PVBC: 40 Days Purpose Driven (Week 6) - Evangelism

Friday 8/13/2010 @ 7:30pm

EVANGELISM – "You were made for a mission" – Rick Warren

John 17:18 Jesus Prayed, "In the same way that you [God] gave me a mission in the world, I give them [my followers] a mission in the world."

Luke 15:10 ¹⁰In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

• Celebrate what God has done for you by sending Jesus. Celebrate by inviting others to join you party and share the good news.
  
• According to Rick Warren, when discussing the activities of your small group within your church, it not about looking at what we've done, but what we have started.
  

1 Corinthians 3:9
⁹For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

• Warren said to think about is anybody going to be in heaven because of you? (Although my answer would be No. People get to heaven because of Jesus. However, Jesus is the direct technique, and we are the indirect technique; we're like a catalyst, readily to be used by God. It is a humbling experience to be summoned by God to perform a task because He is all powerful, there is nothing impossible for Him but yet he chose us so that we may walk the same path as Jesus and be empowered by His Spirit.)
  

Story Passage:

Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Heals a Paralytic

 ¹⁷One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. ¹⁸Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof
and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

 ²⁰When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

 ²¹The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

 ²²Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? ²⁴But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." ²⁵Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. ²⁶Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

This passage gave a guideline of the 4 keys to fulfilling God's Mission of the World.

We, as human beings, are prone to sickness, sins, are paralyzed in many ways, not just physically but also spiritually. Those who are paralyzed are the ones who need the most encouragement and guidance so that they may come to Jesus.

Principle of COMPASSION

• "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"
  
• How did the men in the story showed compassion to the paralytic man? (v.18)
  

  Romans 15:2
  ²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
  

  Colossian 4:3 ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
  

  • Pray for SOFTEN YOUR HEART
    
  • Pray for OPPORTUNITIES to invite others
    
  • Pray for SOFTEN THEIR HEART
    

Principle of FAITH

• How did Jesus feel towards the men and what did He do? (v.20)
  

  Hebrews 7:25
  ²⁵Therefore he is able to save completely
  those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
  

Principle of ACTION

• A lot of people in life are paralyzed by guilt, fear, anger; make the most out of every opportunity to offer a hand to these people.
  
• You had to both tell and show to be a witness of Christ.
  
• Be proactive. Example is to invite a friend during Easter service. Suggest one friend and pray for them.
  

  Luke 14:23 ²³"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
  

Principle of PERSISTANT

• How did the men showed the persistency when they could not find their way through the crowd? (v.19)
  

  2 Peter 3:9
  ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
  

• Keep watering the seed that you have sow in the name of Christ Jesus
  
• Be ready to share with gentleness
  
• Meet the needs of people in your life
  
• Pray for open doors and open hearts of non-believers consistently
  

Suggested readings from: Purpose Driven Life for the Graduates

The Importance of your MISSION

• Continuation of Jesus' mission on earth (Matthew 28:19-20; Ezekiel 3:18)
  

• Your mission is a wonderful privilege (2 Corinthians 5:18,20, 6:1)
  

• Telling others how they can have eternal life (Act 4:12)
  

• Your mission has eternal significance (John 9:4)
  

• Your mission gives your life meaning (Acts 20:24)
  

• God's timetable for history's conclusion (Matthew 24:14,36; Act 1:7-8, 20:24)