PERSONAL EVANGELISM AND WITNESSING

1. PERSONAL EVANGELISM AND WITNESSING Lesson 6 for May 12, 2012

2. “THEY REALIZED THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS” Peter and John stood before the most powerful court in the nation (Acts, 4: 1-22). Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and defended eloquently. The Bible tells that the members of the Sanhedrin did four different things: The impression they made on the people was so strong that about five thousand people believed, despite the public arrest of Peter and John. Our personal relationship with Jesus will influence our success in witnessing.

3. WITNESSINGBYCONTACT “That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him” (Numbers, 16: 5) Jesus didn’t called His first disciples, but let them come near Him (John, 1: 35-39) Jesus broke the ice with a simple question (“what do you seek?”) and let Andrew and John express their desire of being with Him. They were convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah some hours later. Just after that, Andrew told his brother Simon: “We have found the Messiah” (John, 1: 41) and carried Him to the feet of Jesus.

4. WITNESSINGBYCONTACT A little later, Jesus directly called Philip and he answered to that call (John, 1: 43) Just after that, Philip talked to Nathanael about Jesus. He didn’t have enough arguments so he just said: “Come and see” (John, 1: 46), and carried him to the feet of Jesus. Our family and friends are our personal missionary field. Maybe we don’t have deep knowledge of the Bible, but it’s essential that we know Jesus personally. Only if we know Jesus we could carry others to His feet.

5. “There are many who need the ministration ofloving Christian hearts. Many have gone downto ruin who might have been saved if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the very family, the neighborhood, the town, where we live, there is work for us to do as missionaries for Christ. If we are Christians, this work will be our delight. No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 14, p. 141)

6. WITNESSINGWITHOUREXAMPLE Our close relationship with Jesus can be seen through significant changes in our lives. The people around us notice those significant changes and are converted by a silent evangelism method and our witnessing through our example. Peter said that the unbelieving husbands “may be won by the conduct of their wives”; just as unbelieving wives may be won by the example of their husbands. Gospel isn’t theoretical, but affects the way we are and how we behave. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter, 3: 8-9)

7. “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians, 3: 5 NIV) “AND WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS?” 2 Corinthians, 2: 14-16 In response to a call to evangelistic action, many modern-day believers echo some of Moses’ concerns—“Who am I to be considered for such a task?” “What if they ask me some hard questions?” “I am not a good enough speaker.” We can smile at Moses for thinking that God needed to reconsider His personnel-recruitment strategy, but God knew Moses’ potential, and despite his personal fears and concerns, he was the right person for this special task. Since God is the only One who knows us perfectly (Psalm 139), we must ask Him to show us how we can be useful in His work, and to properly prepare us to do His work.

8. A GRAIN IN THE GRANARY The sower sows the seed, takes care of it, waters it and he finally harvests it. The harvested grain is carried to the granary. In the spiritual, some “sow” the Gospel; others “take care” of It, “water” It and help those who are interested in the Word to grow; others “harvest” and place the “grain” in the “granary”, which is the Church.

9. A GRAIN IN THE GRANARY Since the grain is something small and apparently less important, we could think that our presence is not important and no one needs anything from us. But let’s see what Paul said: “For in fact the body is not one member but many… God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased… those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary… that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another… Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1 Corinthians, 12: 14, 18, 22, 25, 27) Every one of us is individually an important part of the body of Christ (His Church); we have a specific task to fulfill in the work of the Lord.

10. “It is the purpose of God to glorify Himself in His people before the world. He expects those who bear the name of Christ to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. Their thoughts are to be pure and their words noble and uplifting, drawing those around them nearer the Saviour. The religion of Christ is to be interwoven with all that they do and say. Their every business transaction is to be fragrant with the presence of God” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, section 1, “Called to be witnesses”, p. 21)