This is the Truth Network. Welcome to Ignite the Light Ministries radio and podcast. It is our mission to help listeners develop a deeper relationship with Jesus by sharing what the Bible says and what it means. We aim to encourage and equip you to serve others, Share the gospel and reflect Christ in every aspect of your life. I'm Pastor Wyatt Cudd.
Thank you for tuning in.
Alright, so today we are going to be picking up where we left off. with um the practical uh witness strategy how to share Jesus So we're going to pick up where we left off last week. In each of your bulletins should be an insert that is a summary of this evangelism method. Hold on to this. It should help wherever you're at in the evangelism process, and it's a good summary of this week and last week.
So, to recap, let's remember the Great Commission. This is our call. Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end. of the age. This is the Great Commission. This is the final command Jesus gave us before he ascended into heaven.
He holds all authority, therefore we go, make disciples, baptize, and teach them to obey the scriptures. And we do not go alone. Jesus says, I am with you always to the very end of the age. As a church, this is our chief purpose: to glorify God and to make his name. No, it's not.
So, for evangelism, like we talked about last week, we start first and foremost. In prayer.
Okay, the laser T V. Gotcha. We start first by plowing the field in prayer. For the lost in our lives, we think of specific people and we pray for them. God, would you please soften their hearts and pave the way, give us opportunities to be able to witness?
Line it up. Uh so we start this process in prayer. As you can see, evangelism, it's not just a one conversation. This is a process. We start by plowing the field in prayer.
Then we furrow the ground in service.
So that is, we are showing people that we love them by meeting a physical need, just showing them love first and foremost. Sacrificial love, there's plenty of arguments for the faith, but sacrificial love, showing somebody that that kind of love is real, is the greatest argument. for what you're about to tell them. Planting the gospel seed. We typically think of that as witnessing.
Witnessing is a process, but this is the, I am sharing the gospel. with this person. That's just planting the seed. Then we grow with the loss. We walk with the loss.
We don't always see a radical conversion. A conversion can take, it could just be 10 minutes. Or it could be decades. Uh Growing with the lost is so important. Then the harvest, that is the conversion that purely belongs to the Holy Spirit.
We don't have anything to do with that. God is the one that changes somebody's heart from stone into flesh. God is the one that does this redemption. The only thing left for us to do is celebrate. But we're not done there.
Then we multiply. That is making disciples. The Great Commission says teaching them to obey all that I have commanded of you. That is teaching somebody, getting them connected with the body of Christ. Inviting them to church, getting them plugged in to Sunday school.
Or if they're in California, it doesn't really make sense to invite them to Trinity Church, that's kind of a commute. But it's our responsibility to exchange phone numbers, help them get connected with A church. And then we start the process over. This is a process. This is not one conversation.
This is a lifestyle. that we are called to.
So we take the pressure off of ourselves. We don't have to give a perfect gospel presentation. This is a process. We don't even have to see a conversion to be effective witnesses, to be involved in this process. We just have to show up.
When God leads us, when God calls us to step out of the boat, we step out of the boat. A conversation you have with somebody may not bear fruit for years. Yet the seed is planted. for God to grow. Um So, we don't have to be involved in every step of this process in order to be successful witnesses.
But we should be involved in at least one or more of these steps at all times. That is us living out. The Great Commission.
Alright, let's see here.
Okay, can we let's go to the next slide. I forget the clicker is not working.
Okay, so What's next? We got our gospel multi-tool that is in your pamphlet. Can we go to the next slide real quick? Nope, okay, let's go back. I thought we were okay.
I thought we were further along than we were.
So we got the gospel multi-tool. This is the verses that we can use to share the gospel in your On your sheet, you should be able to see the gospel multi-tool.
So we know what the gospel is. We have some verses to share when we get into a conversation. Great. How do we take a conversation from just a normal conversation to getting to the cross? That's like the hardest part, isn't it?
How do I go from where we're at to the cross? How do I bridge the gap from where we are to where we want to go? Let's go to the next slide. This is my favorite method for sharing the gospel. It's five questions.
I didn't come up with this, but I can't sing its praises high enough. If you use this method, I promise you'll get to the gospel about nine times out of ten. It happens very naturally. It's very relational. It's the five-question method.
