Introduction: An invitation to a pastors' conference, of 67 seminars only 1 was devoted to outreach.
I. The necessity for outreach/evangelism is based on the death and resurrection of Jesus A. Luke 24:44, 47 – The good news of Jesus death and resurrection of Jesus mandates communicating that good news to others just as a cure for cancer would mandate telling others.
B. II Corinthians 514,15,19 with v. 20 – Because of the death of Christ, the Christian is to speak words of reconciliation to others.
C. Luke 24:47 – “in His name” – It is not a general type of repentance or a general forgiveness, but one which is linked directly to Christ.
II. In this great task God uses human instruments. A. Luke 24:48 – Men and women, not angels or anything, is God's means of communicating His message. B. II Cor. 5:20 – We are His ambassadors representing and speaking on behalf of Jesus Christ in this world.
III. There is an urgency in communicating this message A. II Cor. 5:14 – Paul was under compulsion to preach the Gospel.
B. Acts 4:19,20 – Peter and John were under compulsion to preach Christ even in the face of threats.
C. Acts 26:29 – Paul would not be dissuaded from preaching Christ's death and resurrection to both great and small.
IV. In this way, God is glorified A. John 14:12 with 15:8 – When we bear spiritual fruit by witnessing God is glorified. |