"PERSPECTIVES FOR SUCCESS IN EVANGELISM"
INTRODUCTION
1. It is important to maintain certain perspectives in evangelism...
a. Many start out with great enthusiasm, but often get discouraged
and apathetic
b. This happens even to those who are highly skilled in teaching
others
2. The problem is one that Zig Ziegler might call "stinkin thinkin"
(wrong way of looking at things)...
a. With the wrong perspectives, many personal workers eventually lose
heart
b. Before long, evangelistic efforts dwindle and in some cases stop
altogether
3. There are perspectives that are especially crucial to maintaining...
a. A high level of enthusiasm
b. Persistence in evangelism
4. From The Parable Of The Sower and elsewhere in the Scriptures we
learn things that help..
a. Remove the discouragement and prevent the apathy that paralyzes so
many today
b. Instill enthusiasm in serving as laborers in the vineyard of the
Lord!
[The parable itself is found in Lk 8:4-8, and the explanation is found
in Lk 8:11-15 (please read). The first principle we can glean from this
parable is that...]
I. THE POWER IS IN THE SEED (WORD)
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. The Word of God has always been capable of influencing people,
accomplishing its intended purpose - Isa 55:10-11
2. As the author of Hebrews wrote, it is both "alive and powerful"
- He 4:12
3. This is especially true of the Gospel, the "power of God unto
salvation" - Ro 1:16
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. If people are going to be truly converted, it will not be
through smooth speech or fancy presentations involving
"hi-tech" equipment, but through the life-changing truth of the
gospel
2. We can certainly use modern aids to present the gospel, but we
must make sure that they are faithfully communicating the Word
3. True conversion (which involves a spiritual regeneration) will
occur only if we plant the proper "seed"
4. Perhaps we don't get the desired result, because we don't sow
the right seed!
[But even when we plant the proper seed, we often do not see the desired
results. Understanding the reason why helps one to maintain the right
perspective...
II. THE RESULTS DEPEND UPON THE TYPE OF SOIL
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. We see that the same seed, when sown, produced different
results
2. One result was no reaction whatsoever
3. Two others had only temporary success
4. Only one out of the four resulted in bearing fruit!
5. Where lies the blame?
a. Upon the SEED? No!
b. Upon the SOWER? No!
c. Upon the TYPE OF SOIL? Yes!
6. This illustrates where the area of responsibility lies
a. The sower fulfills his responsibility by sowing the seed
- cf. Eze 3:17-19
b. If the soil rejects the seed, the soil is responsible; the
sower should not feel accountable - cf. Mt 10:14-15; Ac 13:
44-46
c. The positive implication is this: Every time we sow the
seed, we are successful! If a person rejects it, we have
not failed, they have!
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. We need to learn the joy of sharing the Word for its own sake!
a. There is joy in sharing Christ with others (we've got good
news!)
b. Whether or not people accept Him (we are glad to serve our
Lord in this way!)
c. Of course, we are delighted when someone believes and truly
accepts Jesus as Lord
d. But we should consider it as the "icing on the cake"
e. Even if we don't experience the "icing," we can still enjoy
the "cake"
2. Another significance of this principle concerns our goals
a. Goals should center on how many are being taught, not
converted!
b. Too often, we make the number of baptisms (conversions) the
measure of success or even faithfulness on the part of the
teacher
c. But even the most faithful teachers may find themselves in
circumstances like Jeremiah or Jesus, where very few people
gave heed to their message
d. Shall we count them failures? Rather, let us count them
faithful, if they have faithfully sowed the seed!
[Closely related to all this is the perspective concerning...]
III. THE PLACE OF THE SOWER
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. It pertains to how we view ourselves as teachers
2. As illustrated in the parable and elsewhere, we are simply
seed-throwers and water-boys - cf. 1Co 3:5-7
3. One may plant the seed, another may water, but it is God
(through His Word in a receptive heart) who gives the increase!
4. Because of this, there is no place for boasting about numbers
of people being converted
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. God can even use "defective" seed-throwers - cf. Php 1:15-18
a. Not only defective in motive (as seen in the text), but also
in experience!
b. This is because the power is in the seed, not the sower!
