Evangelism I
Dana shares his journey from being a Southern Baptist preacher to embracing a more personal ministry as "Brother Dana." He emphasizes the importance of evangelism, recounting his experiences of organizing Gospel meetings in a secular theater, where he witnesses the impact of the Gospel on attendees, even if only a few have been saved. Dana believes that true evangelism is about faithfully witnessing and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in people's lives over time. He encourages the congregation to actively participate in outreach, particularly by inviting others to a special Gospel meeting. Dana highlights the significance of prayer and spiritual warfare in this process, urging everyone to bring someone to the meeting. He reflects on the nature of the Gospel, emphasizing that it is not merely about salvation but about God's kingdom and His plan for humanity. Dana draws from the Gospels to illustrate how Jesus modeled evangelism through servanthood, authority, and compassion. He concludes by calling for a renewed commitment to evangelism, urging believers to embody the heart of Jesus and reach out to those who are lost.
Outline of Main Points
- Dana's transition from Southern Baptist preacher to personal ministry.
- The significance of evangelism and personal experiences in outreach.
- Encouragement for the congregation to invite others to Gospel meetings.
- The role of prayer and spiritual warfare in evangelism.
- Understanding the Gospel as God's kingdom and plan for humanity.
- Jesus as a model for evangelism through servanthood and compassion.
- A call for renewed commitment to evangelism and embodying Jesus' heart.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
