Biblical Evangelism

Come out and experience "The Proving Ground" of evangelism. What is "The Proving Ground"? We do event evangelism, such as can be seen below. These events are carnivals, fairs, and festivals in the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Wayside Harvesters, Inc. has been recruiting and training laborers for event evangelism for over 30 years. My ministry found their's when I came to CA in June 2003. These events provide a "Proving Ground" to overcome your fear of man, and develop skills. It shods the feet of the Lord's solidier for battles as we then go and Minister Where We Are. E-mail me for a schedule of our events, or for assistance with your evangelsim outreach.

God told me "You are not just a fisher of men, but a teacher of fishermen." Therefore, as a Bondservant of Jesus Christ, I offer myself and this course. Please prayerfully read this and contact me to discuss the Eight Session - Way of the Master - Foundation Course; for you, your group, or your church.

Almost all Christians have heard that the fields are white (ripe) for the harvest. That it is great, but the laborers are few. They also know that God has commanded us to pray the Lord of the Harvest to bring forth laborers. While in church recently, and when our Pastor mentioned that verse, the Lord told me that if a person prays that prayer that they will eventually realize they were praying for themselves, as He gives them boldness to be a laborer. God wants us all to be His laborers and do the work of an evangelist. Why then are the laborers still few?

All you have to do is ask a Christian if they regularly share their faith. Except for about 2 - 5%, when they say "no", ask them why.

The list of reasons usually will include one or more of these:

1. My spiritual gift is not evangelism, it is ......(fill in the blank)

2. I live my life in a way that I hope will let them know I am a Christian

3. I am too scared, and besides, I wouldn't know what to say

4. I just feel more comfortable inviting them to church

5. I believe that God will save all the elect, regardless of what I do

Are any of these really Biblically acceptable responses? If you aren't regularly sharing your faith, what are you planning to say to Jesus when He asks you whether you were ashamed of Him before men? You know in your heart that there will be nothing you can say for yourself. Sharing of faith is a matter of obedience to the great commission; a response that signifies you have been given His Spirit (Act 1:8); an expression of gratitude to the One that died in your place; and proves out that the love of Christ is really in you, in that you demonstrate that you have a love for the lost as Jesus does. Surely Jesus' love in us would prove itself, as we love Jesus, and the lost, enough to overcome the fear of man. Jesus said we should follow Him. He did not fear what man could do, and was committed to do the will of His Father, even unto death in our place (Matt 10:27-28 and John 15:18-19).

Do you have compassion for His lost lambs, as He does? Do you really believe that they are already condemned (John 3:18) and in danger of final judgment and eternal torment in hell, at their death? That is what Jesus' message was throughout the New Testament. That was the message of all the Prophets in the Old Testament. The real question for you is, do you really believe it enough to action? Did you ever really see yourself guilty of transgression against God's moral law (10 Commandments) deserving of hell's torments? We as Christians are still sinners, and deserving of hell; however, are redeemed by His blood, if we repent and put our trust in Jesus' righteousness. Our sentence of eternity in hell with all the torment and suffering, was satisfied by the cross at Calvary. When we the Spirit of God puts that acceptance of responsibility that we earned and deserve hell, we can then trust in Jesus' blood as paying our debt of death.

That's grace, unmerited favor! We break God's Law with knowledge (conscience), and He takes our punishment. We all knew that we did evil when we lied, stole, lusted with our hearts (adultery); and even hated (murder in our hearts according to Jesus). These are only 4 of His 10 Commandments, and I dare say that most have broken them all, as I have. Even if you break just one, the Bible says you are guilty of all (James 2:10). We broke them with knowledge because we all were given a conscience (defined as "with knowledge"). God's word says that He put His law in our hearts and minds. We need look no further than the Garden of Eden, where man took on the "knowledge of good and evil". That is why Cain, after killing Abel, didn't say "Hey, you never told me that murder was wrong, you can't pin that on me". He never fought the charge, because he was guilty and knew it. His complaint was that he couldn't bear his sin.

