I enjoy reading books on church growth. I enjoy going to lectureships dealing with evangelism and some how to lessons. I can learn new approaches and.

I enjoy reading books on church growth.

I enjoy going to lectureships dealing with evangelism and some “how to” lessons.

I can learn new approaches and new techniques.

I learn what has worked and what seemed to fail.

But I have a strange approach to all of our material on evangelism.

How many of you have recently gone to a movie?

How many of you have sat there and laughed during a movie?

How many of you have sat there and cried during a movie?

What caused the difference in your emotions? Do you believe it was the seasoning on the popcorn?

Of course not; it was what you were putting into your mind.

I compare successful evangelistic efforts to popping popcorn.

You don’t really have to have a special technique.

You don’t have to know all of the methods for popping corn.

You don’t really have to know all of the “why’s” and “how’s” about evangelism.

If you just put enough heat to the popcorn, it will pop!!!!

In Galatians 2, we find Peter unwilling to eat with the

Gentiles…BECAUSE

“...he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.” (v. 12)

Peter was rendered useless and

ineffective for the cause of Christ!

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)

14“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.”

(1 Peter 3:14-17)

Highly privileged

I believe the chief reason why so I believe the chief reason why so many saints fail to teach lost souls is many saints fail to teach lost souls is

because of fear!because of fear!

Fear that we might offend our friendsFear that we might offend our friends

Fear that we’ll be labeled fanaticsFear that we’ll be labeled fanatics

Fear that we’ll be inadequate for the Fear that we’ll be inadequate for the tasktask

We Have Certain ResponsibilitiesTo God,To Our Brethren,And To Our Fellow Man

And fear must not keep us from these responsibilities!!!

God reminds us that fear has no place in His scheme of redemption when He says,

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt 10:28)

Let’s not let fear keep us from

reaching the lost

The Wise Man Said

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

“And I can’t stop! If I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!” Jeremiah 20:9

(Quick Verse Life Application Bible)

We need the passion of JeremiahWe need the passion of Jeremiah

How do we develop this passion of Jeremiah?

How do we develop this burning in our hearts?

#1When we recognize

the worth of man

How do we develop this burning in our hearts?

9And departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they questioned Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—in order that they might accuse Him. 11And He said to them, “What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? 12“Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:9-12)

Psalms 8:4-64“What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? … 5Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty! 6Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet”

25“For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. 26“For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26)

One Soul Is Worth

More Than The Entire Material

World

Jesus recognized the value of the soul

The Soul Is Valuable Because

Of Its Divine Origin“then the dust will return to the

earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7)

“...For we also are His offspring”

(Acts 17:28)

Don’t You See Your Value?

#2When we recognize

the immortality of the soul

How do we develop this burning in our hearts?

Paul Said21“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” (Phil. 1:21-23)

#3When we recognize what God

has done to save the

soul

How do we develop this burning in our hearts?

God showed how precious a soul is by

the giving of His Son

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

#4When we recognize that our salvation depends on

our efforts to save others

How do we develop this burning in our hearts?

1 Peter 2:9“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

1 Peter 2:9“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

Who We Are -- Our Divine Origin

The Price Paid For Humanity -- Jesus Christ

And That God Has Allowed Us to Participate In the Greatest Work Known To Man – The Saving of Souls

We don’t really have to have a special technique.

We don’t have to know all of the methods.

We don’t really have to know all of the “why’s” and “how’s” about evangelism.

We just simply need the passion of Jeremiah and let His word burn in our hearts.

If we just put enough heat to the popcorn, it will pop!!!!