If you had the gift of evangelism and you scheduled a four or six week series in a highly secular city
What would be your first topic? and WHY?

a) Give evidence that the Bible is a book like no other book. And show that it is a book like no other book. PURPOSE: Since you'll be preaching from the Bible, you feel the first step is to build credibility that your source is an inspired source.


OR

b) Present the cross and each person's great need for a Savior.

OR

c) Take some of the latest news that has the citizens troubled, and use it as a catalyst to preach that the world will soon end, Christ will soon come, and we need to be ready! Your meetings will have valuable information on how to be "ready to meet Him"

OR

................

Adventist Evangelism recommends five "keys" for successful evangelism.

Would you agree with the plan?

STEP ONE -Revival

Before reaching out to the community bring all the participating church members together and seek an "upper room" experience.

It was after the "upper room" experience that the first Christians went forth to witness with great power.

So, what is the upper room experience?


"No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. --The Desire of Ages, p. 141.

Those first Christians went out to share a Christ they knew.

So the first step in any witnessing, to be effective the members participating in evangelism must first experience revival and know and experience the risen Savior for themselves.

Amen!!!

Those spiritually dead can live again.

1SM 127 - God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou may see" (Rev 3:15-18 (128) God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.
A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.--The Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902

Pilgrim

True --
---spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation, spiritual renewal

To be revived means one was once alive in Christ, then drifted away, and needs to be revived.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (resurrected) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

It is often the blight of long time Christians, to get comfortable and drift --
To be effective in witnessing one needs a daily refreshing life giving draft of renewal from God.

So what topic first in Evangelism?

Something that
1. Catches the attention of the people so they will come in the first place.
2. Arouses the listener's sense of NEED.
3. Point to Jesus as the answer to the need.

1. This is usually done by presenting the conditions in the world. A world in chaos heading to self destruction. Almost everyone's attention is fixated on this, especially now in the way this world is going with crises after crises.
2. It is sin that is the root and substance of all evil. Sin begins in the hearts and minds of people and manifests itself in actions. What about the confusion, fears, doubts, envy, bitterness, etc. in our lives. Is there a solution?
Where can we find that solution?

SESSION ONE -- How about

THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED BY GOD



Most evangelistic meetings began with Daniel 2. Why would they do this?
Because it shows God in control, He is real. In spite of everything that goes on in this world of sin, conquest and greed, God is still in control. He knows the end from the beginning. Before it happens, God knows. It establishes that the Bible is not just another book. It is inspired by God who knows and accurately foretells the future and it happens as He said.
Daniel 2 shows where people turn to find answers. Some look to the magicians, and wise men of the world but they do NOT have the answer. Even Daniel did not have the answer, BUT he turned to God and with His three friends prayed for answers. Thus he gave all glory and credit to God! God has the solution

The first step in evangelism is leading people to recognize that God is real. Call it "intellectual" stuff if you like, but if people just think God is a figment of people's imagination, and the Bible is a book of myths -- it is next to impossible to tell them anything about sin and salvation, much less bring them to repentance that has any spiritual meaning. Anyone who is out mingling with the general population soon realizes a huge majority of people think that way.

Somehow, the evangelistic message must first show that scriptures are more than just a "book" it is inspired by God who not only EXISTS but knows and accurately foretells the future, and is involved with humanity.
Daniel 2 is good chapter begin with as it shows this

SECOND THEME: GOD IS OUR CREATOR

Next the Creation is a great theme. For the reason we worship God is because He made us, we are His creation. The three angel's messages start out with a call to worship the Creator.

Just reciting the Biblical Genesis account isn't quite enough at first for many have relegated it to the category of myths
In our evangelistic meeting we need to bring out the intelligence, and wisdom, the intricate balance and detail needed in the origin of life. The awesome diversity and design, that is beyond finite capability and definitely impossible by accident.
Creation tells us there IS a God. Invite the people to SEE an all wise, all powerful God, who loves beauty, and provides a planet fully equipped for life and happiness! He exists!!!!

Then we can turn to the Bible -- the inspired word of God, to read the account of creation.
Next point out the Bible verses "It was good" "It was very good".

Now why couldn't God have done this by "theistic evolution" as many Christians now teach?

