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ROOTED IN EVANGELISM

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Roots serve an important function on a tree. 

1.      If there is no root, there is no living tree.

2.      Roots bring water and nutrients to the plant so it can grow.

 

B.      The title of our lesson is:  “Rooted in Evangelism.”  Evangelism is the key to church growth.

1.      If there is no root, evangelism, the tree, the church, will die.

2.      Evangelism brings life to the church.

 

C.     In this lesson, we want to take the idea of roots and make application to the concept of evangelism.

 

I.                   ROOTS NEED TO TAKE HOLD

 

A.    Recently, I have been doing a little work in the yard. 

1.      I moved some monkey grass and it is doing great.  It seems like you cannot kill it.  It very quickly takes root.

2.      I also moved two plants from pots to our flower bed out front.  One of the plants is really struggling.  It just cannot take root the way it needs to.

 

B.      Evangelism needs to take root in the church.

1.      We need Christians who will talk to their family and friends.

2.      We need Christians who will invite others to Bible study, worship, VBS, and gospel meetings.

3.      We need Christians who are willing to share tracts, tapes, books, and other material with the lost.

4.      We need Christians to come up with more and more places where we can go to take the gospel to those in the world:  fair, flea market, parks, etc.

5.      We need Christians who are trained to carry out Home Bible Studies.

 

C.     Evangelism took root in the first century church and the church grew.

1.      “…and the same day there added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

2.      “…and the number of the men was about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).

3.      “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

4.      “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

5.      “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

6.      “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

7.      Acts 10 the entrance of the Gentiles into the church.

8.      Acts 13-28 the missionary journeys to the apostle Paul.

 

 

 

II.                ROOTS MUST RUN DEEP

 

A.    Many trees have what is known as a tap root that runs deep into the ground.  It can go several feet into the ground.  The deepest root known to exist is 400 feet deep.  It is the root of a wild fig tree at Echo Caves, near Ohrigstad, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

 

B.      In churches, we need our roots to run deep in evangelism.

1.      First, we need to have a desire to do evangelism (Rom. 1:13-15).

 

Now I would not have you ignorant brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.  I am a debtor both the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and the unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

 

2.      Second, we need to have the knowledge of how to do evangelism.

a.      Learn how to approach people.

b.      Learn a system for teaching people.

c.       Learn something about the religious beliefs of others and how to answer them.

 

III.             ROOTS MUST RUN WIDE

 

A.    The tap root is not the only root providing life to the tree.  There are many fibrous roots that run in all directions on top of the ground down to about three feet deep. 

 

B.      Our evangelical efforts need to run as wide as we possibly can.

1.      Vacation Bible School

2.      Gospel Meetings

3.      Benevolent programs

4.      Youth programs

5.      Local, in-State, and out-of-State mission works

 

IV.             ROOTS CAN GROW ANYWHERE

 

A.    Roots can grow under the ground, on top of the ground, in water, and in the air.

 

B.      We need to remember that we can do evangelism anywhere.

1.      The temple (Acts 5:42)

2.      In a chariot on a road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26)

3.      In the house of a Gentile (Acts 10:23-24)

4.      In a prison (Phil. 1:12-13)

 

V.                ROOTS ARE MOST OFTEN NOT SEEN

 

A.    We do see roots on the top of the ground.  For the most part, however, roots are not seen.

 

B.      Most of the time, our efforts in evangelism will not been seen until we actually bring forth the fruit.

1.      We sow seeds at work.

2.      We talk to our family members at get-togethers, on vacation, or during holidays.

3.      We go to someone’s house and sit at the kitchen table in an Open Bible Study.

4.      We go slowly from door to door with tracts and invitations to study the Bible.

C.     This was the way Philip did it when he converted the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40).

 

VI.             ROOTS GROW WHERE THE SOURCES OF LIFE ARE

 

A.    Roots do not grow just so far then stop.  No, they grow until they find the source of life for the tree.  If a source disappears, it continues to grow until it reaches another spot.

 

B.      When we reach a roadblock doing personal evangelism, we should not stop.  We must continue to seek after lost souls. 

1.      The rejection by one does not assure the rejection by another.

2.      When one rejects the truth, we just turn and seek another.

3.      Example:  Paul and Barnabas at Antioch (Acts 13:44-46)

 

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken unto you:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 

 

VII.          ROOTS CAN DEVELOP PROBLEMS

 

A.    There are all kinds of things that can happen to roots that cause them not to provide the life ingredients for the trees:  girdling, grading, weather, and being severed.

 

B.      In like manner, there problems that can keep churches from being rooted in evangelism.

1.      Lack of understanding, interest and concern

2.      Church problems

3.      Fear:  rejection, opposition, culture, others who are knowledgeable

4.      Turning inward:  my needs, programs for the church

5.      Too busy

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    If the church is going to grow, we must be evangelistic. 

 

B.      NOTE:  The words of Jesus are still true (John 4:35).

 

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?  behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

 

C.     There are only three things needed to produce a crop.

1.      Seed.  We have that in the Word of God (Luke 8:11).

2.      Soil.  We have that.  There are over 7 billion hearts in the world today.

3.      Sowers.  Here is the place wherein we fail.  We are not sowing the seed into the hearts of the lost.  If we were, we would reap.  How do we know we would reap?  The Bible promises it (Ps. 126:5-6).

 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.