Copyright © 2022 by The True Vine Fellowship
P.O. Box 682 Carlsborg, Washington 98324
All Scripture quoted from the Gospel of John is from the Living Water Gospel of John Logos 21 Version (Glide, OR: Absolutely Free Inc. 1996). All other Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
Dedicated to Pastor Grant Christensen
and
his lovely bride Nancy
PREFACE
This small booklet is a development from a recent 10-week class in evangelism. Originally, Grant Christensen was slated to co-teach this course. Unfortunately, health concerns did not permit him to do so. If for no other reason, consider this booklet a beginning and not a final product. Pray for Grant’s recovery. Much work remains and few are the workers. When the Lord restores Grant to health our hope it to resume work in earnest on revising and updating the Four Keys to Sharing Good News.
This booklet is a copy of the teacher’s guide to the course. The Calibri font forms the body; italicized Cambria font communicates the teacher’s answers to questions. The format of the class requires participants to answer each of the questions without the teacher’s answers prior to each class. Discussion and dialogue regarding the questions form the content of each of the 10 sessions.The True Vine Fellowship offers Four Keys to Sharing Good News free to the local church: Contact: P.O. Box 682 Carlsborg, WA 98324.
This course uses the Living Water Gospel of John Logos 21 Version extensively. Prior to starting, you may request 100 to 200 Living Water Gospels of John from Absolutely Free Inc: Mail: The Living Water Project, P.O. Box 2, Glide, Oregon 97443; Web: www.livingwater.org. To date, Absolutely Free Inc. will provide the Living Water for free including free shipping; in return this ministry asks that what is received freely is given away freely.
The importance of evangelism to the local church can never be underestimated, yet most churches remain content to conduct small one or two session events promoting special techniques without broaching the more challenging issues: Why is the Gospel of John so important to evangelism? What is the importance of prayer in evangelism? How does the concept of corporate evangelism work? How does the individual, believer and unbeliever, fit into the picture of evangelism in the New Testament? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in witnessing? How does repentance fit into the ministry of evangelism? You and I ought to always ask these kinds of questions and much more. Indeed, until you and I probe the deeper issues surrounding evangelism, this ministry will be relegated to the perpetual dust bin of yesterday’s latest hottest techniques. Thankfully, techniques come and go, but the grace and truth (John 1:14, 17) of our Lord and Savior endures forever.
INDEX
SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION —
WE KNOW —
II. Who We Are
III. What Our Message Is
WE PRAY —
V. For Boldness and the Holy Spirit
VI. For An Open Door
WE SHARE —
VII. Good News
VIII. While Listening and Praying for Wisdom to Sow, Water, and Reap
WE TRUST —
IX. The Holy Spirit and Pray for the Miracle of God’s Witness in Us
SYLLABUS
GOALS
A. To convince brothers and sisters in Christ of the centrality and trustworthiness of the Gospel of John to the ministry of evangelism.
B. To understand four specific keys to sharing good news:
1) KNOW who we are, what our message is, and who our audience is;
2) PRAY for the filling of the Holy Spirit and open doors to share good news;
3) SHARE good news while listening and praying for wisdom to sow, water, and reap;
4) TRUST the Holy Spirit and pray for the miracle of God’s witness in us.
C. To form specific teams and evangelize using the Four Keys to Sharing Good News.
RESPONSIBILTIES
A. Brothers and Sisters are encouraged to:
1) read and study prepared material prior to each session;
2) interact with one another and the session leader about the material;
3) form teams and participate in fellowship, prayer, and evangelism;
4) share good news both individually and corporately.
B. Session Leaders will:
1) present each session and facilitate group discussions;
2) demonstrate evangelism and help organize evangelism teams;
3) pray for and encourage those participating to do the work of evangelism.
SESSION SCHEDULE
I. Introduction—The Centrality of John
II. We Know—Who We Are
III. We Know—What Our Message Is
IV. We Know—Who Our Audience Is
V. We Pray—For Boldness and the Holy Spirit
VI. We Pray—For Open Doors
VII. We Share—Good News
VIII. We Share—While Listening and Praying…
IX. We Trust—The Holy Spirit and Pray…
Questions and Answers
I. Introduction — The Centrality of John
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next session.
Overview
What you and I frequently call the Gospel of John is actually the eyewitness or testimony of the eleven apostles (John 1:14, 21:24) recorded by John, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20, 24), that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who gives life in His name to those who believe in Him (John 20:30-31). Based largely on external evidences, most conservative scholars date this account between 85 and 95 AD; however, the internal evidence strongly suggests a much earlier date of 44 AD or before (John 21:2 and 24; Acts 12:2). The apostles witnessed Jesus and His ministry intimately over a continuous three-year time span (John 1:14, 21:24). Consider the Apostle John’s introduction to his first epistle: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— (1 John 1:1). That this window is so lengthy and the apostles’ relationship with Jesus so intimate bodes well for the authoritative nature of the apostles’ eyewitness we know as the Gospel of John… especially among those not necessarily recognizing the inspired authority of the God’s word.
How John’s account fits into the whole of Scripture has left many in Christendom with a theological quandary. Surely, Jesus spoke the truth when He promised, Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life (John 6:47). Afterall, Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:48). The obvious conclusion stands irrepressibly clear: Jesus is the Bread of Life; whoever believes in Him and His promise of eternal life has the perfect assurance of eternal life or life in His name. Afterall, He is the crucified and resurrected Christ, the Son of God (John 6:68-69, 20:30-31), the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Since Jesus is God, and God never lies, no one has ever believed Jesus’ promise of eternal life and not received what our Lord promises—eternal life. Conversely, if Jesus cannot be taken at His word when He promises eternal life to whoever believes in Him for it, then no one can know for sure they have everlasting life. Ironically, what is so obvious in John’s account raises questions for many. But, what about passages of Scripture which seem to indicate believers can lose eternal life? Likewise, what about passages that seemingly link assurance of eternal life to good works? Surely, a believer endures faithfully to the end of his Christian life to know that he is a Christian… right? On the surface, for a believer to know for sure he has eternal or everlasting life to some seems arrogant or worse yet easy believism (though perhaps not so easy for those accusing others of easy believism). This quandary has led many scholars to elaborate lengths in order to gain theologically an imperfect sense of assurance from what Jesus offers biblically with perfect assurance—eternal life.
Founder of The Biblical Research Society, Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965) offers this “Golden Rule of Interpretation:”
When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise. [David L. Cooper, Bible Truths, “Golden Rule of Interpretation,” http://www.bibletruths.org/the-golden-rule-of-interpretation/ ]
The “plain sense” of Jesus’ repeated promises of eternal life makes perfect sense in the immediate context of John’s account (John 20:30-31). The quandary resides in what some scholars might consider “related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths.” True, you and I must always consider the “related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths,” raised by scholars, but ultimately, who do you and I believe—the great scholars and theologians or Jesus? The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) went so far as to state, “Calvinism is the gospel” [https://reformedbaptistdaily:wordpress.com/2014/07/04/charles-spurgeon-calvinism-is-the-gospel-and-nothing-else/]. Does believing in the “axiomatic and fundamental truths” of Calvinism bring forth life in the name of Jesus? No, not hardly! Thankfully, Scripture always trumps any human endeavor however well intended, erudite, or scholarly: Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth , that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures (James 1:18; underlining added).
Of his own conversion, the Apostle Paul writes, I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:16; underlining added). If you have never believed Jesus’ promise of eternal life, and known with perfect assurance the gift of eternal life, or if, as a believer, you find yourself struggling to know for sure whether or not you have eternal life, take Jesus at His word when He promises: Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life (John 6:47-48). Throughout the whole of Scripture, God has never once failed to fulfill His promises; likewise, Jesus will not fail His simple promise of eternal life: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Dare you and I be like the Apostle Paul and believe on Him for everlasting life; Dare we know the truth of His simple promise to us… only then can we know for sure we have life in His Name (John 20:31)... only then can we engage the ministry and joy of evangelism by laboring in God’s field.
Isaiah 55:10-11
55:10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
A. What picture does Isaiah 55:10 create in your mind?
The Prophet Isaiah paints a picture of a Divinely inspired life cycle with rains and snow coming down from God to bring forth life. The ultimate purpose is to bless man by giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
B. Whose word goes forth in Isaiah 55:11? Where do we find this word?
God’s word goes forth; we find that word in the Bible.
C. In Isaiah 55:11 what 3 things does God guarantee about His word?
1) It shall not return to Me void,
2) It shall accomplish what I please,
3) And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
John 20:30-31
20:30 Jesus actually performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
E. How many signs are in John’s account? (Hint: John 2:18-21; 20:30)
There are eight signs; the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord is the last and greatest sign.
F. According to John 20:30, who witnessed these signs? (Hint: John 1:14)
The apostles witnessed all eight signs. What you and I call the gospel of John, we might better name the “Witness or Testimony of the Apostles According to the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved”. “ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the Father’s Only-begotten, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; underlining added). The word translated “lived” can be understood as “tabernacled” revealing both the sheer magnitude of their witness and the close intimate fellowship the apostles enjoyed with Jesus over His three-year ministry. In his first epistle, John again reminds believers of the intimate witness enjoyed by the apostles: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—" (1 John 1:1-2).
G. What is the greatest sign of all? (Hint: John 2:18-21)
Although all of the signs are designed to persuade that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:30), very early in His ministry, Jesus identifies the crucifixion and resurrection as the greatest or culminating sign (John 2:18-21).
H. Is it important that John recorded specific signs and not others in his account? What does this tell us about the nature of His account? (Hint: John 1:14 and 21:24-25)
That John chose only 8 specific signs and not others implies that, in the eyes of the apostles, their witness or testimony, recorded by John, is a sufficient message with sufficient signs to persuade an individual that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Those who believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God have eternal or everlasting life.
