A Crash Course on Evangelism & Discipleship: The Great Commission

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God don't want to hear from you.

Would you consider emailing me you can reach me at greg@harvest.org again that's Greg harvest.org and you can also make me one of your friends on Facebook and drop me a comment. We know we've all been given the great commission summer apprehension today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie urges us to share the hope we have in Christ with a twist instead of me saying you need to evangelize. Let me say to you, you need to make a recommendation that we do this all the time will tell people what's is on Netflix will go check this movie.

We would recommend all day long. Take that idea and apply it to sharing the gospel in opportunity to share the gospel with countless people feature so Harvest at Home. Evangelistic outreach is right here on the new beginning last year alone, more than 150,000 people make decisions for Christ, so he must have a secret formula for accessible evangelism right to be the first to say there is no secret that there are some practical pointers explains the back in time a little young man 17 years old, a brand-new Christian that I heard my pastor say I should go out and share my faith while I had a thimbleful of biblical knowledge, but I knew that I should tell others about what Christ done for me. So I went out on the beach of Newport armed with a copy of the four spiritual laws printed by Campus Crusade. I was looking for someone to talk to and I found a middle-aged lady that looked like she might not give me too hard of a time of night. I walked up to her neck. I hear back then, so try to use your imagination. That one surfer her so I my voice was shaking because I was nervous and I said hi there hi talk to a little bit about God and she looks up at me and says sure. So I sit down and I was so new to all of this I had them and memorize the contents of this booklet, so I just started reading it to her other four spiritual laws.

Copyright 1960.

While one God loves you and is a wonderful plan for your life is reading through it and as I'm reading through it. I couldn't wait to be done because I knew this was a failure. I knew I shouldn't have done it. I knew it wasn't gonna work and I just was kind of rushing through it.

I looked up at her periodically. She was looking at me and I got to the end of the little booklet and a question was asked is there any good reason why you should not accept Jesus Christ right now.

I looked up at her all of the question is are in a good reason why you should not accept Jesus Christ right now.

She said no. I look back and wait no no means yes.

In other words, are you saying you want to accept Jesus Christ right now. She said yes I said oh great. Well, hey, let's pray end and she goes Verizon I'm frantically searching this booklet for what you do now. I plan for failure not success. I found a little prayer I letter in their prayers. She paraded after me. She opened her eyes and she said something just happened to me.

You know what something happened to me to. I realize I God could use someone who knew very little to share the gospel, will I really started to enjoy talking to others about Jesus one on one. I was never a public speaker kind of a person.

I was more of a behind-the-scenes guy and I only said this secret fear that one day God was going to make me preach about is going to be a really random place like the supermarket when checking out in the Lord will speak my heart is a preach the gospel and on the go full out of myself and I never aspired to be a preacher. Trust me when I tell you that well as it turns out he did call me to preach, not far from the beach. I love the First Lady to the Lord. I went down for a baptism being held by Calvary Chapel down the days of the Jesus movement. You know those big giant baptisms that would be attended by thousands of people and as it turns out I got the schedule wrong and I missed it. And so I found a group of Christians sitting there in the sand singing some songs. Remember, I'm not a pastor I'm just a believer going to church and I sat down with these other believers in there was no real leader and when the song was done I read some of the Bible. I thought maybe I should turn to sit here I want to share something with you and I shared my little thought from Scripture and anti-as it was talking a couple of girls joined us in one of the girls said pastor. Can you baptize us. I so don't know another pastor. No, but could you baptize then I just thought well why not. I mean I'm a believer there believer they miss the baptism, so if it sure come on now, I'm walking down the beach with about 30 people behind me and I'm thinking, how did this happen, I this is way above my pay grade, which was zero.

Actually and so I took these girls down to the beach. There tell what is called Pirates Cove Beach and I baptize them and I was so thankful to the Lord yet open the screen door up for me and as I was done baptizing them. I walked up on the beach there and I saw some people are gathered up on the rocks clear as a bell. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and he said preach the gospel. I guess what I was not afraid and I proclaim the gospel to these people, and as I was doing it.

It's almost like I stepped outside of myself and I'm looking at my something Greg are you crazy or not Billy Graham. What are you doing why just kept going before I knew it I was saying to these people up on the rock. And if you would like to asked Jesus to come of your life come down here now and I baptize you and people came and I baptized a couple more people.

