WHY THIS CONFERENCE? SIX STEPS TO DRAWING A NON-CHURCH PERSON TO JESUS P S W G H D

Transcription

1 WHY THIS CONFERENCE? In the Early Church, 100% of believers engaged in biblical evangelism. They were living out of the fullness of the DNA of Jesus. The believers at that time reached the known world with the gospel and the Church experienced explosive growth. Today, research shows only 2% of believers engage in Biblical evangelism. That s a 98% regression over 2000 years. Julian Batchelor spent 10 years as an investigative journalist to discover what caused this shift. The shift has been inspired by principalities and powers, led by the devil. His motivation for stopping evangelism is life preservation (Matthew 24:14). Julian wrote a book about his findings, detailing how this tragic regression has happened, and what we must do to reverse it. This conference, and the twelve lost truths, are a summary of his findings. Our vision as a ministry is to ask God to use us to help bring the Church back to the place where 100% of believers are active in evangelism - back to living in the fullness of the DNA of Jesus. P S W G H D SIX STEPS TO DRAWING A NON-CHURCH PERSON TO JESUS As doctors train to be more effective with bodies, and mechanics with the engines of cars, so we ought to train to know the process the Holy Spirit works through to save people. As Jesus ambassadors, this is our core business. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Understanding these steps will help us be more strategic in our thinking and planning e.g. How is our church going with mobilsing and maintaining our people in these steps? Where are we weak? strong? So-so? What action must we take so as to be strong in all six, particularly sowing? These steps also help everyone in the Church see where their gifting and talent fits in this process. i.e it helps us to see the need to do both what God has called us to in particular (e.g. be a worship leader), AND to do what He has commanded every member of the Church to do (i.e. evangelism). It is therefore hugely beneficial for everyone in the Church to become very familiar with these steps.

2 TWELVE TRUTHS WE MUST RECOVER AND BE UNITED ABOUT IF WE ARE TO CREATE A DNA/CULTURE OF EVANGELISM IN OUR CHURCHES. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) TO EVANGELISE IS TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OR SPREAD IT THROUGH OTHER MEDIA. THE GOSPEL HAS THREE ASPECTS: WORKS, EFFECTS, AND WORDS. THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS TO EVANGELISE THE WORLD. DRAWING NON-CHRISTIANS TO CHRIST IS A PROCESS WITH SIX STEPS. IT S CRUCIAL TO MOVE FROM BELIEVING IN THE MISSION TO DOING THE MISSION THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES. THE CHIEF MOTIVE OF A DISCIPLE IS TO GLORIFY GOD. RECOVER THE PRACTICE OF WALKING IN THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS. LEADERS MUST MODEL EVANGELISM. (10) EVANGELISM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL BELIEVERS. (11) EVANGELISM IS NOT TO BE EQUATED WITH THE WINNING OF SOULS. (12) SCRIPTURE IS OUR FINAL AUTHORITY * The dove in the background of the 12 truths (above) represents the Holy Spirit. It was placed there to remind us to be completely and utterly reliant upon Him in the recovery *