I. In light of our understanding of Isaiah 55:10-11, why is John’s account so important to evangelism? Will John’s account ever return to God void? Will it fail to accomplish what God pleases? Will it fail to prosper in the thing for which it was sent?
John records the apostles’ eyewitness testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who gives life in His name (everlasting life or eternal life) to those who believe in Him. God, Himself, guarantees that the Gospel of John will never return void; it will always accomplish what God pleases; and, it will ultimately prosper in the thing for which it was sent.
Though counterintuitive, God’s word accomplishes what God pleases every time an individual has the opportunity to believe in His Son for everlasting life. Even when that individual is not persuaded of the truth of Jesus’ person and promise, and therefore remains eternally condemned, God is glorified.
Thankfully, it is utterly impossible for the one who believes the apostles’ witness, as recorded by John, not to have eternal life. Jesus promises: “Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:47-48). Do you and I believe that Jesus is the “Bread of life”? Yes or no; if yes, then do we believe Jesus when He promises: “Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life”? Yes or no; if yes, then you and I have eternal life!
Hebrews 4:12-13
4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
J. Is the ability to pierce to the division of soul and spirit and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart important in evangelism?
Yes, when you and I share our faith with another individual or group of individuals we cannot discern thoughts and intents, let alone pierce to the heart. Thankfully God and His word can do just that and more to persuade of the truth of the gospel. God is glorified when we trust Him and His word!
K. All creatures are accountable before God in accordance with His word. How is this significant in evangelism?
The written word of God provides the necessary special revelation of God to which all men are held accountable.
Additional Questions
L. What is the difference between the Gospel of John and evangelism tracts, commentaries, theologies, and the synoptic gospel accounts?
Evangelism tracts, commentaries and theologies quote the Scriptures, but are themselves not Scripture. As Scripture, the Gospel of John transcends or trumps systems of theology, denominational distinctives, and church affiliations.
Among all the books of the New Testament, John alone presents the three-year long-eyewitness-intimate testimony of the apostles, recorded by the Apostle John and authenticated by his fellow apostles, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who has taken away the sin of the world and gives life in His name to those who believe in Him and His promise of life.
Unlike John whose primary audience is the unbeliever, Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the synoptic gospel accounts) and the book of Acts primarily focus on training the believer as a faithful steward (Luke 1:1-4) to the end that he or she may fulfill Jesus’ great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). God, Himself, guarantees that the synoptic accounts and Acts will never return to Him void; like John, they will always accomplish what God pleases and will ultimately prosper in the thing for which they were sent in training the believer as a faithful steward to fulfill Jesus’ great commission.
II. WE KNOW — Who We Are
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next session.
John 1:11-13
1:11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him.
1:12 But to as many as did accept Him, He gave the right to be God’s children, to those who believed in His Name:
1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
A. Who Are We?
Having accepted Him or believed in His name, we are children born of the will of God.
John 3:14-18
3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, likewise the Son of Man must be lifted up,
3:15 so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not judged; but whoever does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.
B. Who Are We?
We are believers in Jesus and His promise; we have what He promises everlasting or eternal life and will not perish. We are not judged because we believe in Jesus and His promise.
John 4:10 and 13-14
4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water!”
4:13 In response Jesus told her, “Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again.
4:14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never thirst again—forever! On the contrary, the water that I will give him will become within him a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
C. Who Are We?
We have sipped the living water (believed the promise of life) and have what Jesus promises “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
John 5:24
5:24 “Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life, and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
D. Who Are We?
We hear Jesus’ word and believe the Father who sent Him. We have eternal (everlasting) life, will “not come into judgement” at the Great White Throne, but have already “passed from death into life.”
John 6:35-40
6:35 “I am the Bread of Life,” Jesus told them, “Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.
6:36 But, as I told you, you’ve seen Me and yet don’t believe.
6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.
6:38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My will, but the will of the One who sent Me.
6:39 Now this is the will of the Father who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given Me, but shall raise him up on the last day.
6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
E. Who Are We?
We have come to Jesus through faith and will never hunger or thirst for eternal life. All those who come to Jesus, the Father will never cast out. The Father wills that we will never be lost, but have eternal life and be raised (resurrected) on the last day.
John 6:47-48
6:47 Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life.
6:48 I am the Bread of Life.
F. Who Are We?
We believe in Jesus as the Bread of Life and His promise to us of eternal (everlasting) life. We have what He promises—eternal life.
John 7:37-39
7:37 Now on the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out saying,
7:38 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, from deep within him will flow streams of living water.”
7:39 (Now He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive, for the Holy Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)
G. Who Are We?
We believe in Jesus as the Scriptures say and out us flow streams of living water (the promise of eternal life) through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 8:31-32
8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you really are My disciples.
8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
H. Who Are We?
As believers, if we abide in Jesus’ word, we will know the truth and be set free.
John 10:27-30
10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
10:30 I and the Father are one.”
I. Who Are We?
As believers we follow Jesus, and He gives us eternal life. We shall never, ever perish; no one is able to snatch us out of His or the Father’s hand.
John 11:25-27
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
11:26 And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
J. Who Are We?
Like Martha, we believe Jesus is “the Resurrection and the Life” (the Christ, the Son of God) and have His perfect promise of future resurrection and His present gift of eternal life.
John 12:35-36
12:35 Then Jesus said to them, “The light will be with you a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
12:36 While you have the light believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus spoke these things, and went away and hid from them.
K. Who Are We?
As sons of light, we have the Light and believe in the Light.
John 13:13-17
13:13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you speak rightly, since I am.
13:14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
13:15 In fact, I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
13:16 Amen, amen, I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
13:17 If you know these things, you are blest if you do them!
L. Who Are We?
We are Jesus’ servants. Just as Jesus washes our feet, we are instructed and blest (blessed) to wash one another’s feet.
John 14:1-7
14:1 “Do not let your heart be distressed. Believe in God, believe also in Me.
14:2 In My Father’s house are many homes, otherwise I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.
14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
14:4 And where I am going you know, and you know the way.”
14:5 “Lord,” Thomas said to Him, “we don’t know where You’re going, and how can we know the way?”
14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
14:7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father too. And from now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
M. Who Are We?
We believe in God the Father and His Son. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us with Him. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life;” we have come and will continue coming to the Father through Him. We know the Father through the Son.
John 15:1-5
15:1 “I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser.
15:2 Every branch in Me which does not produce fruit He props up, and every one producing fruit He prunes, so that it will produce more fruit.
15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, is the one who produces much fruit, since you can do nothing apart from Me.
N. Who Are We?
As believers we are branches abiding in the true vine (Jesus). Life courses out from the vine to the branches producing fruit. When we become unfruitful, the vinedresser (God the Father) props us up; when we produce fruit, He prunes us that we may produce more fruit. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
John 16:5-15
16:5 “However, now I am going away to Him who sent Me, but not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
16:6 Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7 Nevertheless I am telling you the truth. It is beneficial for you that I do go away, because if I don’t go away the Advocate will not come to you. But if I do go, I will send Him to you.
16:8 And when He comes He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment:
16:9 concerning sin, because they don’t believe in Me;
16:10 concerning righteousness, because I am going away to My Father and you will no longer see Me;
16:11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
16:12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.
16:15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will communicate it to you.
O. Who Are We?
We are not left alone in this world. Jesus sends us His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement. Like the apostles, the Holy Spirit will declare and guide us into God’s truth.
John 17:20-26
17:20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message;
17:21 that they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that in Us they also may be one, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
17:22 And the glory which You have given to Me I have given to them, that they may be one just as We are one:
17:23 I in them and You in Me; so that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You sent Me, and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You given Me may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me; because You loved Me before the foundating of the world.
17:25 Righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
17:26 And I made Your Name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
P. Who Are We?
Jesus prays for us as believers that we may be one with one another and with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that the love of God may be in us, and that Jesus may be in us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, the love and unity we have among ourselves draws unbelievers to believe in Christ.
John 18:37
18:37 So Pilate said to Him, “Are You a king then?” “You say that I am a king,” Jesus replied. “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
R. Who Are We?
As believers, we are “of the truth” and listen to Jesus’ voice.
John 20:26-29
20:26 And after eight days the disciples were indoors again, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, even though the doors were locked, and stood among them. And He said, “Peace to you!”
20:27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. And don’t be unbelieving, but believing!”
20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
20:29 Because you have seen Me,” Jesus told him, “you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
S. Who Are We?
Jesus commands us, just as He did Thomas, to remain believing by investigating the evidence. There is a special blessing for those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection, yet did not witness His resurrection.
John 20:30-31
20:30 Jesus actually performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.
T. Who Are We?
We believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and have “life in His Name” (everlasting or eternal life).
John 21:15-19
21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I’m fond of You.” “Feed My lambs!” He told him.
21:16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I’m fond of You.” “Shepherd My sheep!” He told him.
21:17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, are you fond of Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Are you fond of Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I’m fond of You.” “Feed My sheep!” Jesus told him.
21:18 “Amen, amen, I tell you: When you were young you used to fasten your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and someone else will fasten a belt around you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
21:19 In saying this He was indicating the kind of death by which he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”
U. Who Are We?
Like Peter, when we fail, Jesus humbles us while commanding us to return to ministry and follow Him.
John 21:24-25
21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things, and wrote them down; and we know that his testimony is true.
21:25 Yes, there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I don’t suppose even the world itself could contain the books that would be written!
V. Who Are We?
Even though we are not eyewitnesses, like John and his fellow apostles, we know Jesus’ testimony is true. Jesus’ and His apostles’ witness are one.
Additional Questions
X. How do you and I know who we are?
We know who We are according to Jesus and the word of God .
Y. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being perfect assurance), rate how certain you are that you possess eternal or everlasting life? Explain your answer.
