“Active” Evangelism

Bob MullenMay 1, 2011

Active Evangelism

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)19 Go therefore and make disciples of all

nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reactive Evangelism• “Our church is in crisis.”• “We are getting smaller.”• “We’ve got to get out and get

new members so we don’t die.”• What happens when the crisis is

over?

Proactive Evangelism• God always wants to save sinners.• There is no artificial crisis or selfish

reasons on our part.• 2 Tim. 4:2. Preach the Word in

season and out of season.• Always going out.

Attractive Evangelism• Good-looking building.• Good-looking programs.• Good-looking worship.• Good-looking preacher.• The energy is only one way- can

only attract people to Jesus.

Interactive Evangelism• Going out and being salt and light to

people around us (disciples of Jesus).• Being ready to give reasons for the

hope in us (1 Peter 3:15-16).• This is to be a way of life- the

attractive and authentic life.• Often called a “missional” approach.

Subtractive Evangelism• Causing people to stumble for

reasons other than the cross of Christ.• Worldly attitudes (Power, lust, etc.)• Religious perfectionism.• Laws other than the law of Christ.

Inexactive Evangelism• Not personalizing our faith enough

to be exact about what the gospel is.• Ephesians 4:13. Tossed around by

every wind of doctrine…• In effect, we show our lack of

knowledge about the gospel.

The Gospel- 1 Cor. 15:1-9

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain.

The Gospel- 1 Cor. 15:1-9

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

The Gospel- 1 Cor. 15:1-9

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then

to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five

hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

The Gospel- 1 Cor. 15:1-9

8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Active Evangelism

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)19 Go therefore and make disciples of all

nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."