Chapter 3: Intro to Everyday Evangelism...

[Truth]

- Introduction to everyday evangelism

Enterprising Crew_

I want to start with this parable.  The parable of the sower.

Matthew 13: 1-9

“On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea.  And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.  Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.  But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.  But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The time has come, crew, for us to be the sowers.  We are no longer searching our own hearts for stones and thorns.  Instead I want us to ask ourselves a different question.  While we are out sowing, looking for where Jesus leads us, delivering Bibles, we will ultimately and quickly need to ask ourselves, what signs do we see in our audience concerning what type of heart they have?

What are signs people exhibit when they do not understand the Word or what you are saying?  Do you see any of these?  God is not the author of confusion is a common phrase, but remember Paul teaches us we are to speak clearly, plainly.  Don’t forget to practice, practice, practice.  Be ready in season and out of season to preach the Word.

What are signs people exhibit when they are joyful, maybe too joyful for the occasion?  Maybe there are stones in their heart?  Ask questions.  Listen.  It will help you design your show.  Whatever your art form.

What are the signs someone is tied up in the thorns of this world?  What questions could you gently ask to open a conversation.  Be ready.  Be prepared.  Let your gentleness be known to all, as Paul teaches.

Remember Jesus’ Words and their context…

Matthew 9: 35-38

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Choose your role.  Today we are recon, but be ready.  You might need to plow.  You might need to joust.  You might need to run, there are Marxist zombies gathering near.  I’ve seen the signs.  So gear up!  Ephesians 6: 10-20 and I look forward to hearing your schemes for shows!”

- Moose

1 Timothy 1: 18-20

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”