3 SOME OF THE REASONS BEHIND THESE 12 TRUTHS. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) The biblical definition of evangelism came out of two conferences attended by the world s leading pastors and theologians: Lausanne 1974 and This We Believe See Julian s book for details. It s crucial to protect this definition because it links directly to Mark 4:26-29 and automatos. The devil and darkness do not want Christians engaging in evangelism. So he has tried to confuse us by having us think that doing the works of the gospel is to be equated with doing evangelism. To beat him on this one, keep the distinction clear between works, effects, and words. The biblical definition of the mission of the Church came from scholars and theologians some of whom are cited in this conference. There is currently widespread and deep confusion in the Church about what evangelism is and isn t. In error, most Christians consider every connection with non-christians constitutes evangelism. When the call goes forth to exhort people to engage in true biblical evangelism, the exhortations go unheeded, because people think they are already doing evangelism. These six steps clear the fog. In the Bible, belief is always synonymous with doing. So if we truly believe in evangelism, and the Great Commission, we will do it. All the way through the Bible, the test of genuine faith and love for God is obedience to His will and commands. To obey Him is to be truly united with Him. Scholars and theologians consider that the purpose of the Church is to make disciples. The main emphasis of the Greek language in Matthew 28 :19 is on make disciples. The reason we are making disciples is so that we can have more labourers to accomplish the mission. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) declared that The Chief End Of Man Is To Glorify God And Enjoy Him Forever. Evangelism is arguably the greatest way to bring God glory. When we became Christians, we agree to make Him our Lord (Romans 10:9-10). We signed up to follow Him and obey His commands, no matter what the cost. If don t evangelise because we don t feel like it, we are not walking in the Lordship of Jesus. We are not being true to the prayer we prayed at salvation when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Leaders of churches today stand in a long line of leaders back to Jesus. Jesus taught His disciples how to evangelise, who in turn taught their disciples, who in turn taught their disciples and so on. Any leader who does not model evangelism, becomes a broken link in the chain. Leaders who don t evangelise threaten block everyone else in their church from being released into evangelism. Many sincere Christians believe in error that evangelism is only for those with the gift. Every Christian without the gift who holds to this view (and there are many) will not engage personally in evangelism. This view is one of many which threatens a return of the whole Church back to the mission of Jesus. If we define evangelism erroneously as the winning of souls, we open ourselves to a number of negative consequences : we bully people into a decision; we become like car salesman; we think of ourselves as failures when we present the gospel to someone and they don t convert; or we water down the gospel in order to get a decision. Not wanting to be a salesman, or a bully, or a failure, or to compromise, we drop out of true, biblical evangelism - or don t start. This is a foundational truth. If we don t believe that Scripture is our final authority, then obedience to for evangelism becomes optional, a matter of personal choice. Once compelling reason why the Early Church completed the Mission in their day was because they believed in the authority of the Churchs teachings.

4 THE ESSENTIAL CONTENT OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE To say I ve preached the gospel we must have covered this content in the message. WHY: Why we must be saved (The holiness of God, Sin, Justice, and Judgement) HOW: How Jesus can save us (His Cross, His grace, His righteousness & His election and adoption) WHAT: What we must do to be saved (turn and surrender) THE: The cost of becoming a Christian (making Jesus Lord, turning from the old life, beginning the new) THE THREE ASPECTS OF THE GOSPEL You ll often hear people say the gospel is more than just words! They are absolutely right. THE GOSPEL has 3 aspects: the works of the gospel, the effects of the gospel, and the words of the gospel. However, when Jesus said go into all the world and proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15) He was making reference to the words of the gospel, (not the works) which is a carefully crafted salvation message from within the bible. Proclaiming the gospel, or spreading it through cards, booklets, or some other media, is the key feature of the Great Commission and the epicentre of the DNA of Jesus. Just to re-iterate, THE mission of Jesus passed onto the Church by Him is to evangelise the world. WORKS One of the effects of the words and works of the gospel is the generation of deep joy! EFFECTS OR WORDS Another effect of the gospel is the generation of trouble, pain, and persecution!

5 PREPARE: Pre-conference meeting with pastors and leaders 3 months out to get ready for the conference. Gives leaders a change to look and see before they commit. TO EFFECT A DNA/ CULTURE CHANGE, A CHURCH MUST PASS THROUGH FOUR PHASES LAUNCH: The Saturday conference. (1) People are united with Jesus & His mission + His heart and mind for the lost. (2) They are equipped to start doing evangelism at the conference. MULTIPLY: Teaching other churches how to be united with Jesus in His mission i.e. passing on what you have learned & leading them into the favour of God. CONSOLIDATE: (1) Purging. (2) Putting in place structures and strategies. (3) Getting our church in order. What ought to be the chief motive of every disciple? To glorify God It has four parts: Go! Proclaim or spread the gospel (Our Mission) Baptise those who are saved Disciple those who are baptised (Our Purpose) The Westminster Confession of Faith The chief end of man is to glory God and enjoy Him forever. True biblical evangelism is the highest form of worship