04/10/11 - Power of Permission Evangelism - Everett Spencer

Everett Spencer teaches on "The Power of Permission Evangelism" in this Sunday morning service.

The Power of Permission Evangelism

Everett Spencer
Sunday, April 10, 2011

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

The Power of Permission Evangelism
(How to be a “closer” for the Kingdom)

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The bible makes it clear (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15) that it is the responsibility of every believer to "be witnesses" for Christ. However, only about 10% of the entire Christian population has the gift of evangelism. The other 90%, myself included, are usually left to deal with the awkward feelings that come with wanting to fulfill this part of our purpose but not knowing how or what to do. 

There are primarily two types of evangelism used in the bible:

Confrontational Evangelism

Though confrontational evangelism is used only in select situations throughout the New Testament it seems to be the style used most prominently at times in the modern "church" (referring to the church at large). This form of "preaching" is used by Jesus, Peter and Paul, usually to confront attitudes of self sufficiency, self righteousness or religious pride. It should be noted that in the ministry of Jesus there aren't many, if any at all, conversions associated with this style of evangelism.

Permission Evangelism

Permission evangelism is the tool the Holy Spirit gives to those of us who aren't in the 10% gifted to be evangelist.

Acts 8:26

Lessons from Philip's experience:

1. Hear, distinguish and obey God's voice - At least twice in the text Philip hears the voice of the Lord and respond

29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

2. Position yourself as He directs - Philip gets into place and waits for further instructions

Vs - 30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

3. Be courageous - The word "courageous" in Hebrew (as it's used in Joshua 1:6-9) means "to be alert". Philip was alert and seized an opportunity with a simple question "do you understand what you're reading?"

4. Respond to their need - Philip quickly joins the eunuch and sits with him

Vs - 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.


5. Start where they are - Philip started with the same scripture

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

6. Do life with them - As you share in their life and them in yours be prepared for the "big ask", the eunuch asked Philip to baptize him

36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Why words aren't important:

Your actions are speaking so loudly, I can’t hear the words coming out of your mouth!!!

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

...Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it. (Message Bible)

Matt 5:16

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.


*All Scriptures quoted from the New Living Translation, except where otherwise noted