That will be how it is at the Great White Throne Judgment for those that do not repent. They will not be able to defend their actions and deeds by saying they didn't know. None of your friends, family, or anyone you meet can deny their guilt when faced with their deeds if they are honest; but sadly so many refuse to be humbled. We all have a conscience, but most ignore the warning signs and satisfy themselves (their flesh) anyway. Eventually, their conscience is so seared they are nearly hopeless. It becomes harder and harder to admit they were wrong, and right things with God.

This even applies to Christians that know in their hearts that they are being disobedient to God by not seeking out the lost to warn them of judgment to come, as Jesus himself did. Some deny that Eke 3:17 is written to us, but was just accounted to Ezekiel. I guess if I knew that all who did not turn to Jesus Christ were on the highway to hell, and I was passing them by day after day without telling them of that danger that is coming, I wouldn't want Eke 3:17 to apply to me either. The problem is you and I clearly see this danger, so we have no excuse. Eventually, and sadly, we all can quench the Holy Spirit's conviction, and justify ourselves with the reasons listed above; yet, deep down, we know we have no excuse, and can see the faces of many likely in hell, who we didn't warn. We had the cure, and didn't even tell them, for fear. What would their cries be like now if we could hear them? What would they tell us to do for others that have not yet died? They would know they deserved hell, but would have welcomed our attempts to warn them of the dangers that were coming!

What can be done now that I have been so disobedient?

Praise God! We have a Lord that is long suffering! Our Lord wants to wipe away our tears of repentance and our past, and empower us to live for the future. Just ask Paul. God also did not condemn Peter for going back to fishing; his own guilt was evident, so Jesus just encouraged him to go on from there and serve Him. Are you ready to move on? If you are still willing, so is He. Is your soul willing, but the flesh is weak? He that is in you, is greater than he that is in the world, just trust that and the power of His word!

How can I overcome my fears and become obedient to my Lord Jesus Christ?

Trust and obey! Yes, that same simple message from that hymn. But lets examine what that means. You must trust that God is with you, and greater than he that is in the world. Fear is not of God, but from Satan. If fear keeps you from witnessing, you are serving Satan's will for your life, not God's. You cannot serve two Masters! The one that controls you, is the one you serve. This is really hard for us to face, but must be faced and dealt with if we are to become "true witnesses" of God, that deliver souls (Proverbs 14:25).

Who do you fear more, Satan (i.e. the fear of man) or the Lord?

We might get a bit angry at this point. This anger, if directed properly, can be just what the Lord ordered. Get angry, but do not sin, that you were deceived by Satan. Decide today that you will no longer serve Satan by fearing man; but, will serve God by overcoming that fear and preaching the Gospel.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in the light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Jesus' words from Matt 10:27-28)

But people will hate me! Some will hate you, but some will get converted and love you. Who do you fear?

These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (Jesus' words from John 10:17-19)

Note that we are commanded to love one another, and contrary to some, have been made watchman and given that task to warn of the judgment to come. We must obediently show them the holy character of God by His moral law, so they will truly understand the truth of the judgment and wrath of God upon them. Only then can grace really be magnified. Jesus came to magnifiy the law (lust is adulery, and hatred is murder) and make it honorable (use it to show sinners their need for Him). If you are obedient, you will bring the gospel to those around you. If you want to do it how Jesus did, you will study how He used the 10 Commandments, and follow the way of the Master. When you neglect a direct command, you are disobedient and sinning against God. If that burdens you, take it to the Lord in repentant prayer. Ask for the will to love them (agape). He also commands we pray the Lord of the Harvest for laborers. All that are called (all saints) are laborers, but not all are obediently in the field, yet. Remember the parable of the laborers? Some worked a full day, some came later. All that eventually came were given a full wage, so come labor while you can. Please don't wait, remember, Jesus says that there will come a time, when we will no longer have a chance to work.

