Lesson 1: What is evangelism?

, Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves, Who Should

Evangelize?, Why Should We Evangelize?, How Should We Evangelize?

Introduction

It might surprise you that the primary purpose of this class is not to teach you about how to be a
better evangelist. Evangelism is not a task that we learn to do, but rather it is a lifestyle that we
live. As we daily gaze into the glories of Christ we become personally transformed into
worshipers. In order for this to take place it is necessary that we receive a revelation
concerning who God is and who we are in Christ. A knowledge of the Holy is the greatest need
in our lives and in the Church of Jesus Christ today.

A.W. Tozer explains this well:1

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about
us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its
religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever
been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high
or low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always
God Himself, and the most portentous (i.e. threatening or fateful) fact about any man is not
what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be
like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.

Therefore the primary purpose of this class is personal revival through a revelation of who Christ
is and who we are in Christ. May the Apostle Paul’s prayer be our prayer:

Ephesians 1:16-23
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, (17) that the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and
of revelation in the knowledge of him, (18) having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of
his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the immeasurable greatness of
his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (20) that
he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand
in the heavenly places, (21) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,
and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
(22) And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the
church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

1
A.W. Tozer, Knowledge Of The Holy, 9.

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 Lesson Objectives

After completing this lesson, the student should be able to

Ø Define what evangelism is

Ø Begin “preaching the gospel to themselves”
Ø Understand who should evangelize
Ø Understand why we should evangelize
Ø Being to understand how we should evangelize

What Is Evangelism?
Ø Give a short definition of evangelism?

Will Metzger compares the Christian witness to an airplane. He says it “has two wings: our lives
(conduct) and our lips (conversation).”2 Let’s examine these two essentials of evangelism from
the Scriptures.

I. Evangelism as truth-proclaiming through our lips

Underline the verbs in the following passage:

Romans 10:14-15
14
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to
believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without
someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

According to Romans 10:14-15, there are four essentials that must happen before a
person can “call on” Christ. List these four essentials:

1. 2.

3. 4.

2
Will Metzger, Tell The Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People (Downers Grove,
Illinois: IVP Books, 2002), 25.

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 The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 10:14 that people cannot “hear without
someone preaching.” According to verse 15, what is the content of our preaching?

The biblical author Mark entitles his writings “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark
1:1). Mark was purposeful in saying that the gospel, the good news, is about the person of
Jesus Christ. We, too, are called by God to proclaim “specific truths about a specific person.”3

With this said, do you think there a difference between proclaiming the gospel of
Jesus Christ and sharing your personal testimony? If so, why? If not, why? (cf. 2nd
Corinthians 5:19)

II. Evangelism as truth-proclaiming through our lives

The Apostle James said, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will
say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will
show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18). If we only proclaim the gospel with our
lips and not our lives, we are hypocrites and our faith is dead. This is why it is so important
for Christians to continually live under the power of the gospel. When we daily experience
God’s saving grace in our lives we will begin to be transformed from the inside out. We will
experience the freedom of having a cleansed conscience which will enable us to joyfully
worship God, to enjoy intimacy with him, to go boldly to his throne of grace and to live a life
that is pleasing to him. Our lives will best model the gospel when we are being molded by
the gospel.

The Apostle Paul knew that this was true and unashamedly commends his life to others.
2 Corinthians 6:3-11
We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
(4) but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance,
in afflictions, hardships, calamities, (5) beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors,
sleepless nights, hunger; (6) by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit,
genuine love; (7) by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of
righteousness for the right hand and for the left; (8) through honor and dishonor,
through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; (9) as
unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not
killed; (10) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, yet possessing everything. (11) We have spoken freely to you,
Corinthians; our heart is wide open.

3
Metzger, Tell The Truth, 27.

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 In the passage above, in what ways does Paul “commend” himself to others?

Can you say with Paul that your “heart is wide open?” Is there any area of sin in
your life that would cause people to stumble over the gospel message? Will you ask God
to apply his gospel of forgiving and empowering grace in that area of your life?

