Review
We are focusing on each of us reaching just one person for Jesus this year.
So far we’ve covered:
Identifying our one.
Praying for our one – why and how.
The value of your one.
Cultivating the heart of your one.
Today: Begin to look at the second of three practical steps we’ll need to take on the way to reaching our one for Jesus.
Evangelism CPR review
In evangelism CPR stands for
C- cultivation
P – planting
R – reaping
As in farming, in evangelism there are three distinct efforts aimed at three different goals.
Cultivation – getting our one’s heart ready for the planting of
Planting – getting into our one’s mind and heart so it can begin to grow and produce the fruit of salvation.
Reaping – inviting our one to receive Christ as and begin to follow him as .
Understanding the sowing (planting) step
What is sowing/planting?
Planting/Sowing is all we do to try to get the gospel into our one’s .
Why is this needed?
Paul said it succinctly, “How will they believe in Him whom they ?” (Romans 10:14)
What is the goal?
To give the gospel in our one’s mind where it can begin to grow and bring changes of mind and heart in his/her life, eventually leading to their moment of decision to receive Jesus as Savior.
Do I have to sow with my one?
That depends on whether your one the gospel.
New Testament Examples of Gospel Sowing
Andrew
John 1:40–41 (NASB95)
One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).
Andrew’s sowing: about Jesus.
Philip
John 1:45–46 (NASB95)
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Philips’s sowing: about Jesus and .
Samaritan woman
John 4:28–30 (NASB95)
So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men,
“Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?”
They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.
The woman’s sowing: about Jesus and .
Levi/Matthew
Luke 5:29 (NASB95)
And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.
Levi’s sowing: to his house.
Aquila and Priscilla, Nympha, Philemon
1 Corinthians 16:19 (NASB95)
The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Colossians 4:15 (NASB95)
Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.
Philemon 2 (NASB95)
and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Their sowing: to church meetings (where seekers would have been welcome).
How can we sow the gospel into our one?
Start with yourself
Check the .
It is very important for people to see Jesus in our lives before we open our mouths to talk about him. Our life and lifestyle preaches for or against the gospel.
Remember: we may be salt and light, but a lamp can be hidden under a pot and salt can lose its savor.
Check .
Are you trying to sow the gospel with your one
So you feel better?
To make your life easier?
To be able to share with others what you did?
To prove to him/her you’ve been right all along?
Or,
Because you have genuine concern for their life and their eternity?
Check .
Will you come across as proud?
Will you come across as a know-it-all?
Will they have to acknowledge your superiority?
Or,
Will you be more like a beggar who’s telling another beggar where to find bread?
before and during sowing
Pray for an open door (opportunity)
Colossians 4:3 (NASB95)
praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
Pray for an open heart
Pray for the right words
Pray against Satan and his devices
Look for what God
John 5:17 (NASB95)
But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”
John 12:32 (NASB95)
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
John 16:8 (NASB95)
“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;”
Get
The seed we want to plant in our one’s mind and heart is the gospel, the good news of salvation by grace thought faith alone in Jesus alone.
The gospel is the answer to the question, “How can I have eternal life?”
Essential components of the gospel:
All of us
All of us deserve from God
Jesus came and took the punishment for our sins. He died in our place and then rose again.
Eternal life is for all who will receive it by faith.
the seed
Examples of ways we might sow the seed of the gospel into our one:
Openly identify as a Christian.
Drop God’s name in a genuine manner.
Give God specific credit, praise, thanks.
Tell your story.
Share a Bible verse or Bible truth that fits and means something to you.
Invite your one to a Christian event.
Invite your one to a Bible study.
Invite your one to be around other believers
Try to turn some conversations toward deeper issues.
Share media: tracts, books, online videos, the Bible with your one.
Ask questions and then listen.
Invite to church:
March Gladness – March 16
Good Friday – April 18, 9 a.m.
Easter Sunday – April 20
Easter Egg Hunt – April 20 after worship
Mother’s Day – May 11
Sweet Life Dessert Comedy Theater with ventriloquist David Pendleton, June 13, 7:00 p.m.
Father’s Day – June 15
Vacation Bible School – June 23-27
Some pointers:
Relax. (If we seem uptight they will feel uptight, too.)
Don’t use God talk.
Don’t argue.
Be willing to take time.
Pay attention to the Holy Spirit.
Remember: sometimes less is more.
Don’t dampen curiosity, raise it. Never say more than people want to hear. If someone isn’t listening to you, stop speaking and say, “You seem to have other things on your mind so I’ll stop right here. Thank you for your time.” Every time I’ve done that people say, “No, no, I am interested. Go on.” But I never do, and you shouldn’t either. It is better to leave people wishing you’d said more than to have them wish you’d already left. (John Leonard)
Listen a lot.
Pray continually.
APPLICATION:
Is your one ready for you to sow the gospel into their mind and heart (have they been cultivated)?
If yes, how much to they know about the gospel?
What do your hear God telling you to do to sow the gospel into your one?
When will you do this?