Based solely upon who Jesus is and His promise to me, I have perfect 10 assurance of eternal life independent of any systems of theology, denominational distinctives, or church affiliations. I know I have eternal life and can never lose it.
III. WE KNOW — What Our Message Is
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next meeting.
Genesis 2:15-17
2:15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
A. What Is Our Message?
God commands Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for in the day “you eat of it you shall surely die” (literally, “dying you shall die”).
Genesis 3:22-24
3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—
3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
B. What Is Our Message?
Adam and Eve disobeyed God. As a result, God places Adam and Eve outside the garden of Eden away from the tree of life. Mankind has entered into sin and is now spiritually dead— Neither of these two problems, sin and death, can be overcome without God’s deliverance.
John 1:1-5
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
1:3 All things were made through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was made that has been made.
1:4 In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men.
1:5 And the Light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not grasp it.
C. What Is Our Message?
The same God, who spoke the word to Adam and Eve, is Himself called the Word. He has never not been; “all things were made through Him; in Him was Life; this Life was the Light (eternal hope) of men.” Sadly, the darkness of men did not grasp the Light (eternal hope) of God shining among them.
John 1:6-9
1:6 A man appeared, sent from God, whose name was John.
1:7 He came to give testimony, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
1:8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to everyone who comes into the world.
D. What Is Our Message?
John the Baptist was sent from God to bear witness to the true Light who gives Light (eternal hope) to every man.
John 1:29-34
1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
1:30 This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because He was before me.’
1:31 Yet I did not know Him. However, the reason I came baptizing with water is that He might be made known to Israel.”
1:32 And John testified, “I observed the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven. And He rested upon Him.
1:33 Yet I did not know Him. However, He who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting—this is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
1:34 So I have both seen and testified that this is the Son of God!”
D. What Is Our Message?
Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” ranked before John the Baptist for He is the eternal Son of God. God the Father commanded John to baptize Jesus and said, “The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting — this is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” John saw and testified that Jesus is “the Son of God,” “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 3:14-18
3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, likewise the Son of Man must be lifted up,
3:15 so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not judged; but whoever does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.
E. What Is Our Message?
Just as God remembered the children of Israel as they perished from the serpents in the wilderness (Numbers 21), He has now remembered all mankind and sent His Son Jesus “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God the Father manifests His love through His Son and His promise of eternal life. The Father’s willingness to lift up Jesus on the cross reveals the depths of His covenantal or promissory love for all mankind. Jesus did not come to judge, but to save mankind from sin and death. Whoever believes “is not judged;” whoever “does not believe is already” condemned to sin and death.
John 3:36
3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; but whoever disbelieves the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains upon him.”
F. What Is Our Message?
Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal or everlasting life; whoever does not will not see life; the eternal wrath of God remains upon him.
John 4:10 and 13-14
4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water!”
4:13 In response Jesus told her, “Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again.
4:14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never thirst again—forever! On the contrary, the water that I will give him will become within him a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
G. What Is Our Message?
The gift of God is Jesus and His promise of eternal life. The moment a person believes Jesus and His promise, he or she has sipped the living water and will never thirst again for spiritual life. Jesus and His promise become a spring gushing up into everlasting life.
John 5:24-30
5:24 “Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life, and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
5:25 Amen, amen, I tell you, a time is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
5:26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself,
5:27 He has granted Him the added authority to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man.
5:28 Don’t be amazed at this, because a time is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
5:29 and will come out: those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life; but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.
5:30 I can do nothing by Myself. Just as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me.
H. What Is Our Message?
Presently, whoever hears Jesus’ word and believes the Father’s witness “has eternal life, shall not come into judgement” at the Great White Throne, but has already “passed from death into life”. Whoever does not believe will, in the future, be judged with perfect righteousness at the Great White Throne according to their works (Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus warns, “Just as I hear, I judge; and My judgement is just (righteous), because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”
John 6:35-40
6:35 “I am the Bread of Life,” Jesus told them, “Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.
6:36 But, as I told you, you’ve seen Me and yet don’t believe.
6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out.
6:38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My will, but the will of the One who sent Me.
6:39 Now this is the will of the Father who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given Me, but shall raise him up on the last day.
6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
I. What Is Our Message?
Jesus is the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Him (believes in Him) will never hunger or thirst for spiritual life. According to the will of God the Father, of all who come to Jesus, none will be cast out. Indeed, the will of the Father is that whoever comes to Jesus will not be lost, but raised up or resurrected on the last day. All who see the Son and believe in Him have everlasting life and will be resurrected.
John 6:47-48
6:47 Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life.
6:48 I am the Bread of Life.
J. What Is Our Message?
Whoever believes in Jesus as the Bread of Life and His promise of eternal life has what Jesus promises—eternal life.
John 6:51
6:51 I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread he will live forever. And the Bread which I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
K. What Is Our Message?
As the living Bread Jesus came down from heaven to offer Himself on the cross “for the life of the world.” Whoever eats of this Bread (believes in Jesus and His promise) “will life forever.”
John 10: 27-30
10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
10:29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
10:30 I and the Father are one.”
L. What Is Our Message?
As His sheep, we hear, are known by, and follow Jesus. He gives us eternal life, and we “will never, ever perish, and no one will snatch them (us) out of My (Jesus’) hand.” Likewise, “no one is able to snatch” us out of the hand of His Father. Jesus and the Father are one.
John 11:25-27
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
11:26 And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
M. What Is Our Message?
Jesus has made Himself our Resurrection and Life that whoever believes in Him will in the future be resurrected and have, as a present possession, the gift of eternal life. Like Martha, as believers, you and I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; even if we die, we will live, and living we will never die.
John 12:35-36
12:35 Then Jesus said to them, “The light will be with you a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
12:36 While you have the light believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus spoke these things, and went away and hid from them.
N. What Is Our Message?
Believe in the Light (Jesus and His promise of eternal life) and become a son of Light.
John 12:44-50
12:44 But Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me.
12:45 And whoever sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
12:46 I have come as a light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me would remain in darkness.
12:47 And if someone hears My words and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him; because I didn’t come to judge the world but to save the world.
12:48 Whoever rejects Me and doesn’t accept My sayings has his judge: the word which I have spoken will judge him on the Last Day.
12:49 For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me, He gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
12:50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. So the things which I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
O. What Is Our Message?
Whoever believes in Jesus will “not remain in darkness,” but in this world, whoever does not believe is not judged by Jesus, but by the word that He has spoken (His promise of eternal life). “And I know that His command is everlasting life. So the things which I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
John 14:6
14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
P. What Is Our Message?
Come to the Father through Jesus; He alone is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
John 17:3
17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and the One whom You have sent—Jesus Christ.
Q. What Is Our Message?
Know the “only true God” and Jesus whom He sent and have eternal life.
John 20:30-31
20:30 Jesus actually performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.
R. What Is Our Message?
The miraculous signs in the apostles’ witness (“this book”) are sufficient to believe in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of God” and to “have life in His Name” (everlasting or eternal life).
Additional Questions
S. What is the relationship between who we are and what our message is?
Jesus has given us eternal life or “life in His name;” the message we share should reflect the truth of who you and I are in Christ.
T. When sharing the good news, what happens when who we are in Christ appears different from our message? How can you and I overcome this disparity?
When we share a message not reflected in who we are, those hearing us may think we are hypocrites. Our message can be discounted based upon the disparity between who we are and what our message is. To overcome this disparity, we must seek the Lord’s strength through prayer: Have we sinned and now doubt our assurance of eternal life? If so, then we must confess our sin, and trust Him to restore us to fellowship (1 John 1:8-9). Have we, as brothers and sisters, been shaken through events in our lives like illness or personal loss? If so, then we must return to the simple promise of eternal life, pray, and trust Him to restore us through fellowship, prayer and His word.
17:15 I am not praying that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the Evil One.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:15-19)
In each instance, you and I are reminded of His prayer for us and His perfect promise to us of eternal life (1 John 2:25 and 5:9-13).
IV. WE KNOW — Who Our Audience Is
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next meeting.
John 20:30-31
20:30 Jesus actually performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.
20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.
A. Who Is Our Audience?
In his gospel account, the Apostle John writes to whoevers, primarily to unbelieving whoevers and secondarily to believing whoevers. The primary audience is in need of life in His name; the secondary in need of fellowship.
1 John 5:9-13
5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
B. Who Is Our Audience?
In his first epistle, the Apostle John writes exclusively to believers who have already believed God’s testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, in order that they might continue to believe and abide in fellowship with Christ and His apostles. This audience is in need of continued fellowship with God, the apostles and themselves.
Additional Questions
C. Why is it important to witness to unbelievers?
Without eternal life no one will see God. Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe in Him as the Christ, the Son of God. When an individual believes Jesus’ promise of eternal life, he or she has what only God can give—eternal life.
D. Why is it important to witness to believers?
Believers can and do lose assurance of eternal life. This happens when fellowship is broken between brothers and sisters in Christ and God. Witnessing to believers draws them back into fellowship and reassures them of the certainty of Jesus’ promise of eternal life. This promise of eternal life or life in Jesus’ name anchors God’s children through the storms of life, both spiritual and physical, and is the ground of our fellowship with God and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 1:1-4).
Practice Exercise
Go to a coffee shop. While enjoying your coffee set two Living Water Gospels of John on the table. If someone visits your table or engages you in conversation, give them the gift of the Living Water: “Thanks for saying hi. Before you go, this is a gift from me to you, the Gospel of John. Check it out when you can. You can know for sure you have everlasting life; it’s a free gift.”
V. WE PRAY — For Boldness and the Holy Spirit
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next meeting. Before continuing our study of evangelism, we will form prayer and evangelism groups.