What a day that was like. Bring all of this up because we talk about sharing our faith or preaching a lot of us get very tight. There's one thing the believers and nonbelievers have in common.

They're both uptight about evangelism. Nonbelievers are uptight about being evangelized. Believers are uptight about evangelizing them. Okay so were in the new series recalling that faith 101. The title of this message is a crash course on evangelism and discipleship. Let's remember a point from our message last time it was simply this.

If you want to be a successful Christian you must read, study and love the word of God because failure or success in the Christian life depends on how much of the word of God you get into your life on a regular basis and how obedient you are to it now. Point number two to be a growing Christian you must go into all the world and preach the gospel we call it the great commission. There's two variations of it. One is in the gospel of Mark. The other is in the gospel of Matthew Mark's gospel simply states it this way. Mark 1615 Jesus says going to wall the world and preach the gospel to everyone. Matthew's version states it this way and Matthew 28 and that's our text for this message. By the way we read in Matthew 28 verse 16 then the 11 disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them saying all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you, hello, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. That's a great commission to go to all the world and preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations preach the gospel and make disciples. Where is Jesus calling us into the world who was supposed to do this. All of us. What are we supposed to do were supposed to preach the gospel. So here's point number one we are commanded by Jesus to share our faith. Let me say that again we are commanded by Jesus to share our faith that we call this the great commission. But honestly, for some, it's become the great oh mission, the commission of the church is not to wait for the world to show up. The commission of the church is to go to the world. Jesus did not say the whole world should go to church but he did say that shirt should go to the whole world point number two. These words are directed to every follower of Jesus Christ listen to me Christian.

I'm talking to you right now I'm talking the men and women I'm talking the boys and girls I'm talking to students and businessmen and homemakers and construction workers and surfers and guitarists and skateboarders and nerds that hang around playing with computers all the time. I'm talking to everyone, put down your junkfood nerd and listen. God wants you to preach the gospel a put down that thing that distract you and take up this word that God is giving you and proclaim it to other people actually in Matthew's version when he says were to go. The implication is everyone is supposed to do it not just the so-called professionals. The pastors the evangelists the missionaries. Everybody is supposed to do it. We are all called to go to all people everywhere me say that again we are all called to go to all people everywhere. So here's my question for you. Are you doing your part to fulfill the great commission understand that these words of our Lord were given before his ascension. What is that mean Christ died on the cross he rose again from the dead, get a period of ministry following his resurrection, and then he ascended, he went into heaven. These are in effect his final words last words matter when someone gives you their final words on their deathbed, so to speak. You should listen. These are the final words of our Lord to all of us. So it's a big deal to him they should be a big deal to us as your great glory will have the second half of this message just a moment. Hearing about listeners who found Jesus through Pastor Greg's teaching is so encouraging high-pass Greg early last year. I found the Lord and accepted him there and harvest Christian Fellowship before that someone had told me that I'd be a believer in Christ I won heavily. God is so my best to you and your family.

If you had your life changed through Pastor Greg's teaching would you let them know just drop him an email and great harvest on Oregon. Again, that's great harvest.org Pastor Greg is highlighting some important points today about evangelism as he continues his series on the basics of walking with God: phase 101. Let's continue. Point number three. This one might surprise you to not share the gospel can be a sin, you might say Greg, you've gone too far. Well understand that sin has many definitions. There's a sin of commission and sin of omission ascended commission is when you break a commandment when you cross a line when you do a wrong thing. A sin of omission is when you don't to the right thing.

The Bible says to him, the nose to do good and does not do it to him it is sin. So how could failing to share my faith possibly ever be a sin. Let me illustrate, let's say that you are in a house that caught fire and you rushed out to save your own life, but you knew there were other people in their innocent people who could not get out and you didn't lift a finger to help them.

You didn't even call the fire department you just walked off and acted as though it didn't happen is that wrong. Yes it is that's even a criminal act or let's say you're a doctor and you run tests on a person found out they have a certain problem and you know a course of antibiotics could correct it or a simple surgery would make it right. But you're uncomfortable telling people bad news. It's kind of awkward for you, so you don't tell them anything anything you're good to go on your two month vacation. Enjoy yourself here in a responsible doctor okay so those are illustrations that say how much worse is it for me to know the way to heaven the way for a person to be forgiven of their sin and find the meaning and purpose of their life and not tell them you see that's how not sharing the gospel could potentially be a sin.

