, TN – 2, TX – 8

                        6.         VA – 1, WA – 2

                        7.         United Kingdom, Singapore, Philippines

                        8.         Five new subscribers not reflected here.

VI.      BIBLE BLUEPRINT: WHAT CAN I DO?

            A.        Tell Others About the Study.

            B.        Be a Study Partner.

                        1.         Meet twice a month for about 15 to 20 minutes.

                        2.         Grade the questions if returned.

                        3.         Send the next lesson with a letter.

            C.        Pray for those who are taking the study.

CONCLUSION.

A.        Whether you make use of the Bible Blueprint or not, you must take action. Do the best that you can in spreading the good news to the lost.

B.        Live your life righteously thereby allowing your light to shine in a lost world. Then, tell others how they can also live righteously through obeying the gospel’s call to salvation.

Spreading the Good News -- October 17, 2004 -- File # 1510 - Evangelism

by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK