Lesson Sixteen

Evangelism and Missi ons

What Are My Responsibilities in Taking the Gospel to the Lost World?

In order for you to get saved, someone had to take the time and make the sacrifice to bring the gospel to you. This lesson defines your responsibility to take that same gospel to the lost world around you so that others may be saved. The purpose of this lesson is two-fold. First, to show you the verses that you can use to lead someone else to Christ; second, to acquaint you with missions so you can understand what your responsibility is and what you can do to further Gods purposes in this world.

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

The Work of God

If necessary, you may review Lesson 8 on the Holy Spirit, but it is important that you realize that you yourself cannot save another persons soul, nor can you by your own power draw that person to the point of salvation. A. The Holy Spirit must convict them of their sin (John 16:89). B. The Father must draw them to the point of salvation (John 6:44). C. It took the sacrifice of the Son in order to pay for their sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Work of the Christian

While the supernatural act of salvation can be done by God and God alone, it is the Christian that God uses as His tool to bring about that salvation. A. We are farmers that must sow the seed (Matthew 13:38). B. We are preachers that must proclaim the Word (Romans 10:1315). C. We are ambassadors that must reconcile man to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1720).

The Commandment to Evangelize

A. We must take the gospel to all the world (Matthew 28:1920; Mark 16:15). B. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we must be witnesses to all the world (Acts 1:8). C. We must speak the words of life (Acts 5:20).

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The Presentation of the Gospel

A. Man must realize that he is a sinner (Romans 3:10, 23). B. Man must understand that God died for him while he was still a sinner, not after he cleaned up his life (Romans 5:8). C. Man must come to God with genuine, godly repentance (Romans 2:4; Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10). D. Man must believe that he is justified by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:14). E. Man must see that the payment of Christs blood saves us from the wrath of God, which is Hell (Romans 5:9; 6:23; Revelation 20:14). F. Man must, above all, understand that it is his faith in the blood of Christ without any additional good works that saves him (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:89; Titus 3:5). G. Man must call upon the Lord to save him (Romans 10:913).

The MessageWhat Is Missions?

A. Missions is . . . the Lord burdening my heart for a young man who got saved and got a burden for his sister. His sister got saved and got a burden for her cousin who got saved . . . , and the chain continues on. Missions is nothing more than one nobody telling another nobody about Somebody who can save anybody. Missions is an unbroken chain of burdens for our lost friends, friend reaching friend for Christ. B. Missions is the heartbeat of God (John 3:16). C. Missions is a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:1820). D. Missions is evangelism (Acts 1:8). E. Missions is discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2).

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F. Missions is church plantingbelievers reproducing believers, churches reproducing churches.

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

The MandateWhy Missions?

A. To obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:1920; Mark 16:15; John 20:21) B. To follow the example of the disciples (Acts 13:15) C. To show our love for the Lord It is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us that constrains and motivates us to tell others about Him (2 Corinthians 5:1415). D. To receive rewards for faithful service 1. The Apostle Paul said that it was necessary for him to preach the gospel and that he would receive a reward for doing so willingly (1 Corinthians 9:16 17). 2. There is great joy and a crown to be received for having a part in bringing others to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

The MessengerWho Has Been and Should Be Committed to Missions?

A. Adam was the first missionary and his charge was to Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth . . . (Genesis 1:28). B. Noah was given the same mandate after the flood (Genesis 9:1). C. In Abraham we see God begin to unfold His plan of redemption. 1. Abraham received a divine call and received the promise (Genesis 12:13). God was saying, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). God was reaching down to man with a worldwide purpose. 2. Abraham influenced the surrounding nations (Genesis 14).

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

3. Abraham persisted in intercession for the heathen (Genesis 18). D. The nation of Israel had a three-fold purpose in Gods plan of redemption. 1. Recipient of Gods revelation to the world (Hebrews 1:13) 2. Channel through whom the Redeemer would come (Matthew 1:1; Genesis 49:10; Romans 1:3)

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3. Witness in the midst of the nations (Isaiah 43:10; 44:18) E. The prophet Jonah was called to be Gods missionary to the Ninevites in the book called by his name. Obadiah, Nahum, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel were prophets also called to be missionaries in the Old Testament. F. The consummation of Gods redemption and the greatest missionary to ever live was God Himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17). For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14). G. Paul the Apostle teaches us several things about a missionary. 1. Called by the Holy Ghost through the local church (Acts 13) 2. Has a home church to go out from and report to on a regular basis 3. Start local churches wherever they go 4. Message is primary: According to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:34)depend on the Word of God 5. Watch care of the churches 6. Gives his life H. God calls families like yours, from churches like yours, to be missionaries to the uttermost parts of the world.

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I.

Not everyone is called to go to Africa, China or some other remote and isolated land. However, everyone can and should be involved with and committed to missions; after all, it is the

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

heartbeat of God. God would have us be as Abrahama blessing to those around us, influencing them for the cause of Christ. God wants usour time, our talents (abilities) and our treasures (money). Be a missionary right where you live. You will never be a missionary to Zaire until you can be a missionary right where you are, reaching out to the souls of men, women and children you come in contact with every day. You can be involved and committed by supporting other Christians who have gone to foreign fields with your prayers and finances. There will be fruit that abounds to your account (Philippians 4:1617).

The MethodThe How, Where and When of Missions

A. Missions is a direct outreach of the local church. Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the local church, and they reported back to that local church in Antioch, showing responsibility and accountability (Acts 13:15; 14:2527). It is the responsibility of the church to send and support; it is the responsibility of the missionary to go, show and report. B. The goal of missions is church plantingwe have the example of our Masters plan to follow. 1. Evangelism: Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God . . . (Mark 1:14). We need to proclaim the gospel to people who do not know it, using all available appropriate means. 2. Discipleship: Jesus took 12 men that they should be with him (for training) and that he might send them forth to preach (Mark 3:14).

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

3. Partnership: Knowing that He would not always be with them, Jesus next step was to put His disciples to work as partners with Him. They did as He did and they all rejoiced together (Mark 6:7, 12, 30). 4. Full responsibility: The time came when the Master put the

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responsibility for His ministry into the hands of His disciples. He continued to work with them through the Holy Spirit, but they became responsible for the work that He had begun (Mark 16:1420). C. The sending church, the local church such as your church, must uphold the missionary and his work in prayer and support him financially that the work may continue. 1. Prayer for laborers (Matthew 9:3738). 2. Prayer for Holy Ghost power (1 Thessalonians 1:5; Ephesians 6:1819). D. When and Where? But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). A childrens song says, Be a missionary every day. Tell the world that Jesus is the way. In Africa, China or wherever you may stay, be a missionary, be a missionary, be a missionary every day.

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

questions & answer s

1. What tool does God use to do His work of evangelism? 2. What three things might a Christian be likened unto in his effort to evangelize the world? A. B. C. 3. How far are we to take the gospel? 4. Memorize the simple presentation of the gospel as found in the lesson and then write the seven steps without having to rely upon the notes. A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

5. How is missions an unbroken chain of burdens?

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6. Missions is the heartbeat of God. What well known Scripture verse demonstrates this and briefly explain how.

7. In what ways does God want us to be like Abraham?

8. What are six things we learn from the Apostle Paul about missionaries? A. B. C. D. E. F. 9. In what three ways can you be involved and committed to missions? A. B. C. 10. Briefly explain the purpose of this lesson.

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Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

key memory verses

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:89). That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9, 13). For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:1617). Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:3738).

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Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:1920).

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additional thoughts
Popular teachings concerning evangelism and missions are:
1. God is a God of love and, therefore, would not send anyone to Hell. 2. Man can save himself by simply being a good person. 3. Living the gospel without preaching the gospel is sufficient to convince others to trust Christ. 4. The Church and her social programs and not missions are important to God. 5. Missions is the responsibility of those individuals that God has called to be missionaries. 6. The primary responsibility of missions is to meet the physical and social needs of Third World countries. From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand that these teachings are false, and why.

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Discipleship Lesson Sixteen

questions
Write any questions you may have concerning the subjects of this lesson.
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