Teaching the Lost

1
Teaching the Lost
2
By Faith, Let Us Meet the Challenge of Teaching
the Lost.

• Many feel overwhelmed by the challenge of
  teaching the lost today and are quick to conclude
  that hardly anyone is interested in the gospel
  anymore.

3
By Faith, Let Us Meet the Challenge of Teaching
the Lost.

• Gaining an opportunity to teach is challenging
  enough, yet what do you say exactly when you have
  the chance to teach?
  How do you begin the discussion?

4
By Faith, Let Us Meet the Challenge of Teaching
the Lost.

• When we come to understand from Gods word just
  exactly what our duty is, we will have the
  confidence we need to move forward!
• Evangelism is not meant to be easy, yet if we
  walk by faith we can do it!

5
Meet the Lost Where They Are and Lead Them Where
They Need to Be.

• We are calling sinners, not the righteous to
  repentance.

6
Luke 530-32 (NASB)

• 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes began
  grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you
  eat and drink with the tax-gatherers and
  sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered and said to them,
  "It is not those who are well who need a
  physician, but those who are sick. 32 "I have not
  come to call the righteous but sinners to
  repentance."

7

• Consider how the apostles made efforts to teach
  the Gentiles who were worldly, idolatrous,
  immoral, and wicked in their behavior
  (Acts 13-28).

8
Do we try to reach people like the Corinthians
today?

• Worldly intellectuals? (1 Cor 118-25 319-20)
• Idolatrous, immoral drunkards? (1 Cor.
  69-11).

9
1 Corinthians 69-11a (NASB)

• 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall
  not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
  deceived neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
  adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10
  nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor
  revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the
  kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you

10

• Peoples lives are a mess without God, so be
  prepared for sin problems!
  (e.g.,
  Simon the sorcerer Acts 89-24)

11
Meet the Lost Where They Are and Lead Them Where
They Need to Be.

• We are calling sinners, not the righteous to
  repentance.
• In teaching the lost, each person must recognize
  their sickness.

12
Matthew 912-13 (NASB)

• 12 But when He heard this, He said, "It is not
  those who are healthy who need a physician, but
  those who are sick. 13 "But go and learn what
  this means, 'I desire compassion, and not
  sacrifice, for I did not come to call the
  righteous, but sinners."

13

• Until the wall of pride comes down, the
  righteous or religious are not very good
  prospects (Luke 189).

14
Luke 189 (NASB)

• And He also told this parable to certain ones
  who trusted in themselves that they were
  righteous, and viewed others with contempt

15

• The real prospects are those who are willing to
  see their sin, their need of
  the Savior. and Gods mercy and
  forgiveness
  (Luke 1813 cf. Tit. 34-7).

16
Luke 1813 (NASB)

• "But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance
  away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to
  heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God,
  be merciful to me, the sinner!'

17
Teach Anyone Who Will Listen.

• Our duty is to sow the seed everywhere (Luke
  84-8).

18
Luke 84-5 (NASB)

• 4 And when a great multitude were coming
  together, and those from the various cities were
  journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable
  5 "The sower went out to sow his seed and as he
  sowed, some fell beside the road and it was
  trampled under foot, and the birds of the air ate
  it up.

19
Luke 86-8 (NASB)

• 6 "And other seed fell on rocky soil, and as
  soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it
  had no moisture. 7 "And other seed fell
  among the thorns and the thorns grew up with it,
  and choked it out. 8 "And other seed fell into
  the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a
  hundred times as great." As He said these things,
  He would call out, "He who has ears to hear, let
  him hear."

20
Where will the seed land?

• We cannot read mens hearts God alone knows the
  hearts of men.
• Therefore, it is important that we do not
  prejudge, but give every person a chance, no
  matter how unlikely a favorable response may seem
  to us.

21

• Whatever response people give does not take away
  from the fact that we have done what is our duty
  to do Sow the Word of God!

22
Teach Anyone Who Will Listen.

• Our duty is to sow the seed everywhere (Luke
  84-8).
• The odds are only a few will obey the gospel and
  remain committed to Christ.
• Inevitably, most of the seed which we sow will
  bear no fruit to maturity (Luke 89-15).

23
Luke 811-12 (NASB)

• 11 "Now the parable is this the seed is the
  word of God. 12 "And those beside the road are
  those who have heard then the devil comes and
  takes away the word from their heart, so that
  they may not believe and be saved.

24
Luke 813 (NASB)

• 13 "And those on the rocky soil are those who,
  when they hear, receive the word with joy and
  these have no firm root they believe for a
  while, and in time of temptation fall away.