Application- Overcoming Guilt, Shame and Unworthiness

Have you ever felt unworthy to share the gospel with someone? One of the greatest
stumbling blocks that prevents us from sharing the gospel with others is a sense of guilt,
unworthiness and shame. There is a law within us that “when we want to do right, evil lies
close at hand (Romans 7:21).” We say with the Apostle Paul, “Wretched man that I am!
Who will deliver me from this body of death?” The struggle with sin causes us to question
our worthiness to tell others about Jesus. We say, “How can I tell this person about Jesus
when I’m not experiencing his transforming power in my own life?” At that moment we
must stop and apply the truth of gospel to our soul. Paul didn’t hang his head in shame
and defeat when he recognized his own sinfulness. He went on in the next verse to say,
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 7:25a, 8:1).” When guilt,
unworthiness and shame overwhelms our soul we must preach the gospel to ourselves by
saying, “I am in Christ by faith. I take hold of His forgiveness and grace that overcomes
every rebel thought and deed that I have committed. His righteous life is mine at this very
moment. I’m God’s adopted son in Christ and I am no longer under condemnation!” Then
go and proclaim that very message to others.

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 Learning to Preach the Gospel to Ourselves
We Evangelize Others by Daily Evangelizing Ourselves

The gospel has the power save us on the Day of Judgment, to set us free from the power of sin,
and to satisfy us in the love of Christ. Jesus is our source of life (1st Corinthians 1:30). He is
our Bread of Life (John 6:35). In order to stay nourished we must daily feed on the truth of who
he is and what he has accomplished for us. Therefore it is vitally important to our spiritual
health, and to the success evangelism, that we daily preach the gospel to ourselves.

One of the goals of this class is that we would learn how to daily preach the gospel to ourselves.
We will be memorizing Scripture together and implementing this profound life-changing
discipline together. God desires to fill us with his Holy Spirit through preaching the truth of the
gospel to ourselves. This discipline has the power to radically change your life.

The Apostle Paul shares his desire to preach the gospel to believers in Rome:

Romans 1:8-17
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed
in all the world. (9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his
Son, that without ceasing I mention you (10) always in my prayers, asking that somehow
by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (11) For I long to see you, that I
may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- (12) that is, that we may be
mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (13) I want you to know,
brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in
order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
(14) I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the
foolish. (15) So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. (16) For I
am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (17) For in it the righteousness of God is
revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

What is the spiritual gift in v.11 that Paul desires to strengthen the believers with?

In v.13, why does Paul want to go to Rome?

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 In verse 15, why does Paul want to preach the gospel to those who are in Rome?

In verse 17, how do the righteous continue to “live by faith?”

Who Should Evangelize?

There is often much confusion and controversy within the church about who should be
doing the work of evangelism. Some believe that evangelism is reserved for those who
“have the gift of evangelism.” This is one of the greatest deceptions that Satan is using to
keep Christians from boldly proclaiming the gospel. If I don’t have the spiritual gift of giving,
does this mean that I don’t have to give? Of course not! We all have the joyful privilege of
giving to Christ’s work here on earth. So it is with evangelism. We all have the joyful
privilege of proclaiming Christ’s excellencies.

Obviously you wouldn’t be taking this class if you didn’t have a passion to evangelize and
believe that God is calling you to evangelism. Let’s take a moment to confirm what the
Scriptures say on this important issue.

John 20:19-22
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the
disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
"Peace be with you." (20) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (21) Jesus said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." (22) And
when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy
Spirit.”

Why were the disciples locked up behind closed doors?

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 What was Jesus’ response and why is this important before sending the disciples
out?

What was the disciples’ response? Is this your response?

What did Jesus give the disciples in order to fulfill their mission?

When it comes to evangelism we all have a crippling tendency to be shut up behind closed
doors just like the disciples. At the root of the issue is not that we believe that we are not called
to spread the gospel, rather it is fear. Just like the disciples we have “fear of the Jews” in our
lives. We fear rejection, poverty, persecution and even death. What is God’s gracious
response to this? He shows us his nail pieced hands. God desires for all Christians to look to
Christ’s victory over death, sin, Satan, Hell and every one of our fears. The response will be joy
and gladness in the truth of the gospel, just like the disciples. We have peace with God the
Father through the blood of Jesus. We are no longer under the fear of condemnation. Fear of
people is now replaced with gladness in God. Death cannot defeat us. Satan cannot stop us.
The Triune God lives within us and speaks through us. Christ sends every Christian out not as
defeated disciples but as triumphant truth-proclaimers. This is a truth for every Christian.

