(Introductory Text: Matthew 4:18-20)
A. Because of four calls to evangelism
1. There is a call from within (Jn. 4:27-30)
2. There is a call from without (Acts 16:6-10)
3. There is a call from above
(Mk. 16:15; Ezek. 3:17-18, 33:1-11; Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
4. There is a call from below (Lk. 16:19-31)
"There is no command in all the New Testament for a sinner to go to church after the
gospel, but there are multiplied commands for the church to take the gospel to the
sinner . . . the responsibility of every Christian is not to bring the lost to the gospel
but to take the gospel to the lost. Expecting the unsaved to come to church is
unscriptural and unrealistic." (J.E. Conant)
How awful it is that the Great Commission has become the "great omission"!
B. Because we are God's only plan
1. He is not using angels (Acts 10:1-8)
2. He is not using the dead (Lk. 16:19-31)
3. He is not using creation (Rom. 1:20)
C. Because all men are spiritually blind (II Cor. 4:4)
1. Blind as to their need
2. Blind as to their destiny
3. Blind as to the love of God
4. Blind as to the urgency of salvation
D. Because of the power available to us
1. The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
2. The Word of God (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16)
E. Because it is a sin not to witness
1. Sin of disobedience Mark 16:15
2. Sin of lack of love John 14:15, 23
3. Sin of not following Jesus Matthew 4:19
4. Sin of not abiding in Christ John 15:4,5
5. Sin of dishonesty in a sacred trust I Cor.4:1,2
F. Because of its ADVANTAGES
1. All can do it.
2. It can be done anywhere.
3. It can be done anytime (Acts 16:25-34).
4. It reaches all classes
a. Because all are sinners (Rom.3.23)
b. Because Christ died for all (Rom.5:8; I John 2:2)
c. Because whosoever may call (Rom.10:13)
5. It helps the Christian. (I Cor.9:16)
a. To keep his heart right with God.
b. To know the power of God.
c. To know the Word of God.
6. It helps the Church.
(Just as the happiest place in a hospital is the maternity ward, a
happy, enthusiastic, zealous church will be so because of the joy New
Born Christians bring)
7. It helps the community.
(The best way to clean up the town is to see God clean up people's souls)
8. It helps the country. (Prov.14:34)
9. It is an art acquired more than possessed.
(The more you witness, the better you become.)
10. Its reward is worth more than anything.
(Daniel 12:3; Prov. 11:30)
11. It glorifies our Heavenly Father (John 15:8)
* Special thanks to Professor Samuel Telloyan, my Personal Evangelism instructor at Pillsbury
Baptist Bible College of Owatonna Mn. for many of the above insights on why we should witness.
