PERSONAL EVANGELISM

PERSONAL PERSONAL EVANGELISMEVANGELISMA Role for Christians A Role for Christians in the Providence of in the Providence of

GodGod

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IntroductionIntroductionIt seems as if the members of most churches of Christ feel that the preaching which takes place in the pulpit totally fulfills their responsibility in the area of evangelism. This is not the case, however. Christians, as well as local churches, have a responsibility in evangelism.

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INDIVIDUALS ARE TO INDIVIDUALS ARE TO EVANGELIZEEVANGELIZE

The Great Commission

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Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

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The Great Commission Paul's instructions to Timothy

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2 Timothy 2:1-22 Timothy 2:1-2You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

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The Great Commission Paul's instructions to Timothy The example of first century

Christians

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Acts 8:1-2Acts 8:1-2Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

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Acts 8:3-4Acts 8:3-4As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

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Christians Proportional responsibility

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

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Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30"'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 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. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

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Ability

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1 Peter 4:111 Peter 4:11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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Ability Opportunity

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1 Corinthians 16:5-61 Corinthians 16:5-6Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

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1 Corinthians 16:7-91 Corinthians 16:7-9For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

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2 Corinthians 2:122 Corinthians 2:12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

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John 9:1-4John 9:1-4Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

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Acts 13:14-15Acts 13:14-15But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on."

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Acts 13:16Acts 13:16Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:"

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SUPERIORITY OVER PULPIT SUPERIORITY OVER PULPIT EVANGELISMEVANGELISM

The greater number of opportunities

The multiplicity of teachers The power of personal contact The fact that a home Bible

study lesson can be fitted to the needs of the prospect more readily than a pulpit sermon.

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WHY SOME DO NOT WHY SOME DO NOT EVANGELIZEEVANGELIZE

Do not have the word of God in their hearts.

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Psalm 119:11Psalm 119:11Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!

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Jeremiah 20:8-9Jeremiah 20:8-9For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of the Lord was made to me A reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

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Do not love the lost.

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

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Romans 10:1Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

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1 Corinthians 9:19-201 Corinthians 9:19-20For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;

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1 Corinthians 9:21-221 Corinthians 9:21-22to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

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Do not love the lost. Do not “know enough” to teach.

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Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

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Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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Do not love the lost. Do not “know enough” to teach. Are over-cautious.

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Ecclesiastes 11:4Ecclesiastes 11:4He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

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Do not love the lost. Do not “know enough” to teach. Are over-cautious. Do not have the same spirit of

faith as David and Paul.

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2 Corinthians 4:13-142 Corinthians 4:13-14And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

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Psalm 116:10Psalm 116:10I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted."

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JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLEJESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE He personally called

enthusiastic workers. Peter and Andrew

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Matthew 4:18-20Matthew 4:18-20And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

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enthusiastic workers. Peter and Andrew James and John

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Matthew 4:21-22Matthew 4:21-22Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

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enthusiastic workers. Peter and Andrew James and John Matthew

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Matthew 9:9-10Matthew 9:9-10As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

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JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLEJESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE He personally called enthusiastic

workers. Peter and Andrew James and John Matthew

Two of His greatest sermons were in one-on-one confrontations. The new birth

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John 3:1-2John 3:1-2There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

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John 3:3-4John 3:3-4Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

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John 3:5-7John 3:5-7Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"

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JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLEJESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE He personally called enthusiastic

workers. Peter and Andrew James and John Matthew

Two of His greatest lessons were in one-on-one confrontations. The new birth The living water

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John 4:5-6John 4:5-6So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

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John 4:7-9John 4:7-9A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

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John 4:10John 4:10Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

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John 4:11-12John 4:11-12The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

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John 4:13-14John 4:13-14Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

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OTHER GREAT PERSONAL OTHER GREAT PERSONAL EVANGELISTSEVANGELISTS

Andrew

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John 1:40-41One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

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Andrew Philip

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John 1:45John 1:45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

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Andrew Philip All the apostles

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Acts 5:41-42Acts 5:41-42So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

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Andrew Philip All the apostles Philip the evangelist

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Acts 8:5-8Acts 8:5-8Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

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Acts 8:9-11Acts 8:9-11But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

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Acts 8:12-13Acts 8:12-13But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

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Andrew Philip All the apostles Philip the evangelist Paul

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Acts 20:17-19Acts 20:17-19From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

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Acts 20:20-21Acts 20:20-21how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

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WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIESWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES Visit prospects where they are.

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Acts 9:10-12Acts 9:10-12Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."

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Acts 9:13-14Acts 9:13-14Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."

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Acts 9:15-16Acts 9:15-16But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

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Acts 9:17Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

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Acts 9:18-19Acts 9:18-19Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

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Acts 22:12-16Acts 22:12-16"Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him.

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Acts 22:12-16Acts 22:12-16"Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'"

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WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIESWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES Visit prospects where they are. Invite them into your home.

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Acts 18:1-3Acts 18:1-3After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

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1 Corinthians 16:191 Corinthians 16:19The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

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Romans 16:3-5Romans 16:3-5Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

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WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIESWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES Visit prospects where they are. Invite them into your home. Take them aside after services.

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Acts 18:24-25Acts 18:24-25Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

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Acts 18:26Acts 18:26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

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WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIESWAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES Visit prospects where they are. Invite them into your home. Take them aside after services. Talk to them at work during break or

lunch. Always be on the lookout for

opportunities. Remember: authority + ability +

opportunity = responsibility.

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ConclusionConclusion We need to ask ourselves: "Do I

know anyone who might go to hell if I don't teach them the truth?"

More than likely, we will answer, "Yes." If so, we need to be teaching someone.

God has provided for the salvation of souls by giving His Son.

But He has given us the responsibility of taking the gospel to the lost.

PERSONAL EVANGELISM

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