Acts 8:1, 4
1
…And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and
they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
4
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

How did God chose to spread the gospel throughout the regions of Judea and
Samaria?

Who “went about preaching the word”?

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I believe that we are witnessing a great divide in America and within the Church. At the 2009
presidential inauguration the opening prayer will be performed by a homosexual archbishop
from the Episcopal Church, while the prayer of inauguration will be performed by Rick Warren, a
“conservative evangelical.” This is no longer seen as a contradiction but as move towards unity
within America and the Church. George Gallup conducted a poll in 2000 revealing that “while
78% (of Americans) see themselves as spiritual people, 56% went on to say that in solving life’s
problems they were more likely to rely upon themselves than upon an outside power like God.”4
Furthermore, only 9% of professing born again Christians said they could adhere to the core
tenants of Christianity such as the virgin birth, Christ’s sinless life and the exclusivity of salvation
through Christ alone.5

This is not entirely a bad thing. Is God beginning to “scatter” us for the purpose of his gospel
being preached to the regions around us? Jesus promised that he would build his church and
that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). We can bank on that
promise. God is working within America and within the Church today. His purposes cannot be
thwarted. Will you resolve today, by God’s grace, that if you are sovereignly “scattered” by God
that you won’t compromise on the truth of gospel?

Why Should We Evangelize?

I. What should be our primary motivation for evangelizing?

The following passage is an excellent description of the amazing grace that God has given us in
Christ.
Carefully read the passage below and underline every purpose statement (i.e. “so
that, in order that, that, to).

Ephesians 1:3-12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (4) even as he chose us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In
love (5) he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the
purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed
us in the Beloved. (7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (8) which he lavished upon us,
in all wisdom and insight (9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to
his purpose, which he set forth in Christ (10) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite
all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (11) In him we have obtained
an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all
4 things according to the counsel of his will, (12) so that we who were the first to hope
George Gallup, Jr. and Timonthy Johnes, The Next American Spirituality: Finding God in the Twenty-first Century
in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
(Colorado Springs: Cook Communications, 2000), 184.
5
Cited from a sermon by Mark Driscoll at the 2006 Desiring God Conference (www.DesiringGod.org).

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 Observe all of your purpose statements. Now determine what the ultimate purpose
of your salvation is. Write a sentence describing your ultimate purpose.

The primary motivation for evangelism is ____________________________________.

II. We Evangelize For Our Personal Growth and Sanctification

Philemon 1:6
6
and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of
every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

How do we come into a “full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the
sake of Christ?”

Why would sharing our faith give us “the full knowledge of every good thing that is
in us for the sake of Christ?”

Our opening prayer was to have “a revelation in the knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17).”
Beloved, when we proclaim Christ’s excellencies to others the Holy Spirit is going to give us a
revelation of the glory of Christ crucified and risen. The result will be that the more we talk
about Jesus the more we will treasure Jesus. God desires to do this work in our lives today. Do

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you desire to know Christ more intimately? Regardless of the results, telling others about him
will cause us to have a “full knowledge of every good thing that is in us.”

Romans 10:17
17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

How does faith come? What does this have to do with evangelism?

III. We Evangelize Because We Are Slaves To Christ

In the following passage underline all the commands that Jesus gave to his disciples.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end
of the age."

What gives Jesus the right to command his disciples to “go…and make disciples?”

Why should we have faith that this mission will succeed?

Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants (doulos = slaves) to
continue to speak your word with all boldness

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The disciples understood the authority and power of Jesus Christ. They delighted in calling
themselves slaves for Christ. They knew that he was their source for victory over the
kingdom of the world.

Isaiah 43:10
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.

The LORD says that we are his _________________and his ________________.

Why?

When Peter and John preached the gospel in Jerusalem the religious leaders became “greatly
annoyed (Acts 4:2).” They arrested Peter and John and charged them “not to speak or teach at
all in the name of Jesus (v.18).” Here is how Peter and John responded.

Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to
you rather than to God, you must judge, (20) for we cannot but speak of what we
have seen and heard."

The Apostle Paul also knew that he was commissioned by God to spread the gospel of Jesus
Christ. In Galatians he is facing Judaizers, false teachers who were spreading a legalistic,
works-based gospel. They were attacking the glory of Christ’s finished work on the cross and
the authority of Paul as an apostle. Paul responds to them:

Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If
I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant (slave) of Christ.

