OceanSide church of Christ

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Part of the series: EVANGELISM, FAITH
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EVANGELISM:  FAITH TO GET THE JOB DONE (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   To do the work of evangelism effectively, the personal worker must possess faith.  We must have enough faith to get the job done.

 

B.   Last week we looked at three realms where we need faith if we are going to be successful soul winners.

1.     We must have faith in the promises of God.

2.    We must have faith in prayer.

3.     We must have faith the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

C.   This morning we are going to continue our lesson.  Let’s look at four other areas wherein we must have faith if we are to successfully preach the gospel to those who are lost. 

 

I.          WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S WORD

 

A.          The Word of God is God’s power to save.

1.            Paul to the Romans (Rom. 1:16)

 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

2.            God has promised that His Word will fulfill its purpose (Isa. 55:11)

 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but is shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.

 

B.           It we truly have faith in God’s Word, we will continually preach and teach it.  We will not resort to gimmicks and gadgets to bring mankind to Christ.

1.            Many grow discouraged because the message of truth is rejected by so many.  This is why they turn to other methods to increase numbers.

2.            The right response is found in Acts 13:46.

 

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

II.        WE MUST HAVE THE FAITH TO GO

 

A.          The Great Commission’s first command is “Go.”

1.            Lost souls are all over the world.  Jesus said:  The harvest truly is plen-tious… (Matt. 9:37).

2.            The lost will seldom come to us; we must go to them.

 

B.           Evidence abounds that we have neglected this responsibility.

1.            Seldom do we go out into our communities.

2.            The number of missionaries that have been sent into the world is minimal and diminishing.

 

C.          What if:

1.            We knocked doors for 2-3 hours each month?

2.            We brought in a group from a preacher training school or from a Christian university to canvas our entire community once each summer?

3.            We committed to having 5000 missionaries throughout the world?

4.            We committed to putting one congregation in every county or parish in every state in the union?

5.            We got behind GBN in such a way that it was seen in every state in our nation and in most countries throughout the world?

 

D.          We’ve got to get out of our buildings.  We must arise from our couches.  We must turn off “The Bachelor,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and “American Idol,” and all of the ball games.  We’ve got to approach individuals with the gospel of truth, salvation, peace, and hope.

 

III.      WE MUST HAVE FAITH TO SPEAK

 

A.          Speaking is not easy.

1.            Paul said that at Corinth I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling (I Cor. 2:3).

2.            He asked the Ephesian church to pray for him that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19).

 

B.           What must be done?

1.            Sometimes we must speak out against things.

2.            Sometimes we must speak up for things.

 

C.          Silence is a form of cowardice.

Silence allows error to prevail.

Silence does not produce faith.

Silence causes souls to be lost.

Silence violates the command to teach.

Silence does not bring glory to God.

 

IV.       WE MUST HAVE FAITH TO SUPPORT

 

A.          Paul noted the need for support of the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:13-15).

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

B.           Those preaching the gospel have three kinds of expenses.

1.            Normal expenses of everyday life

2.            Operating expenses for the work

3.            Travel expenses

 

C.          These expenses are not cheap.  They require lots of money.  Brethren, we must be willing to give.

1.            This will require sacrifice.

a.         Less eating out, less movies

b.         Reduce expenses:  TV

2.         The Philippian church made these sacrifices and Paul acknowledged them in his prayers (Phil 1:3-5).

 

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.          I Thessalonians 3:10

 

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.

 

1.            It is possible for our faith to be lacking.

2.            It is also possible for another to assist in perfecting that which is lacking in our faith.

 

B.           If you lack faith in evangelism, we hope this lesson has helped to perfect your faith.

 

C.          May God help us to take the precious message of salvation to every creature under heaven whereof we have been made ministers (cf. Col. 1:23b).