Acts 4:5-7
4:5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,
4:6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
A. Having miraculously healed a man and then evangelized those in the temple, the Apostles Peter and John are arrested and brought before the highest levels of leadership within Israel. What is the significance of the leadership’s question, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
That a supernatural miracle has transpired is undeniable, the only question is who performed this miracle or by what name or by whose authority have Peter and John done this mighty work? God uses miracles to affirm that the message of the apostles is from Him.
B. Is the issue of authority important to our witness? How so?
The issue of authority remains vital for all those who witness or testify to Jesus Christ. Do you and I speak on our own authority or by God’s authority. Is our message our own or is it God’s message? The power to bring forth the miracle of everlasting life resides not in you and I, but solely in God. He alone has forgiven sin through His Son; He alone gifts everlasting or eternal life to the one who believes in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
Acts 4:8-12
4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
4:9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
4:10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
4:11 This is the “stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
C. Is it significant that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit when he answered their question?
Absolutely, without the filling of the Spirit, how will Peter answer those placed in authority over him? The Holy Spirit makes His presence felt by convicting the rulers and elders of Israel of sin, righteousness, and judgement.
D. What is the Holy Spirit doing through Peter and John?
The Holy Spirit enables and empowers the apostles to evangelize the rulers and elders of Israel.
Acts 4:13-17
4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
4:16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
4:17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
E. Where does the boldness of Apostles come from? How does the leadership of Israel respond?
Peter and John were not educated or theologically trained men, but having witnessed Jesus’ person and ministry and now filled with the Holy Spirit they witness or testify boldly to the leadership of Israel. Unable or unwilling to deny the truth of the apostle’s witness, the rulers and elders resort to threats of physical violence.
Acts 4:18-22
4:18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
4:22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
F. Are Peter and John being disrespectful to those God has placed over them?
No, they submit to the authority God has placed over them by asking the rulers and elders to judge the circumstance for themselves: Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
G. What are the things which the Apostles Peter and John have seen and heard?
The apostle are eyewitnesses of Jesus’ person and ministry; the supernatural miracle of healing authenticates their testimony and stops the leadership of Israel from punishing them.
Acts 4:23-31
4:23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
4:25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
“Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
4:26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
4:27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
4:28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
4:30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31)
H. Who do the Apostles Peter and John go to following their ordeal in the temple? Who are their own companions? What did the local called out assembly, or church, look like in the early days of the apostles?
The apostles return to those they fellowship with, their local called out assembly or church (transliterated in Greek as “ekklesia”). In the first century, churches often met in homes, not in dedicated church buildings.
I. What are they doing when they raised their voice to God with one accord?
The brothers and sisters of the church or local called out assembly together with the apostles raise their voices in prayer.
J. What are they asking the Lord for?
Boldness to share good news and a continuation of signs and wonders done “through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
K. How did God respond?
God answered by filling them with the Holy Spirit and shaking the building in which they were assembled.
Practice Exercise
In your prayer group pray for boldness and the Holy Spirit. Continue with the previous coffee shop exercise; afterwards share with your prayer group. Did your experiences change?
VI. WE PRAY — For an Open Door
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next meeting.
Revelation 3:7-8
3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” :
3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
A. Who is He who has the key of David? What is it that He opens and shuts?
Jesus has the key of David. He opens and shuts the door of ministry for those serving Him.
B. What is the open door before the church of Philadelphia? Why has the door remained open?
The open door for the brothers and sisters of Philadelphia is the opportunity to continue to do what they have already persevered in (v. 10) — keeping His word and not denying His name (v. 8), namely evangelizing and fulfilling the Lord’s great commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Revelation 3:9-10
3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
C. How will the Lord manifest His love for the church of Philadelphia? Why?
He will make those Jews who are persecuting the church (the synagogue of Satan) worship before the feet of the Philadelphia church and to know that Jesus has loved the church. Why? Because the church of Philadelphia has kept Jesus’ command to persevere… they keep His word and do not deny His name (v. 3:8).
Revelation 3:11-12
3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
D. What does a crown signify?
Crowns signify authority and rulership. Those who overcome this world will rule in the coming kingdom of God.
E. What is the reward for those who overcome?
Those Philadelphians who overcome will rule and have close intimate fellowship with their Lord and Savior, symbolically they will be like supporting pillars in His temple. The name of the Father, His city — the New Jerusalem, and the Son of God’s name, Jesus will write on them.
F. What is the meaning of the refrain, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11; 3:17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)?
In the opening to His revelation, there are seven churches addressed by our Lord (Revelation 2:1-3:22); not all of them shall be rewarded for their service. Only two, Smyrna and Philadelphia, are not called to repent. The key to corporate and individual reward is hearing and acting upon our Lord’s instructions. Currently, the church of Philadelphia fulfills the Lord’s commission (Matthew 28:18-20) by keeping His word and not denying His name.
G. Does the Lord reward individual believers for their participation in corporate evangelism?
Yes, the rewardability of individuals within the church is related to their participation in the open door given the local church by the Lord.
H. Should the local church ask the Lord for an open door?
Yes, our Lord’s desire is for you and I to participate in the open door of ministry He gives the local church. We are literally praying for the Lord’s blessing and will to be done.
Additional Questions
I. Review Revelation 2-3; Which church do you wish to be a part of? Why?
Of all seven churches only two, Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) are without rebuke and need for repentance. The Lord calls the brothers and sisters of Smyrna to remain faithful in their witness of Him through the coming ten-day tribulation even unto death. For the Philadelphians, the Lord holds open the door to continue keeping His word and not denying His name. Ironically, these two churches are the weakest of all seven churches, yet they are entrusted with being witnesses to their Lord and Savior either through martyrdom or faithful outreach. For you and I, the time of martyrdom is not yet, but stepping through the open door that Lord provides to reach out with the good news is now. Regarding His own ministry, the Apostle Paul writes: But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). We should choose Philadelphia and follow Paul and his team’s example!
J. Review Revelation 2-3; What does eternal life look like?
Jesus addresses corporately believers possessing life in His name; they may or may not be rewarded for faithful service. “ I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it in abundance” (John 10:10): Jesus rewards faithful servants with more opportunities to serve Him leading to a more abundant experience of eternal life: “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29).
Practice Exercise
Do the in-class demonstration of seeing the open door and entering into another person’s personal sphere.
Pray for boldness, the Holy Spirit and open doors to share the good news. What doors does the Lord open for you and where? In each instance give the Living Water away freely. Is the Lord opening doors in unexpected places?
Go out for a meal with a fellow believer or your spouse; enjoy your meal and fellowship. When your server comes with the check, thank him or her for their service, and give them the Living Water Gospel of John as a gift… make sure to leave a good tip! Were other tables listening in on your conversation with the server?
VII. WE SHARE — Good News
Instructions
Please do this exercise and come prepared to discuss your choices at our next meeting.
Throughout the Bible, you and I will find good news encompassing God’s deliverance of man, both Jew and Gentile, from a wide variety of situations. In each instance, God demonstrates His great love for man by delivering him. God’s greatest deliverance is from sin and death through His Son Jesus.
In the New Testament, the gospel is often thought of as a technical term, but for purposes of this exercise, consider the gospel as a larger target with multiple concentric rings ranging out from the center or bullseye of the target. If the bullseye represents your first choice in sharing good news and each concentric ring a choice you are less likely to share, rank the following New Testament Scripture passages using the numbering system found on your target from 6 to X (bullseye).
__6__Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
__7__ Luke 1:13-17
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
__8__ Luke 1:28-33
And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
__7__ Luke 2:8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
__9__Luke 2:25-32
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
__6__Luke 5:12-14
And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”
__9__John 1:29-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because He was before me.’ Yet I did not know Him. However, the reason I came baptizing with water is that He might be made known to Israel.” And John testified, “I observed the Spirit coming down like a dove out of Heaven. And He rested upon Him. Yet I did not know Him. However, He who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting—this is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ So I have both seen and testified that this is the Son of God!”
__X__ John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
__X__ John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; but whoever disbelieves the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains upon him.”
__X__ John 5:24
Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life, and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
__7__ John 6:10-14
Nevertheless Jesus said, “Have the men sit down.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them to those who were seated. So too with the fish, as much as they wanted. Now when they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” Therefore they collected them and filled twelve baskets with fragments of the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten. Therefore, when the men saw the miraculous sign that Jesus had performed, they said, “This man really is the Prophet who was to come into the world!”
__X__ John 6:47-48
Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life.
__X__ John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
__X__ John 20:30-31
Jesus actually performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.
__10__ Romans 3:20-26
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
__7__ Romans 10:6-10
But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
__10__ 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
__10__ Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
__9__ James 1:17-21
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
__9__ 1 John 5:9-13
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
A. Explain those Scripture passages you ranked as hitting the bullseye. Why are they bullseye passages?
My ranking is subjective. Those passages that hit the bullseye are short, concise and easily remembered promises of eternal life. They require little or no explanation and come from the one book of the Bible, the Gospel of John, set aside explicitly to persuade the unbeliever that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
B. What are your most important criteria in ranking each of the Scripture passages?
The two most important criteria are whether the passage comes from the Gospel of John or not and whether the passage presents the promise of eternal life succinctly. While I can share good news from both Old and New Testaments and from other gospel accounts and epistles, dovetailing into God’s purpose in writing the Gospel of John insures His word: 1) shall not return void, 2) shall accomplish what He pleases, lastly 3) shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. When sharing good news, I pray and trust the Holy Spirit to quicken me to find words to speak; as a result, I may well share passages outside of John and sometimes share my personal testimony without sharing Scripture at all.
C. Do you have a favorite Scripture passage not included in this exercise? Where would you rank that passage on the target?
I believed on the Lord through John 14:6 and knew I was going to be with God in heaven. I would rank it as an 8.
D. Share an instance when God demonstrated His love for you by delivering you from a major health or life concern. At the moment of deliverance, were you a believer or unbeliever? Rank them.
