Making Evangelism a Lifestyle

If you recall I mentioned to all who were present Friday night that we needed to make evangelism a lifestyle. I know that it is easier said than done but we need to be ready to share in season and out of season. You are right it is a whole lot easier when you have set aside the time and have a partner to go with you but we should not wait until the next time the fishing team is going out to witness. I would encourage you think about how you can make evangelism a part of your every day life. The more you get out there and find someone to witness to the more comfortable you will feel. When your knees begin to shake, your palms begin to sweat, and your spine feels like it is going to turn to jello that should be when you turn to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for courage and compassion. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather acting rightly despite your fear.

I have heard several people say to me well this is your thing and this comes easy to you. They assume that because I have an outgoing personality that I am automatically good at evangelism. They also assume that because I am so passionate about evangelism that it must come easy for me. I must admit there are times that I am gripped with fear and don't want to open my mouth but I know that I must and many times I have to force myself to break the ice. I have had to trained myself by watching videos, reading books, listening to audio messages, and getting out there and doing it.

You might be asking so how do I make evangelism a lifestyle: 1) don't leave the house without tracts, find a tract that you like and use it; whether it is the million dollar bill, the pink and blue optical illusion, or some other tract. 2) Don't just take the tracts out of the house but hand them out while you are out and about. 3) Work on witness more often then you are right now, if you are only witnessing once or twice a month make a point to witness more often. Have someone hold you accountable. 4) The more you witness the easy it becomes, work on memorizing scripture needed for evangelism. 5) Listen to Hells' Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversions, learn many of the analogies and parables that Ray uses and incorporate them into your encounters.

I hope this has helped, be on the lookout for the next issue of Making Evangelism a Lifestyle.

Most people find it easy to talk to God about men, but find it rather difficult to talk to men about God.

Get out there and find someone to share the Gospel with because people are dying and going to hell.

This life, in brief

Posted today on teampyro.blogspot.com
by Dan Phillips

Proverbic distillation:

For the Christian, all misery is temporary.
For the non-Christian, all pleasure is temporary.

More poetically:

The sorrows of the godly are fleeting,
As are the pleasures of the wicked.

Scriptures:
Line A:
Psalm 16:11; 23:6; 73:23-26; Isaiah 24:1-9; Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23; Romans 8:18, 28-39; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 4:16 — 5:10; James 1:2-3, 12; 1 Peter 1:5-6; 5:10; 1 John 2:17; Revelation 21:4; 22

Line B:
Psalm 1:4-6; 17:14a; 37:10; 73:16-20; Proverbs 10:28; 11:7; Matthew 16:26; Luke 6:24-26; 12:16-21; 16:19-31; Romans 2:5, 9; Colossians 3:5-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 11:25b; James 5:1-6; 1 John 2:17; Revelation 20:10, 15; 21:8

Conclusion: Take heart, or fear — as appropriate.

Meeting Manny

On Friday night I saw the Holy Spirit work in many people's hearts, but one particular guy sticks out in my mind. In front of the UA in Grand Prairie on the opening night of the Simpsons there was, needless to say, quite a crowd. I had been sharing with two young men who responded mostly with sarcasm and ridicule, and, while I was faithful to plant the seed of the gospel and warn them of their need for repentance and faith, I was still somewhat discouraged after the conversation. Neverthless, the Lord strengthened me with boldness to continue. I moved around for a minute and saw a teenage guy waiting for a ride. I knew the Lord wanted me to share with him, so I quickly offered him a million. He flatly refused and turned the other way. In my mind I thought, "Oh no! Another hard heart." I decided to try the pink and blues, so I said, "Can I just ask you one question? Which one looks bigger?"
The little optical illusion amused him enough that I was able to begin a conversation and was able to share the gospel with him. By the end of the conversation, I felt that he and I had built a connection and that he felt the love of Christ coming through me. He was very receptive to what I said and agreed to consider the gospel message. We shook hands and he sincerely thanked me for talking to him.
The Lord is very good.

Talking With Eric About Eternity

On Friday night I had the privilege of talking with Eric; he was at the lake with his son doing some fishing. As I began to talk with Eric he was quick to point out that he attend such and such Church. This didn't stop me from continuing to talk with him.

I have learned just because someone tells me they are a Christian or that they go to such and such church I don't back down, I stick with it until I get some answers that assure me that this person understands repentance and faith. I'm not belligerent about this I just lovingly continue with my conversation and many times decide to witness to them using the testimonial style rather than a more direct approach. Often these people do prove by their speech that they are believers but my experience has been that I am able to encourage and build up those who I talk to when I have spent the time to witness them. At other times those who make a profession of faith have never truly been born again and need to hear the Gospel message.

Come to find out Eric had never been born again even though he attended .... church. I shared with Eric testimonial style and then put it back on him and then took him through the law. We talked about sin, righteousness, God's wrath, and our need to repent and trust the Savior. Eric was very pleased that we talked; I encouraged Eric not go to sleep without thinking about the fact that God's wrath was pointed right at him. I gave Eric a pocket testament and encouraged him to read it. I pray that the Holy Spirit would draw Eric to repentance.

Sowing Seed into Chavo's Life

I too was thrilled to see a good turnout Friday night at Lakeside Park. Right off the bat the Lord provided a divine appointment for me and Steve (my partner for the evening) with Chavo--a middle aged catholic man. He reluctantly received my Million Dollar Bill tract, then agreed to talk about the Million Dollar Question on the back. He was somewhat skeptical of us at first, even asking us what we were doing in the park. But, after we began talking about the reality of sin, death, judgment, hell, God's amazing grace in Jesus and our need to repent and trust Jesus, he began to warm up to us. He was glad we talked with him about such important matters. It turns out that he lived relatively close to our church building, so I gave him one of my cards and invited him to our Sunday Celebration. I praise God for this opportunity to sow the seed of the gosepl into Chavo's life and I pray and trust that the Holy Spirit will bring him to repentance and faith.

Pastor Phil

Great First Night!

I was thrilled to see all those who came out to participate on Friday night. We spent about an hour at Lakeside Park and then split up and went to some of the local cinemas. Wes, Kelly, Amy, and Jessica went to United Artist in Grand Prairie; Wes, Amy, and Jessica all said they had a great time witnessing one to one. Kelly have a few dollars so Wes used that opportunity to draw a crowd and preach open air; way to go Wes. The rest of us went to the Cinemark in Cedar Hill where Pastor Phil, Renee, Michelle, and I did some one to one. I pray that all of those who received a tract, had a one to one conversation with one of the fishers, or heard Wes preach would be drawn by the Holy Spirit unto repentance.

A Little About Me
I have been actively sharing my faith for a little over a year now after taking the Way of the Master basic training course in the spring of 2006. I remember after finishing the class having a overwhelming desire to witness but lacking the courage to actually get out there and do it. I immediately after finishing the class began to hand out tracts and leave some in places where people would find them.

A few months after the class I began sharing my faith by witnessing to others. Since then I have been working hard to learn more about Biblical Evangelism by spending time with Pastor Phil, listening to sermons, watching videos, and plodding my way through the School of Biblical Evangelism; a 101 lesson course that will equip you to share your faith.

In January I got promoted and moved to a position in the fire deparment that requires me to work five days a week. I have been taking the DART light rail to work so I use my time in the evening to witness to others. The LORD has truly used the past seven months to grow me in my faith and hone my skills. I give Him praise for this opportunity to serve Him.