I will do this when I'm getting my haircut. You know, sit down with the barber that I've never met before, and as we're talking, I will ask these questions. And we end up getting to the gospel. I mean, what is he going to do? Stop cutting my hair?
No, he's cutting my hair, and I can ask him these questions and gradually lead the conversation to the cross. If you're short on time, you can just do the ones in red to simplify it, make it quicker, and you'll get to the same place. But you're going to ask these questions. inside a conversation and what we're doing is gradually leading them to the gospel by listening to their part. How?
When we ask these questions, what we're doing is we're listening. We might be listening for five minutes, it might be longer, but I'm just listening to the person pour out their heart on each of these questions without interrupting them.
So the first one. We might be in a conversation and you can ask, well what kind of spiritual beliefs do you have? And then you just listen. You listen to what they have to say. And this is, you'll kind of see, like this question, some people can feel a little awkward because it's I mean What do we say in America?
You don't talk about religion, you don't talk about politics. This is directly violates that. But if we ask them this question and we show that we can be good listeners, we can listen to what they're saying without judgment, gradually we are earning the right to share. The gospel.
Now here's something I want you to understand with each of these questions. Lost people don't know how to get Fact. It's the very definition of being lost.
So, in a conversation like this, They can take it every which way. You can get off on a rabbit trail or get off course. They don't know where we're going. It's our job with these questions to gradually, gently steer the ship. What kind of spiritual beliefs do you have?
To you, who is Jesus? And spend your time with these questions. Take your time. Do you believe in heaven? And how?
If they are real, where would you go? If what you are believing is untrue, would you want to know?
So as you're asking these questions, you might be hit with, you know, some rabbit trails. I don't know what my spiritual beliefs are, but it's certainly not Christian because Christians hate gay people. Or Christians just want to take away abortion rights to burden women and not wanting to adopt the children. Or Christians believe in slavery. And you get all these buttons, and it's like, if you're like me, you want to kind of get in the weeds and address it.
Or maybe that's intimidating. Maybe those questions. What if somebody asks me that? That's scary. Don't be shocked if a question like that comes up.
Satan does not want you to get to the cross. You're going to be thrown some curveballs. But I'm going to show you what to do.
So a couple years ago, I really got into boxing. For about two months. It was grueling two months, but it was a learning process. And something they teach you to do is how to slip a punch. If somebody throws a punch at you, you just slip.
You just move out of the way.
Now I'm not like jumping back or like ducking for cover. It's just you move your head like two inches to the left or to the right. You just slip the punch. Just let it go by. We're not worried about it.
We are aiming for something bigger.
So when something like this comes at you, you just slip the punch. You just let it go by. Don't address it. Don't worry about it. I want you to remember this phrase.
Uh-huh. Yeah. When somebody's telling you this, if they hit you with something that feels like a gut punch, you just listen. Uh-huh. Yeah, tell me more.
And then you gradually transition to, okay, to you who is Jesus. I don't need to get in the weeds of those questions. I am staying on topic. I'm slipping the punch because I'm aiming for something greater. Can you go to the next slide?
So what this is what we're aiming for. We're using these questions. We're building a frame. What is your spiritual beliefs? Who is Jesus to you?
Do you believe in heaven and hell? If what you are believing is untrue, would you want to know?
We're slipping the punches because when you ask that question, everyone knows the right answer should be yes. If what I was believing is untrue, I should want to know. And that is the opening. Or slipping the punches, or waiting for the opening. There it is.
If what I was believing was untrue, yeah, I think I'd want to know.
Okay, can I share with you what the Bible says? about these topics.
Now I haven't just sat here and listened to this person pour out their heart. For 30 minutes, maybe longer. That is, furrowing the ground in service. I am showing them I love you, I care about you, I can listen to you without judgment, I'm interested in who you are. If I've shown that to them, They're gonna be really open.
They're going to be really open to this.
So You put your dukes up. When they throw one of those jabs at you, just slip the punch. Christians hate gay people, uh-huh. Yeah. Who's listening?
You're just listening. Let them tell you what they feel, what they think, because we're aiming at something greater. If what you're believing is untrue, would you want to know? And when they say yes, that is our open door to sharing. The gospel.