As an unbeliever, God delivered me from being expelled from boarding school—6; He also delivered from alcohol without going to AA—6. As a believer, God delivered me from loneliness with my wife Babbette—8; He also delivered me from melanoma of the eye—8.
E. Do you and I find instances in the New Testament where Jesus delivers individuals from health or life concerns? List a few passages and rank them.
John 11:18-45 — bullseye; John 9:1-39 — 10; John 8:1-11 — 8.
F. Are there advantages in sharing your personal deliverances compared to sharing Scripture? Explain.
Initially, some people will not hear Scripture, but they can relate to our personal deliverances. When the Holy Spirit quickens me to share in this manner, I love sharing how the Lord brought my wife into my life, or how He delivered me from alcoholism. When I share at a personal level, the Lord often opens the door to share from Scripture.
Practice Exercises
1. With a partner play act the following scenarios:
A. In a busy airport, you find yourself engaged in conversation with a stranger about “small stuff.” You shoot up a prayer and ask for an open door to share good news. “Mac, it’s really great meeting you. I have to run for my plane, but I have a gift for you before I leave.” (Present Mac with a Living Water.) “Check it out when you can; you can know for sure you have eternal life.” Mac smiles and says “What do you mean eternal life? Are you a Christian?” From among your bullseyes, choose a Scripture verse to share with Mac. Practice role playing with a partner.
B. You and Mac seem to have a connection, so you exchange phone numbers. You pray for an opportunity to take Mac out for coffee or a meal. The phone rings, “Hey, this is Mac—remember me?” You and Mac agree to meet at Starbucks for coffee. From among your bullseyes, choose Scripture verses to share over coffee. What will you pray for in preparation for you meeting? Practice role playing with a partner.
C. As you and Mac talk, he reveals he is struggling with keeping his job and supporting his family. You recall a time when the Lord delivered you from this same kind of dilemma. Practice sharing your personal story of deliverance. Did God demonstrate His love for you by delivering you? Does Mac know God loves Him? How might you share God’s love with Mac? What Scripture verse will you share? Practice role playing with a partner.
D. You have spent well over an hour with Mac. How should you part with him? Practice role playing with a partner.
E. Assess with your partner: Did you pray? Did you choose helpful Scripture verses? How was your personal story? Did your personal story hit the target? What might you do differently next time? Did Mac read the Living Water? If so, did he have any questions?
2. Choose a Scripture verse and memorize it. Pray for boldness, the filling of the Holy Spirit and open doors to share your faith. When the Lord opens an opportunity, share and give the Living Water Gospel of John as a gift! Were you able to share Scripture when you shared your faith? Were you able to relate an instance in your life when God delivered you personally?
VIII. WE SHARE — While Listening and Praying for Wisdom to Sow, Water, and Reap
Instructions
Please consider each of the following passages and come prepared to discuss them at our next meeting.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
3:2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
3:4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
A. Why does Paul call the Corinthians carnal?
The Corinthians are identifying with persons or things other than Christ, “I am of Paul,” and another “I am of Apollos,” which results in envy, strife and divisions within the body of Christ.
B. Does Paul consider the Corinthians’ carnality a sign they are unbelievers? (Hint: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
No, the Corinthians are born again believers. In the introduction to his epistle Paul writes:
1:4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
1:5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
1:7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1:8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:4-8)
The Corinthians were enriched in the knowledge of Jesus, confirmed in the testimony of Jesus, gifted awaiting the revelation of Jesus, and will be confirmed to the end by Jesus Himself that they might be blameless.
C. What does a believer’s carnality reveal?
Immaturity that keeps them from taking in the solid food of the word.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
D. How does Paul combat this carnality?
The apostle reminds the Corinthians that though God has lifted Paul and Apollos up in ministry, they remain nothing outside of God.
E. If the Corinthians were God’s field, then who planted the field? Who watered the field? Who gives the increase and what does that mean?
As God’s servants Paul and Apollos depend on one another to do the work God entrusts to them to bring the good news to the Corinthians. Paul planted or sowed the field; Apollos watered the field; God alone brought forth the increase or eternal life in the Corinthians. God persuaded the Corinthians of the gospel, and He alone gets the glory, but in His economy God rewards His servants, Paul and Apollos, for planting and watering His field.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
3:13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
F. Has Paul changed his metaphor for describing the Corinthians? (Hint: they were God’s field, but are now God’s _____________) If so, what does this change reflect?
Yes, the metaphor changes. As unbelievers the Corinthians were God’s field; as believers they are now God’s building built upon their Savior’s foundation.
G. How do believers build with gold, silver, and precious stones on the foundation Paul has laid?
Within the immediate context of planting (sowing) and watering God’s field, the Corinthians build with gold, silver and precious stone when they participate in working God’s field.
H. How are believers who build with wood, hay, and straw delivered through fire?
It is biblically possible that a believer could have no gold, silver or precious stones on their foundation, but practically impossible: “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42). But, even if the believer’s foundation were entirely void after the winnowing fire, the foundation which is Christ, Himself, remains intact; the believer still possesses eternal life. Although he is delivered from “wood, hay and straw” by the winnowing of the fire, tragically, he loses out on the rewards Christ would have given for faithfully serving Him in the field.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
I. Who is the “you” that Paul refers to as the temple of God? (Hint: The second person plural is used in both verses.)
The you is the corporate entity we know as the church. Literally,” you (all) are the temple of God.”
J. Does Paul give an example in his epistle to the Corinthians of someone who defiles this temple? (Hint: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8)
Yes, one brother in Christ is having sexual relations with his step-mother. Paul commands the Corinthians as a church body to put the man outside the church in order that he might be saved from his sin.
K. Is holiness important to evangelism? How so?
Yes, believers cannot work God’s field while engaged in sin. Only those set aside (sanctified) by the Lord are entrusted with the gospel: “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Holiness is an essential attribute for field laborers doing the work of evangelism.
John 4:34-35
4:34 “My food,” Jesus told them, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
4:35 Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, then comes harvest’? Look, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields: they are white for harvest already!”
L.. Why does Jesus use the metaphor of food? What is the field He refers to as white for harvest?
Like water, food is an essential requirement for life; Jesus desires His disciples to approach the work of evangelism and discipleship with this kind of commitment. The fields white for harvest are the men of the city with white head dresses coming to hear Jesus.
John 4:36-38
4:36 And the reaper receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that both the sower and the reaper can be glad together.
4:37 For there is a true saying about this: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
4:38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for. Others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”
M. We learned from Paul that God alone gives the increase or brings forth life; what is Jesus instructing the apostles to reap?
Once God brings forth life, you and I are instructed to reap believers or make disciples of those who have believed.
N. How do you understand “receives pay”? “gathers fruit for eternal life”?
Laborers receive pay or wages for working in God’s field. Gathering “fruit for eternal life” expresses the rewards Jesus give those who labor faithfully in God’s field.
O. What is the relationship between the one who sows (plants) and the one who reaps?
No sowing — no life; the work of sowing or planting remains an essential part of working God’s field. No reaping — no workers; the work of reaping and discipling remain essential to working God’s field. Sowing and reaping must work in concert.
P. Using the metaphor of God’s field, can you and I assess our efforts to evangelize in terms of sowing/planting, watering, and reaping? What does sowing/planting look like? Watering? Reaping?
Not only can we assess, but the better we assess… the more powerfully the Lord will use us to work His field. You and I must sow, sow, sow… no seed (the word of God designed to bring forth life) no life. Once the seed has been sown, we must water that seed with our witness by praying, continuing to share the word and ultimately by loving and showing kindness and grace toward the unbeliever both in our words and deeds. Once the Lord brings forth life, you and I must reap by inviting the new believer into fellowship within the body of Christ and helping disciple him or her to become co-workers in God’s field. None of these things may be accomplished in our flesh; we must walk and minister in the power of the Spirit.
Q. Is prayer important to include in the process of assessing our evangelistic encounters? If so, why?
Yes, the Holy Spirit can quicken you and I to ask questions that reveal where a person is spiritually. In order to use our time well, we must assess our witness.
Additional Questions
R. Do you recall a very famous parable that Jesus told about different soils and a sower? (Hint: Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15) How do you understand this parable?
Following His rejection as Messiah by the leadership of Israel (Matthew 12:24-45), Jesus removes the offer of the Messianic Kingdom, pronounces judgment on that particular generation of Israel, and begins teaching in parables. The parable of the soils or parable of the sower and the soils becomes the controlling parable for the remainder of Jesus ministry to that particular generation of Israel through the times of the Gentiles. Jesus offers the following explanation to His disciples:
13:18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
13:20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
Mark records Jesus’ clarification: “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables” (Mark 4:13). The parable of the soils is the controlling parable for all kingdom parables. Luke includes more detail regarding the wayside soil: “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12; underlining added). Those who believe are saved; those who do not believe are not saved.
The seed is the word that brings forth eternal life and eternal life more abundantly. The first soil represents an individual who hears the word, but does not believe. The second soil represents an individual who hears, believes God’s word and receives the gift of eternal life. Unfortunately, the rocks in his soil keep him from growing deep roots in God’s word; he falls away in time of tribulation and persecution, and fails to have eternal life abundantly. The third soil represents an individual who hears the word, believes, and receives the gift of eternal life, but sadly the thorns of life (“cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches”) keep him from having abundance of eternal life and fruitfulness that comes from maturity in Christ. The fourth soil represents an individual who hears, believes God’s word, receives the gift of eternal life, and continues in God’s word. This individual experiences abundance of eternal life and maturity.
