2.  We must use LOVE. 

Why do we share the gospel? Is it because of the rewards in Heaven? Is it because we’ve been commanded to do so? Is it because we want to come into a complete understanding of all good things we have in Christ? All these are good reasons why we do it but can not be our only motive to sow seeds. What should always be our motive for sowing seeds? Love! Nothing more and nothing less must be our motive to seek and save the lost. Jesus said love one another and by this people will know we are His disciples. (John 13:34-35) Our most must always be that we love the Lord and the Lost so we obey His command to seek and save the lost. So never forget that you must come in Love and not in judgment.

Our hearts should break for the people we witness to especially the hard hearted and extremely proud people. Why? Because we know that unless they reach out and humbly accept God’s grace, their fate will be one of eternal torment in the lake of fire after the stand before a Holy God to be judged for their sins. We should do whatever we can out of Love to reach these poor people who are headed for Hell. We should do whatever we can to reason with people and help them see their need for God’s forgiveness and to make Jesus the Lord of their life. Never forget, our motive should never be anything more or less than love.

By Darrel Rundus, GNN Founder
~This article first appeared in the GNN Seed Sower Manual, Courtesy of The Great News Network~

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 3.  We must use the law. 

Recently I had to defend the teaching of using the law or the 10 commandments in witnessing to non-Christians. There have been three arguments on why we should not use the law 1) Because the law (10 commandments) is "old-fashioned" and non-Christians would not understand what you are talking about because they have not heard of the 10 commandments and 2) Because we are now under the law of Christ and the 10 commandments no longer have a place under the new covenant and 3) Because using the 10 commandments will make sinners think that they have to keep the law to be saved.

Firstly, I believe that I need to answer these 3 arguments because they seem to be prevalent in the modern church.

1) The law is "old-fashioned" and non-Christians would not understand what you are talking about because they have not heard of the 10 commandments.

Someone recently said that Paul did not "trot out all the 10 commandments" in Acts 17  when witnessing to the Gentiles. In fact, Acts 17 Paul preaches against their idolatry (transgression of the First and Second of the Ten Commandments). He told the gentiles that God was not a graven image (the whole city was given to idolatry).

When witnessing to people on the street I do not "trot out all the 10 commandments" - "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10). In fact, usually only two or three commandments are necessary to expose sin and convince the sinner that they have sinned. The conscience does the rest of the work. You do not even need to tell them that you are using the 10 commandments. I do not usually tell someone that I am witnessing to that I am going to use the 10 commandments before I take the sinner through them. An amazing thing is that most people cannot name even one of the 10 commandments, even though most people have at least heard of the "10 commandments". However, their conscience knows them!!!!! It is Biblical and I have witnessed this!!! Also, interestingly, most of the people that I talk to have not had a Christian or church background!!! In fact, most of the people that I talk to are godless!!!!

Every person has a conscience and they have the law written in their heart like it talks about in Romans 2:14-15 "for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them". The "average Joe" can understand what sin is if the law is used because the law makes them understand what sin is (Romans 3:20 "by the law is the knowledge of sin"). Even Paul stated that he would not have known what sin was, except the law told him - "I would not have known sin except through the law." (Romans 7:7).

2) We are now under the law of Christ and the 10 commandments no longer have a place under the new covenant

The 10 commandments are virtually all repeated in the Law of Christ. I know that He did not state them specifically, but you know that when you have lied, stolen, committed adultery etc. that these things are all wrong. Your conscience accuses you.

Also, the Bible tells us the people that the law was made for - basically everybody. "But we know that the law is good is one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine," (1 Timothy 1:8-10).

Also, it is excellent to use for homosexuals because then you don't get into an argument about their perversion, but you can show them that they are damned despite their perversion.

3) Using the 10 commandments will make sinners think that they have to keep the law to be saved.

"Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24.

Actually, what we are doing is using the law to bring about the knowledge of sin so that sinners can repent of their sin, humble themselves before God put their faith in the Savior and receive the grace of God. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Galatians 2:16).

So, why do we use the law?

How can we preach repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:46-47) without first telling sinners what sin is? How can you repent unless you know that you have done something wrong and sinned against God. When witnessing, I am more interested in getting repentance from a sinner than in getting a decision for Christ because John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul all preached repentance towards God and the Bible states that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10. We need people to repent of their sin and humble themselves before God so that He can give them grace - "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble" James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5.

An important point to note is that by using the law you don't accuse the non-Christian of being a sinner, you actually draw a confession of their guilt out of them. By doing this you are not accusing them, or judging them, thus they don't feel that you are condemning them so they don't get defensive or aggressive. By drawing a confession of guilt out of them, they are actually exposing their own sin, bringing it to their attention and they are judging themselves in the light of the holy law of God!!! Thus they can see that they are condemned. Once they see that they are condemned, they then want to know how they can be made right. In fact, I have had people in the street say this to me!!! It makes them thirst for righteousness!!! Then you are open to give them the Gospel.