What is Paul’s reasoning concerning why he doesn’t seek the approval of man and
preach a false gospel?

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Do you believe that God would command you to evangelize in order to make your life miserable
and joyless? This is one of the greatest lies that the Devil uses to keep us from walking in the
“full knowledge of every good thing that is in us.”

1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments
are not burdensome.

On one side of the table list the reasons why we believe that evangelism is
burdensome. On the other side list the truth of the gospel.

Application- Who Is Lord?

One of the most convicting questions we can ask ourselves is, “Who is Lord of my life?”
The title “Lord and Savior” is used repeatedly throughout the New Testament. If Jesus is
our Savior, then he must be our Lord, for the two are inseparable. “You are not your own,
for you were bought with a price (2nd Corinthians 6:19-20).” In a positive aspect you are
called to be Christ’s slave.

Are you willing to surrender every area of your life to Christ’s loving care? Will you ask him
to become Lord of your life in the area of evangelism? When we do this we will experience
fullness of joy, for his commandments are not burdensome.

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IV. We Evangelize Because We Fear God.

Often, when we hear the words, “Fear of the Lord” our hearts draw back in timidity. Does the
“fear of the Lord” mean that we should be scared of God? Romans 8:1 says that for those who
have repented and trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior there is “now no condemnation.”
The fear of judgment has been removed through the blood of Christ. Psalms 130:3-4 says, “If
you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (4) But with you there is
forgiveness, that you may be feared.” To fear the Lord is to stand in awe, wonder and
amazement of his amazing grace. To fear the Lord is to live a life of worship.

2 Corinthians 5:11a
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being
built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it
multiplied.

What should happen in our lives when we truly fear the Lord?

V. We Evangelize Because of Christ’s Great Love

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For the love of Christ controls us

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life.

Would you tell an unbeliever that God loves them? Why or, why not?

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 Review

What are four reasons why we evangelize?

1.

2.

3.

4.

How Should We Evangelize?

I. We Evangelize With God’s Power

One of the most liberating truths in evangelism is that God is sovereign over our salvation.
When we realize that God alone is the one who has the power to change dead hearts into
worshipful, obedient hearts we will be free to proclaim the truth of the gospel (c.f. Ephesians
2:1-5). We will boldly proclaim the gospel because our faith is in God and not in our winsome
argument or charismatic personality.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. (7) So neither he who plants nor he
who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Who gets the praise when we approach evangelism under the conviction of the
sovereignty of God over salvation?

Does this eliminate our role in proclaiming the gospel? Why or, why not?

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 Is success in evangelism based on decisions for Christ or on faithfully proclaiming
the truth of the gospel and leaving the results to God? Why?

II. We Evangelize By The Power Of The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

What role does the Holy Spirit have in our lives?

If our witness is weak we need to receive power from the Holy Spirit. God has not left us as
orphans. We have the Holy Spirit living within us and empowering us to proclaim the truth of the
gospel.

III. We Evangelize With A Love For Truth

Bethlehem Baptist Elder Affirmation of Faith

15.2 …we believe that a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all
peoples through Jesus Christ is sustained in an atmosphere of deep and joyful knowledge
of God and His wonderful works.

IV. We Evangelize Using the Word of God

Acts 17:2
And Paul…reasoned with them from the Scriptures

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Galatians
2:20
John 8:31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are
truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

What has the power to set us free?

Closing Thoughts

Application- Will You Be A Conduit?

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me.

If Paul thought it was necessary to preach the gospel in Rome and to himself in the book of
Galatians, will you consider starting this discipline? God desires to grow us in the gospel
of grace and to touch other’s lives around us through the gospel of grace.

I remember something a good friend said to me. He has now gone home to glory. He was
a joyful man who loved to share the gospel. Joy emanated from him. He would say,
“Justin, you can do it because you are a conduit for Jesus!” Do you believe that? Do you
believe that God can powerfully use you as a conduit for Jesus? He can, and he will. As
you are plugged into your source of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ, you are going to be a
bright shining light in the midst of the darkness. He is able. He is willing. He will build his
Church through us. Soli Deo Gloria!

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