How can I get help?

It starts with prayer, and a commitment to be obedient. If you are ready, God has put it on my heart to help you. He has made it clear to me that I am not just a "fisher of men", but also a "teacher of fisherman". This is also the heart of two other evangelist that God have introduced me to; namely Mel Gerrard and Thom Wayne from Wayside Harvesters, Inc. and Child Evangelism Miniseries, respectively. These men live for preaching the Gospel. Mel has been preaching the gospel at outdoor events and carnivals for decades in Southern CA and where ever God takes him. He has developed numerous Gospel Tracts that are available in print in several languages and used in various countries in the World. He has trained many saints to not only preach the Gospel, but provides them an immediate opportunity to put that training into action at outreach events, such as The National Date Festival in Indio, CA. Thom specializes in evangelism of children, but also preaches the Gospel where ever God takes him, and to all that will listen. Thom cut off his thumb last summer in a freak accident. While at Loma Linda Hospital getting his thumb restored, he used that experience to preach the Gospel to nurses, and doctors, many of whom say they will carry the message to others. As we sow, so shall we reap. These men taught me to sow and sow, and keep sowing. Our job is to obediently sow. As we sow, God gives the increase and allows us to reap, where others have sown. God opened my eyes to how small my view of evangelism was in Oct. 2003. I had been moved from MD and a position as a Minster of Evangelism at a Southern Baptist Church (which appeared to be a career change), to the Coachella Valley (desert) in southeastern CA. The Lord had called me to start "Minister Where You Are" in the fall of 2002 and share my faith where ever He took me, and to encourage other believers to do likewise. In Oct. 2003, I was invited to come and share my faith at Pioneer Days in 29 Palms, CA. It was small carnival next to a Marine Base. Even though the Lord had allowed me to share my faith with many before that, and even preach several sermons from the pulpit, I was still scared. You should know that you will always have to overcome fear as a Christian, until we are delivered from these bodies of death. We are called to love Him enough that we are able to be strengthened by His Spirit to be obedient, even when our knees knock. God rewarded that obedience that night by blessing me to witness more converted souls that night, than I had witnessed the entire time I had witnessed as a Christian. He magnified His power, and thereby my faith in His power to transform souls before my eyes, through His word. It is truly a double edged sword, full of His power and grace. Since that night He has multiplied conversions another 5 fold for His glory.

How can I learn to fight with His sword, to convert souls?

You merely use it, and trust in the power of His word to convert souls. As you experience His power, your faith will grow and grow. The Bible says the following:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

What does God's word say is "perfect" at converting the soul? Yes, the law of the Lord. Do you trust His word? If you do, then learn this and use this as we have. I thank the Lord for Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, and their miniseries Living Waters and Way of the Master (see links to their web sites in Links). Because of their challenge and direction, we decided to see if what they, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Martin Luther and many other men of God had found, was true. Does the moral law of the Lord, the 10 Commandments, convert the soul? Ask yourself what has the message been from the beginning of the time? Repent, for judgment days is coming! That was Noah's message, the message of the Old Testament Prophets, and the message brought by John the Baptist, Jesus, and all the disciples. They believed the message, and obediently preached it.

What makes a sinful person turn from their sins to run to Jesus?