Before you expose their sin they are not hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and there are none who seek after God - "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." (Psalm 10:4), but by using the law you put salt on their tongue and they thirst for righteousness. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:4 "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." And in Acts 17:30-31 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising him from the dead." We know that we are condemned under the law "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in His sight" (Romans 3:20) but we are justified by the righteousness of Christ through faith "even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." (Romans 3:22) "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." John 3:20 But the light of God's law exposes their deeds done in darkness and brings them to remembrance.

Of course not every non-Christian wants to become right before God. However, in the Bible in Acts 17:32-34, after Paul had preached to the Gentiles, some mocked, some wanted to hear more and others believed!!! This is the same response that I get on the street!!!!

However, at the very least, it does shatter the perception that they are a "good" person - "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness" (Proverbs 20:6). But we know from the Bible that "There is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:12). So, by using the law to expose sin (which is easy to do because everyone has broken every single one of the 10 commandments) they then know that they are not a "good" person and that they then at least have the knowledge that they are guilty before God and if they are judged by God on the Day of Judgment by His law, that they are condemned. This is because "the law says, it says to those who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." (Romans 3:19). This is sooooo true because when you use the law on a sinner it does stop the mouth of the sinner and it stops them from trying to justify themselves, it shows them that they have sinned against God and that they wrath of God abides on them and it just leaves them guilty before God.

"The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law" (1 Corinthians 15:56)

"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)

It is so important in witnessing to sinners that you expose their sin. If you tell people that they are going to hell without exposing their sin then they will not understand that they deserve punishment. They will think that God is harsh and unjust for sending them to hell. By using the 10 commandments and exposing their sin, it makes the punishment of hell seem reasonable to them. Using God's law gets "tear" filled converts and not "fear" filled converts. We want people to flee to the Savior for mercy because their sinful deeds have been exposed, because they recognize that they have sinned against God and they flee to the Savior to get washed and clean, not just because they are trying to flee the fires of hell.

"The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul;" (Psalm 19:7)

By Sonia Foley, GNN Seed Sower, Australia

~This article first appeared in the GNN Seed Sower Manual, Courtesy of The Great News Network.~

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IF EVANGELISM IS SO IMPORTANT, WHY DON'T MORE CHRISTIANS DO IT?

Objection #1:  That's just not my "gift." 

Evangelism is not a spiritual "gift."  This idea comes from Ephesians 4:11.  The offices of evangelist, pastor, teacher, apostle, and prophet are not gifts.  Rather, they are callings on one's life.  Ephesians 4:11-13 clearly states that the Lord has called some to these various offices of ministry FOR THE EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS.  An evangelist by this definition is merely someone whose job it is to teach other Christians how to share their faith.  Ray Comfort is a great example of someone who has an evangelist calling on his life.  So what exactly is the "gift" that this passage is talking about?  Contrary to popular belief, the gift is not "the gift of evangelism" to a particular believer. Based on the context of this scripture, it would be fair to say that the "gift" is the evangelist himself.  He is a gift to the church, for the equipping of the saints, to be used for her edification.  All spiritual gifts, including those described in I Corinthians 12 are for the edification of the church.  Spiritual gifts are not meant to edify the lost. 

The offices of pastor, teacher, evangelist, and such are for the express purpose of building the church so that she may grow to maturity.  Part of our spiritual growth as mature Christians involves learning how to actively share our faith.  God has given some to be evangelists as gifts to the rest of the church.  Evangelism itself, however, is not a gift.  It is a command.  To ignore such a command is disobedience to our Lord, and those who do not evangelize, claiming they "just don't have that gift" are justifying their disobedience by taking Ephesians 4:11 out of context.   
 
Malcolm Trosclair, a fellow seed sower from Fort Lauderdale, FL, explains it like this: "Mario Andretti has a gift, but we all drive."  That about sums it up.  You may not have the same passion as GNN Orlando to hit the streets open air preaching, but you still have the same command imparted to you by Jesus.  You must share your faith, if not in the streets, then in your home, at work, or in whatever circles you frequent.  It is your responsibility to reach the lost for Christ.  Just think: had someone else not been obedient to The Great Commission, you would not be a Christian right now!


By J. Guerriero, GNN Seed Sower, Orlando, FL

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Objection #2:  Lifestyle/Love Evangelism 

"Lifestyle" evangelism is the idea that people will come to Jesus simply by observing our "good lifestyle."  There are several flaws with this "method."  First, how does someone know the difference between a Christian showing Christ's love, and a non-Christian being "nice?"  Any unsaved person can grab a can of creamed corn from their pantry and toss it into the Thanksgiving food drive.  Are we to believe that non-Christian is sharing the gospel based on their actions?
 