According to this parable, maturity and abundance of eternal life are not automatically guaranteed to the one who believes Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Failure due to rocky and/or weed choked soils is entirely possible and results in a catastrophic loss of reward. Only the individual believer with good soil (without rocks and weeds in his soil), who hears the word with a noble and good heart and keeps it, will bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:15). By evangelizing rocky soil and weed choked soil believers, you and I invite them to become good soil believers.
S. Most evangelism training includes a closing to bring an individual to faith. In the context of working God’s field, where might a closing fit into your dialogue?
Sadly, many unbelievers view Christians who evangelize as sales persons with just another social agenda to promote. When you and I try to “close our presentation,” we inadvertently confirm the unbelievers suspicion. If you and I use the sales’ terms “close” or “closing,” we should be clear that it is the Holy Spirit who “closes” by convicting and persuading of truth. You and I are not sales persons, but merely field workers working God’s field. We are never responsible for bring forth eternal life in any individual. Sow/plant, water, and reap when the Lord brings forth life, but avoid closing on any individual.
The most common closing used in evangelism training is the sinner’s prayer. Ironically, nowhere in the Scriptures do you and I find individuals brought forth by this type of prayer. Only by believing in Jesus is a person made alive in Christ or given the gift of eternal life. If you and I pray for a person who has just believed in Jesus for everlasting life, we ought to pray the person engages the three fundamentals of prayer, fellowship and the word and to that end invite them into fellowship in the local church.
Practice Exercise
Pray and draw up a list of individuals to evangelize. In your prayer group, pray for boldness, the Holy Spirit and open doors to reach each individual on your list.
Continue sharing your faith using the Living Water Gospel of John. Can you take any of the individuals on your list out for coffee? Lunch? Pickle ball? Are you sowing/planting, watering, or reaping? In each encounter, silently pray and assess throughout your time with them (if helpful use the assessment bookmark). Do they believe in God? What do they believe about God? Does your assessment change your prayers for them? Is the Holy Spirit opening your eyes to understand the person you are sharing with better? Have they read the Gospel of John? Do they have any questions regarding the Gospel of John? Change your prayers for them to reflect your assessment.
IX. WE TRUST — The Holy Spirit and Pray for the Miracle of God’s Witness in Us
Philippians 2:12-13
2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
A. What is the obedience the Apostle Paul refers to among the Philippians? (Hint: Philippians 1:3-7)
The obedience of the Philippians is a reflection of their fellowship in the gospel with the Apostle Paul. They have partnered with Paul to spread the good news through his missionary work, among other things, by sending him financial support (Philippians 4:15-16).
B. Paul exhorts them to work out their “salvation with fear and trembling;” does Paul think the Philippians are unbelievers? What does Paul mean by salvation?
No, the Philippians are not unbelievers, but rather highly commendable believers (Philippians 1:1-11). The salvation Paul refers to is the salvation he, himself, exemplifies in furthering the gospel while under house arrest in Rome.
1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance (salvation) through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:19-20; underlining added)
The Apostle Paul desires the Philippians to know the miraculous deliverance the Holy Spirit has given him in sharing the gospel with the palace guard (Philippians 1:13). Under impossibly trying circumstances, with fear and trembling the Holy Spirit has delivered him with boldness to share Christ with his captors. As a result, even in the face of physical death and betrayal (Philippians 1:15-16), Christ is magnified in Paul’s body, “whether by life or death.” This is not a new message for the Philippians; after being beaten with rods and locked in stocks, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns while the prisoners in the Philippian jail listened to them (Acts 16:23-25). The great apostle to the Gentiles responds to the harshest circumstances in life by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Paul desires his brothers and sisters in Philippi to personally know God’s deliverance in the face of life’s most extreme circumstances, through the power of “prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”…through their fellowship in the gospel… and ultimately by sharing the good news.
1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
1:28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
1:30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
(Philippians 1:27-30; underlining added)
If like Paul, the Philippians are not terrified by their adversaries (Though their fearlessness is “a proof of perdition” to the adversaries.), it is proof of salvation from God… the answer “to prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ .” The Apostle Paul reports that most of the brethren with him in Rome “confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:14). Not only do the Philippians have Paul’s example, but they also have the example of “the brethren with him in Rome.”
C. What does Paul mean by “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”? Within the context of Philippians what is God’s good pleasure in Paul? What is His good pleasure in us?
When you and I believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the Holy Spirit miraculously indwelled us. He works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure. Our deliverance is not far, but near… if only we might pray for God’s deliverance, we might boldly share the miracle of His witness in us!
God’s good pleasure in His servant Paul rises dramatically to the surface when the apostle overcomes the fears of his imprisonment and shares the good news of Jesus Christ with the very Roman soldiers assigned to guard him. The nightmarish nature of Paul’s circumstances become for him an opportunity to glorify his Lord and Savior. Like our brother Paul, God’s good pleasure in us is to emulate our Lord and Savior (Philippians 2:5-11) and overcome whatever circumstance (however nightmarish) God allows into our lives; we are to join with Paul in the fellowship of the gospel and glorify our Lord and Savior.
1 Timothy 1:12-14
1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
1:13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
D. Why was the Apostle Paul so thankful to His Lord?
Prior to believing in Jesus, Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; following his conversion, he knew the exceedingly abundant grace of God in allowing him to be a part of Jesus’ ministry as an apostle.
1 Timothy 1:15-17
1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
E. How is the Apostle Paul a pattern to those who are going to believe on Jesus for everlasting life?
The Lord Jesus showed longsuffering in his love for Paul. When this chief of all sinners finally believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, he believed “on Him for everlasting life.” This is the same pattern you and I find throughout the apostles’ witness recorded by John. It is a pattern founded upon the miracle of God’ witness.
F. Are you and I a part of this pattern today?
Yes, all born again believers have, at a point in time, believed on Jesus “for everlasting life” and are called to manifest this same pattern today. It is the miracle of God’s witness in us and requires the power and ongoing deliverance of the Holy Spirit in us to manifest before the world. This is the same message Paul shares with the Philippians while he is imprisoned in Rome.
Ephesians 6:10-12
6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
G. How is the battle the Apostle Paul instructs us to engage spiritual in nature?
The wiles we stand against are the devil’s. Like Paul, you and I wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places… all well beyond the purview and strength of our flesh… all requiring the supernatural deliverance of the Holy Spirit.
H. When we engage, what does this spiritual battle look like?
When imprisoned in Rome, Paul did not view his captors as the enemy, but instead he prayed for the Spirit’s deliverance, befriended the guards and preached good news to them. When he and Silas suffered in a Philippian jail, they did not view the jailer as the enemy, but instead they prayed, sang praises to the Lord, and then reached out to the jailer with the good news. As a result, you and I will one day meet the Roman guards and the Philippian jailer and his family at the Bema Seat of Christ.
Ephesians 6:13-18
6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
I. What was the Apostle Paul’s great secret to sharing good news under such difficult circumstances?
Chained to Roman guards, the Apostle Paul learned to put on the whole supernatural armor of God and to trust God to answer his prayers.
J. How did Paul put on the armor of God?
Paul prayed and trusted the Holy Spirit “to this end” to put on God’s supernatural armor: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication of the saints.” Paul also counted on his brothers and sisters in Christ for their prayers on his behalf. Remember it is God, the Holy Spirit who works in us to will and do for His good pleasure; our witness is a supernatural miracle requiring the Spirit’s deliverance and the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:19-20
6:19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
K. Paul wrote numerous epistles boldly proclaiming the good news; why is he asking the Ephesians to pray for him?
As an apostle, Paul knew intimately the failures of his flesh and the impossibility of the ministry to which Jesus called him. Without prayer and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life, Paul was doomed to the pratfalls of his flesh. He needed to walk by means of the Spirit to find the boldness to speak as he ought to the good news of Jesus Christ. Only through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit can Paul make transparent the miracle of God’s witness in him.
1 John 5:9-13
5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
5:10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.
5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
L. What is the witness of the God which He has testified of His Son?
Verse 11 makes clear, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
M. Where do believers in Jesus have God’s witness?
Verse 10 reveals the miraculous nature of our testimony: “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself” (underlining added).
N. In verse 13, what does the expression, “these things I have written to you” refer to within the immediate context?
As you and I have just learned in verses 9-10, the power of the greater witness of God miraculously resides in us as believers.
5:6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
5:7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
5:8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. (1 John 5:6-8)
Verse 6 marks the beginning of the immediate context; God’s heavenly witness is three-fold, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. The Apostle John desires you and I to know that the fullness of the Godhead is the ground of our perfect assurance of eternal life.
Practice Exercise
In the morning, pray for the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to open doors to share your faith with boldness. Continue praying for eyes to see the open doors during your day. When a door opens, step through it by asking the Lord for words to speak. Make a gift of the Living Water Gospel of John, and pray for the miracle of your witness and the person you share with, then ask, “Are you a believer in Jesus Christ?” or “Do you believe Jesus when He promises you eternal life?” or “If you could know for sure you have eternal life, would that be something you would like to know?” Trust the Holy Spirit to give you words, and ask simple questions. Let the Holy Spirit call to mind Scripture; let Him direct your conversation moment by moment. Ask for wisdom to assess your witness and the person you are sharing with in real time—sow, water, reap,… trust the Holy Spirit for the miracle of His witness in you and give God the glory!
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A. The person I’m sharing with does not recognize the authority of the Bible; what should I do?
During the time of Jesus, many within Israel refused to recognize the authority of God’s word spoken by Jesus and His apostles. Even when their word was accompanied by miraculous signs, many failed to accept their word as the word of God. This was true of the Old Testament writers as well.
5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who does accuse you—Moses, on whom you have set your hope!
5:46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because it was about Me that he wrote.
5:47 But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:45-47)
Today, God has blessed you and I with the words of Jesus and His apostles along with the Old Testament writers recorded in a codex we know as the Bible, yet the question of authority remains as challenging today as it was in Jesus’ day.
