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Scripture Reading:  Matthew 9:35-38

Teaching the Gospel to the Lost

Intro.

1.  The disciples requested of Jesus, “teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1).

2.  Lord, “teach us to teach!”

3.  One lesson cannot cover every topic associated with teaching the lost; Renew our fervor to teach the gospel to the lost so they can be saved.

I.  THE CALL TO TEACH THE LOST – Acts 8:4.

  A.  Universal Call – Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 10:13-15.

  B.  Urgent Call – Jno. 4:34-35; Acts 16:9-10.

II.  THREE “Cs” TO TEACHING THE LOST – Matt. 9:35-38 (Lk. 15).

  A.  Be Conscious of the Lost – 9:36, 37.

  B.  Have Compassion for the Lost – 9:36.

  C.  Be Committed to Teaching the Lost – 9:37-38.

III.  THE COURAGE TO TEACH THE LOST:  Lessons from Moses.

  A.  Anxiety/Fear is One of Satan’s Schemes “that it spread no further” – Acts 4:17-20.

    1.  Apprehension, shyness, anxieties, shame, etc. – Mk. 8:38.

    2.  Causes us to offer excuses that satisfy us…but not God!

    3.  Example:  Moses (Exo. 3:10-4:17) – Called to lead 2-3 million souls out of bondage.  In his excuses we see ourselves & our excuses for not teaching the gospel.

  B.  Anxiety (and ours) & its Remedies.

    1.  Over Potential:  “Who am I?” – Exo. 3:11.

      a.  “Only preachers / elders can teach others.”

      b.  Acts 8:4: All walks of life (tentmakers, doctors, slaves, noblemen, soldiers, widows, husbands & wives, fishermen, etc.

        -ANS. – Focus on God’s presence & power – Exo. 3:12.

        1)  “I will certainly be with you” – cf. Matt. 28:20.

        2)  Power of the gospel converts – not your power – Rom. 1:16 (Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:31).

    2.  Over Answers:  “What shall I say to them?” – Exo. 3:13

      a.  “I don’t know enough…how will I answer their questions?”  Etc.)

      b.  Lack of knowledge of Bible hinders personal evangelism.

        -ANS. – Use the answers God gives in His word – Exo. 3:14-15.

        1)  “Thus you shall say…” – Use the Scriptures!  2 Tim. 3:16-17

        2)  Prepare yourself by regular study of God’s word – 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15.

        3)  Use prepared material to actually teach the class.

        4)  Honesty important:  Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but we’ll find out together, because we want truth, & truth is in the Bible.”  (Eph. 3:4)

    3.  Over Rejection:  “They won’t believe me!” – Exo. 4:1.

      a.  The problem of confrontation &/or fear of failure.

      b.  Will meet some with strong views, others won’t:  Learn to deal with “no” as well as “yes.”

        -ANS. – Trust the power & truthfulness of the gospel message (personal faith) – Exo. 4:2-9.

        1)  Teaching a certified gospel (confirmed, valid) – Heb. 2:3-4 (2 Pet. 1:16).

        2)  God’s power to save – 1 Cor. 1:18.

        3)  Rejection of the gospel does not change our faith to keep teaching – Acts 8:1, 4.

    4.  Over Ability:  “I’m not eloquent” – Exo. 4:10.

      a.  Eloquence not prerequisite to teaching gospel – 1 Cor. 2:1.  (Can be an excuse;  We can communicate)

      b.  Readiness of heart:  Consciousness, compassion & commitment – 2 Cor. 8:12.

        -ANS. – God gives us our abilities – Exo. 4:11-12.

        1)  To say, “I don’t have the ability” charges God with oversight (Matt. 25:15).

        2)  He gave us the ability to communicate – We can use it to teach the lost.

    5.  Over Reluctance:  “Send someone else.” – Exo. 4:13.

      a.  Reluctance can result in negligence.

      b.  God has already made up His mind:  Sending you & me.

        -ANS.  God provides – Exo. 4:14-17 (Jehovah-jireh, Gen. 2:7-8, 14).          

        1)  Provides the word (cf. Aaron as prophet):  God’s inspired word.

        2)  Provides the proof of the gospel’s power (cf. rod): You are proof of the gospel’s power – Heb. 4:12 (1 Ths. 2:13).

IV.  WHAT IS THE RIGHT METHOD?

  A.  Not One “Right” Method to the Exclusion of Others:  Emphasis Should be on the Message, not the Method.

    1.  Jno. 4:4-26:  Unlikely circumstances led to many believing (4:39-42).

    2.  Acts 8:29-35:  Started with interest in Scripture.

    3.  Acts 16:25-34:  Moments of crisis.

    4.  Acts 17:19:  Invitation to teach.

       -Same message in every case:  Christ & Him Crucified (1 Cor. 2:2).

  B.  Good Material Available:  Use it!

    1.  Bible authority, the church & salvation in Jesus Christ, death & eternity.

    2.  Must convict person of their sin or they will not be saved.

  C.  Start with People you Know (family, friends, neighbors) – Jno. 1:40-42.

    1.  Use contacts in your community – Acts 5:28 (Jno. 4:7).

    2.  Wherever you have the opportunity – Acts 17:6 (Rom. 1:15).

  D.  Help the Lost Person Make the Application of Truth – Acts 2:36-37.

    1.  Remain lost unless convicted of their sin.

    2.  With compassion, kindness & firmness help them see their spiritual need – Acts 26:27-29.

Conclusion

1.  Lord, increase our faith (Lk. 17:5).

  a.  To help us make & use our opportunities to teach the lost.

  b.  To help us be prepared to teach the lost.

  c.  To help us be ready to sacrifice in order to teach the lost.

  d.  To help us not give up, but keep on working.

2.  1 Cor. 3:6 – Plant & water – God will give the increase.

3.  Rom. 10:14-15 – Unless we do our work, the lost will not be saved!