A person must first be awakens to the fact that they have sinned against God and are responsible for their actions. Unless they realize their guilt, and that they are accountable, why would they see their need for a Savior? The message of the Gospel makes no sense before this. In fact we are not even to cast our pearls before swine, if they do not humbly see themselves in need of forgiveness? The 10 Commandments act as a mirror of the very holiness and character of God. When a person compares himself to people around them, he can usually find many worse then he is. That comparison gives them false hope that since they are "good" compared to "bad" people around them, that they surely will get to go to heaven. That is exactly what Satan is counting on, and that most Christians won't tell them the truth. This is exactly what will condemn them to an eternity in hell. Note that they don't see themselves as guiltless due to their God given conscience, only "better" in comparison to most. That is self justification, and self righteousness. Many see "church goers" they know, and that they (the Christians) act worse than them. They hear them say they are assurred heaven, and feel safe that if God will accept those people, surely they are safe too. Jesus wishes that we Christians would be hot or cold, not Lukewarm. When we are hot, we are good ambassadors for the Kingdom. When we are cold, we might not even be mistaken for a Christian. However, when we are lukewarm, we can become a stumbling block, unknowingly (debatable) working for Satan. We are always teaching as Christians, sometimes good things, sometimes bad. While false religions like Islam, have people so committed to the cause that they give themselves up for it, most Christians will not even risk opening their mouths for fear someone might think them strange, or not like them any more. Which has greater faith?

Why should the masses that don't believe, believe, when it appears that Christians themselves don't really believe?

Do not dismiss this mouthful, or allow your mind to justify your actions. Stop, pray, weep, and cry out in repentance to God. Jesus died because of your sin, and most don't have enough faith, gratitude, or love for Jesus and what He did on our behalf, to warn others, and direct them to His saving grace? Do we love His grace more that we love Him? Have you really ever seen yourself as guilty? Please examine your heart right now. Have you lied? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever looked at someone not your spouse and lusted after them (adultery according to Jesus)? Who can say they have never hated someone (Jesus said it was murder already)? Be honest before God. You and I are lying, thieving, adulterous, murderers at heart; not "good people", and God knows it and will hold us personally responsible on the day of judgment. Our works can never cover our sins. We stand guilty before a just judge, who will judge all sin, regardless of how much good we think we have to off balance the evil. If Mother Theresa went and murdered someone, and was brought before a judge in a mandatory death penalty State, admitting her guilt; the just and honorable judge would have to put her to death, otherwise violate the law himself. The problem is that Mother Theresa, and all of us, are murders, on death row, and have no chance that our "good works" will save us.

That is what the Bible says (Romans 3:23 and 6:23). Do you really believe that? Does your life reflect that you believe it? Has that fact caused you to fall on your face before a just and Holy God, and beg forgiveness and ask Him to give you a new heart; or are you relying on good work. Are you relying on the fact that you prayed a prayer and now hold God to some contract to allow you in? Did you "accepted" Him, as if you did Him a favor, by gracing heaven with your very presence? Did you come to His throne in repentance or making a transaction (deal)? I know this is harsh, but the stakes are eternal and you have only one chance to get it right. Jesus says the road is narrow and few find it! Dear Lord, how narrow, is narrow; and how few, is few? Luke 13:3 says that all that do not repent will perish. Did you ever really repent? Are you still living a disobedient and lawless life, practicing iniquity? Jesus speaks to those who are still living that way in Matthew Chapter 7, verses 21-23. These are obviously people who think they are at the Bema Seat Judgment for saints, but to their horror find themselves at the Great White Throne Judgment, destined for hell. Where did they go wrong? They went to church and served there; doing the things they wanted to do. Was Jesus really ever their Lord? Even when we choose to do good things, partial obedience is really no obedience at all. A good and faithful servant does "all things" that His Master asks, he doesn't pick and choose only the things that He likes or are easy for him (her). He (she) does the will of the Master, or is one that works iniquity. Jesus says in Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say. Below is the scripture that should put the fear of God is all that profess Jesus as Lord.

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Jesus' words from Matt 7:20-23)

Maybe this is why we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Mark Twain said it wasn't the scriptures that he didn't understand that bothered him, it was the ones he did understand. We are told that when the Spirit comes upon us, we shall be witnesses of Him (Act 1:8). It says shall, not might, or even if you want to. It does say this will occur to those who are given His Spirit. The only boldness to preach His word, comes from the Holy Spirit. Act 1:8 clearly indicates that those that are given His Spirit have it so that they can be His witnesses.