When sharing God’s word, Jesus would declare, “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear” (Matthew 11:5, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35)! In order to believe, an individual must have ears to hear God’s word. The one who has ears to hear may or may not be persuaded of the truth of God’s word, but the opportunity to believe remains. The one who does not have ears to hear may need to repent or turn from that which deafens him to God’s word. In the case of a young man seeking eternal life (Matthew19:16-24), Jesus instructs him to relinquish his riches and follow Him. Sadly, the entanglements of great wealth prove too great and keep the young man from following after Jesus and hearing the good news. This scenario plays itself out today in the lives of those we encounter. For example, when you and I share with an individual who is highly successful in life, he is often too busy to engage the word of God and therefore dismisses its authority. Should we have the opportunity, you and I may call this person to repent, but we should always be ready to accept this reality just as Jesus and his apostle did; “He who has ears to hear, Let him hear!”
B. Within scholarly Jewish circles, the Gospel of John is widely condemned as the most anti-Semitic book in the New Testament; Should I avoid sharing John’s account with Jews and focus exclusively on Old Testament Scriptures?
Absolutely not. This is a common error within Christendom. The Gospel of John was originally written to individuals within the first century Jewish community to communicate the gift of life in Messiah’s name. The concept of eternal life and resurrection underpin the whole of God’s promises to His people in the Old Testament. Consider Jesus’ words:
22:31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
22:32 “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matthew 22:31-32)
No one can participate in the Messianic Kingdom or the eternal order without eternal life and resurrection, for “God is not the God of the dead, but the living.”
Jesus’ apostles witnessed, over a three-year ministry, Jesus promising eternal life and resurrection. Along with the signs culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection as the Lamb of God, Jesus’ promise of eternal life remains the essential message throughout John’s account that defines Him as the Christ, the Son of God.
6:68 Then Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
6:69 And we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” (John 6:68-69)
Furthermore, that Jesus is very early on declared “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” has meaning only in context of the Mosaic laws governing atonement for sin. Lastly, like Jesus, John and his fellow apostles, many of whom are geographically Galileans, are also ethnically Jewish.
What raises the outcry of anti-Semitism? Two things: 1) the mistranslation of the Greek word transliterated “Ioudaios,” and 2) the commentary traditions within the scholarly Christian community. According to Spiros Zodhiates: “Ioudaios” is an adjective that when used as a noun means “a Jew or a Judean, from Judea” [The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament, General Editor Spiros Zodhiates (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1992), 779 ]. Most translators have chosen to translate “Ioudaios” as an ethnic group, “Jew” or “Jews,” instead of a specific geographic or religious group withing Israel, “Judean” or “from Judea.” Most commentary traditions fail to grasp John’s need to answer an essential question within the larger Jewish community: “If Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, why did our religious authorities in Judea not recognize Him?” Or, in more contemporary terms: “Why did our Judean homeboys miss the Messiah?” As Rome continues to brutally oppress the Jewish people, John needs to account for the Judean authorities’ or the Judean homeboys’ failure in order to persuade his fellow Jews that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Mistranslating “Ioudaios” hides this essential aspect to the apostles’ witness in John’s account and creates the false impression that His account reflects early church prejudices against Jews.
When sharing with those who are Jewish, you may choose to share passages from the Old Testament only to find your audience totally unfamiliar with the Old Testament. Under such circumstances share the Gospel of John, but highlight the error in translation and John’s need to account for the unbelief of the Judean authorities. Ironically, the highly legalistic approach evidenced among the Judean authorities during Jesus’ ministry still burdens Judaism today. Many Jews will recognize this within the Jewish community especially in modern day Israel and be open to receive the Gospel of John.
C. Isn’t the goal of evangelism to get people into the church or body of Christ?
Absolutely, through faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God who has gifted them eternal life, individuals become a part of the body of Christ. The challenge for the local church remains to engage both evangelism and discipleship. Though intimately connected they remain very distinct ministries.
Evangelism focuses on persuading individuals that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who as the Lamb of God has taken away the sin of the world and now gives eternal life to those who believe in Him. This is the pattern that Paul refers to in his faithful saying:
1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life . (1 Timothy 1:15-16; underlining added)
The reaping of newly born again believers is the vital hinge point between evangelism and discipleship. When the Holy Spirit miraculously persuades an individual that they have everlasting life, we reap by affirming the certainty of eternal life. Ask a simple question: “Do you know for sure you have life in His Name or eternal life?” When the person affirms the truth of eternal life, we must invite them into fellowship to make disciples within the body of Christ by encouraging them in prayer, fellowship, and the word. Pray for them regarding these three fundamentals and invite them to your local church.
In his first epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul uses two distinct, yet related metaphors, “God’s field” and “God’s building” to make the important distinction between evangelism and discipleship (1 Corinthians 3:9). Prior to believing on Jesus for eternal life, an individual is a part of God’s field. As disciples, you and I work this field. When God brings forth the miracle of eternal life, we are called to reap, and the new believer becomes a part of God’s building built upon the foundation of Christ. Fulfilling Jesus’ commission to make disciples, while maintaining the necessary distinction between evangelism and discipleship, is one of the greatest challenges the local church faces. No disciples to work the field—no life; No life—no disciples to work the field.
On a personal level the unbeliever believes the promise of eternal life which requires no action or good deed on his part; he or she receives an absolutely free gift—everlasting life. In marked contrast, the believer, whether young or old in the Lord, is always invited into a fellowship relationship requiring he or she continue to believe the promise of eternal life and act upon the commands of Christ in order to have abundance of life and the rewards Jesus promises for faithfulness. Obedience in the flesh is futile; obedience in the Spirit motivated by the love and grace of God overcomes the world and glorifies our Lord. These two ministries, evangelism and discipleship, will always remain intimately connected, yet very distinct.
D. I wish I had known about evangelism much sooner. I fear it is too late for me; am I too old to learn how to share my faith and work God’s field?
I came to believe in Jesus at the age of 36 and immediately wondered how could I have missed something so obvious. The Lord has since taught me that it is never too late to serve Him. Consider the words of our Lord and take comfort:
20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
20:2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
20:3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
20:4 and said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.
20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
20:7 They said to him, “Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
20:8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’
20:9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.
20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.
20:11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,
20:12 saying, “These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’
20:13 But he answered one of them and said, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
20:14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’
20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:1-16)
According to Jesus, it is never too late to serve our Lord. His field awaits all of His children anew every day… “the last will be first, and the first last.”
E. The word “believe” is used roughly one hundred times in John’s account, but the words “repent” or “repentance” are never used. What does this tell us about receiving the gift of eternal life and evangelism?
Even a cursory reading of the Gospel of John reveals that whoever believes in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God and His promise of eternal life has eternal life. However, if you and I search for the words repent or repentance, we cannot find them anywhere in John. In light of the purpose statement in John 20:30-31, if John fails to include anything required for an individual to receive the gift of “life in His Name,” the witness of the apostles contradicts itself and cannot be considered Scripture. In other words, if God requires an individual to repent in order to receive the gift of eternal life, and the Apostle John fails to include this requirement, then the witness of Jesus’ apostles as recorded by John is in error. Thankfully, nothing could be farther from the truth. Although the Apostle John uses the word repent the most or any New Testament writer outside of Luke, he uses it only in the book of Revelation. The absence of the words repent or repentance in his gospel account reveals a systemic truth: Individuals receive the gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God and His promise of eternal life. What is obvious from a cursory reading remains systemically transparent throughout the Gospel of John; faith in Jesus and His promise saves the individual who believes.
Ironically, though no one receives eternal life by repenting, repentance is extremely vital to the work of evangelism (see Question A). Before anyone can believe, he or she must first have ears to hear. Recall Jesus oft quoted expression ( Matt. 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35): “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Sadly, many do not have ears to hear the good news. The story of the young rich man who asked Jesus how to have eternal life (Matthew 19:16-24), reveals the plight of an individual who interacts with Jesus, but does not have ears to hear the impossibility of obeying the law perfectly (Matthew 19:20). When Jesus commands the young man to sell all he has and follow Him, the young man chooses his wealth and misses out on the opportunity to hear the good news. The sins that frequently accompany great wealth deafen the young man; he does not have ears to hear and needs to repent or, as Jesus commands him, to sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow Me (Matthew 19:21). Within a more contemporary context, you and I frequently encounter individuals who believe that evolution accounts for the origin of man; therefore, the Bible is an untrustworthy self-serving myth. We might share the good news of eternal life, but until our friend repents or turns from believing in evolution to account for mankind’s origin, he or she may not have ears to hear our message. Repentance is never a requirement for receiving the gift of eternal life, but is quite often necessary for a person to have ears to hear the good news of eternal life.
From this simple explanation of the relationship between repentance and evangelism, assessing what an individual believes in relationship to you as a Christian and the word of God informs your witness and may require you to call that person to repent in order to have ears to hear the good news of eternal life. No one believes what they cannot hear. Sometimes we must assess by asking an individual, “What keeps you from believing in Jesus?”
F. Surely there are ways to share our faith in Jesus Christ other than the Gospel of John; why do you emphasize John?
Of all the books of the Bible, only John is written to the unbeliever. Within Christendom there are a myriad of approaches to evangelism. Some emphasize special techniques and tracts. Though they quote Scripture, they are themselves not Scripture. All fall short and in time, end up becoming dated. Only the word of God is guaranteed to timelessly not return void, accomplish what He pleases, and prosper in the thing for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). God purposed John’s witness explicitly to persuade that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who gives live in His Name to those who believe in Him. Believe His promise of eternal life and have what only God can give—eternal life.
