How Do I Reach The Lost?

Introduction

Allude to AM series ‘The Kingdom’

Link to the methods of expanding the Kingdom

2 Extremes of Kingdom extension from Church history

• Invade nations and force people to ‘confess’ at threat of death EG the crusades of the 14th century - all human effort
• Reject all forms of evangelism because ‘salvation is entirely God business’. EG the famous missionary to India William Carey was criticized for his desire to preach to the Indians

With hind sight we can all probably agree neither of those approaches to expanding the Kingdom were what God had in mind.

So how do we do it?

Theologically and practically, how do we actually reach the lost?

The theological issue

What part to we play in leading people to Christ? (do we play a part at all?)

2 Extremes –

• None at all (or a token effort)
• It’s all up to us (works mentality)

Read 2 Cor 5:11-21 – The Ministry of Reconciliation

This passage encapsulates the best balance between our involvement and God's in the process of Salvation

• We are not the saviour
• We are not the bystander
• We are the ambassadors through whom God appeals (the link)

Furthermore I think there is a huge key in here that suggest our method

2 Cor 5:11 ’We…fear the Lord, we try to persuade men’

What is ‘Biblical’ Persuasion?

At first it doesn’t sound like a biblical concept.

Persuasion is a Biblical word. It is used in the context of Christian ministry a hand full of times, and is implied many times

• Persuading is not the same as manipulating or coercing (forcing or bribing).
• They involve an ulterior and impure motive. Inappropriate for sharing the gospel
• Persuasion means to appeal to reason and understanding, intellectually and/or emotionally
• Persuasion goes beyond just forming belief (convincing). It causes people to act or respond. Abraham was ‘fully persuaded’ and acted on it. (Rom 4)
• Paul was good at this – In Corinth (Acts 18:4) and Ephesus (Acts 19:8)

The root meaning:

• Per (through) suasion (from suave – sweet)
• I.e. persuasion = ‘through sweetness’
• Ps 34:8 “Taste and see the Lord is good.”

Biblical persuasion leaves a good taste in people’s mouth!

Living a persuasive life

1. Persuaded

Like Abraham, be fully persuaded yourself

• Can’t convince someone if not convinced yourself
• “This one thing I know...” None of us know it all. Hold on to what you do know
• Don’t be robbed of your confidence

2. Prayer and Power

RT Kendall says that before the lost can be saved, two things must come together – the work of the Christian and the work of the Spirit

1 Cor 2:4-5 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

• Old saying – ‘A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still’
• The H.S. convicts the world of guilt (Jn 16:8)
• Paul prayed for peoples eyes to be opened (Eph 1:18)
• Persuasive evangelism is words with power (the H.S. Power)

3. People Focused

Mention Graham's comment ‘we’re all business people...’. In other words we are all engaged at some level in influencing the outcomes of our transactions.

The question is ‘what is your focus?’

We are in the People business

Jesus said that he had to be about his Fathers business. That is true for all of us.

• “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”
• A love for people and an awareness of them

4. Perseverance

Hebrews 12:1 – Run with perseverance the race marked out for you

• Just keep going! Every day counts.
• Longevity is a very persuasive quality.
• The great teacher Gamaliel knew this when he advised the Sanhedrin (read Acts 5:33-40)

5. Peace

Read Matt 10:11

• Let your peace return to you
• Without peace we are restless and frustrated – like the rest of the world!

Conclusion

Helping to bring people into the kingdom is one of the greatest privileges a person can experience.

God has given us all that we need for life and Godliness. Don’t think that you have nothing to give to this hurting world.

Live a persuasive life