Can I share with you what the Bible says about these topics? And that's it. Uh we've slid We've slipped these rabbit trails. We're not going for just a mere defense. We're waiting for the opening so that we can get to the cross, so that we can get to the heart of the problem.
If Jesus leaves the 99 for that one lost lamb because that lamb cannot be unlost on its own, it means that we have to steer the conversation. We have to know where we are going and we are taking this person to the cross. And then all the issues that might get brought up in conversation that come out in the wash. If we can get to the cross. The rest of it will eventually sort itself out, but we have to get to.
The cross. All right, let's go to the next slide.
Okay.
Alright, so we get Through all this, we get the right to say yes. This is the gospel multi-tool. This is in your handout cheat sheet, whatever you want to call it. And when you get to this point, you can go through these verses. This is just a structure.
When you're in a conversation, being able to think on your feet, follow the Holy Spirit as he leads. Maybe you get through all of these. Maybe you only get to one or two of them because of time constraints. But we have stepped out of the boat to witness whatever comes next, God is in control. God is in control.
So this is a structure. This is a skeleton. And so what I'd like to do, can you go to the next slide? When I'm sharing these verses, there's different ways you can do it. You can use that handout that you have.
You can take the photos of those verses and have them like in an album in your phone.
So if you get in a conversation, you can pull them out on your phone. Romans 3, 23, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Then you give them a chance to respond. What does this say to you? I have a little um I call it a Derringer Bible.
It's a little tiny, little tiny thing that has those verses highlighted in this Bible. It's the only thing highlighted in this Bible, specifically for me to share the gospel.
So it'll be Romans 3:23. I got a little sticky note in there. I don't even have to remember the first verse. I just have to look for orange. I can flip to it.
Okay.
Romans 3.23, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What does this say to you? And I give them a chance to read it. What does this say? To you.
Because you'll hear the question or the statement. The Bible has contradictions or the Bible is open to interpretation. Who really knows what it says?
Okay, Romans 3.23, all have sinned fall short of the glory of God. What does it say to you? I'm not going to interpret it. Here, if you want to interpret it, what does it say to you? and give them the chance to rate it.
The Bible has contradictions. You can address that one by saying, okay. Show me one. Can you think of a contradiction? Me neither.
And then you just move on. We're staying on topic. We're getting to the cross. Hmm. But asking them, what does this say to you?
Letting them respond to the scripture. That's giving space for the scripture to speak for itself, that's giving space for the Holy Spirit to do his work. And then it's clear that the person you're witnessing to, it's not just. this person it's not just wyatt's opinion this is what the bible says and i have to reconcile that Now, maybe you get through all the verses, maybe you only get through some of the verses, maybe you only can share one. Or maybe not at all.
Maybe they don't even let you share scripture. All you can do is listen to them and show them Hey, Christians are different. This person Love me enough. to hear my heart. Maybe they're not open to hearing scripture.
But we're moving them from distrust to trust. And from there, God can take, well, maybe Christians are trustworthy to maybe I'm open to hearing what Scripture says. And then later, well, maybe they're open and now they're seeking.
So this evangelism is a process. It's not a one-stop conversation that has to go perfect, has to go terrible, or goes terrible. It's not one conversation. It's a relationship. And we do this by living it.
It's a lifestyle that we do. No matter where you end, no matter how the conversation goes, if God calls you to step out of the boat and you do it. Bravo. You've been obedient to the great commission. Bravo, evangelism is not one conversation, it's a process.
So I'll say doing this during a haircut is amazing. I love it. It's an amazing way to share the gospel, take advantage of the situation. They're not going to stop cutting your hair, and you can love them like no other by tipping them like no other. I did this one time, and I had a lady.
We had this conversation. I went through the five questions and got to share scripture with her and then asked her. What what does this say to you? Um what are you hearing? The conversation got so deep that she only cut the sides of my hair.
She completely forgot to do the top. And I was walking out like. You know. Um We should get back in there. They're battle scars, you know.
I was obedient to the Great Commission. That's nothing. Oh.
Alright, so let's say we get through that. We got our five questions. We got through it. We got a chance to share the gospel.
Now what? I'm going to walk you guys through each step of the evangelism process.
