A. God's Love
John 3:14-16 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. NASU
B. Examples of Love in an Outreach Ministry
Matt 5:43-44 You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." NASU
2 Tim 2:20-26 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. NASU
Matt 9:36-38 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He *said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
C. Seven Important things to Know about Evangelism:
1. Evangelism is Important - Ezekiel 22:30/Rom 10:14
2. Evangelism is best Taught by an Evangelist - Eph 4:11
3. Evangelism is Normal - Matt 5:14-16/Acts 9:17-20
4. Evangelism is a Privilege - 2 Cor 5:20
5. Evangelism is a Process - John 4:37-38
a. Cultivating the Soil (Developing a Friendship),
b. Sowing the Seed (Sharing Spiritual Experiences),
c. Reaping the Harvest (Seeing the lost Accept Christ)
6. Evangelism brings Responsibilities - Matt 4:19 & John 16:8-11
a. We are responsible for following Christ.
b. Christ is responsible for equipping us for the task.
c. The Holy Spirit is responsible for opening the eyes of the lost
7. Evangelism will bring a Great Reward - Rev 22:12
D. Four Concerns that will help you REAP!
1. Relationship with God
a. Be a Believer - John 1:12
b. Be an Abider - John 15:5
c. Be a Follower - Matt 4:19
2. Evangelistic Tool
a. Have an Introduction - Chapter 5 of text
b. Have a Gospel Presentation - Rom 1:16
c. Have an Invitation - Rom 10:8-10
3. Appetite for the Battle
a. Hear God's Call - Ezek 22:30
b. See the Harvest - Matt 9:37-38
c. Develop your Vision - 2 Tim 2:2
4. People's Destiny
a. Understand their State - Eph 2:1-3,1 Cor 2:14
b. Pray for Conversion - 2 Tim 2:26
c. Love the Individual - 1 John 3:11
E. Jesus made it clear that love was the true mark of a disciple and a disciple maker:
Like anything that is copied, the copy is to resemble the original. The original for Christian Spiritual Multiplication is Jesus Christ. We copy Christ by following his example. As we follow Him, we can expect to become fishers of men (evangelism) and an example for others to follow (discipleship).
John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." NIV
F. Paul, a disciple maker, was controlled by love during his disciple making ministry as can be seen in the following passage:
2 Cor 5:11-15 “ Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment). We are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are providing you with an occasion and incentive to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who pride themselves on surface appearances [on the virtues they only appear to have], although their heart is devoid of them. For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say], it is for God and concerns Him; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit, For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.” AMP
G. Paul, Peter and John emphasized this mark to their disciples:
Rom 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. NIV
1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. NIV
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. NIV
1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. NIV
H. Goal of Spiritual Multiplication
Like anything that is copied, the copy is to resemble the original. The original for Christian Spiritual Multiplication is Jesus Christ. We copy Christ by following His example. As we follow Him, we can expect to become fishers of men (evangelism) and an example for others to follow (discipleship).
Wayne Ruschel
Love with a Purpose
The Parable of the Sower Luke 8:4-15: “While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,"'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." NIV.
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The Purpose of Love
Last Revision of this site was Jan 11, 2024......by Wayne