2. Therefore we should not feel like we have to be an accomplished
salesman to present the Gospel
3. Even those who tremble and may not be eloquent can be used by
the Lord to reach others - cf. 1Co 2:1-5
[And then there is...]
IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF SOWING AND REAPING
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. In 2Co 9:6 we find this principle stated, and it easily seen
in many different areas of life
a. In sales, the ratio of success is often one sale out of nine
calls
b. In acting, the ratio can be as high as one job out of thirty
auditions, even for successful actors
c. In The Parable Of The Sower, only one out of four produced
favorable results
2. Successful people in different walks of life understand that
the key to success is to increase the number of their efforts
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. It should be obvious: If we desire to reap more, we must be
willing to sow more!
2. Many people fail in the area of evangelism because they "sow
sparingly" and get discouraged by the meager results
3. If we increase the level of sowing, the level of reaping will
rise proportionately
4. But again, to avoid discouragement, we need to set goals on how
many are taught, not on how many are converted!
[Another perspective for success in evangelism is to keep in mind...]
V. QUITE OFTEN, ONE SOWS AND ANOTHER REAPS
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. Winning souls involves both sowing and reaping
2. Jesus used these terms in talking to His disciples as recorded
in Jn 4:35-38
3. Exactly what is the difference between "sowing" and "reaping"?
a. Sowing is the work necessary to one day being able to reap!
1) In agriculture, sowing involves preparing the soil and
planting the seed
2) In winning souls to Christ, sowing likewise involves
preparation and planting
a) In which the hearts are being prepared for the
reception of the gospel
b) In which the hearts are first introduced to the gospel
and its principles
b. Reaping is the actual "harvesting" of what has been sown
1) In agriculture, reaping is the collection of the fruits
which have produced by the sowing
2) In winning souls, reaping is that harvesting which occurs
when souls who have had
the Word planted in their hearts decide to obey it!
4. It is important to appreciate the statement in Jn 4:37, "One
sows and another reaps"
a. Those who sow do not always witness the reaping that may one
day occur
b. And many times those who reap are benefiting from the
efforts of those who did the sowing before them
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. In evangelism, this means that oftentimes you will be sowing
the seed and it may appear that you are not getting any results
a. But some time later those souls you were trying to reach may
decide to finally obey the gospel
b. Another Christian may actually do the reaping in your place!
2. Then again, there will be times when people just sort of "fall
into your lap"
a. Ready and anxious to obey the gospel with little effort on
your part
b. In this case, you are reaping what others have sown!
3. The point to keep in mind is that evangelism involves both
"sowing" and "reaping," and there will be times when what you
sow will be reaped by someone else
a. Let this be an encouragement to you when it appears that you
are not reaping as you would hope
b. You might actually be making it much easier for some brother
or sister in the future!
[Then there are three related perspectives I find encouraging. The
first of these is to remember...]
VI. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD IS AT WORK
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. In nearly every example of conversion, God worked in some way
to create the opportunity for the person to hear the gospel
a. Philip was sent toward Gaza where he would meet the
Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)
b. The Lord saw to it that Saul and Ananias would get together
(Acts 9)
c. Likewise, that the household of Cornelius would have a
chance to hear the gospel from Peter (Acts 10)
d. The evangelization of Europe that started with the
conversion of Lydia and the Philippian Jailor occurred after
the "Macedonian Call" led Paul and his companions in that
direction (Acts 16).