25
Luke 814 (NASB)

• 14 "And the seed which fell among the thorns,
  these are the ones who have heard, and as they go
  on their way they are choked with worries and
  riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no
  fruit to maturity.

26
Luke 815 (NASB)

• And the seed in the good soil, these are the
  ones who have heard the word in an honest and
  good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with
  perseverance.

27

• These are the odds that we are up against. Few
  are willing to travel the narrow road of truth
  that leads to life (Mat. 713-14).

28

• Even when people reject the truth, we still
  rejoice knowing we have done our duty to preach
  the gospel! (Acts 540-42).

29
Acts 540-42 (NASB)

• 40 And they took his advice and after calling
  the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered
  them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, and
  then released them. 41 So they went on their way
  from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that
  they had been considered worthy to suffer shame
  for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and
  from house to house, they kept right on teaching
  and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

30
How to Talk to the Lost.

• Take the time to learn about the person you want
  to teach and show you care.
• How well do you know your neighbors, coworkers,
  friends, etc?

31
Proverbs 1824 (NKJV)

• A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
  but there is a friend who sticks closer than a
  brother.

32

• Even asking just a few simple questions can go a
  long way in establishing friendly relationships
  with others

33

• It is common for people to share their problems
  with persons they dont know that well
  (e.g., sickness, financial strains,
  work related stress, etc.).

34

• Acknowledge their problems by
  showing empathy, compassion, and understanding
  Show kindness,
  speaking words with grace (Col. 46).

35
Colossians 46 (NASB)

• Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned,
  as it were, with salt, so that you may know how
  you should respond to each person.

36
How to Talk to the Lost.

• Take the time to learn about the person you want
  to teach and show you care.
• Introduce the subject of religion.
• To lead the conversation more naturally to
  spiritual truths that you want to discuss, ask
  some general questions such as

37

• What church do you attend?
• What religion do you belong to?
• Are spiritual matters important to you?

38

• Most people are comfortable answering general
  questions and by this process you create an
  opportunity to be more specific about spiritual
  truths
  (e.g., Acts 1722-23ff.).

39
How to Talk to the Lost.

• Take the time to learn about the person you want
  to teach and show you care.
• Introduce the subject of religion.
• Lead the conversation to spiritual matters.

40
Make a transitional statement, one
with which most would agree

• Example I believe it is entirely possible for
  a person to belong to a church and yet, still not
  have a right relationship with God. What do you
  think?

41
Request permission to ask a more personal
question

• Example May I ask you a personal question about
  this? - Do you
  believe you are right with God or would you say
  you are still seeking God trying to find out what
  pleases Him?

42

• If your neighbor says, Yes, I believe I am right
  with God then investigate the matter
  When did you first get your life right
  with God? What happened? How did you get your
  life right with God?

43

• Afterwards ask May
  I tell you about my conversion? and proceed to
  teach the plan of salvation (Mark 1616 Rom.
  109 Acts 238 Rev. 210).

44

• If your neighbor says
  No, I do not believe I am right with God ask
  May I tell you
  about my conversion? and proceed to teach the
  gospel.

45

• If the person is not interested, then ask Why
  arent you interested? If a person is willing to
  share with you why he or she is reluctant to hear
  about your conversion, then you may be able to
  address those concerns.

46

• If your neighbor says, I am still seeking the
  Lord, trying to find out what pleases Him then
  he may have been thinking about spiritual matters!

47

• Respond by saying Could I help you in your
  search for God? Would you be willing to study the
  Scriptures together to find out what pleases
  God? Then proceed to teach them the plan of
  salvation.

48
How to Talk to the Lost.

• Take the time to learn about the person you want
  to teach and show you care.
• Introduce the subject of religion.
• Lead the conversation to spiritual matters.
• Other questions to ask to spark a spiritual
  interest

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Spark a Spiritual Interest!

• A lot of people believe that to be happy in
  life, a person must take care of their mind,
  body, and spirit. What do you do to meet your
  spiritual needs?

50
Spark a Spiritual Interest!

• Do you find that faith and spiritual values play
  a role in your life? (e.g., at work, in marriage,
  in your daily life, your view of life)
• What is your concept of God?
• Who do you think Jesus really was? How do you
  know this?

51
Spark a Spiritual Interest!

• If you could be sure there is a God, would you
  want to know Him and have a friendship with him?
• If you were to die tonight are you confident
  that youd go to Heaven? Has anyone ever
  explained how a person can know for sure?

52
Spark a Spiritual Interest!

• If God was to say to you Why should I let you
  into Heaven, what would you say?
• Weve been friends for awhile now and Ive never
  really talked to you about the most important
  Person (God) of my life.