Let's remove the word preach.

Let's remove the word of evangelism for a moment and let's put a different word on the table instead of me saying you need to evangelize. Let me say to you, you need to make a recommendation that we do this all the time. Like maybe you're in a town you've never been to before and you see a restaurant you wonder it's it's a good restaurant so you go to yelp and you read what a bunch of strangers have to say about that restaurant and what you should even order. There might even post photos all will. It's going here. There's a lot of great recommendations. So obviously the recommendation of a person carries way.

I am opinionated about everything. I mean I all have an opinion about what you should order this restaurant. If you're in this place where you should go.

For instance, like if you're out late at night you want to get something that's maybe around nine or 10 o'clock if you live in California you need to go to In-N-Out Burger, Kim, sorry for the rest of you that don't have an operator, but it's the best take up burger on earth but top I found this with In-N-Out Burger, is I only like it late at night.

It's sort of like a guilty pleasure. I went there for lunch the other day and I didn't enjoy it nearly as much same burger with her. Something about oh, it's 10 o'clock and I should be eating. Let's go to In-N-Out Burger, and let's get it animal style. I don't to explain what that means but that's the way to order it animal style.

There are no animals involved, except that but they do a different thing is, spicy, and then I get chopped up so that's what I'll order or I might go to talk about ICO. Make sure you order this a talk about every going to Disneyland and USB Greg wears a good place to eat it. Disneyland two word answer you're ready for it. Corndog. That's right, corndog. Forget all the restaurants there all the money you'll spend. Disneyland is one of the best corndogs anywhere you can get 1 Main St. in over a California adventure. But this is not a commercial for food, but the point is we perk up when we hear things like that.

Oh I'm in the go try them. Wait I just gave you recommendations now take that idea and apply it to sharing the gospel. How about if I say that somebody like this. Here is the best thing that you can do for life and eternity believe in Jesus Christ. Wait willing to talk about hamburgers but were not willing to talk about Jesus go in and say you'll tell people all watch this on Netflix. Oh go check this movie.

We recommend all day long. You won't recommend for Jesus so going to all the world and make a recommendation, call it what you like me to tell other people. Now notice that in Mark's version of the great commission.

The words of our Lord are going to all the world and preach the gospel. He did not say going all the world and be a good example. I'm not suggesting we should be a bad example because the fact is by being a good example. It earns me the right to share my faith and nothing works more against us than being a bad example but to the point he did not say going all the world would be a nice person. He said: all the world and preach the gospel. Why is this important point number four that's three. Let's add one more point number four. The primary way people come to Jesus is through sharing the gospel. The primary way people come to Jesus is through hearing the gospel. First Corinthians 121 says, since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom, did not know God it please God. Listen to the foolishness of the message preached to save those that believe understand the word preaching doesn't mean you have to project.

We think of preaching in a negative way. Someone saying something to someone else. They don't like those that amen don't preach at me like that's a bad thing out to the Bible says it's a good thing. But you don't necessarily have to do it loudly. You can do it quietly, you can whisper the gospel you can share the gospel conversationally. You can Tweet the gospel.

You can do it so many ways.

The idea here is just communicated. Just do it. Romans 1014 says, how can they call them Kim to save them unless they have believed in him, how can they believe in him if they've never heard about them and how can they hear about him unless someone tells them going to all of your world and preach the gospel going to your family, go into your workplace, go into your neighborhood going to all of your world.

I think of it this way. I call it friends Alyssa you're my bee sting. Greg you miss announced that its evangelism know I'm calling it friends Alyssa FRA in these of the people we are to preach to Fran your Tony only show the gospel with people name Fran know it's an acronym for friend are for relatives A4 Associates and in Fort neighbors who I preach the gospel to my friends, my relatives, my associates, my neighbors and other words everyone even take the gospel to your enemies. Jonah was called to bring the gospel to a city called Nineveh filled with the enemies of the nation of Israel, and he did not go in first. As you know, he was reluctant, but when he did go a great spiritual awakening broke out. You have a neighbor that really irritate you go to them with the gospel and tell them how much Jesus loves them.

Pres. Abraham Lincoln once said, quote the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."

I love that. So, go to your enemies go to Europe for enemies go to your friends, go to your neighbors.