Now what? Can you go to the next slide?
Yeah, go to the next one.
Okay.
Land the plane. Give them a chance to respond. This is what the Bible says about Jesus. He is Lord, that we are to repent and believe and trust Him as Savior. What do you think about that?
Romans 5.1, it says the result is peace with God. Do you have peace with God? Do you want peace? with God. If they say yes.
Praise Jesus, you might be in the harvest stage. We just have to land the plane. Don't just invite them to church. Don't just say, well, that was awesome. God be with you.
And then leave. Give them a chance. Do you want to receive this right now? Give them the chance. Maybe nobody's asked them that before, and you can be that person.
So if if they're if they want that Here's the five questions. And this is this is in your handout. Are you a sinner in need of Savior? Do you want forgiveness of your sin? Do you believe Jesus died for you and rose again?
Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus? Are you ready to invite him into your life? into your heart.
Now follow the Holy Spirit as he leads, but if you don't have a structure for this, here is one. Here is one.
Now, if they say yes to all five of these, great, praise God. That's awesome. If they say no to any one of them, Ask them why. One time. We're not going to be pushing.
God doesn't force himself upon us. We're not going to force anything on them. If they're not ready, that's okay. We're just called to share. We're just called to give the invitation.
And maybe a couple of years later, God sends another believer to try again. And then it takes. We don't know. But the conversion, the the Harvest belongs purely to the Holy Spirit, and we leave that part to him. But if they say yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Man, we're ready for the next one. Can you go to the next slide?
So, these are not magic words, but if somebody is ready, if they're ready, I want to receive Jesus right now. Sinner's prayer is a great tool. They're not magic words. Um and and that should you should tell them these are not magic words. But if this is the reflection of your heart, you should pray this prayer.
Dear God, I know I'm a sinner. I can't reach heaven by my own good deeds, but you provided salvation for me. I place my faith in you, Jesus. You are the Son of God who died for my sins, rose from the dead, and offers me the gift of eternal life. Please forgive me.
Help me live for you and become the Lord of my life. I want you to be the boss, Jesus. Thank you for accepting me and loving me. In Jesus' name, amen. That is a great structure.
If somebody's ready, You can use that, but just be it's we've got to be very clear, these are not magic words. If this is your heart, pray this.
Now if you reach this point with somebody, congratulations, praise God, go get some ice cream. This is the greatest joy we can experience. There's nothing greater than having a new brother, a new sister come into the body of Christ. But it's not over just yet. Can you go to the next slide?
The next step, again, we can't just leave. They need discipleship.
So if we have somebody come to Jesus, it is our primary responsibility to help them get connected to the body of Christ. If they're here in Concord, here at Appomattox, bring them to church with you. Invite them, come with me. I'm going this Sunday. Please come with me.
I help them get connected. If you're in California, that makes sense. Help them find a church. Help them find a church. Um Okay, go to the next slide for me.
Okay, with that, we've plowed the field in prayer. We've listened to them. We've furrowed the ground in acts of service. We've planted the gospel seed. I want to talk about growing with the lost here for a second.
Then the harvest, the disciples, that is, we get them connected. and then eventually they will start their own cycle. And one becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight. This is multiplication, it's not just addition. We multiply.
So Growing with the lost. Um We'll see here. What if I get asked something?
Okay, we'll come back to this here in a second. What if I get asked something I don't know the answer to? What do I do? You know, somebody throws out some deep question and I just don't know. What do I do?
You probably will get asked something you don't have the answer to, and that is okay. What do we do? Present yourself We present ourselves as not having. All the answers. That is okay.
We approach this with humility. I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find. Bread.
So if you're in a conversation, you don't know the answer, it's okay to say, I don't know. Again, we're aiming not at a perfect conversation. This is a process. We're aiming at a relationship with the other person. Hey there, I hope this sermon has enriched your day.
If you like this message, I want to personally invite you to join us for Sunday worship. We have two locations in Virginia, Trinity Methodist Church in Concord and Mount Comfort Methodist Church in Appomattox. Come join us Sunday morning at 9.45 and we will help you get connected. As always, I'm Pastor Wyatt Cudd. Thank you for tuning in.