53
How to Talk to the Lost.

• Take the time to learn about the person you want
  to teach and show you care.
• Introduce the subject of religion.
• Lead the conversation to spiritual matters.
• Other questions to ask to spark a spiritual
  interest.
• Just by living the Christian life and enjoying
  the blessings of Christ daily, we will have
  something to say to the lost!

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• Tell them how God has forgiven your sins (Act
  238) how He has cancelled your debt of sin
  absolutely! (Heb. 812).

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• Tell them how God has given you a fresh new
  start to live
  a brand new life! (Rom. 64 1
  Cor. 69-11).

56

• Tell them how God has given you meaning, purpose,
  and fulfillment in life
  (Eccl. 1213 Eph. 210).

57

• Tell them how Jesus made your fellowship with God
  possible (Heb 725).

58

• Tell them how God has given you strength and
  victory over your
  trials in life
  (Phil. 413 2 Cor. 129-10).

59

• Tell them of the wonderful family, the Church
  God has added you to
  (Acts 247 Mark 1029-30).

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• Tell them of the living hope you have of going
  to heaven! (1 Pet. 13).

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• To say such things to the lost shouldnt be chore
  but a joy! (Luke 838-39).

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Luke 838-39 (NASB)

• 38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out
  was begging Him that he might accompany Him but
  He sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to
  your house and describe what great things God has
  done for you." And he went away, proclaiming
  throughout the whole city what great things Jesus
  had done for him.

63
Be Ready to Speak the Truth Boldly in Love and
without Shame.

• Speak to people the way you would want to be
  spoken to.
• Luke 631 "And just as you want people to treat
  you, treat them in the same way.
• Speak the truth in love (Eph. 415).
• Humility is essential, lest we come across as an
  arrogant know it all.

64
Proverbs 1812-13 (NASB)

• 12 Before destruction the heart of man is
  haughty, but humility goes before honor. 13 He
  who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly
  and shame to him.

65
Be Ready to Speak the Truth Boldly in Love and
without Shame.

• Speak to people the way you would want to be
  spoken to.
• Speak the truth without shame.

66
SPEAK THE TRUTH WITHOUT SHAME

• Brethren often reason that we need to get them to
  come to church where we can freely communicate
  Gods word to them.
• Yet, shouldnt we feel just as free to discuss
  the Scriptures with people at work, at school, in
  their homes, etc? If we do not, then
  why dont we?

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Are We Ashamed?

• We need to recognize that we will be condemned
  eternally for having shame of God and His gospel
  (Mark 838).

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Mark 838 (NASB)

• "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in
  this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of
  Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in
  the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

69
Be Ready to Speak the Truth Boldly in Love and
without Shame.

• Speak to people the way you would want to be
  spoken to.
• Speak the truth without shame.
• Measures to promote boldness when speaking the
  truth

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Measures to promote boldness when speaking the
truth.

• Know your Bible (2 Tim. 215 1 Pet. 315)
• Do not overestimate the wisdom of the lost and
  be intimidated by them.
• There are many religious frauds, but you are not
  one of them (2 Cor. 42).
• Hostility or persecution is to be expected (Mat.
  510-12 2 Tim. 312) dont let negative
  responses discourage you from sharing the gospel.

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Remember you are sharing the soul saving gospel!

• Romans 116 (NASB) For I am not
  ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God
  for salvation to everyone who believes, to the
  Jew first and also to the Greek.

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The Conversion of Souls is not Our
Responsibility, Putting Forth Our Best Effort to
Teach the Lost is.

• We are responsible for trying, not for getting
  results.
• Beware of becoming too focused on numbers that
  you forget what God really expects from us.
• God is pleased when we make the effort regardless
  of the results (e.g., 1 Thes
  18).

73
The Conversion of Souls is not Our
Responsibility, Putting Forth Our Best Effort to
Teach the Lost is.

• God gives the increase (1 Cor. 35-7). In the
  work of evangelism, we must never forget that God
  is the One who brings forth the results, not us.
• The bottom line Did we put forth our best effort?

74
Ezekiel 316-17 (NASB)

• 16 Now it came about at the end of seven days
  that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
  17 Son of man, I have appointed
  you a watchman to the house of Israel whenever
  you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

75
Ezekiel 318 (NASB)

• When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely
  die' and you do not warn him or speak out to
  warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may
  live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity,
  but his blood I will require at your hand.

76
Ezekiel 319 (NASB)

• "Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does
  not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked
  way, he shall die in his iniquity but you have
  delivered yourself.

77

• On Judgment day, we will not be held responsible
  for peoples obedience (or disobedience),
  but for the effort we made
  to teach the lost.