6 - Salvation & Outreach

This session is actually two separate studies.

The first study, Salvation, is the gospel message which is intended to show a non believer how to come to new life in Jesus. Those who already know Jesus need to understand this message of salvation so they can lead other people to Jesus as opportunities arise.

The second study is Outreach. This is the way in which we reach out to non believers. Outreach is not just a matter of understanding the gospel message of the first study. Outreach is a lifestyle.

Salvation

Creation

Revelation 4:11
This world was created by God. It was perfect. Is it still perfect? What went wrong?
No it isn't. Many people have done many evil things and messed it up.

The Fall

Romans 3:10-12
Romans 3:23
Man rejected God and His perfect world and went His own way. Does that include you?
Clearly.

Consequences

Romans 6:23
What is the consequence of sin?
Death
Does everyone have to die eternally?
No. Not if we take advantage of the gift available in Jesus.
II Thessalonians 1:8-9
Romans 6:23 mentions the free gift of eternal life. What happens to those who decide not to come to Jesus for His free gift?
They spend eternity in destruction (hell).

God's Solution

I Peter 3:18
What did God do to save us from judgement?
He sent His only Son to die for us so that we might have eternal life.

Man's Response

Ephesians 2:8-9
What do we have to do?
It is a gift. We don't have to earn it.
John 5:24
So, what do we actually have to do?
We have to hear Jesus and believe in Him.
Acts 2:38
This seems to contradict Ephesians 2:8-9. Does it really? What does it mean to repent?
Ephesians 2:8-9 says there is nothing we can do to earn eternal life but we still have to respond. To repent is to turn around. In some ways, eternal life costs nothing but in other ways, it costs us everything.

Restoration

Romans 8:1
Are you in Christ Jesus now. If not, do you want to be?
 
John 1:12
If you have received Him, you are now a child of God.
I John 5:13
This talks about being sure of our salvation. It is so easy to do the wrong thing and then feel like we are no longer saved or even just doubt such a great salvation. Have you believed and repented? If so, you are saved.

Outreach

Lifestyle

Matthew 5:14-16
How do we get to be 'light of the world'?
We must be living the Christian life. No one is perfect but as believers, if we are serious about Jesus, then our lifestyle will reflect this.
Does that mean our lifestyle will preach the Gospel for us?
No. If we never talk about Jesus, we will communicate that people can become like us without Jesus.
I Peter 3:15
If we are not all evangelists, why do we all need to be ready to explain who Jesus is?
We will have opportunities to talk to people that no other believer will be able to reach. We must be ready to do so.

Witnessing

Luke 10:1-12

This is the definitive passage on sharing the Gospel message with people we do not yet know. There is a lot in this passage.

Why did the 72 go in the first place?
They were appointed to do so by Jesus.
Have you ever been explicitly appointed to go out?
Yes, by The Navigators at UNSW and by the Jesus Culture team in Melbourne.
Jesus told them to go two by two. Why do you think He said that? Do you have any experience of this you can share?
Groups of 2 work best. At UNSW, The Navs always sent us out in pairs. With Jesus Culture we were supposed to go out in groups of 3 but I went with a group of 5. After a short time, we realised a group of 5 was overwhelming and selected 2 of us each time we found someone to talk to. With KPMI we went out in groups of 2 or 3 and that worked well.
Is prayer important?
Yes. Jesus told us to pray that people would go. It is also important to ask for God's blessing and power as we go and also His guidance about whom we should talk to. We are going out as lambs in the midst of wolves. We need protection.
Jesus said to Carry no moneybag, etc. Why? What would our equivalent be?
All this stuff is for those trusting in themselves and not trusting God to be with them. We should know the message and not rely on our iPads, Gospel tracts, etc.
Why does Jesus tell us to say 'Peace be to this house!' before we know whether or not there is anyone there who will listen?
Everyone deserves a chance to hear. It is far too easy to say 'That one will not listen.' when we really have no idea before we talk to them.
Why did Jesus say not to go from house to house?
In Jesus day, villages were small and people mostly knew each other. Going from house to house looking for the best deal would be insulting to the first place you went.
The world we live in does not have large numbers of small villages close together. Doing what the 72 did in Luke 10 is usually unrealistic for us. What can we do in our world?
Look for the 'pool of manpower.' The Navs work at universities and military bases where there are lots of people who know each other. Jesus Culture and KPMI sent us to shopping centres. Not as good but it sort of works. I have found working in big companies gave me many opportunities.
Jesus said 'Heal the sick.' Can you do that? Have you tried? Should that become a gate to going out?
I have healed the sick but most people I have prayed for have not been healed. The Navs had no concept of praying for the sick. Jesus Culture did. When they sent me out, no one I prayed for was healed but it was not a problem.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20
Who are we to reach out to?
Everyone
What do we do with those who respond?
Baptise them and train them as disciples.
Acts 1:8
This indicates a progression - Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, the end of the earth. How does that apply to us?
We start where we are, here in Albury for those of us in Albury then progress further afield.
Would there be a problem starting somewhere else?
For most people, we should not venture out as missionaries if we have not yet led anyone to Jesus where we are.
Samaria would seem to be part of Judea. Why do you think it is listed separately? Do you have an equivalent of Samaria?
Without this, the Jews would have reached out to the whole world except Samaria because these were people the Jews refused to have anything to do with.
There are some people who have caused me problems. It will be challenging to reach out to them.