Pastor Scott Applegate
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:2-6 NIV
Evangelism: Sharing the Good News about Jesus
Fran-gelism: Sharing and living out the Good News of Jesus within the setting of Friendship, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors
- Be a person of prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer…”
- Prayer is preparation for having influence on others
“…men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons-but they are helpless against our prayers.” J. Sidlow Baxter
- Prayer develops a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and His leadings
2. Be a real friend and a good neighbor
“…being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…”
- Initiate relationships
- Make yourself available
- Take advantage of opportunities
3. Be intentional
“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should…”
- Live with a missional mind set
- Invest in people
- Invite people to consider the claims of Christ
4. Be authentic
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…”
- Most people who reject Christianity do so not because of Jesus, but because of their experience with Christians
- Don’t be too spiritual
- Do be salty
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13 NIV
5. Be prepared
“…so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV