It is said that three persons enter into the making of a new Christian.  The first is a seeking soul. The world is full of persons whose lives are empty and meaningless. Others are burdened with guilt and shame. Still others are battered and bruised and exhausted in the battle of life. All have needs. The second person is a gracious God, who "holds out His hand all day long to a stubborn and rebellious people." He wants that none of us be lost and is always trying to draw all men to Him. He never gives up because He is infinite love. Thirdly, there must be willing workers. The willing workers are us! There is a concept that has destroyed the trust of much of the church -- that one needs a theological education to win people to Christ. Such an idea is sheer nonsense. Some of the most ineffective soul winners in the world today are theologically trained persons. If this were not so, the mainline denominations would not be losing so many members. Man has relied on his wisdom not God’s!

Because there is such a great need, every Christian should be an evangelist. He needs four things: (1) a personal relationship with Christ; (2) a knowledge of the Bible; (3) an ability and a willingness to pray; and (4) a witness to the transforming power of his relationship to Christ. People become Christians because they see and hear Christ when they come in contact with you. The following are some pertinent facts about witness:

I. The command or promise (Acts 1:8) is that we will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and we will be witnesses unto the end of the earth.

    A. We do not witness. Why?

        1. We do not realize that we have the power.

        2. We have been told by the enemy that we should not force our views on others.

        3. Fanatics have turned us off. A fanatic is a person who is excessively enthusiastic and has uncritical devotion.

    B. We can witness if we will try.

        1. We have only to try (Luke 21:15). I will give you such words and wisdom.

        2. It will be an act of obedience (Mark 5:19). Go tell how much the Lord has done.

        3. The Holy Spirit will guide us.

II. Basics

    A. Commanded (Ps. 107:2)

        1. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! (Ps. 107:2-6)

        2. Incumbent to share good news (Rom. 15:16)

        3. Confess with mouth (Romans 10:9)

        4.  Preach, the Kingdom of Heaven is near (Matthew 10:7)

    B. Preparation

        1. Prayer -- Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17)

        2. Bible study -- to continue in His Word (John 8:31)

        3. Submission -- desire to do His will (John 14:23, John 7:17)

III. How?

    A. Concern

        1. Love is summed up in Jesus’ commands

            a. God -- Love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).

            b. Love your neighbor -- all people.  Love others as self (Gal. 5:14).

            c. Love one another.   Love each other, as I love you (John 13:34).

        2. The condition of most people in the world is "Lost"

            a. Without God (Eph. 2:12) -- Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies...You were lost, without God, without hope.

            b. Without Christ

            c. Without Hope

            d. Without Excuse (Rom. 1:20)

            Christ did not die for me only -- He died for the whole world!

    B. Contact

        1. We are to go into the world (Matthew 28:19).  Go then to all peoples everywhere.

        2. We are to go into towns and households (Luke 10:1-12).

        3. We are to go to the ends of the earth and witness (Acts 1:8).

        4. Our purpose is to get along side of people.

    C. Conversion

    We are to share with others something of the vitality of this same recreating experience that has been ours.

        1. Our witness is in our life and in what we say; we must therefore sell them on ourselves and the most winning possession we have -- Christ in us (Col. 1:27). He must shine through.

            a. We must do what He says do! (John 2:5 miracle at Cana Wedding)

            b. We must say what He says say! (Matthew 10:19, 20)

        2. Do not start talking until the person is ready. The people who are seeking souls are known to you, but they want to talk. Let them talk. They will tell you:

            a. How empty and meaningless their lives are

            b. What problems they have

            c. How they hurt

            d. How bleak the future looks

            e. How worthless they feel

            f. How there is no answer

        3. When they ask you how you feel or whether you have the same problems or why it is you do not seem to be troubled, tell them.

            a. That Christ fills (Eph. 3:19)

            b. That He handles all our problems (Eph. 3:20)

            c. That He comforts us (II Cor. 1:3-5)

            d. That He gives us a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11)

            e. That He makes us feel worthwhile (II Thess. 1:5)

            f. That He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and He is the answer (John 14:6)

        4. The Bible is your authority. Your witness should illustrate the Word. Use examples from your own life.

    D. Conclusion

        1. You go and lead people to Christ

        2. Technique

            a. Pray

                (1) for God to send someone to you

                (2) to give you the right words

        3. Let the Spirit lead you. Don’t be too eager or too slow.

            a. Don’t pick unripe fruit.

            b. Don’t let ripe fruit rot.

        4. Know the plan of salvation.

            a. Lord, I am a sinner.

            b. I know I cannot be saved by good character or good works.

            c. I know that Jesus died for my sins and took my punishmen.

            d. I want you in my life as my Lord and Master.

            e. Thank you for coming.

        5. Pray with them. Use (1) 4 Spiritual Laws; (2) Steps to Peace with God or any other message of the way to salvation available to you

    E. Continuation -- Christians grow

        1. Eph. 3:19 -- Yes, may you come to know His love though it can never be fully known - and so be completely filled with the perfect fullness of God.

        2. Phil. 2:12 -- Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, for God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.

        3. Disciple them. Teach them how to pray, how to study the Bible, how to witness, how to worship (see discipleship outline).