Go to your parents go to your children.

Go to your weird cousins and you only see occasionally at family reunions go to everyone you can share the gospel encouragement today. Pastor Greg Laurie about the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ today. Study here on a new beginning is titled a crash course on evangelism and discipleship.

Now if you weren't able to hear the whole presentation. You can listen again online, free of charge@harvest.org. Remember that title a crash course on evangelism and discipleship or ask for a permanent copy on CD by calling 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 Pastor Rick everybody.

I'm here in studio with my friend Darrell strawberry know most of you have heard of Darrell and he's obviously a great athlete, a well-known celebrity. What I love about Darrell is he takes a platform that God is given Kim to share the gospel and I've seen Darrell in action. So Darrell, thank you for just being who you are and thank you for writing this brand-new book, turn your season around, you know, one of the things you talk about in this book is you talk about how we have seasons in light. The Bible says to everything there is a season, and Ecclesiastes.

You see, there seasons of submarines heart ache and despair that can serve as God's batting cage for teaching you how to persevere and door and wait for his healing and deliverance so you know little bit about batting cages tell us how that works and maybe there's someone listening right now who is in this season of suffering, or a season of difficulty or some other challenge. So tell us about what it's like to be in God's batting cage.

Well it is a really good place when you finally get to God's batting cage, there are different seasons of life that we all go through even viewing the storm a storm away are you coming out of the store and then as part of life and his partner like just baseball you play baseball you go through a season and you have a high at the beginning the first month. Did you have a telehealth in the middle and then you pick it up at the end of the year and you finish up strong depends on how your finish and the reason for turn your season around was a lot of media used to write about me having first half of the season.

The first two games are probably just had a subpar season your for so far, but they forgot that I have a second half of the season and that's just the way it is with God you know in your life you know is is having a second half for your season where you can have the first tough six months and then you have another six months ago and Dr. turn things around. Within those next six months. If you don't give up if you don't print this aside baseball you know and the reason why use this book so much like baseball trying to season around nine is nine chapters. This is because you don't have to struggle you don't house about your house and difficult road to get through it and those that end up excelling at the highest level they persevere they don't quit. Nicotine are going to continue to pursue and uses and you and that's what it is the same God. You have to continue to pursue a forgot even though it's been a hard time even like this pandemic has been a hard time grasping what it do what I just saturated myself again with God.

He got closer to God in the middle pandemic to keep me keep me healthy. You gotta stay home before God, and I think that's the that's the real key for a lot of people to see what what else did you do us surrender myself every day and what I do I get up and I worship God, and I think God is recycler base for what I do every day. I had participated were some new every day when I was in the struggle had gone out to the batting cage. I didn't hit on the ball field and I would just talk to me I would hit the ball the other with cost me over and over and over my hitting culture make me do that.

Just that one place, and some are actually getting hit once I got a hit boom will take off. I'll be back in another group is the same way with your walk with God, that's so true.

You know, the apostle Paul seemed to be a bit of a sports fan to Darrell because he uses sports analogies all the time talked about running arrays wrestling in their spiritual battle that were in and he said you know that we were running a race. You need to put your eyes on Jesus, and cast out the excess weight and persevere through it so folks, if you're going through a storm right now then you need to get a copy of Darrell strawberry's new book, turn your season around how God transforms your life and would be happy to send this to you for your gift of any size. They help us continue to teach the word of God and proclaim the gospel so you can get your copy of turn your season around from Darrell strawberry know we have a copy ready for you. It's brand-new and will send it to thank you for your investment in the work of evangelism. You know, through harvest ministries in the last year more than 150,000 people made professions of faith in Christ and if you invested in network that's fruit credited to your account. You help make that possible and with your investment. Right now we want to say thanks with Darrell's new book, turn your season around, so writers had a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org everybody Greg Laurie here personally inviting you to join us for what we call Harvest at Home.

It's a Bible study.

It's a worship service. It church in your home, you're not able to get out your church right now.

If so, join us for Harvest at Home people are listening this from around the world listen to this. We have seen thousands of people make a commitment to follow Christ. Join us this weekend Harvest at Home at the auto will more insights on reaching out with the hope we have in Christ, Pastor Greg continues his series on the basics called faith 101 is next time beginning and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor great free daily email devotions and harvest.org