That said, you and I know of at least two disciples who must give account: “ And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Why did they not record the Scripture passages Jesus taught them on the road to Emmaus? Again, the word of God or Scripture is guaranteed not to return void, to accomplish what He pleases, and to prosper in thing for which He sent it. Thankfully, you and I can discover many of the passages Jesus taught on the road to Emmaus elsewhere in the word of God and share good news right from Moses and the Prophets. The Lord is good!
Practice Exercise
Take a Christmas card and a gift certificate for Burger King. Write an evangelistic message on the card and find someone to gift it to before Christmas. Merry Christmas!
APPENDIX: SESSION REVIEWS
I. Introduction to John Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) The Apostle John records the _____________of his fellow disciples that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who gives life in His name to those who believe in Him.
2) The purpose of the Gospel of John is found in ________________.
3) Gospel tracts frequently quote _______________, but are not
themselves ______________.
4) The ___________________ is the only book of the Bible written primarily to unbelievers.
5) In light of Isaiah 55:10-11, you and I know three things about God’s word:
1) It shall not return to Me,_________
2) But it shall ________________what I please,
3) And it shall _____________ in the thing for which I sent it.
6) God’s purpose in writing John’s account will not allow the apostles’
_______________ to return to Him ___________.
witness, John 20:30-31, Scripture, Scripture, Gospel of John, void, accomplish, prosper, witness, void
II. WE KNOW — Who We Are Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) Having accepted Him or believed in His name, we are children born
of the will of _________ (John 1:12-13).
2) As believers in Jesus, we will not _____________; we have what He
promises us ______________ _________ (John 3:16).
3) We hear Jesus’ word and believe the ______________ who sent Him.
We have eternal _______, and will not come into _______________
But have passed from ______________ into life (John 5:24).
4) We believe that Jesus is the Bread of ________ and know for sure
that we have __________________ life (John 6:47-48).
5) We are Jesus’ _____________ and follow Him. And, He gives us
________________ ___________. We shall never _______________;
no one can snatch us out of the ______________ hand (John 10:27-30).
6) Like Martha, we believe that Jesus is the ___________________ and
the life. We have Jesus’ perfect promise of future __________________
And His present gift of _______________ __________ (John 11:25-27).
7) We believe that Jesus is the ________________, the Son of _______
and have life in His ___________ (John 20:30-31).
God, perish, eternal life, Father, life, judgment, death, Life, everlasting, sheep, eternal life, perish, Father’s, resurrection, resurrection, eternal life, Christ, God, Name
III. WE KNOW — What Our Message Is Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) The problems of _________ and _____________ are impossible for man to solve.
2) Only __________ can solve the problems of sin and death.
3) Jesus is the ____________ of God who _________ _________ the sin of the world.
4) God manifests His ____________ for the world by giving all mankind
His ________ who takes away the sin of the world and gives us
_____________ _______ according to His ________________.
5) If we hear Jesus’ word and believe the One who sent Him, we have
everlasting _______, shall not come into _______________, but have
passed from _____________ into life.
6) Jesus is the ___________________ and the Life—though we may
_______, we shall ___________ (resurrection); and, living we shall
never ____________ (_________).
7) As believers we are living _____________ ________ and will one day
soon have glorified __________________ bodies.
sin, death, God, lamb, takes away, love, Son, eternal life, promise, life, judgment, death, Resurrection, die, live, die, life, eternal life, resurrection
IV. WE KNOW — Who Our Audience Is Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) You and I share good news with both _______________ and
__________________.
2) When we share with unbelievers, we share a message designed to
bring then to faith in ___________ __________ as the Christ, the Son of
________, the One who promises them _____________ ________.
3) When we share with believers, we share the ____________ message we share with unbelievers, but for the purpose of drawing them to
________________ with other believers and ________.
4) 1 John was written for ______________ to enjoy ________________
with the _____________ and God.
5) The Gospel of John was written primarily to ____________________
and secondarily to ________________.
believers, unbelievers, Jesus Christ, God, eternal life, same, fellowship, God, believers, fellowship, apostles, unbelievers, believers
V. WE PRAY — For Boldness and the Holy Spirit Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) _______ performs miracles through His ______________ to affirm
the message of the ______________ as His ___________.
2) When you and I share the good news, we share _________ message
under His __________________.
3) We need to pray for the ______________ of the Holy Spirit when we
share the _________ ________. The Holy Spirit convicts of ________,
____________________ and ________________. He persuades the
unbeliever of the _____________ of the gospel. He ________________
us to preach the _______________.
4) Our ______________ does not come from our flesh, but from the
ministry of the ___________ ____________.
5) As believers, _______________ and _____________ in Christ come
together as the _____________ or body of ______________to pray
________________ for _______________ and the ______________ of the Holy Spirit.
God, apostles, apostles, word, God’s, authority, filling, good news, sin, righteousness, judgment, truth, empowers, gospel, boldness, Holy Spirit, brothers, sisters, church, Christ, corporately, boldness, filling
VI. WE PRAY — For An Open Door Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) Jesus continues to provide an ___________ ____________ for the
Philadelphian church because they are _____________ His word and
not _______________ His name. The Philadelphians are already
evangelizing and fulfilling the Lord’s great ___________________.
2) Crowns signify _________________ and ________________. Those
who ___________________ this world will rule in the coming Kingdom of God.
3) Not all of the seven _______________ shall be rewarded for their
______________. Only _______________ and __________________
are not called to _______________. The key to _________________
and ________________ reward is hearing and _____________ upon our Lord’s instructions.
4) Our Lord’s ______________ is for you and I to _________________
in the open door of ministry He gives the __________ _____________.
____________ for the Lord’s ______________ and will to be done.
open, door, keeping, denying, commission, authority, rulership, overcome, churches, service, Smyrna, Philadelphia, repent, corporate, individual, acting, desire, participate, local church, Pray, blessing
VII. WE SHARE — Good News Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) Evaluating Scripture passages you might share in an evangelistic
encounter helps you identify passages that are concise and easily
____________________.
2) Dovetailing into God’s purpose in writing the ___________ of
_________ insures His word: 1) shall not return _________, 2) shall
_______________ what He pleases, lastly 3) shall ______________ in the thing for which He sent it.
3) When sharing good news, we should __________ and __________ the Holy Spirit to quicken us to find words to speak; as a result, we may
well share _____________ outside of John and sometimes share our
______________ ______________ without sharing Scripture at all.
4) Initially, some people will not hear _______________, but they may
relate to our ______________ _________________.
5) When we share at a _______________ level, the Lord often opens
the door to share from _________________.
memorized, Gospel, John, void, accomplish, prosper, pray, trust, Scripture, personal testimony, Scripture, personal deliverances, personal, Scripture
VIII. WE SHARE — While Listening and Praying for Wisdom to Sow, Water, and Reap Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) The Corinthians are _______________ because they identify
themselves as, “I am of ___________” or “___ _____ of Apollos” which
results in ___________, ____________, and divisions within the body of Christ.
2) According to Paul, he _____________ the field, ______________
watered the field, and God gave the ________________.
3) When a person believes he goes from being a part of God’s
____________ to being a part of God’s ________________. The
foundation of the building is ______________.
4) At the Bema Seat, God ____________ our works and winnows our
________________. Gold, silver and precious stones ______________;
wood, hay, and straw are burned off the __________________. God
rewards us for our good ___________ represented as ____________,
silver, and _________________ ____________.
5) Although it is biblically possible for a person to have an empty
________________; theologically, it is highly unlikely. Even so, the
person is ____________ because the __________________ remains.
6) Once a person believes Jesus’ _______________ of ______________
___________, we are instructed to ___________ by inviting them into
______________ in the body of _______________.
7) ________________ where a person is in relationship to Christ is vital;
we need to know whether to _______________, _______________, or reap.
8) As disciples we ____________ in His ____________ and receive
______________. We gather ______________ for eternal life.
carnal, Paul, I am, envy, strife, planted, Apollos, increase, field, building, Christ, tests, foundation, endure, foundation, works, gold, precious stones, foundation, saved, foundation, promise, eternal, life, reap, fellowship, Christ, Assessing, plant, water, labor, field, wages, fruit
IX. WE TRUST — The Holy Spirit and Pray for the Miracle of God’s Witness Review
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the word choice below in Italic Cambria font.
1) In his letter to the Philippians, Paul refers to the deliverance or ________________ he, himself, __________________ in furthering the gospel while under house arrest in Rome.
2) Paul desires his brothers and sisters in Philippi to personally know
God’s __________________ in the face of life’s most extreme
circumstances, through the power of _____________ and the supply of
the ___________ of Jesus Christ …through their ______________ in the
gospel… and ultimately by ___________ the good news.
3) When you and I believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the __________ ____________ miraculously indwelled us. He works in us
to will and to do for His good ______________.
4) All born again believers have, at a point in time, believed on Jesus
“for ______________ life” and are called to manifest this same
______________ today. It is the _____________ of God’s witness in us
and requires the ____________ and ongoing deliverance of the Holy
Spirit in us to _______________ before the world.
5) We wrestle against principalities, ______________, rulers of
darkness, spiritual hosts of _______________ in the heavenly places…
all well beyond the purview of our ____________, requiring the
_________________ deliverance of the Holy Spirit.
6) Paul _____________ and ________________the Holy Spirit “to this
end” to put on God’s supernatural _____________: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this _______ (Ephesians 6:14-20).
7) The ______________ nature of our testimony is that He who believes
in the Son of God has the _______________ in himself (1 John 5:10).
8) God’s _______________ witness is three-fold, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. The Apostle John desires you and I to know that the
fullness of the _________________ is the ground of our perfect
________________ of eternal life.
salvation, exemplifies, deliverance, prayer, Spirit, fellowship, sharing, Holy Spirit, pleasure, everlasting, pattern, miracle, power, manifest, powers, wickedness, flesh, supernatural, prayed, trusted, armor, end, miraculous, witness, heavenly, Godhead, assurance