To understand this we need to understand a little about sin.
Romans 5:12 sin entered into the world, and death by sin;

Talk about how sin causes a multitude of problems, pain, emotional trauma, loss and death, etc.
Do we see these problems arising from a disregard to God's law - -- what would the world be like if no one stole, killed, lied, etc.

Would God create sin? Does He use sin methods to create the world?
Yet that is what theistic evolution would have to agree to -- Evolution is the survival of the fittest, the destruction of the weak, an endless cycle of violence and death.

No, God did not create using an evolutionary method -- when God created He spoke and it was done,
Psalms 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as an heap: he lays up the depth in storehouses.
33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
33:9 For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Read through the creation account and discuss the logic of it -- when God created IT WAS VERY GOOD.

These first lessons lay the groundwork directing people to see that God is real, giving a little glimpse of His awesome character, and power. It again draws attention to the Bible as a true, inspired book. It also begins to show that there is sin -- (not an indepth study on sin yet, just the realization planted that there is a problem called sin.)
Sin is the great problem in this world today!

Next lesson Genesis 3 (Why is there so much trouble in this world)

What is sin? The transgression of the law. Then what is the law? And how can our eyes be open to see the true character of sin?

Most have heard the story found in Genesis chapter three. God set Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden home with lots of delicious fruit trees. They were perfectly happy. But there was one restriction. One tree from which they must not eat, if they do they will die.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you must not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shalt surely die.
Then there's the serpent. A beautiful creature created by God, not like our serpents, but one with wings and dazzling colors. Yet, no matter how "subtle" or smart and crafty, serpents could not talk. But this one did! He challenges Eve with --
" Did God say, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? "
This serpent was possessed by a fallen angel -- satan -- who spoke to Eve through the serpent.
Rev. 12:9 tells us it was the devil, called satan!

Eve was drawn into conversation with the serpent, and we all know the result -- she ate, and gave Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit.

What was it about this small act that had such huge consequences?

1. They had chosen another master.
God had given them every good thing that was desirable and lovely and perfect for their existence.
Satan had given NOTHING, except doubts and lying promises.
Yet they chose to obey Satan, and eat the fruit, instead of obeying God and being satisfied with the abundance He had provided.
Romans 6:16 Don't you know that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether to sin which leads to death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

2. Choosing another master, unleashed that new master -- no longer bound to a tree he and his fallen angels would seek to take control of the world and the people in it.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].


So what is sin?
Yes, it is the transgression of God's law. But what is God's law? It outlines righteousness. And God is righteous! Thus it reveals God's character. God's law is far more than just the basic letters outlined in the commandments. Those commandments have often been reduced to the lest possible acts, yet Jesus came to magnify the law, the commandments have a great depth to them and Jesus showed that the law goes much deeper in the very character and thoughts of what righteousness, love and goodness is all about. (See Matt. 5:21,28 etc.)

To really obey God's law, is to value His character, His goodness, His righteousness, His unselfish and holy love, and seek, by His grace, to live by His standard, and walk with Him.

Sin, on the other hand, is based primarily on selfishness, it cares little about others, unless those others can in someway benefit them. Sin cares not about God's standard of good and righteous living. Sin presents itself as serving self, looking out for self, but in reality sin binds the sinner to the ruler of darkness of this world, and pulls him down into degradation and evil.
Sin choses a different master.

And what has been the result in our world?
Has sin brought happiness (other than maybe a moment of supposed pleasure and excitement that is followed by remorse and bad consequences) And in the end, satan comes by to exact his wages, which is death, not only the first death which all face, but also the second death.
Yet, righteousness brings true joy, peace, love, and goodness. It brings a quality to life so even in difficult times, one has a peace; and in the end, Christ comes to grant us eternal life. We must see the vast contrast offered by the two contenders for our loyalty in Romans 6:23.
"The wages of sin is death" BUT "the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

So the issue really comes down to "Which master do we choose?"
It's not how big or small the sin, but who will we yield ourselves servants to obey?
That was the issue there in the garden of Eden.


But God didn't give up on Adam and Eve -- a plan was put in place to redeem the lost race, and give every person the chance to once again choose, who would be Lord and master of their lives.
And that is the issue facing each one of use today.


Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:15 For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.




Next topic -- Christ opens the way to restoration