1. The Need for Evangelism The Root word is euangelion. A Combination of: - eu, which means well or good. - angelion, which means “messenger.” A messenger of good news; used in both a secular sense (as in news of victory in bat- tle), and in a religious sense, as in Mark 1:14, and I Corinthians 15:1.

2. From this “Root Word” we get three items of significance: The Work that must be done, Mark 16:15. The Message that must be presented, Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16. The Person who does the work, Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 2:2.

3. Important Fact to Remember: God is “Almighty,” or all Powerful, Genesis 17:1. Yet He exerts His “power” to save through the gospel of Jesus Christ, Romans 1:16. Apart from one’s obedience to the “gospel” all sinners are lost! 2 Thessaslonians 1:7-9.

4. The Need for Evangelism is Universal in Scope! Because everyone has a sin problem, Romans 3:23. This is evidenced because of the nature of sin. Sin involves: – Transgression of divine law, I John 3:4. – Unrighteousness, I John 5:17. – Spiritual Neglect, James 4:17. – Violations of Conscience, Romans 14:23.

5. Sin Has Prevailed in Every Biblical Dispensation! The Patriarchal Age, Genesis 6:5. The Mosaic Age, Isaiah 1:1-6. The Gospel Age, Romans 3:23; I John 1:8-10. In this Age, Sin is a problem for: – Aliens, I Corinthians 6:9,10. – Saints, I John 1:8,10.

6. The Need for Evangelism Exists Because of The Effects of Sin! J.W. McGarvey: “I would esteem above every other gift that could be bestowed upon me as a preacher the power to adequately conceive what sin is, and to adequately set it before the people.” Fact: We need to be aware of the sinfulness of sin!

7. The Effects of Sin: Sin separates a person from God, Isaiah 59:1,2; I Peter 3:12! Sin separates one from enjoying Fellowship with God’s people, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; I Corinthians 5:5. Sin separates a person from his better self, Galatians 5:17; Romans 7:22-24; 8:2.

8. The Effects of Sin (continued): Sin often separates a person from his family, Luke 12:52,53; 15:11-32. Sin has destructive effects; It can: – Destroy one’s good name, Proverbs 22:1. – Destroy a person’s body, Romans 1:26,27; Proverbs 23:29-35. – Destroy a person emotionally, Matthew 26:75; Matthew 27:3-5.

9. The Worst Effect of Sin: It Brings Eternal Punishment! – Matthew 25:46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” – Revelation 20:15: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

10. The Need for Evangelism Exists Because of the Sinners Inability! We cannot transfer personal guilt to someone else, I Samuel 15:3,13,15,23. We cannot abolish personal sins by performing good deeds, Acts 10:2,5,6. We cannot abolish sin by retaliating against the Messenger, Matthew 27:22. We cannot abolish sin by simply allowing more time to pass, Acts 24:25.

11. Because of the Universality of Sin and because of its Destructive nature, Evangelism is a Must! Evangelism which is Collective in nature – local church evangelism, I Timothy 3:15. Some examples of local church evangelism: – The church in Jerusalem, Acts 8:4,14,15; 11:19-26 – The church in Antioch, Acts 13:1-3. – The church in Philippi, Philippians 1:3-5; 4:15,16. – The churches of Macedonia, 2 Corinthians 11:8,9.

12. Evangelism, which is Individual in nature, is also a Must! Individuals are commanded to share the gospel with others, Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 2:2. Every Christian bears the burden of lost souls; this is implied by the “salt” and “light” metaphors, Matthew 5:13-16. – One of salt’s properties is to save, or preserve. – The value of light; it enables one to see; Philippians 2:15

13. Individual Evangelism is a must (continued) Each child of God must regard himself as being his “brother’s keeper,” Genesis 4:9. Jesus called His followers to be “fishers of men,” Matthew 4:18-22. Two Contrasting attitudes: – “When we retire we are going to travel.” – “When we retire we are going to some needy area and start a congregation.”

14. How Do You, and I, Feel about Personal Evangelism? Note: Deep within their hearts all Christians know they have some responsibility to carry the gospel to others. But how do we feel about what we know?? Are there lost souls for whom I am praying? How much time in a week, month, or year do I spend talking with others about their souls? How much preparation have I made in order to more effectively reach the lost?

15. A Plea To the Members of this Congregation: That each one of us develop a passion for souls – a passion such as characterized Jesus Christ, Luke 19:10, or the apostle Paul, I Corinthians 9:16. That we each resolve to be involved in some way in bringing others to the Lord.

16. Conclusion: If it is imperative for Christians to share the gospel with the lost, it is imperative that the lost obey the gospel! I Peter 4:17: “…and if judgment first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9: “In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”