Secondly, what is the gospel?  Is it the golden rule?  No.  It is that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  How is being "nice" to someone and "loving" them conveying that message? It is completely contradictory to Romans 10:14-17 to think that someone can understand the gospel simply by having random acts of kindness performed on them.  This scripture settles the argument because it makes it very clear how the Word of God is RECEIVED by the other party:  BY HEARING. 

Third, those who evangelize with their "lifestyle" must be under extreme pressure, always having to be perfect all the time.  If an unbeliever is to look at one's good works and think, "Wow, I will put my faith in Jesus, because of this Christian's lifestyle," what will that unbeliever think if that Christian should be caught in a trespass?  If witnessing one's good works leads someone to Christ, then the converse is also true:  witnessing one's mistakes will discourage people from choosing Christ.  By this logic, lifestyle evangelism can either save or lose a soul. 

"Love" evangelism is similar to lifestyle evangelism.  The concept here is that it is possible to "love" someone so much, they spontaneously realize that the love they are seeing is actually the love of Jesus.  Again, Romans 10:14-17 refutes this. 

To further illustrate this point, Jeff Broderick, a Seed Sower from Illinois says, "What is more loving than telling someone how they can get eternal life?  How do you love someone if you do not share the gospel with them? That makes no sense and contradicts itself. It would be like someone watching a child playing in the street oblivious to the oncoming car heading their way.  Do we yell out and warn them, or do we just smile and blow them kisses? Which one is truly loving?"

Both Lifestyle and Love Evangelism say, "See?  Look at my good works."  All that unsaved person is going to think is that you are a good person, and we know that is not true.  Lifestyle evangelism, because it focuses on your righteousnesses, gives YOU the glory, not God.  I know, I've done it.  And when someone told me how 'nice' I was, did I tell them about Jesus?  No.  I kept the glory to myself and said, "Why, thank you!"

When we share Jesus with others, it is for His glory, not our own.


By J. Guerriero, GNN Seed Sower, Orlando, FL

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Objection #3:  Friendship Evangelism 

The concept of "Friendship Evangelism" is that we do not share the gospel with someone until we are confident that we have become "friends" with them first.  The idea is that the gospel is offensive, and we don't want to turn anyone off, so if we show that person first that we are normal, regular people, it will be easier for that person to receive the gospel.

First, we are commanded not to be friends with the world James 4:4, but while it is possible to make acquaintances with unbelievers, Scripture goes even further to suggest that true intimate friendship with unbelievers is spiritually impossible (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).  They will not be able to fellowship with you on an intimate, spiritual level because they are blind (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Even if this were possible, relationships take time.  We are not guaranteed that our unsaved friend has much time left (Proverbs 27:1).  The time to share with them is now (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Second, what do most people say is the hardest group of people to witness to?  Friends and Family!  Why would one want to add to the list of folks that are "most difficult" to witness to by making more "friends?"  It is far easier to witness to a stranger, because it is easier to take rejection from someone you will never see again.  With "friendship evangelism," you may be successful making a friend, but you may not be as successful in sharing your faith, because you will now value that relationship and not want to risk rejection.  So you will resort to "lifestyle evangelism" and hope your new "friend" sees something different about you.  As already explained above, your new friend will not see Jesus.  They will only think you're a pretty good person.  And they will die in their sins, ignorant of the only way of salvation.

Imagine what it would be like on Judgment Day to come home to Heaven and have this letter waiting for you in the mail: 

My friend, I stand in judgment now,
and feel that youre to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you by day,
and never did you point the way.

You knew the Savior in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim.
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together, here on earth,
you never told me of the second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true,
I called you friend and trusted you.
But I learned now that it's too late.
You could have kept me from this fate.

We walked together, day and night,
And yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live and love and die.
You knew I'd never live on high.

I called you friend throughout my life,
I trusted you in joy and strife.
And yet in coming to this end,
I see you weren't really my friend!

Jeff Fuller, a Seed Sower from Georgia, explains, "My wife always says this about so-called friendship evangelism: With friends like that, who needs enemies?"  If you are not sharing the gospel verbally with your friends, then you are not a true friend!


By J. Guerriero, GNN Seed Sower, Orlando, FL

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Objection #4:  Fear of Man 

If you are afraid to share your faith, you are not alone:  

Despite the title of this video, "8 REASONS I DON'T SHARE MY FAITH," there is only one reason why Christians fail to witness to others: FEAR.

Evangelism Linebacker

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FACING YOUR FEARS 

Are you filled with fear when faced with sharing your faith? Does the mere thought of telling someone about Jesus make your heart race? A few years ago, several thousand people were surveyed and asked about their greatest fears. When the survey was finished, would you believe that death was number #2 on the list?

Fear #1 - I may not have an answer or I don’t know what to say

Fear #2 - What will people say to or about me?

Fear #3 - What will people think, or they'll think that that I'm a Jesus Freak?

Fear #4 - What will people do?

Fear #5 - It's hard to talk to people about Jesus or religion.

Conclusion - Facing Your Fears