1. Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard www.GraceDoctrine.org Thursday, March 29, 2012

2. Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

3. John 17 The Great High Priestly Prayer of our Lord!

4. John 17:6-19 John 17:18 We have been Commissioned by Jesus Christ for Evangelism.

5. John 17:18, “As You (God the Father) sent Me (God the Son) into the world, I (Jesus) also sent them (the disciples) into the world.”

6. The Commissioning of the Believer by Jesus Christ. Every believer is in full-time Christian service.

7. 3. Three categories of evangelism: The spiritual gift of evangelism. The Pastor-Teacher. Royal Ambassadors.

8. Therefore, the spiritual gift is not an issue in witnessing; it is the responsibility of every believer.

9. Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

10. The baptism of the Spirit is the establishment of your commission in Christ.

11. Eph 6:15, “And having shod your feet (put on your combat boots) with the preparation of (readiness to communicate) the gospel of peace.”

12. 2 Cor 5:18, “Now all things are from God who has reconciled Himself to us through Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

13. 2 Cor 5:20, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We beg you, (invite you), on behalf of Christ to become reconciled to God.”

14. 2 Tim 4:5, “Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.” This applies to every believer, not just the Pastor-Teacher.

15. 4. The Church Age believer has two areas of responsibility in witnessing for Christ. 2 Cor 5:14 ‑ 21

16. a. The witness of the life. 2 Cor 3:3, 6:3

17. 2 Cor 3:3, “Being manifested that you are a letter from Christ, having been served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone, but on the tablets of the human heart.”

18. b. The witness of the lips. 2 Cor 5:20

19. This is communicating the gospel to an unbeliever on a personal basis; personal evangelism rather than mass evangelism.

20. It is informal, conversational, whereby one individual communicates the gospel to another individual.

21. 5. Pitfalls in witnessing. a. Avoid argumentation. You are to give information, not argue over its validity.

22. b. Do not be sidetracked by false issues such as: is the Bible the Word of God, or what about the people who have never heard?

23. c. Deal with the individual alone whenever possible. Witnessing in front of others creates false issues by producing embarrassment, loss of prestige, or heckling.

24. d. Avoid getting in a rut by always using the same approach. Flexibility comes with maturity.

25. e. Avoid the false concept of having to witness to a certain number of people each day, or having a large audience.

26. Also, a high I.Q. is not necessary to witness to those with a high I.Q. and vice versa.

27. f. Motivation must come from Bible doctrine in the soul, not spiritual bullying, human pressure, or approbation lust.

28. g. Avoid bragging about your experiences in witnessing.

29. h. Do not judge other believers if you feel they are failing to witness. Apply the privacy of the priesthood.

30. Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, March 29, 2012 Tape # 12-035 We are Commissioned by Jesus for Evangelism Great High Priestly Prayer, Part 84 John 17:18; 16:8-11; Rom 4:4-5; 2 Cor 3:3; 5:14-21 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012