2. Granted, these circumstances are in keeping with the miraculous
events in establishing the Lord's church
a. But I believe they illustrate a principle that is just as
valid for us today
b. That principle is this:
1) The Lord, who knows the hearts of all men and seeks those
who are seeking Him - cf. 2Ch 16:9
2) He will make sure that those who "hunger and thirst for
righteousness" will somehow be "filled" - Mt 5:6
3. This is where the providence of God comes in
a. When the Lord knows there are people who would be receptive
to the gospel (e.g., in Corinth, Ac 18:9-11)
b. He will "open doors" to give those who are seeking the truth
the opportunity to be reached by those who are prepared to
do the teaching
4. It may not happen immediately, but I am persuaded...
a. That if there is someone who is "asking, seeking, and
knocking" for the truth
b. The Lord will see that at some point in that person's life
they have an opportunity to hear the gospel
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. It is encouraging to know that we are not alone in our efforts
to lead the lost to Christ
2. God will see that every soul who has an honest and seeking
heart will one day come across someone prepared to explain the
Gospel to him or her
3. When we engage in evangelism, we are "God's fellow workers"
- 1Co 3:5-9
[Of course, how useful we can be to the Lord leads to another
perspective for success in evangelism...]
VII. GOD OPENS DOORS FOR PREPARED WORKERS
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. The Scriptures often speak of the Lord "opening doors" for His
servants who are ready to serve Him
a. Paul wrote about an "open door" of opportunity that prompted
him to remain longer at Ephesus - 1Co 16:9
b. He even wrote of one occasion where there was an "open
door," but circumstances were such that he did not take
advantage of it - 2Co 2:12-13
c. From the Lord's remarks to the church in Philadelphia, we
learn that the Lord opens doors for those people He can use
- Re 3:8
2. The implication regarding evangelism is this:
a. If we desire to be used in God's providence to reach those
who are seeking the truth
b. Then we must prepare ourselves to be useful! - cf. 2Ti 2:
19-21
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. The principle of preparation applies to both individuals and
congregations
a. Individuals must prepare themselves to teach, or to lead
souls to those able to teach
b. Congregations must also be ready to assimilate new converts
into the family of God where they can be nurtured and
protected during a vital stage of their newfound life
2. Many congregations may not find "open doors" to reach others
because they have not prepared themselves to be a place where
"babes in Christ" will be cared for properly
a. Do we really believe that the Lord through His providence
would "open doors" for a congregation filled with "carnal
Christians" who would only devour the new Christian?
b. The Lord might often have to wait a long time before
providentially working to see that a truth seeker has an
opportunity to hear the gospel
c. Of course, we would anticipate in such cases that the Lord
would use His providence to spare the truth seeker's life
until there are people ready to teach and receive him or her
into the family of God
3. Whether or not the last point is true, the following is still
valid and encouraging:
a. If we will prepare ourselves to be useful to the Lord
b. His providence will "open doors" of opportunity for us to
reach those in our community
who have honest and good hearts that are seeking for the
truth
[Finally, related to preparation is to remember that ...]
VIII. PRAYER IS THE CATALYST IN EVANGELISM
A. THE PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED...
1. If the providence of God is at work and it involves the lives
of those who are prepared to be used as well as those who are
seeking the truth, it should be easy to see that prayer would
play an important role
a. In the case of Cornelius, his prayers that prompted God to
take notice - Ac 10:1-4
b. It was a man given to prayer that the Lord chose to reach
him - Ac 10:9
2. Sometimes much preparation for evangelism is not too different
from preparing to make a sales pitch
a. It is almost as though people think that if you follow the
right procedure with anyone, the desired results must
necessarily follow
b. Certainly that is no one's intention; yet prayer is not
often stressed in many books on how to do evangelism
c. In contrast, we find Paul teaching the Colossians to pray
that God would open a door for the Word - Col 4:3
B. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. Think of prayer as a "catalyst" that starts the process of
God's providence in bringing together the lost but seeking soul
with the prepared and seeking servant of the Lord
2. When we have prepared ourselves to be useful to the Lord and
then diligently pray "Lord, lead me to some soul today," doors
will open and we will begin to find souls who have been praying
and will be receptive to the gospel!
CONCLUSION
1. Perseverance is the key to success in evangelism; those who persist
in sowing the seed eventually bear fruit
2. The wrong perspectives produce negative attitudes and eventual
failure
3. The right perspectives maintain positive attitudes and eventual
success!
It is hoped the perspectives shared above can help maintain the positive
attitude necessary to persevere until Harvest Time is no more. Remember
the words of the apostle Paul...
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord." - 1Co 15:58
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